Computer Science

Overview

The program in Computer Science allows students to study a selection of topics in some depth and to work independently on a medium-sized project. It provides an introduction to research methodology and greater experience in system development. It may be used as a preparation for postgraduate studies in computer science, and opens additional career opportunities in systems design and implementation and in research support.

Entry Requirements: To be eligible for the course, a student must have a three-year degree with substantial computing content as well as an average final-year mark at the level of at least the equivalent of 65. Industrial experience may also be taken into account. As a minimum, computing background should include solid experience with Unix and C programming, as well as good knowledge in the areas of data structures and algorithms for sorting, searching and graph manipulation, software development principles and tools, and software design, including object-oriented design. A student's computing background should also include good knowledge of several more specialised areas, such as artificial intelligence, computability and logic, operating systems, databases, human-computer interaction, computer networks, compilers, computer graphics, and software engineering. Finally, a student must have passed the equivalent of at least 25 points of level-1 Mathematics or Statistics.

Assessment: Assessment consists of written assignments, oral presentations and written examinations.

Seminars: The Department of Computing and Information Systems holds regular seminars; attendance at these is required for Postgraduate Diploma students. Other talks may also be recommended by the teaching staff; these, too, are considered to be part of the course.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Structure

Subject Options

Coursework Component

Students (full-time or part-time) must pass 6 subjects from the following list (including up to three level-3 subjects).

Students may also ask the Honours Coordinator's permission to take one relevant masters-level subject outside the Department.

Research Component

As well as advancing the student's knowledge of computer science, the Postgraduate Diploma is intended to introduce students to the world of research. Part way through their first semester, students will select a supervisor and project from a list of topics that academic staff have indicated they are willing to supervise. These projects involve a search of the relevant literature, some investigation or application by the student, and preparation of a final written report summarising the results of the investigation and its relation to other work in the area.

Students are required to present a written summary of their project proposals towards the end of their first semester, and to give a final oral presentation of their research shortly after the deadline for theses. The thesis should not exceed 12,000 words. The thesis contributes 25% towards the final mark. The thesis will be examined by the supervisor and two other members of academic of staff. Guidelines for marking will be made available to students.

Notes

This program has a start-year and a mid-year intake.

Last updated: 4 March 2025