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Complex Systems

Course resolutions

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

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 Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

Code Course title
GNCPXSYS-01 Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems
MACPXSYS-01 Master of Complex Systems (no intake from 2021)
MACPXSYS-02 Master of Complex Systems

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice. Some units of study are available in distance mode. Visa restriction normally restrict International students studying within Australia to taking a maximum of 25 per cent of courses via distance mode.

3  Master's type

The master’s degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning 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 Diploma in Complex Systems

(b) the Master of Complex Systems

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

5  Cross-faculty management

(1)  The Faculty of Engineering is the administrative faculty for the course. Candidates in this degree program will be under the general supervision of Faculty of Engineering.

(2)  The Director of the Complex Systems Research Group will exercise authority in any matter concerned with the cross-faculty course not otherwise dealt with in these resolutions, in consultation with the Associate Deans of the participating faculties.

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 Diploma in Complex Systems requires:

(a) a pass in bachelor’s degree with a credit average in a quantitative discipline (described below) or an honours bachelor’s degree, from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent.

(3)  Admission to the Master of Complex Systems requires:

(a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit average in a quantitative discipline (described below) from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent; or

(b) an honours bachelor’s degree, from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent; or

(c) completion of the requirements of the embedded Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems at a credit average, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent, or

(d) other students with a high level of relevant achievement may be admitted provided the relevant delegated authority is satisfied they have achieved learning outcomes equivalent to (a) a level 7 award in a Quantitative discipline with at least a credit average, or (b) a level 8 award.

Definition: The curriculum of a Quantitative discipline should include a minimum of 12 credit points of mathematics or statistics at the tertiary level. Quantitative disciplines would include Engineering, Computer science, Information technology, Mathematics, Statistics, Transport, Physics, Business, Finance or other disciplines that are deemed Quantitative by the relevant delegated authority.

7  Requirements for award

(1)  The units of study that may be taken for the course/s are set out in Table A.

(2)  To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:

(a) 36 credit points of core units, including:

(i) 24 credit points of foundational core units of study

(ii) A minimum of 12 credit points from units which start with CSYS, excluding the capstone project unit.

(b) a maximum of 12 credit points of elective units of study.

(3)  To qualify for the award of the Master of Complex Systems a candidate must complete 72 credit points, including:

(a) 54 credit points of core units including:

(i) 24 credit points of foundational core units of study

(ii) 24 credit points of core complex systems units of study

(iii) 6 credit points of capstone units of study;

(b) 6 credit points of advanced computing units of study

(c) 12 credit points of elective units of study.

8  Specialisations

(1)  Completion of a specialisation is not a requirement of the course. Candidates have the option of completing one specialisation. A specialisation requires the completion of 12 credit points chosen from units of study listed in Table A for that specialisation.

(2)  The specialisations available are:

(a) Engineering

(b) Biosecurity

(c) Transport

(d) Research methods.

9  Progression rules

A candidate for the Master of Complex Systems must complete 48 credit points from core and Elective units of study before taking Complex systems capstone units.

10  Course transfer

A candidate for the Master of Complex Systems degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with the Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems, with the approval of the relevant delegated authority, and provided the requirements of the Graduate Diploma have been met. A candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems may elect to transfer to the Master of Complex Systems upon completion of a minimum of 24 credit points and provided that a 65 average is achieved.

11  Recognition of prior learning

(1)  Credit for previous study may be granted for the Master of Complex Systems and the Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems in accordance with the Resolutions of the Faculty of Engineering subject to approval by the relevant delegated authority.

(2)  A reduced volume of learning of up to 24 credit points of foundational core units may be offered to candidates who have received direct admission to the Master of Complex Systems who enters with:

(a) a bachelor’s degree with a credit average in a cognate discipline (described below); or

(b) a bachelor’s degree with honours in a quantitative discipline.

Definition: Cognate disciplines are defined as disciplines which incorporate computational or complex systems modelling at a senior level. Cognate disciplines might include Engineering, Computer science, Mathematics, Physics, or other disciplines that are deemed cognate by the relevant delegated authority.

12  Transitional provisions

(1)  These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2021.

(2)  Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2021 but after 1 January 2020 may elect to seek admission to candidature under these resolutions with credit granted for study already completed.

(3)  Students who commenced prior to 1 January 2020 must complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.