Master of Science (Computer Science)

This Master of Science degree develops advanced research principles and methods and mastery of a body of knowledge in Computer Science.

Upon graduation with a Master of Science degree from RMIT University you will have developed:high level skills in research processes, the ability to solve complex problems and provide high-level, strategic and research-based advice in a variety of settings.

the ability to analyse and synthesise knowledge related to specific disciplines, and high level communication skillsYou will also be able to take advantage of holding an internationally recognised degree from a highly reputable university which is globally well known.A Master of Science degree will provide you with a foundation for further studies into a PhD and employment in senior leadership and management research-based positions in a variety of government, non-government and corporate environments.Individually supervised research programs are available in the following areas of research focus:

Data engineering:

search engines, image, music and video retrieval, fundamental data structures and algorithms, pattern matching, document markup, usability, semantic search, data analytics, sentiment analysis, categorisation, scalable data management, sensor data management, spatio-temp data, stream data management.

Web services:

service computing, service discovery, semantic services, cloud computing.

Software engineering:

requirements, risk management, specification, verification/testing, reliability engineering, modelling simulation and analysis.

Distributed systems and networks:

distributed systems, distributed applications, games and graphics, computer and network security, mobile and ubiquitous computing, wireless sensor networks, pervasive computing.

Intelligent systems:

agent learning, planning, complex reasoning, agent oriented software engineering, open systems, evolutionary multi-objective optimisation, evolutionary algorithms, data and web mining, neural and evolutionary approaches to object recognition, swarm intelligence, large scale global optimisation, reinforcement learning, artificial intelligence techniques for games.The Master of Science may be undertaken in project or thesis mode.

Prospective candidates should discuss these modes of submission with their potential supervisor/s prior to application.

If you are a full-time candidate you must enrol in exactly 48 credit points in total for each semester. If you are a part-time candidate you must enrol in exactly 24 credit points in total for each semester.

All courses listed may not be available each semester

Coursework Courses

Complete the following One (1) Course:

In consultation with your supervisory team, you may also elect to take either or both of the following:

AND

Thesis Courses

The remaining allocation of credit points for each semester should be made up of the following Courses:

Applicants for masters by research programs must have completed one of the following from a recognised higher education institution:

• a four year bachelor degree with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year;

or

• another recognised award deemed to be equivalent in character and standard to a four year undergraduate degree, with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year.

Alternatively applicants may provide evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and experience that satisfies the Dean of the School of Graduate Research or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country equivalents webpage.

English Language Requirements

A minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents webpage (unresolved).

Selection Tasks

These entrance requirements are the minimum academic standard you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the program. You will need to complete a selection task as part of your application. See the Postgraduate Research Admission Application Form for more details.

Graduates of the Master of Science will have developed mastery in research in their chosen field by undertaking a substantial and rigorous research project

Graduates of a Master of Science by research will have:

• a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent development in one or more disciplines
• advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning
• cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
• cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods
• communication and technical skills to present coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge

Graduates of a Master of Science by research will demonstrate the application of these knowledge and skills:

• with creativity and initiative to new situations and/or for further learning
• with high level personal autonomy and accountability
• to plan and execute a substantial piece of research