Master of Computer Science

Graduate Certificate in Computer Science

Graduate Diploma in Computer Science

Master of Computer Science

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies Course Resolutions

1. Course codes

 2. Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3. Master’s type

This master’s degree is a professional master’s course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

4. Embedded courses in this sequence

(1) The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a) the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science

(b) the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science

(c) the Master of Computer Science

(2) Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence and receive full credit for work completed in the prior award. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

5. Streams

(1) Candidates will enter and complete the Master of Computer Science through a stream.

(2) The Master of Computer Science is available in the following streams:

(a) Master of Computer Science

(b) Master of Computer Science (advanced entry)

(3) Once admitted to a stream, students will not be permitted to transfer to another stream except in exceptional circumstances.

6. Admission to candidature

(1) Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria.

(2) Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science requires:

(a) A bachelor’s degree or higher award in any discipline from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 60.

(b) In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(3) Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science requires:

(a) A bachelor’s degree or higher award in a cognate discipline from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 60; or

(b) Completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate certificate in this discipline or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 60.

(c) In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(4) Admission to the Master of Computer Science requires:

(a) A bachelor’s degree or higher award in any discipline, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 65; or

(b) In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(5) Admission to the Master of Computer Science (advanced entry) requires:

(a) A bachelor’s degree or higher award in a cognate discipline from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 65; or

(b) Completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma or graduate certificate in this discipline or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, with a minimum average of 65.

(c) In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(6) A cognate discipline must show significant study in Computer Science or Information Technology areas, equivalent in volume of learning to a major. This would include a degree in a discipline deemed cognate by the Program Directors, or a component within a degree not clearly in those disciplines.

7. Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for the course/s are set out in the Master of Computer Science unit study table.

(2) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science, candidates must complete 24 credit points, including:

(a) 24 credit points of Foundation units of study.

(3) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, candidates must complete 48 credit points, including:

(a) Maximum 24 credit points of Foundation units of study; and

(b) Maximum 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(c) Minimum 18 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(d) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study.

(4) To qualify for the award of the Master of Computer Science, a candidate must complete 96 credit points, including:

(a) For the Capstone Pathway:

(i) Minimum 24 credit points and maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study including

1) 12 credit points of Foundation Core units of study, and

2) 6 credit points of Foundation Programming Selective unit of study, and

3) 6 credit points of Foundation Networking Selective unit of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 12 credit points of Capstone Project units of study.

(b) For the Research Pathway:

(i) Minimum 24 credit points and maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study including

1) 12 credit points of Foundation Core units of study, and

2) 6 credit points of Foundation Programming Selective unit of study, and

3) 6 credit points of Foundation Networking Selective unit of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 24 credit points of Research Pathway units of study.

(c) For Work Integrated Pathway:

(i) Minimum 24 credit points and maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study including

1) 12 credit points of Foundation Core units of study, and

2) 6 credit points of Foundation Programming Selective unit of study, and

3) 6 credit points of Foundation Networking Selective unit of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 24 credit points of Work Integrated Project unit of study.

(5) To qualify for the award of the Master of Computer Science (advanced entry), a candidate must complete 96 credit points, including:

(a) For the Capstone Pathway:

(i) Maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 12 credit points of Capstone Project units of study.

(b) For the Research Pathway:

(i) Maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 24 credit points of Research Pathway units of study.

(c) For Work Integrated Pathway:

(i) Maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units of study; and

(ii) 18 credit points of Core units of study; and

(iii) Minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units of study; and

(iv) Maximum 12 credit points of Elective units of study; and

(v) 24 credit points of Work Integrated Project unit of study.  

8. Specialisations

(1) Completion of a specialisation is not a requirement of the course. Candidates in the Master of Computer Science may complete a maximum of one specialisation. Candidates in the Master of Computer Science (advanced entry) stream may complete a maximum of two specialisations.

(2) A specialisation requires the completion of 24 credit points chosen from units of study listed in the table for that specialisation as specified in Master of Computer Science specialisation table. Units of study counted towards one specialisation may not count toward any other specialisation completed.

(3) The specialisations available are:

(a) Algorithms and Theory

(b) Cybersecurity

(c) Data Science and AI

(d) Digital Media

(e) Human-Computer Interaction

(f) Networks and Distributed Systems

(g) Software Engineering

(h) Unspecified Specialisation

9. Recognition of prior learning

(1) Waivers may be granted or the volume of learning may be reduced in recognition of prior learning in accordance with the Coursework Policy 2014 (Note: a waiver on its own waives a requirement but does not reduce the volume of learning for the degree as a whole).

(2) Candidates for the Master of Computer Science may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of up to 48 credit points, subject to the following:

(a) A reduction in the volume of learning to a maximum of 24 credit points for an AQF 7 bachelor degree in a cognate discipline (as defined in 6 (6) above) as determined by Faculty of Engineering, School of Computer Science;

(b) A reduction in the volume of learning to a maximum of 48 credit points for an AQF 8 or higher qualification in a cognate discipline as determined by Faculty of Engineering, School of Computer Science;

(c) The maximum reduction in the volume of learning on the basis of prior learning is 48 credit points.

(3) Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of up to 24 credit points for relevant studies completed at the University of Sydney.

(4) Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science will not be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning.

(5) Notwithstanding any reduction in the volume of learning granted on the basis of work completed or prior learning, in order to qualify for an award a student must complete at least 50 per cent of the requirements prescribed for the award course at the University of Sydney.

10. Progression rules

(1) Candidates must complete the Project units in the final semester of enrolment. For part time candidates and candidates in the Research Pathway, the project units can be completed in the final two semesters.

(2) With permission from the Program Director, a candidate for the Master of Computer Science who has completed a minimum of 48 credit points with at least Distinction average marks may take the Research Pathway or Work Integrated Pathway.

11. Cross-institutional study

Cross-institutional study is not available in this course except where the University of Sydney has a formal cooperation agreement with another university.

12. International exchange

The Faculty encourages candidates in this course to participate in international exchange programs. For more information on international exchanges refer to the International Office.

13. Award of the master’s degree, graduate diploma and graduate certificate

(1) The master’s degree, graduate diploma and graduate certificate will be awarded in the pass grade.

(2) The testamur for the Master of Computer Science will specify:

(a) Up to two specialisations completed.

14. Course transfer

(1) A candidate for the master’s degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

15. Commencement of these resolutions

These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2024.