The MBC information booklet - RMIT University

Chapter 11: Minor Thesis/Project
11.2 COSC2179 (or COSC2180 + COSC2181) Minor Thesis/Project
11.2.1 Minor Thesis As this is not a PhD thesis or a Masters by Research thesis, students should not
misconstrue the expectation to include a “significant original contribution to computer
science.” Originality is required, but this is primarily in the sense that this is the student’s
own work (see point 5 of “Guidelines to Examiners of a Minor Thesis” on page 57).
Reproducing or testing results or hypotheses is quite acceptable.
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Usually, the Minor Thesis is:
• an extension or outgrowth of work that a student may have begun in an
assignment; or
• an idea which has been mentioned in lectures; or
• a topic which the student suggests; or
• a topic which is supported by the student’s employer.
One of the lecturers will supervise the thesis. If students are concerned about their topics
they should not hesitate to contact the cluster coordinator of the area in which they would
like to do their work.
A list of topics is available at https://inside.cs.rmit.edu.au/students/pgrad_projects/.
The thesis need not be theoretical in nature, and can involve the implementation of
applications of some new techniques to an existing problem. Where possible, the
student is strongly encouraged to undertake the thesis jointly with his or her workplace.
The student should feel free to contact the course coordinator in this regard if it is
appropriate.
11.2.2 Minor Project The minor project has a different flavour to the minor thesis. It can best be described as
a piece of research or developmental software engineering. Here the student must
implement, to high industrial standards, a programming task as outlined by the
supervisor. The student will not be judged on whether the concept that has been
programmed is worthwhile. Rather, the student will be judged on how well they
implemented and presented the specifications and design. A comprehensive report is
still required.
11.3 Minor Thesis/Project Guidelines
This chapter is designed to assist both student and supervisor in the construction of a
minor thesis/project in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Applied Science in
Information Technology. It draws on RMIT regulations, the School’s Honours thesis
guidelines, documents from other Universities and our own impressions.
The minor thesis/project accounts for approximately one third of the study towards the
degree. The first two parts of the degree are devoted to the candidate undertaking a
coursework-based specialisation in two of five broad areas of Computer Science. A
specialisation constitutes four subjects in an area. These areas are:
• databases;
• intelligent systems;
• networked and distributed systems;
• search engines;
• software engineering; and
• web-based computing.
In the last stage of the Master of Applied Science (IT) program the student undertakes:
• COSC2149 Research Methods (see page 45); and
• a second elective subject.
It is during this stage that candidates are expected to lay the foundation for the
completion of a successful minor thesis. Where appropriate, candidates are encouraged