BSc (Hons) Dissertation: COMPSCI 789 A and B Semester 1/2

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.

Note: University web pages have been reorganised for 2026. See Programme information and supplementary guides for the official information on BSc(hons) (links near the top of the page) and the PGDipSci (links near the bottom of the page) and related postgraduate courses. The PDF 'BSc(Hons) enrolment and programme information' currrently includes a copy of much of the information on the page below. This page may be phased out at some point, but is still worth a read at present (early 2026).

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. A signed Supervisor Confirmation Form is no longer required. An email from your supervisor confirming their acceptance of your supervision will now suffice. This email should be addressed to the honours coordinator. Once you have your supervisor's approval email, complete the Faculty of Science Expression of Interest. The submission of that web form will signal the honours coordinator to approve the supervision arrangement with Faculty.

Honours coordinator: Prof Jim Warren

• Email: jim@cs.auckland.ac.nz
• Office: CS Building (303S), floor 4, room 303S-483 (note: I work part-time for the University - best to make contact by email)
• Deputy honours coordinator: Dr Marc Vinyals (marc.vinyals@auckland.ac.nz ) - for times when Jim is away

Faculty of Science Postgraduate academic services:

• Email: sciencepg@auckland.ac.nz

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.

• Check out the staff Research Profiles - if you search on 'Computer Science' you'll get pretty much the whole School, but you can also try more specific keywords. The results link to individual staff profiles that include their research interests and publications
• Have a look at the Computer Science research pages - ultimately, these link to the same staff profiles, but staff are grouped under research areas
• If you studied undergraduate Computer Science here at University of Auckland, think back on the courses you found interesting and the lecturers you enjoyed listening to, especially at Stage 3 - ask them about their research
• Email your prospective supervisor with the following information:
  • Why you are contacting them
  • A copy of your academic transcript
  • A proposed area of interest (even if it's very general in your mind at this stage). Ideally, try to make a link between your interests and some of their published research or their teaching

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 2026 orientation slides).

Submission: You need to submit the following items (see further information about expectations for each deliverable in the orientation slides above):

• Project Proposal. Due 5pm on Monday of Week 5 of the semester of your enrolment in COMPSCI789A. The proposal must have your supervisor's signature. Submit as PDF by email to jim@cs.auckland.ac.nz.
• Presentation. Either participate in the 3-Minute-Thesis day (Thursday before start of semester 2), or arrange a time and location with your supervisor who will select the most appropriate venue for you to give an individual seminar (typically around 20 minutes).
• Research Diary. Due 5pm on Monday after the last day of lectures in the semester of your enrolment in COMPSCI789B. Submit the paper copy to Jim's mailbox on 303 Level 4 or by email to jim@cs.auckland.ac.nz.
• Dissertation. Due on the last day of exams in the semester of your enrolment in COMPSCI789B. Submit as a PDF file to Faculty of Science Postgraduate academic services: sciencepg@auckland.ac.nz - it is also recommended to cc the submission to your supervisor and to the honours coordinator

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:

• Academic integrity
• Postgraduate courses in Computer Science available for honours - This list is mostly the same for PGDip (with just the difference in options for disserations and projects). Click on the course link and you'll see Restrictions (if any) and what semester(s) it runs in.
• Extentension, suspensions, deletions and withdrawals - if you need an extension, you apply online via the AS-503 link from here. Note that extensions are for 'exceptional circumstances' only, and entail additional enrolment and fees
• Guide to Theses and Dissertations - note this is 'over spec' for the 30 point honours dissertation. For instance, we don't require binding, just any readable PDF for the final submission. However, it gives useful ideas, and let's you know what's required if you go on to a Master's or PhD thesis
• University Calendar - this document contains the full and official regulations for degree programmes. In the 2025 edition, you'll find the Bachelor of Science (Honours) regulations on page 517 and for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science on page 567.