Honours in Information Technology
It is further study worth 24 credit points undertaken after completion of an ordinary degree. The honours program aims to broaden and deepen the individuals' knowledge of their chosen areas, to provide an introduction to research methods (including the development of research skills, the planning and writing of research reports and oral presentation of research results) and to develop an awareness of the nature of research in general. The study at honours level can be seen as an apprenticeship for further research and the class of honours bestowed is taken to be a clear indicator of your ability to undertake further research. This has not been well understood by some students, who see Honours simply as a further year of study, a chance to study advanced topics in more depth than the ordinary degree. However, its use as a research training ground and research-ability indicator means that students must be prepared to start analysing and criticising the ideas and writing of others and to accept criticism of their own ideas. Whereas, in their undergraduate studies students generally accepted what has been written in text books, now students will be reading advanced texts and journals and be expected to analyse, compare and contrast the proposals and hypotheses of experts in the topic area of interest to the students. It aims to extend individual training in independent research and the analysis of advanced problems in the theory and practice of their chosen area. Honours graduates develop advanced analytical and critical skills that are relevant to many areas of employment. The Structures of the Honours in Computer Science and the Honours in Information Systems Programs are given in the University Handbook. Both Honours courses are composed of 50% coursework comprised of Honours coursework Topic units, and 50% research thesis and project under the supervision of an academic staff member. Entry to the Honours program will require a three-year Bachelor's degree, or equivalent qualification, from either Murdoch University or another tertiary institution of appropriate standing. A satisfactory level of achievement and an aptitude for a programme of honours level studies must be demonstrated. The degree awarded to successful candidates will be B.Sc. (Honours). Honours may also be taken by part-time study. A flexible study plan can be arranged so that students can study as well as work. University handbook information about Honours studies is found at http://wwwcomm.murdoch.edu.au/handbook/geninfo/honours.html
Generally 2 Honours Topic units are taken in first semester together with preliminary work on the research project. In the second semester only one unit is taken, and most effort is spent on the thesis and project. Please confirm this with the Honours chair and co-ordinator by email T.Mcgill@murdoch.edu.au
The Honours thesis is based on the research project. It is assessed in two stages. After the initial semester of project work a proposal is submitted. Then, near the end of the final semester of enrolment in the Honours program, students submit the full thesis that presents the entire research project.
Some suggested project areas are shown below. Clicking on the person's name may provide further details about their areas of expertise. Students should also feel free to suggest alternative topics in consultation with potential supervisors. Potential supervisors can be found from academic staff at the staff page. Prospective students can discuss any topic of interest (to the student) with any potential supervisor.
For more information please email T.Mcgill@murdoch.edu.au. A small research allowance (approximately $200 - may vary from year to year) is provided to honours students to help cover such costs as photocopying, interlibrary loans and stationery students will need during the year. It is only permissible to spend these funds on items directly related to students' Honours studies. External scholarships may also be available. Please see http://www.research.murdoch.edu.au/rds/scholar.asp and look for any applicable scholarships. Honours students usually do some tutoring as well. At this time, honours study (for Australian students) is covered by the HECS scheme. This situation cannot be guaranteed in future years. It is possible that students coming back to do honours in a few years time might find that the government requires them to pay fees up front or that the amount of HECS to be eventually paid has increased.
Application forms can be downloaded from http://choose.murdoch.edu.au/postgrad/application.html. Also visit the following sites for further information: http://www.arts.murdoch.edu.au/students/honours.html Prospective students can also call Tanya McGill on (61 8) 9360 2798 for an initial chat or email T.Mcgill@murdoch.edu.au. The closing date is last Friday in November for enrolment in semester 1 of the following year or the last Friday in May for enrolment in semester 2 of the same year.
For further information on the School of Information Technology
Honours program, please contact the Honours Subcommittee Chair
and co-ordinator Dr Tanya McGill
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