The honours program consists of a coursework component and a project component, of equal weight. The coursework component involves courses in advanced aspects of the computing discipline, which in recent years have been drawn from: architecture of parallel systems, artificial intelligence, computational logic, algorithms, object oriented databases, programs for parallel computer systems, formal aspects of software engineering, software engineering project, document technologies and automated reasoning. The project component involves a substantial individual project under detailed academic supervision. A formal thesis is submitted (nominally 10,000 words), and a seminar is presented.

Learning objectives of this course will be to:

• Expand the student's knowledge base in computer science and information technology emphasising present trend.
• Learn how to search and summarize scientific literature.
• Learn how to master research training procedures under individual supervision.
• Learn how to write scientific papers and reports.
• Learn how to conduct experiments to evaluate hypotheses, ideas etc.
• Build a bridge between undergraduate course study and postgraduate research study.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have:

• An enhanced knowledge base in state-of-the-art computer science and information technology.
• An understanding of the basic procedures for scientific research.
• The ability to analyze relevant background literature.
• The ability to demonstrate technical mastery of all relevant skills.
• The ability to show an appreciation of the limitations of experimental design and techniques.
• The ability to outline future research directions that are feasible.
• The ability to demonstrate, to see, and take the next logical step without excessive `prodding'.
• The ability to act independently without the supervisor's immediate direction and presence.
• Ability to write scientific reports and papers.
• Training for postgraduate research study or future R & D leadership in IT industries.

Courses (50%); Project (50%)

Full Year
Part-Time Intensity

Enrolment in the BSc Honours degree, with specialisation in computer science.