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MSc - Computer Science as a main subject

The Master of Science is valued for its flexibility and excellence, and can be tailored to suit your needs.  You can select your papers from a range of subjects and the mix of research and taught papers are customised to suit your interests and goals.

Computer Science is rapidly changing the world we live in. Studying Computer Science at the University of Waikato, you'll learn about software systems and how people and computers interact. You’ll also learn how to create new software, and ensure it's easy for people to use.


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Key information

Years: 1 - 1.5
Points: 120 - 180
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $8,050 - $9,039 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $40,860 (120 pts)
$61,290 (180 pts)
Entry Requirements: Postgraduate International
Area of Study:
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

  • Web Architect
  • Business Analyst
  • Software Developer
  • Network Architect
  • Computer Animator
  • Mobile App Master
  • Data Miner
  • Usability Architect

Degree Planner

Prescriptions for the PGCert(CompSc), PGDip(CompSc), BSc(Hons), MSc and MSc(Res)

The papers ENGME585 and LEGAL526 would not normally be considered papers in the subject of Computer Science.

The papers COMPX568 and COMPX569 are available only for the PGCertInfoTech and the 240 point MInfoTech.

The papers CSMAX570, CSMAX596 and RPLCR570 are available only for the MInfoTech.

The papers COMPX520 and COMPX577 are normally available only for the BCMS and BCMS(Hons) degrees, respectively.

To complete a PGCert(CompSc), students must complete 60 points at 500 level consisting of 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.

To complete a PGDip(CompSc), students must complete 120 points at 500 level including at least 90 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.

Enrolment in papers towards the BSc(Hons) is only by invitation of the Head of School. To complete a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including at least 60 points from the papers listed in the subject of Computer Science, of which at least 30 points must be in research (normally COMPX591).

To complete an MSc in Computer Science, students admitted under section 2(a) of the MSc regulations must complete 180 points at 500 level including COMPX592 and at least 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.

To complete an MSc (Research) in Computer Science, students admitted under section 2(a) of the MSc (Research) regulations must complete 180 points at 500 level consisting of COMPX594 and 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.

Candidates for these graduate qualifications should select their papers in consultation with the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Computer Science.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
COMPX502Cryptography15.0No occurrences
An introduction to cryptographic methods.
COMPX515Security for Advanced Networks15.024B (Hamilton)
Networks have evolved considerable in the last decade, leading to new technologies. Changes in the attack surface make network security a permanent concern. Novel approaches to protect them are required.
COMPX518Cyber Security15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces the key topics in the important field of cyber security. It will cover various aspects of defensive, offensive and preventative security. Selective topics from a wide range, such as security vulnerabilities, secure software, intrusion detection and prevention, cryptography, applied cryptography, authentication...
COMPX519Malware Analysis and Penetration Testing15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper goes through two important aspects of Cyber Security. It first covers the defensive security techniques of malware analysis and then examines the offensive security techniques of penetration testing.
COMPX520Dissertation45.024D (Hamilton), 24I (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
A directed study investigation and report on an approved project or study topic under the supervision of a lecturer. Students should obtain the lecturer's approval and signature on an enrolment sheet (available from the School Office).
COMPX521Machine Learning Algorithms15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper exposes students to selected machine learning algorithms and includes assignments that require the implementation of these algorithms.
COMPX523Machine Learning for Data Streams15.024A (Hamilton)
Data streams are everywhere, from F1 racing over electricity networks to news feeds. Data stream mining relies on and develops new incremental algorithms that process streams under strict resource limitations.
COMPX525Deep Learning15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper provides an introduction into Deep Learning, focussing on both algorithms and applications. It covers both the basics of Neural networks and current mainstream and advanced Deep Learning technology.
COMPX527Secure Cloud Application Engineering15.024B (Hamilton)
Software Engineering on the Cloud is extremely prevalent nowadays. In this paper, you will learn how to design, develop and test cloud-native applications with a special focus on satisfying requirements.
COMPX532Information Visualisation15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper aims to provide an awareness of the potential offered by information visualisation techniques, a familiarity with the underlying concepts, and an understanding and ability to effectively design and apply information visualisations in a given context.
COMPX539Usability Engineering15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper covers the design and evaluation of interactive computer systems with a focus on user studies. Topics covered include: scenarios, ethnography, designing and performing user studies, and ethical issues involved in studying human-computer interaction.
COMPX544Advanced Applied Computational Methods15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper explores numerical methods with applications to real world problems. A variety of classes of problems will be introduced, and appropriate numerical methods for each will be explored. Each problem will be solved by writing code from scratch. Aspects of parallel methods will also be introduced.
COMPX546Graph Theory15.024B (Hamilton)
An introduction to graph theory and combinatorics, including network optimisation algorithms.
COMPX553Extremely Parallel Programming15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper covers advanced parallel programming for large-scale parallelism. A variety of programming techniques will be covered, with application to cluster computers, GPU computing, many-core computing and cloud computing.
COMPX554Specification Languages and Models15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper deals with various aspects of modelling systems using advanced best practice methods from the software engineering field. It will introduce at least one of the main software modelling languages, Z, including its semantics, logic and associated tools.
COMPX555Bioinformatics15.024B (Hamilton)
An introduction to bioinformatics, open to students majoring in computer science or biology. It includes an overview of molecular biology, genomics, script language programming, algorithms for biological data, an introduction to machine learning and data mining, and relevant statistical methods.
COMPX560Turing Topics in Computer Science15.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
One or more special topics in computer science, at an advanced level.
COMPX568Programming for Industry30.024A (Hamilton) & 24C (Hamilton)
An examination of object-oriented programming and design. Key principles of object-oriented programming: typing, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism and composition. Fundamental object-oriented modelling and design techniques. Students will develop application software of reasonable complexity that draws on object-oriented lan...
COMPX569Programming with Web Technologies30.024A (Hamilton) & 24C (Hamilton)
An examination of developing web-based applications. Client-side technologies: HTML, CSS and Javascript. Server-side technologies to support dynamic Web pages and data access. Fundamental relational database concepts and design techniques. Principles of Web-application design. HCI considerations and mobile clients.
COMPX575Programming Tools and Techniques15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
A paper in programming techniques applicable to a range of research applications in Computer Science.
COMPX576Programming Project15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
A paper where research programming techniques are applied to a specific (elective) field in Computer Science.
COMPX577Report of an Investigation15.024A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga)
A directed study involving the design, implementation and testing of the solution to a hardware and/or software engineering problem and production of a formal report.
COMPX591Dissertation30.024I (Hamilton), 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
COMPX592Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
COMPX593Computer Science Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
COMPX594Computer Science Thesis120.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
CSMAX570Preparing for Internship15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
This paper will enable learners to develop the key soft and transferable skills and competencies important to be work ready and prepared for the internship component of the Master of Information Technology (MInfoTech) programme or the Master of Technology, Innovation and Business (MTIB) programme. These skills and competencies will...
CSMAX596Computer Science Internship60.024A (Block), 24B (Block), 24C (Block) & 24X (Block)
This internship enables the development of practical knowledge and hands-on experience through a supervised internship in the IT industry.
GEOGY538Automated Spatial Analysis using Geographic Information Systems15.024X (Block)
Automated GIS, using programming or scripts, are extremely powerful compared to the 'point and click' environment, and are the most practical method for the spatial analysis of large data sets. GIS professionals are expected have the skills to write their own scripts, as well as execute and manipulate existing scripts. In this pape...
GEOGY558Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning15.024A (Hamilton)
GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is designed as an introduction to GIS for graduate students and is co-taught with GEOGY328. It covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is u...
LEGAL526Legal Aspects of Cyber Security30.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding the legal aspects of Cyber Security. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words.
RPLCR570Recognition of Prior Learning - Professional Learning in an ICT Setting15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
This paper allows students to submit a current CV for assessment for recognition of prior learning undertaken in a professional ICT setting, along with a presentation based on a project conducted at the aformentioned professional setting, for credit towards the Master of Information Technology within the School of Computing and Mat...

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship  Not currently accepting applications

For students who are currently in Year 12 or Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school. Candidates must be intending to enrol full-time in either the BCompSc, BSc majoring in Computer Science, or BE(Hons) majoring in Software Engineering.

Sir William Gallagher Cyber Security Scholarship  Accepting applications

This scholarship is for students intending to enrol in the dissertation or thesis part of a Master of Cyber Security by the end of A Trimester 2024. Candidates must have gained a 'B+' average for their most recent 120 points of study. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain industry experience through a research project at Gallagher.
Closing Date: 31 October 2023

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Contacts

School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Phone: 0800 924 528 or +64 7 838 4625
Email: [email protected]
Website: cms.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUcms