This is the Avatar entry of an existing subject unit which was approved previously. This subject is primarily aimed at students in the Postgraduate Diploma of Digital Communications program. The approved structure of the program does not have a compulsory project. However, it is considered beneficial for a student to carry out a significant individual research task under supervision. This task requires innovation as well as creation. This proposal describes this optional project unit.

This is a 6-point optional project unit for Diploma and Master of Digital Communications students.

It has a close relationship with other listed units in the Master of Digital Communications program, please see the prerequisite section.

The specific objectives of an individual project may vary, but will typically include:

As recommended by the supervisor.

Supervised individual research and experimentation as required by the project.

Students will work with their project supervisors during the entire period of the project. Students are expected to consult with and seek advice from their respective supervisors. In consultation with their supervisors, students are expected to produce a project proposal and project plan outlining the agreed project milestones and deliverable, and to steer the project to its completion.

The project will be assessed mainly by the project supervisor and the result approved by the course coordinator.

Depending on the project topic, the assessed material resulting from the project will consist of:

1. the project proposal and plan;
2. the working prototype software and/or hardware, plus appropriate supporting and operational documentation;
3. an extensive report of the results of the investigation;
4. where appropriate, an oral presentation and demonstration to the examiner(s).

The assessed material must be commensurate with at least 130 hours of graduate-level project work. As an indication, the 6 point project leading solely to a written report would typically result in a report of at least 8,000 words.

6

12 hours per week of research, laboratory work, private study and supervision meetings.

It is expected that the course coordinator of the Master/Postgraduate Diploma of Digital Communications, will coordinate the operation of the project within the course, and allocate supervisors.

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc:

As with minor and major research theses, no library resources specific to this subject can be identified in advance. It is expected that project students will frequently make use of existing monograph and serial holdings. Where additional material specific to a particular project is required, this will be negotiated between the School and Library at the time, as occurs with research students.

School of Computer Science and Software Engineering

None

None

At least four approved subjects from the list of Master of Digital Communications.

Depending on the project topic, and the prior knowledge and skills of the student, the supervisor or course coordinator may require one or more graduate subjects to be completed prior to commencing the project, or to be studied concurrently with the project. These subjects would be taken as part of the course structure, and would be counted towards the points requirement of the course.

Tim Ferguson