Faculty of Sciences > Programs > Masters Programs > MComp

• Program Summary
• Program Objectives
• Admission Requirements
• Program Structure
• Coursework
• Research
• IT Requirements
• Articulation
• Program Fees
• Enquiries
• Recommended Enrolment Patterns

Key
HECS = Higher Education Loans Scheme
PELS = Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme
RTS = Research Training Scheme
ANZ = Australia and New Zealand Students
INT = International Students

The general objective of the Master of Computing is to produce graduates who possess high-level skills in computing theory, practice and research, who are attractive to employers, and are able to contribute to an appropriate professional body. Graduates will be able to pursue further studies, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), will be able to contribute to the discipline of computing, take advantage of research literature, and have an understanding of how to undertake their own research.

Graduates will be able to:

• design, manage and develop complex software systems in an effective manner;
• understand a broad range of topics in theoretical computer science;
• undertake a study of the literature in an area of computer science and make an assessment of that area;
• apply theoretical concepts from computer science to appropriate computing problems; and
• identify computing problems requiring further research and develop research methods for those problems.

To be considered for entry to the program applicants must:

• hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised University in the field of computing, with a GPA of at least 5; or
• have completed either the Graduate Diploma of Information Technology, the Graduate Diploma of Professional Computing or the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Computing both offered by USQ; or
• have an approved qualification at least equivalent to one of the above.

To be eligible for the award of Master of Computing, each student is required to complete at least eight units of coursework and a four-unit research project.

The coursework will consist of courses chosen from those in the table shown under the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing entry in this Handbook. However, no level 2 courses can be credited towards the Masters program.

Normally at least four courses will be from Level 4 or 8. Exemptions or credit for previous study will not normally be permitted. However, if deemed appropriate with the aims of the program, and subject to approval by the Postgraduate Coordinator, students may include up to three units of other study at the appropriate level.

In addition to the coursework, each student is required to complete a four-unit research project. To satisfy this requirement, students will complete both of the two-unit courses, CSC8404 MComp Project A and CSC8405 MComp Project B. Subject to approval by the Postgraduate Coordinator, these courses may be taken in Semester 1, 2 or 3.

Computing requirements are identical to those for the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing. Please refer to that entry for details.

The University is installing a wireless network for students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. A notebook/laptop may be required for some courses.

The Faculty of Sciences offers an articulating sequence of postgraduate programs in advanced computing. These are the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing, the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Computing and the Master of Computing. Level 2 courses completed in either the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing or the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Computing cannot be credited towards the Master of Computing.

The Master of Computing contains 12 units and must be completed within five years of first enrolment in the program, or within five years of first enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing or within five years of first enrolment in the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Computing, whichever is the earliest.

International Students

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the Fees and Charges section of this Handbook: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/feecharge.html

Fee-Paying Postgraduate Domestic Students and Post-graduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS)

For those Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia who pay tuition fees, details about postgraduate fees, are in the Fees and Charges section of this Handbook http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/feecharge.html . Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia may be able to defer their postgraduate fees through the tax system. For details about this Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme (PELS) refer to the PELS section of this Handbook: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/feecharge.html

Initial enquiries should be directed to the Faculty Marketing Officer, Mary McGilvray: telephone (07) 4631 2681; email studysci@usq.edu.au .

Currently enrolled Australian students should contact the Program Coordinator, Dr Ron Addie: telephone (07) 4631 5520; email addie@usq.edu.au .

Currently enrolled international students should contact the Program Coordinator, Mike McFarlane: telephone (07) 4631 5535; email mcfarlan@usq.edu.au .

Further information about postgraduate programs, courses and research projects of the Department of Mathematics and Computing may be found at http://www.sci.usq.edu.au/postgrad

There is no recommended enrolment pattern for this program. Students should select their own, using the table provided in the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Computing entry in this Handbook. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Coordinator.