Note: This course version is currently under review and is subject to change.
ProgramsSCSCS(PG)CompSciMCSMaster of Computer Science (Capstone Pathway) (2025)
Show information forcommencing students (ie. started First Year then).
The course requirements described here apply to persons who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2025 and persons who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2025 who elect to proceed under 2025 resolutions.
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2025 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2030, or later date as the faculty may, in special circumstances, approve.
Candidates who first commenced in 2025, and are re-enrolling for 2026 or later, should be aware that there may have been changes in units of study offered since, Check that units are still available by clicking the unit of study link in the course table. See 2025 version of this course for up to date unit of study list.
For details of relevant resolutions see faculty handbook at sydney.edu.au/handbooks.
Print View | Download as PDF Administrative Information (Fees, ATAR etc.)
Select plan for Major/Pathway
Year 0 - Planning your degree
| SITS Diet Block/Type | CP | Unit of Study/Unit Block |
Note: Important information
Students can view all available specialisations under the "Major/Pathways" tab. We strongly recommend that students complete their Foundation units before enrolling in specialisation units.
The Specialist units chosen may contribute towards a designated Specialisation. See the Majors/Pathways tab for details of each Specialisation.
In addition to this page, students should refer to the resources available on the School of Computer Science Canvas page ( https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/15961/pages/master-of-computer-science-mcs-2)
This includes details on academic advising and a link to FAQs specifically for Master of Computer Science students, including those pursuing a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
Year 1 - Semester 1
| SITS Diet Block/Type | CP | Unit of Study/Unit Block |
| 6 | COMP9120: Database Management Systems | |
| 6 | INFO5990: Professional Practice in IT | |
| 6 | COMP9001: Introduction to Programming | |
| 6 | COMP9601: Computer and Network Organisation Note: Students can enrol in COMP9121 in Semester 2 and instead choose one of the Computer Science Core units in Semester 1. |
Note: Students are advised to enrol in the Computer Science Foundation units during the first semester of their studies.
Year 1 - Semester 2
| SITS Diet Block/Type | CP | Unit of Study/Unit Block |
| 6 | INFO5992: Understanding IT Innovations | |
| 6 | INFO6007: Project Management in IT | |
| 6 | COMP9123: Data Structures and Algorithms | |
List | 6 | Select from Computer Science Foundation Elective units Computer Science Specialist units Note: Students who are interested in Data Science and AI Specialisation are strongly encouraged to enrol in Foundation Elective STAT5002 before they select their specialist units. |
Year 2 - Semester 1
| SITS Diet Block/Type | CP | Unit of Study/Unit Block |
| 6 | Computer Science Specialist units | |
| 6 | Computer Science Specialist units | |
List | 6 | Select from Computer Science Specialist units Computer Science Elective units |
List | 6 | Select from Computer Science Specialist units Computer Science Elective units |
Note: Students must select 2 units (12 credit points) from their specialisation, and an additional 2 units from either Elective, or another Specialisation.
Year 2 - Semester 2
| SITS Diet Block/Type | CP | Unit of Study/Unit Block |
| 6 | Computer Science Specialist units | |
| 6 | Computer Science Specialist units | |
| 12 | Select from COMP5703: Information Technology Capstone Project Note: Students are strongly advised to enrol in the Capstone Project during the last semester of their studies. |
1. Algorithms and Theory Specialisation
2. Cybersecurity Specialisation
3. Data Science and AI Specialisation
Note: Students who are interested in Data Science and AI Specialisation are strongly encouraged to enrol in Foundation Elective STAT5002 before they select their specialist units.
4. Digital Media Specialisation
5. Human-Computer Interaction Specialisation
| Type | CP | CP From |
| 24 |
Select from
COMP5047: Pervasive Computing COMP5048: Visual Analytics COMP5427: Usability Engineering IDEA9106: Design Thinking |
|
| View complete Program Structure | ||
6. Networks and Distributed Systems Specialisation
7. Software Engineering Specialisation
8. Computer Science Specialist Units (unspecified specialisation)
Block 1 - Computer Science Core units (Min CP: 18,Max CP: 18)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| INFO5990 | Professional Practice in IT | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO5992 | Understanding IT Innovations | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO6007 | Project Management in IT | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 2 - Computer Science Foundation Core units (Min CP: 12,Max CP: 12)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP9120 | Database Management Systems | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9123 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 3 - Computer Science Foundation Programming Selective units (Min CP: 6,Max CP: 6)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP9001 | Introduction to Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9003 | Object-Oriented Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9017 | Systems Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 4 - Computer Science Foundation Networking Selective units (Min CP: 6,Max CP: 6)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP9121 | Design of Networks & Distributed Systems | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9601 | Computer and Network Organisation | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 5 - Computer Science Foundation Elective units (Max CP: 6)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP9001 | Introduction to Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9003 | Object-Oriented Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9017 | Systems Programming | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9110 | System Analysis and Modelling | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9120 | Database Management Systems | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9121 | Design of Networks & Distributed Systems | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9123 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9201 | Software Construction and Design 1 | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP9601 | Computer and Network Organisation | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| STAT5002 | Introduction to Statistics | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 6 - Computer Science Specialist units (Min CP: 24,Max CP: 42)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP5045 | Computational Geometry | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5046 | Natural Language Processing | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5047 | Pervasive Computing | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5216 | Mobile Computing | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5270 | Randomised and Advanced Algorithms | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5313 | Large Scale Networks | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5318 | Machine Learning and Data Mining | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5339 | Data Engineering | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5347 | Web Application Development | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5348 | Enterprise Scale Software Architecture | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5349 | Cloud Computing | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5405 | Digital Media Computing | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5415 | Multimedia Design and Authoring | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5416 | Advanced Network Technologies | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5425 | Multimedia Retrieval | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5426 | Parallel and Distributed Computing | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5427 | Usability Engineering | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5530 | Discrete Optimisation | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5618 | Applied Cybersecurity | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| CSEC5614 | Data Privacy: Theory and Practice | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| CSYS5030 | Information Theory and Self-Organisation | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5618 | Software Quality Engineering | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5620 | Model Based Software Engineering | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| IDEA9106 | Design Thinking | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO5301 | Information Security Management | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| STAT5003 | Computational Statistical Methods | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Note: The Specialist units chosen may contribute towards a designated Specialisation. See the Majors/Pathways tab for details of each Specialisation.
Block 7 - Computer Science Elective units (Max CP: 12)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| CISS6022 | Cybersecurity | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| DATA5207 | Data Analysis in the Social Sciences | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Int December
112 - Int December
|
| ELEC5507 | Error Control Coding | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5508 | Wireless Engineering | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5509 | Mobile Networks | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5510 | Satellite Communication Systems | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5514 | IoT Wireless Sensing and Networking | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5517 | Software Defined Networks | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| ELEC5619 | Object Oriented Application Frameworks | 6 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO5010 | IT Advanced Topic A | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO5011 | IT Advanced Topic B | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Block 8 - Computer Science Project and Research units (Min CP: 12,Max CP: 24)
| Unit Code | Unit Name | CP | Sessions Offered |
| COMP5702 | IT Research Project A | 12 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5703 | Information Technology Capstone Project | 12 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5704 | IT Research Project B | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5707 | Information Technology Capstone A | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5708 | Information Technology Capstone B | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5709 | IT Capstone Project - Individual | 12 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| COMP5802 | Work Integrated Project | 24 |
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
| INFO5993 | IT Research Methods | 6 |
Semester 1
For Semester 1 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
Semester 2
For Semester 2 calendar dates look up `Semester 1` on the university timetable website at https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
|
Note:
All candidates for the Master of Computer Science are required to complete a substantial project that will allow the student to apply and demonstrate their knowledge and skills from the program.
Professional Pathway Project Units
The minimum requirement for the Professional Pathway is 12 credit points of Computer Science Capstone Project units.
Candidates can complete either COMP5707 and COMP5708 (6+6 credit points - two semesters available for part-time students) or COMP5703 or COMP5709 (12 credit points - single semester). Most students are expected to take COMP5703.
The remaining 12 credit points in the Professional Pathway may be taken from Specialist, Foundation or Elective units.
Research Pathway Units
Candidates in the Research Pathway must take all 24 credit points of the Research Pathway units of study (COMP5702, COMP5704 and INFO5993).
Candidates who choose the Research Pathway will be required to undertake a project in an area related to the specialisation.
Work Integrated Learning Units
Candidates in the Work Integrated Pathway must take the 24 credit point unit of study, COMP5802 Work Integrated Project.
| Course: | Master of Computer Science (Capstone Pathway) (2025) |
| CP Required: | 96 |
| Min FT Duration: | 2.00 Years |
| Min PT Duration: | N/A |
| Faculty/School: | Faculty of Engineering |
| Years Offered: | 2025, 2024 |
| Requirements: | Summary Students must complete 96 credit points as follows: ► A minimum 24 credit points and maximum 30 credit points of Foundation units, including: - 12 credit points of Foundation Core units, - 6 credit points of Foundation Programming Selective units, and - 6 credit points of Foundation Networking Selective units ► 18 credit points of Core units ► A minimum 24 credit points of Specialist units ► A maximum 12 credit points of Elective units ► 12 credit points of Capstone Pathway units, OR ► 24 credit points of Research Pathway units, OR ► 24 credit points of Work Integrated Pathway units The completion of a specialisation is not mandatory. If a student chooses to do a specialisation, it must be completed within the Specialist units credit points described above. Units of study counted towards one specialisation may not count toward any other specialisation completed University Handbook Refer to the university handbook at http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/ for more information. |
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