Waikato University crest

Department of
Computer Science
Tari Rorohiko

Computing and Mathematical Sciences

COMP591 - Dissertation

COMP591 Coordinator: Steve Reeves
Room: G.1.26
Phone: (07) 838 4398
Email: stever@waikato.ac.nz
Description:Directed investigation and report on an approved project or study topic, normally undertaken as a part of the requirements for a BSc(hons) degree.
Honours/Projects Information SessionOn Wednesday, 10 October 2012, the 3rd year Honours/Projects Information Session was held to explain the 4th year options available to students in Computer Science: BCMS, BCMS(Hons), BSc(Hons), BE, BE(Hons). If you missed the information that was presented at the session, here are the slides.
Project Selection:Students are normally required to select and sign up for a project before the end of the semester preceding their course. If you were/are unable to meet this deadline you should contact the course coordinator as soon as possible. A list of projects currently available, and the sign-up procedures, can be found on the Project Selection page.
2013 Classes:Wednesday, 2-3pm, S.1.03
Please see the Paper Schedule for details of class commitments.
Course Text:Some readings will be supplied.
Assessment:The grade is based totally on the final report.
Pass/Fail:Other compulsory components are assessed on a pass/fail basis:
  • Attendance at classes is compulsory
  • Project note book should be kept
  • Title/blurb/photo
  • Project proposal
  • Interim Report
  • Abstract of presentation
  • Project presentation
  • Final Report
  • Project Oral may be requested by supervisor or course coordinator
  • Final Report is marked by two examiners (not the supervisor) who both receive a report from the supervisor on the progress made by the student throughout the year.
Deadlines:There will be no extension of deadlines except for sound, documented, medical reasons. All extensions will be dealt with by the course coordinator.
Photoboard Blurbs:At the start of semester most students are assigned lab space. A blurb about their research topic and a photo get put on the photoboard outside the lab they are working in. By the end of the second week of semester, students are required to provide the blurb and photo to go up outside their lab. The blurb needs to be about 80 words and have a title of 4-5 words (see Blurb Examples for ideas). Students can provide a digital photo of themselves that can be cropped to fit in the space allowed or a photo will be taken of them. Blurbs and photos are to be emailed to Bronwyn Webster in the Computer Science office (G.1.21).
Handing In: Project Proposals/Interim Reports
Project Proposals and Interim Reports are to be handed in to the course coordinator using the hand in process on Moodle.

Final Reports
The Final Report must be checked by your supervisor before handing in.

After checking by the supervisor students are to submit an electronic version of their Final Report by 4pm of the due date, using the hand in process on Moodle. If the report contains any colour pages, then an attachment listing the page numbers of the color pages in the pdf file (not the printed page numbers) needs to be provided. This is so the Print Shop can print the correct pages in color. Please check with Bronwyn Webster in the Computer Science office (G1.21) if it is not clear what is required.

The Final Report will be printed and bound three times. Once bound, the student may pick up a copy from the Computer Science office (G.1.21) for their personal library.

If a student holds a key to a Research Lab, then the key must be returned to the Computer Science office (G.1.21) shortly after they have submitted their Final Report.

Handouts:
Scholarships:Students planning to enrol in Masters study after completing their Honours or PGDip may be eligible for a University of Waikato Masters Research Scholarship.