Master of Artificial Intelligence (Research) (8128)

  • Approved Abbreviation: MAI(Res)
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 8128
  • AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 108298B 

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced. This program applies to students who commenced in Spring 2022 or later.

The Master of Artificial Intelligence (Research) exposes students to advanced topics and research in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The program is comprised of an extensive coursework component that is then followed by a full-time-equivalent year of supervised AI research training. The primary objective of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to establish solid AI foundations and broad knowledge of AI technologies and applications and to develop sound research skills appropriate to the AI discipline. It also provides a pathway to PhD research studies by engaging students in AI research projects within the university or in collaboration with external industry partners. Upon completion of this program, students will be gaining employment opportunities in IT, software engineering, and automation industries with a strong AI focus.

Study Mode

Two and a half years full-time and five years part-time.

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta - Victoria Road Campus Full time Internal Professor Yan Zhang
Parramatta - Victoria Road Campus Part time Internal Professor Yan Zhang

 Accreditation Note

Accreditation of the Master of Artificial Intelligence (Research) will be sought from the Australian Computer Society. The program is designed to meet the guidelines of the Australian Computer Society.

To be eligible for admission, you must have successfully completed

  • A Bachelor Honours degree or a Master degree in any discipline, or a Bachelor degree in Information Technology, Information Systems or Computer Science or equivalent. Degrees in other disciplines containing at least 8 units in Information Technology or other relevant disciplines such as data science, engineering, communications technology, may also be eligible.
  • Achievement of a threshold Admission Average Mark (AAM) equal to or above the minimum of 65;
  • Applicants who do not meet the AAM equal to or above the minimum of 65 will be considered in exceptional circumstances, and applicants whose most recent qualification is 5+ years old shall provide additional evidence of relevant work experience or professional training, or evidence of seniority and standing in an area of endeavour and provide written support from the potential supervisor. Examples of evidence may include; work as a research assistant or laboratory technician, the writing of policy, consultancy involving the writing of reports, production of creative output, and publication of peer reviewed journal articles. Applications will be reviewed and approved by the relevant Director and the Dean of the School.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application. 

Statement of Service form

Additional Information

To be eligible for up to 40 credit points of advanced standing, you must have successfully completed

  • An undergraduate degree in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Computing or Information Systems; or
  • An undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

Advanced standing from foundation subjects are subject to approval by the relevant Director of Academic Programs (DAP).

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 200 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
1H session
HUMN 4001 Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research 10
HUMN 4003 Writing Beyond the Academy: Knowledge Translation and Public Audience Communication 10
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
COMP 7022 Natural Language Understanding 10
COMP 7019 Applied Machine Learning 10
 Credit Points20
2H session
HUMN 4002 Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
INFO 7002 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence 10
COMP 7020 Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Organisations 10
INFO 7016 Postgraduate Project A 10
 Credit Points30
Year 2
Autumn session
INFO 7017 Postgraduate Project B 10
Select three subjects from the Alternate Subject List (see below) 30
Research Quarter 3 & 4 sessions  
Please note COMP 9003 is a year-long subject studied in Research Quarters, 20cp per Quarter 40
Higher Degree Research Thesis - Artificial Intelligence  
 Credit Points80
Year 3
Research Quarter 1 & 2 sessions  
Please note COMP 9003 is a year-long subject studied in Research Quarters, 20cp per Quarter 40
Higher Degree Research Thesis - Artificial Intelligence  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points200

Full-time mid-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
2H Session  
HUMN 4001 Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research 10
Spring Session  
INFO 7002 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence 10
COMP 7020 Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Organisations 10
INFO 7016 Postgraduate Project A 10
1H Session  
HUMN 4002 Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research 10
HUMN 4003 Writing Beyond the Academy: Knowledge Translation and Public Audience Communication 10
Autumn Session  
COMP 7022 Natural Language Understanding 10
COMP 7019 Applied Machine Learning 10
 Credit Points80
Year 2
Spring session  
INFO 7017 Postgraduate Project B 10
Select three subjects from the Alternate Subject List (see below) 30
Research Quarter 1 & 2 sessions  
Please note COMP 9003 is a year-long subject studied in Research Quarters, 20cp per Quarter 40
Higher Degree Research Thesis - Artificial Intelligence  
 Credit Points80
Year 3
Research Quarter 3 & 4 sessions  
Please note COMP 9003 is a year-long subject studied in Research Quarters, 20cp per Quarter 40
Higher Degree Research Thesis - Artificial Intelligence  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points200

Alternate Subject List

Subject Title Credit Points
Select three of the following
COMP 7021Knowledge Representation and Reasoning10
COMP 7003Big Data10
COMP 7004Cloud Computing10
INFO 7015Applied Cybersecurity10
COMP 7007Information Security Management10
COMP 7006Data Science10
COMP 7008Internet of Things10
INFS 7008Systems and Network Security10
COMP 7011Multimedia Communication Systems10
COMP 7017Wireless Networking10