COMP SCI 7095A - Master Computer Science Research Project - Part A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

A student undertaking the project component of M. Comp.Sc. will enrol in project courses worth 15 units over 2 consecutive semesters. Students should enrol in Part A in the semester in which their project begins. The project will consist of an investigation in an area of computer science. Projects are supervised by one or more members of academic staff, sometimes in association with one of the School's research groups.

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Course Details

Course Code	COMP SCI 7095A
Course	Master Computer Science Research Project - Part A
Coordinating Unit	Computer Science
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Prerequisites	COMP SCI 7007
Restrictions	Available to M Comp Sci students only

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michael Sheng

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Gain exposure to research in an area of computer science.
2. Learn to interpret and assess literature related to a current area of research.
3. Learn how to experiment with algorithms whose properties are not known in advance.
4. Learn to present work to an audience, both in written form and orally.
5. Learn to work and plan independently.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2, 3, 5
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2, 3, 5
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1, 3, 5
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

N/A

Recommended Resources

Resources are recommended on an individual basis by project supervisors. A dedicated computer laboratory is available at room 4.61, Ingkarni Wardli Building. Specialised computing requirements should be arranged through the project supervisor.

Online Learning

A Moodle forum (“Honours and Master Computer Science Project”) is available for announcements and discussion about the MCS project:

http://forums.cs.adelaide.edu.au/.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The MCS project is intended to provide an introduction to computer science research in the area chosen by the student. Students learn by a combination of reading research papers, discussing problems with their supervisor and peers, writing experimental programs and presenting their work both orally and in a written report.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A MCS student is expected to spend 20 hours per week on his/her project.

Learning Activities Summary

The MCS Project A consists of several stages, including:

1. Literature review and proposal presentation
2. Initial implementation and testing
3. Report writing

The specific content of each step is highly project dependent, and should be discussed with the project supervisor.

Specific Course Requirements

N/A

Small Group Discovery Experience

The Master Computer Science project typically involves one student and one (or more) academic staff.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The project Part A has two main assessement components:
1) Project proposal presentation (5% of the overall assessment);
2) Project preliminary report (15% of the overall assessment).

Assessment Related Requirements

A mark of 50% or greater is required to pass this course.

Assessment Detail

The MCS Project is assessed primarily on the final report written by the student. The report is marked by two examiners and verified by all academic staff.

A preliminary presentation contributes a minor amount of marks to the final mark. This will be graded by the project supervisor and a second staff member.

Submission

Project reports are submitted by sending them to the MCS coordinator by email.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator