Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)

RMIT program code: BH013
Program plan: BH013P9
CRICOS code: 064395B

Duration: One year full-time

Program description

The Computer Science Honours year involves advanced level coursework and completion of a substantial research project. The program is intended for students who have a strong theoretical and practical bachelor degree in computing and are interested in taking up a research career or a senior leadership role in the computing industry.

Honours graduates with good results may proceed directly to postgraduate research. Several scholarships are available each year for strong applicants.

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Program structure

The Honours course has two main components:

A research component conducted under the supervision of a member of academic staff, comprising the courses COSC2148 Research Methods and COSC2177 Computer Science Honours Research Project, together worth 50% of final assessment.
A coursework component consisting of four elective courses chosen from several streams, with a combined worth of 50% of final assessment.

Students must complete all six courses within one academic year – students must complete COSC2148 Research Methods and at least three elective courses in their first semester, and COSC2177 Research Project and at most one elective course in their second semester.

As a guideline students should plan to spend approximately 40 hours on campus each week in order to be successful. It is not acceptable to work primarily at home, since part of a successful Honours program is participation in and collaboration with a community of researchers.

Detailed outline of the Honours year

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Entry requirements

Students should have completed a Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Software Engineering or an approved equivalent. Students are required to have maintained a high level of achievement throughout their basic degree. It is expected that students applying for the Honours year will have attained at least a Credit average for their final year, preferably a Distinction average.

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Application procedures and deadlines

Please refer to our Application Procedures web page.

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Scholarships

Of the Honours students enrolled in 2006 through to 2008, top students were awarded a School Scholarship to assist them whilst completing their Honours degree. It is anticipated that this scholarship scheme will continue to be offered to top students in the future.

Students wishing to be considered for the Honours scholarship scheme should apply directly to Dr Andy Song by early November 2008.

Note: The early deadline for applying to do Honours in 2009 is 10 November 2008. While there is no specific late deadline, applications received after 10 November 2008 will not be considered for an Honours scholarship.

Applicants who wish to discuss further details of the scholarship scheme or selection for the Honours program should contact Professor Lin Padgham.

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Entry into a postgraduate research degree

On completion of the Honours program there may be opportunities to proceed on to postgraduate studies. The following is a guideline as to options available for successful Honours students:

Honours First Class – Proceed directly into the Doctor of Philosophy program (typically such a student will attract Scholarship funding)

Honours Second Class A – May enrol in the Doctor of Philosophy program, but would be encouraged to enrol in a Master by Research initially (student may not attract funding but may apply for tutorships)

Honours Second Class B – May enrol in the Master by Research program (student may apply for tutorships)

Further study is not permitted for students achieving Honours Third Class or below.

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Communication

Since there is no class that all Honours students take (except for COSC2148 Research Methods which also includes non-Honours students), announcements will be made by the newsgroup (Yallara login required) and via RMIT student email. It is the responsibility of Honours students to ensure that they are able to receive email and that they check both their email and the newsgroup regularly. By default emails will be sent to s1234567@student.rmit.edu.au.

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Downloads and useful links

Program Overview (official RMIT program information)
Student Feedback – Staff Student Consultative Committee (SSCC) Meeting dates and Minutes
Computer Science and IT research specialties
Detailed outline of the Honours year
Additional Honours information including links to some proposed projects (secure site – Yallara login required)

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