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The University of Newcastle

CRICOS provider number 00109J

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science


Course Outline
COMP4251 Computer Science Honours Project - Part 1 20 units
Semester 2 - 2014 Callaghan Campus
Course
Coordinator

Teaching Staff
Student Hub
School Office

Name: A/Prof. Stephan Chalup


Email: Stephan.Chalup@newcastle.edu.au
Location: ES227
Phone: 16080
Consultation time: available in Blackboard
Individual supervisors
For general enquiries please see the student HUBs
Phone 49215000, email: enquiry@newcastle.edu.au
SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Room: EAG08
Phone: 4921 6026
Office Hours: 8.30am-12noon and 1pm-4pm

BRIEF COURSE OVERVIEW


BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is the first part of the CS Honours project.
It provides preparation for completion of a supervised research project. In part 1, students carry out a
preliminary literature review of the material relevant to their project, develop a research proposal and timeline
and begin their research project. They summarise and discuss their proposal in an intermediate report and
present a seminar.
The Honours project (part 1 and 2 together) comprises a substantial project usually involving a detailed
literature review together with a theoretical and/or practical investigation of a computer science problem.
Technical content will be dependent on the project undertaken.
BUILDING KNOWLEDGE FOR:
COMP4252 and possible later postgraduate studies.
ASSUMED KNOWLEDGE
Permission from HOD. Knowledge is as required for the project undertaken
PROVIDES CORE KNOWLEDGE FOR SPECIFIC COURSES
COMP4252 Computer Science Honours Project Part 2
TEACHING METHODS
Individual supervision.
CONTACT HOURS
Individual Supervision, 1 hour per week for full term.
CONTINUOUS COURSE EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT
Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses offered in the University
for the purposes of identifying areas of excellence and potential improvement. Information on previous course
offerings is available at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/university-surveys/
The key themes of previous feedback, and any major changes that were made as a consequence of this are
outlined below.
No changes were necessary.
The course Co-ordinator takes full responsibility for the accuracy and information provided in this document, once issued NO CHANGES are permitted.
Course Outline dated 28 July 2014
Invalid unless signed by the Head of School
Page 1

COMPULSORY COURSE COMPONENTS


NIL

MODE OF DELIVERY
Internal

COURSE WORKLOAD
Students are required to spend at least 240 280 hours of effort or total load (contact and non-contact)
including assessments per 20 unit course.

DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION


Course Objectives
1. Be acquainted with the steps necessary to plan a research project.
2. Give students the opportunity to carry out research oriented activities in a scientific way and to provide
students with hands-on exposure to problems in the frontier of knowledge that are relevant to academia or to
industry.
3. Develop research and communication skills. This includes techniques for discipline specific literature search
and the opportunity to present and discuss in written and oral form current research issues and associated
literature in project relevant areas.
Student Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand in-depth knowledge in a specific area of ICT
2. Improve communication skills
3. Improve capacity to undertake postgraduate research
COURSE CONTENT
Comprises planning and start of a substantial project usually involving a literature review together with a
theoretical and/or practical investigation of a computer science problem. Technical content will be dependent
on the project undertaken. The project work is embodied in a research report, and presented in a seminar.
Additional instruction and assistance in report preparation and seminar preparation and delivery will be given.
Teaching program and sequence
The deadlines for the assessment items will be available on Blackboard.
The other parts of this project course can be decided on agreement between student and supervisor.

LEARNING RESOURCES
Blackboard site
Students enrolled in the course can login http://Blackboard.newcastle.edu.au/ to access the Blackboard site
used to support this course. You need to visit the Blackboard site on a regular basis.
Information on Late Submission of Assessment Items, Adverse Circumstances, Rescheduled Examinations,
Re-marks and Moderations Procedure and Appeals Against Final Result can be found on the Blackboard site.
Textbooks
N/A

The course Co-ordinator takes full responsibility for the accuracy and information provided in this document, once issued NO CHANGES are permitted.
Course Outline dated 28 July 2014
Invalid unless signed by the Head of School
Page 2

Graduate Profile Statements

University of Newcastle Bachelor of


Computer Science Honours Profile
Statements
Advanced and in depth knowledge of
computer science fundamentals directed
towards an ability to undertake research
projects in at least one area of computer
science
Ability to communicate effectively with
researchers in computer science and
related fields
Advanced technical competencies in a
discipline of computer science and the
capacity to undertake postgraduate
research
Ability to apply advanced concepts in
research and development within the
information communication and
technology (ICT) industry
Ability to undertake in depth, selfdirected analysis (such as literature
reviews) of the current level of
knowledge in any area of computer
science

Taught

Practised

Assessed

Level of
capability

ASSESSMENT ITEMS
Assessment task
Intermediate Project Report: The report will be marked by the project
supervisor (who has to submit a marking report to the course
coordinator).
Individual Presentation: The presentation will not be marked by the
supervisor but by one or two alternative markers (A marking report has to
be submitted to the course coordinator).

Assessment
Item and
Description

Method of
submission

Intermediate
Project Report

Online
submission via
blackboard
Seminar
presentation

Due date

Weighting
or pass/no
pass

Student
learning
outcomes

Weighting
10 units

10 units

Building
capacity
in
graduate
attributes
1-3, 5

Before
10 units
1, 2, 3
the end of
week 10
Presentation Before
10 units
1, 2, 3
1-3, 5
individual
the end of
semester
1
*Further information about Compulsory Course Components is available at:
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/

Item
Retur
nable
Y/N
N

N/A

The course Co-ordinator takes full responsibility for the accuracy and information provided in this document, once issued NO CHANGES are permitted.
Course Outline dated 28 July 2014
Invalid unless signed by the Head of School
Page 3

Overview of Assessment Criteria


Assessment
Description
task
Intermediate
Before the end of week 10 an intermediate report
Project Report
should be presented to the project supervisor. The
aim is to have a realistic and well-supported project
proposal and plan developed. This intermediate
project report and proposal should contain:
Project title
Project definition and description
Literature review (at least 5 references)
Discussion of possible outcomes of the
project
Plan for the whole project (including
preliminary timeline and milestones).
The length of the intermediate report should be at
least 10 pages. It will be marked by the project
supervisor and returned to the student.
Presentations The student is expected to present a seminar for
Individual
the project proposal. The seminar should be
presented before the end of the semester. The oral
presentation should include project topic, goals,
background (literature review), results achieved so
far (if any) and research plan for the whole project
including part 2 (COMP4252). The length of the
presentation should be about 30 mins plus 10 mins
for discussion and questions. The intention is to
supply the Honours student with feedback on the
project plan and provide an opportunity for
improving oral presentation skills.

Weighting
10 units
The report will be
marked by the
project supervisor
(who has to
submit a marking
report to the
course
coordinator)

10 units
The presentation
will not be not
marked by the
supervisor but
one or two
alternative
markers
(A marking report
has to be
submitted to the
course
coordinator)

Marking and Grading for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses & Programs

Range of
marks

Grade

Long Description

85-100

High
Distinction
(HD)

Outstanding standard indicating comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials;
demonstration of an outstanding level of academic ability; mastery of skills*; and achievement of all
assessment objectives.

75-84

Distinction (D)

Excellent standard indicating a very high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials;
demonstration of a very high level of academic ability; sound development of skills*; and achievement of
all assessment objectives.

65-74

Credit (C)

Very Good standard indicating a high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials;
demonstration of a high level of academic ability; reasonable development of skills*; and achievement of
all assessment objectives.

50-64

Pass (P)

Satisfactory standard indicating an adequate knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials;
demonstration of an adequate level of academic ability; satisfactory development of skills*; and
achievement of most assessment objectives.

0-49

Fail (FF)

Failure to satisfactorily achieve assessment objectives or compulsory course components. A fail grade
may also be awarded following disciplinary action.

Ungraded
Pass (UP)

A grade awarded in a course for which only a pass or fail is available

*Skills are those identified for the purposes of assessment task(s).

Detailed Assessment Criteria

The course Co-ordinator takes full responsibility for the accuracy and information provided in this document, once issued NO CHANGES are permitted.
Course Outline dated 28 July 2014
Invalid unless signed by the Head of School
Page 4

Detailed assessment criteria for each assessment task and any additional material will be available on the
course Blackboard site no less than two weeks prior to the due date of each assessment.
Application for Adverse Circumstances
Applications for adverse circumstances are to be submitted via the electronic system for all assessment items.
Additional Assessment Information
Students may be required to provide written assessment items in electronic form as well as hard copy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PRACTICAL SESSIONS
N/A
Risk Assessment and Health & Safety Requirements
The issue of safety for staff and students is taken very seriously by the University. Students studying courses
requiring completion of a Risk Assessment Safety Induction or other Health & Safety requirement MUST
complete all safety components. These will generally occur in the first week of each course or prior to a
placement or field trip. Students will be advised of Risk Assessment and Health &Safety requirements by their
supervisor at the beginning of the semester.
Attendance and/or Other Class Requirement
Student are required to stay in contact with their supervisor on a regular basis.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All students are reminded that severe penalties exist for breaching academic integrity. Student should remain
vigilant in this area. If in doubt, consult the universities web site,

No alternation to this course outline will be permitted without Head of School approval. If a change is approved
students will be notified and an amended Course Outline will be provided to students in the same manner as the
original.
IF YOU ARE AWARE OF AN UNAUTHORISED CHANGE, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

The course Co-ordinator takes full responsibility for the accuracy and information provided in this document, once issued NO CHANGES are permitted.
Course Outline dated 28 July 2014
Invalid unless signed by the Head of School
Page 5

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