The MBC information booklet - RMIT University

Chapter 2: Masters Program Format and Timetables
CHAPTER 2 Masters Program Format
and Timetables
2.1 Terminology and Definitions
2.1.1 Specialist
Cluster
The program can be undertaken in two modes—full-time and part-time. Each course in the
program is valued by a number of credit points. All non thesis/project courses are valued
at 12 credit points. To complete the program each student must undertake 144 Credit
Points and achieve a CGPA of at least 2.0. To undertake the thesis option, students
must achieve a CGPA of at least 3.0.
The normal duration of a full-time program is one and half years, and the normal duration
of a part-time program is three years. Credit will not ordinarily be given for courses
completed in a 3-year undergraduate program or as part of a Graduate Diploma (as
distinct from a Postgraduate level Diploma or Postgraduate level Certificate).
The program cannot be completed in 12 calendar months.
Students need to complete:
• 1 specialist cluster
• 1 elective cluster
Plus either:
• 1 vocational cluster; OR
• COSC2149 Research Methods and a Minor Thesis/Project
A specialist cluster is a group of four thematically-linked courses. Part-time students
undertake two courses in each semester. Each course in the cluster is valued at 12 credit
points. The themes or specialist course areas offered in the program are:
• Advanced Databases (see page 17)
• Bioinformatics (see page 21)
• Computer Security (see page 25)
• Intelligent Systems (see page 29)
• Networked & Distributed Systems (see page 33)
• Search Engines (see page 37)
• Software Engineering (see page 39)
• Web-based Computing (see page 43)
Students must pass a minimum of four courses to complete a specialist cluster. The
specialist cluster is undertaken across the first two semesters in general.
In some clusters, there may be more than four courses to choose from. Students still need
to choose only four courses to obtain their specialisation, although they may do extras as
part of their elective or vocational cluster. In general the courses offered will be as listed in
this information booklet.
The School reserves the right to rearrange course offerings based on student demand and
lecturer availability.
The specialist cluster chosen usually determines the area of a minor thesis (if the student
is eligible and wishes to undertake the thesis).
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