Regulations for the Degree of Master of Cyber Security (MCS)

  1. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.

Admission

  1. Candidates for the Degree must have
    1. qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science (Technology) of the University of Waikato with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
    2. qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, or the Bachelor of Engineering, or the Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours, or the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, or the Bachelor of Science with Honours with at least second class honours (second division); or for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma of the University of Waikato in a relevant subject with at least a B grade average, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
    3. satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
  2. In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.

Requirements for the Degree

  1. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations is one calendar year or one and a half academic years. The normal period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(b) of the regulations is one academic year.
  2. Candidates must enrol in the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science and follow an approved programme of study.
  3. Candidates admitted under 2(a) of these regulations must gain 180 points at 500 level or above. Candidates admitted under 2(b) of these regulations must gain 120 points at 500 level or above.
  4. Candidates must complete the compulsory papers prescribed in the Computer Science Subject Regulations.
  5. Candidates must include
    1. a dissertation equivalent to 60 points, or
    2. a thesis equivalent to 90 points
  6. If a candidate fails a paper or papers (worth not more than 30 points in total), they may repeat the paper or papers or take an alternative paper or papers with the same total points value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper or papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.

Examination of thesis (90 points and above)

  1. The University will appoint two examiners for the candidate's thesis; one examiner external to the University and active in the research field of the thesis; and one examiner internal to the University, with a good grounding in the research field, who is not directly connected to the candidate, or the candidate’s thesis research or supervision.

Award of Honours

  1. The Degree may be awarded with
    1. First Class Honours, or
    2. Second Class Honours (first division), or
    3. Second Class Honours (second division),

or without honours.

  1. Except with the approval of the Academic Board, the level of honours will be calculated on the basis of the grades for all of the papers completed for the Degree, including any failed paper.

Variations

  1. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.