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The Basser Department is the oldest Computer Science Department in Australia, dating from the installation of the SILLIAC computer in 1956. It currently comprises 26 academic staff, of whom 18 are lecturers and above. There are approximately 50 postgraduate students working in the Department.
The normal postgraduate degrees within the Department are the Master of Science (MSc), Master of Arts (Honours) (MA Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These are research degrees awarded on the basis of original research embodied in a thesis (dissertation). Unlike North American and some British universities, this Department does not offer a Masters degree by coursework.
The University admits postgraduate students once or twice a year. The normal entry is in February but there may also be a second intake in July, depending on the availability of places.
(First class Honours is equivalent to magna cum laude in the American system, and second class Honours Division I to cum laude)
Departmental experience has shown that graduates in non-Computer Science disciplines such as Engineering or Mathematics are unlikely to have the required background for direct entry into these programmes. The Department does not accept industrial or commercial experience in lieu of the required academic background. The above requirements are the minimum necessary to establish eligibility; entry to postgraduate study in the Department is competitive, so admission also depends on the number of places available and the level of applications received.
The information in this section applies only to permanent residents and nationals of Australia.
The University has a number of Postgraduate Scholarships which it awards to outstanding candidates. The minimal requirement is a first-class Honours (or equivalent) degree in Computer Science.
Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) are also available from the Government. These are currently valued at $14,474 per year and are tax-free.
In 1995, the Department will offer two top-up scholarships of $5000 per year to commencing postgraduate students holding APAs.
All postgraduate students receive a departmental research allowance (currently $1000 per year) that can be used for equipment, conference travel, or any reasonable purpose related to research. Part-time tutoring is also available in the Department.
The Department has a number of computer systems for undergraduate, postgraduate and staff use. X-terminals supporting windowing facilities are standard equipment. International network access is routine. A large programming and workshop staff provides research assistance at all levels. Powerful number crunchers are available when required.
Australian nationals and permanent residents should write to
The Registrar
University of Sydney
NSW 2006
for application forms.
International students should address their administrative inquiries, including fees, scholarships and requests for application forms, to
The Director
International Education Office
University
of Sydney
NSW 2006
Australia
If you have questions that are not covered by the above information, please contact
Associate Professor Norman Foo
Basser Department of Computer Science
Madsen Building F09
Univeristy of Sydney
NSW 2006
Australia
See also
Postgraduates at the University of Sydney are represented by the Sydney University Postgraduates Representative Association (SUPRA), a founding member of the national organisation of postgraduate associations (CAPA). All postgraduate students automatically become members of SUPRA.