This page provides information about the honours dissertation, including how to find a supervisor, enrolling and expectations throughout the academic year. This page also provides some information and links of relevance to honours generally, as well as for Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) students. The orientation sessions for the two programmes are often held jointly.
Structure: This is a compulsory 30-point dissertation course for BSc(Hons) and BAdvSci(Hons) students towards a major in Computer Science. You will be enrolled in COMPSCI 789A and COMPSCI 789B in consecutive semesters.
This research opportunity will introduce you to self-directed study in a specialised field of Computer Science. You will work closely with an academic member of staff, and develop your skills and knowledge in the agreed topic area. The form of study undertaken will vary widely, depending upon your chosen topic, which may require careful theoretical investigation or a large implementation.
Prerequisites: An excellent academic record and approval from the school required. You cannot take COMPSCI 780 if you enrol in COMPSCI 789.
Assessment: 100% on course assessment - dissertation.
Description: The project consists of supervised independent research or development work on a topic related to Computer Science.
Enrolment: You will need to find a staff member to supervise your dissertation project before you are permitted to enrol in this course, and you will also need the permission of the BSc(Hon) Coordinator. The signatures of your dissertation supervisor and the BSc(Hon) Coordinator are required on the Supervisor Confirmation Form. Once you have the form with your supervisor and honours cooridnator signatures, you can use it as proof of permission to enrol. Upload the completed form in the 'Research supervisors' section of the Faculty of Science web form.
Honours coordinator: Prof Jim Warren
Faculty of Science Postgraduate academic services:
How to find a supervisor: You're required to find a supervisor for your dissertation. This is a terrific
opportunity for getting to work closely with an academic staff member in a way far different from the relationship
when you see them as lecturers. We're really passionate about our research and love to talk about it! That said, it
can be daunting to figure out who to work with and on what topic. Here's some ways to approach it.
Orientation: The orientation is mainly aimed at explaining the requirements and expectations for the Honours Dissertation. However, I will also review requirements and pathways related to the Postgraduate Diploma and Honours. And it provides a chance for us to meet face-to-face, for you to ask questions, and for you to meet your fellow students. Orientations are usually held at the start of semester 1 each year, with a lunch provided.
These slides describe the expectations for the degree and the dissertation deliverables (download February 2025 orientation slides).
Submission: You need to submit the following items (see further information about expectations for each deliverable in the orientation slides above):
Time for dissertation examination: It can take some time to examine your dissertation - usually about four weeks from submission to posting of the grade. As such, you may not receive your grade in time to attend the upcoming graduation ceremony. This is generally not a problem for on-time completion in semester 2, but can be an issue if you are granted an extension into summer. Also, the timeframe for examination with a semester 1 submission is very tight relative to the Spring graduation deadline - let the honours coordinator and your supervisor know in advance if you are submitting in semester 1 and want to make the Spring gradudation.
For postgraduate diploma students interested in research courses. PGDip students normally just take eight regular coursework courses, including the options of 30 points (two of the eight) from approved other disciplines (such as INFOSYS, DIGIHLTH or STATS). However, you are eligible to take either COMPSCI 780 (15-point project) or COMPSCI 691a/b (30-point dissertation). These have expectations similar to the COMPSCI 789a/b 30-point honours disseration. In particular, however, the requirement is that you have the agreement of a project/disseration supervisor. Staff are under no obligation to provide such supervision as these are optional pathways in the PGDip. But staff may take an interest in you approach them in a timely fashion with a good project idea relevant to your skills and their research agenda. See staff Research Profile links above.
Relevant links: