400-level

COSC437
Special Topic
Description
Special Topic
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by Head of Department.
COSC445
Professional, Ethical and Cultural Perspectives on Computer Science
Description
To prepare students to perform in a professionally and culturally appropriate manner in Computer Science and Information Technology roles in an Aotearoa-New Zealand context.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Approval from the Head of Department required
Restrictions
COSC345

Postgraduate

COSC401
Machine Learning
Description
A study of computational processes that underlie learning in machines. The course covers fundamental theories and algorithms in machine learning.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(i) COSC367; and (ii) At least 45 points of MATH/EMTH/STAT (but not including MATH101, MATH110, EMTH117, STAT101); and (iii) Subject to approval by the Head of Department
COSC420
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Description
This course addresses the use of artificial intelligence to create computer-based intelligent tutoring systems.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
COSC422
Advanced Computer Graphics
Description
This course focuses on concepts and algorithms in various application domains in the field of Computer Graphics. The topics covered in the course include real-time rendering using OpenGL-4 tessellation and geometry shaders, image-based rendering using frame buffer objects, non-photorealistic rendering, advanced illumination models, three-dimensional mesh processing algorithms, skeletal animations, and motion kinematics.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
COSC363 or approval by Head of Department
COSC428
Computer Vision
Description
This course covers advanced techniques and algorithms used in real-time 3D computer vision, image processing and deep learning - from medical imaging to intelligent autonomous UAV/robot vision.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) 30 points of 300-level COSC/SENG/DATA; or (2) ENEL300; or (3) ENMT301; or (4) Approval by the Head of Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
COSC432
Relational Methods
Description
This course covers the algebraic structure of binary relations and their use for formally specifying and reasoning about programs, graphs and models described in predicate logic. It presents the mathematics of relational programming, modelling, algorithm development and correctness proofs, and tools supporting these activities.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) at least one of COSC261, COSC262; and (2) at least one of MATH120, MATH230
COSC439
Special Topic
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
COSC440
Deep Learning
Description
This course introduces students to the core concepts of deep neural networks. The course focuses on the computational process of problem formulation, model selection and design, implementation, analysis, and refinement for deep neural networks. We analyze a range of advanced neural network designs with transformative results in computer vision, natural language, anomaly detection, molecular design, and deep fakes. Students build competency in the theory and practice of creating deep neural network applications and will research, propose, and implement their own deep learning network for a given application domain.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) 30 points of 300-level COSC/SENG/DATA/ENCE/ENEL301; and (2) COSC122; and (3) COSC262 or ENEL300 or ENMT301
COSC441
Wireless Networking Systems and Performance
Description
This course provides an introduction to wireless networking, covering the different classes of wireless systems, fundamentals of wireless communications and wireless physical layers, medium access control protocols and routing protocols. Furthermore, students will gain hands-on experience with discrete-event simulation, a key methodology for performance assessment of wireless networking protocols and systems.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
ENCE260, SENG201 and COSC364.
Restrictions
COSC418
COSC443
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new and rapidly developing field that affects social media, military actions, the way we are governed, our criminal justice and health systems, and many other areas that impact on our lives. In each of these areas, the use of AI can and will create situations that harm or benefit people and also non-human animals. Understanding the nature of these potential harms and benefits, their value and disvalue, and what can enhance, mitigate or remove them, can help to make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Semester Two 2026 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by the Head of Department
Restrictions
PHIL425, PHIL424
COSC446
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Description
The course introduces core concepts in cybersecurity and prepares students to analyse and address cyber threats. It covers principles and practices of cryptography, network security, software security, system security, and information security management.
Occurrences
Special non-calendar-based One 2026 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Three 2026 (UC Online)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Approval into the Postgraduate Certificate in Cyber Security programme OR 60 points of 300-level courses from COSC/ENCE/SENG/DATA301 OR approval by Head of Department
Restrictions
COSC362
COSC447
Computer Networks and Security
Description
This course discusses network security, which is an important part of cyber security, as a large number of attacks are carried out over or even critically rely on the Internet. Following a discussion of core Internet protocols, the course will cover a range of network attacks and possible countermeasures, including IPSec, virtual private networks, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and others. The course will also cover wireless security, including security in the Internet-of-Things.
Occurrences
Special non-calendar-based One 2026 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Three 2026 (UC Online)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Approval into the Postgraduate Certificate in Cyber Security programme OR 60 points of 300-level courses from COSC/ENCE/SENG/DATA301 OR approval by Head of Department.
COSC448
Ethical Hacking: Penetration Testing Methodology and Techniques
Description
The course introduces penetration testing methodology and techniques. It covers techniques, tools, and procedures employed by penetration testers to identify potential security vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications. It also places an emphasis on ethical standards and legal compliance of ethical hacking.
Occurrences
Special non-calendar-based Two 2026 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Four 2026 (UC Online)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
COSC446
COSC469
Research Methods in Computer Science and Software Engineering
Description
This course introduces students to research methods in Computer Science and Software Engineering. Critical research skills for postgraduate students are covered.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by Head of Department.
Restrictions
COSC460
COSC470
Research Project
Description
This course gives students in-depth research experience by completing a comprehensive computer science research project. A research topic will be chosen in discussion with a possible academic supervisor, a proposal developed and approved, and a written research report completed. Various milestones throughout the year include proposal development, written and oral progress reports, and final project presentations. At the end of the course, students will have studied and practised essential techniques and skills required to successfully complete a computer science research project.
Occurrences
Whole Year 2026
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
, Subject to approval of the Head of Department
Restrictions
COSC460, COSC461
Co-requisites
COSC469
COSC471
Special Topic
Description
Special Topic
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Approval by the Head of Department
COSC473
Special Topic
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Entry is subject to the approval of the Head of Department
COSC475
Individual Course of Study
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Whole Year 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
COSC476
Individual Course of Study
Description
-
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Whole Year 2026
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to the approval of the Head of Department.
COSC480
Computer Programming
Description
An introduction for graduate students to imperative computer programming using Python. Topics include: expressions, assignment, selection and iteration, structured data (lists, dictionaries, tuples, arrays), functional decomposition, file processing, using library code, and an introduction to object-oriented programming. Students must develop a significant piece of program code in a project that demonstrates mastery of programming for practical applications, typically in data science.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Special non-calendar-based Three 2026 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Four 2026 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Nine 2026 (UC Online)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
COSC486
Research Project
Description
Students will gain experience in performing research in the fields of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
Occurrences
Summer Nov 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Entry is subject to the approval of the Head of Department. RP: COSC400-level courses

Not Offered Courses in 2026

400-level

COSC478
Special Topic
Description
Special Topic
Occurrences
COSC478-26S2 (C)
Semester Two 2026 - Not offered
For further information see COSC478 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by Head of Department.
COSC479
Special Topic
Description
Special Topic
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2024 , 2025
For further information see COSC479 course details
Points
15 points

Postgraduate

COSC413
Advanced Topics in Algorithms
Description
Advanced topics in algorithms, such as NP-completeness and intractability, randomized algorithms, number theoretic algorithms for cryptology, parallel algorithms, formal verification of algorithms etc.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026
For further information see COSC413 course details
Points
15 points
COSC418
Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks
Description
This course will provide students with an understanding of wireless ad-hoc and sensor networks, enable them to recognise the wide range of applicability of these networks, and provide them with an understanding of the major design issues, including topics such as protocol mechanisms and resource contraints.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019
For further information see COSC418 course details
Points
15 points
COSC421
Advanced Topics in Security
Description
This course will cover the wide-ranging issues on advanced topics in computer, network, and systems security. Students will learn from security fundamentals to advanced topics in security.
Occurrences
COSC421-26S1 (C)
Semester One 2026 - Not offered
For further information see COSC421 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(1) COSC362 and (2) subject to approval by the Head of Department
COSC434
Special Topic
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2016 , 2017 , 2022 , 2024 , 2025
For further information see COSC434 course details
Points
15 points
COSC442
Natural Language Processing
Description
This course introduces central problems and methods in natural language processing. Through their experiences in this course, students will be able to apply and evaluate standard methods to new sets of language data. The course will enable students to design an application of natural language processing for a NZ-specific context and evaluate the performance of that application against reasonable baselines.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2023 , 2024
For further information see COSC442 course details
Points
15 points
COSC474
Special Topic
Occurrences
COSC474-26S1 (C)
Semester One 2026 - Not offered
For further information see COSC474 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to the approval of the Head of Department
COSC480
Computer Programming
Description
An introduction for graduate students to imperative computer programming using Python. Topics include: expressions, assignment, selection and iteration, structured data (lists, dictionaries, tuples, arrays), functional decomposition, file processing, using library code, and an introduction to object-oriented programming. Students must develop a significant piece of program code in a project that demonstrates mastery of programming for practical applications, typically in data science.
Occurrences
COSC480-26X1 (O)
Special non-calendar-based One 2026 (UC Online) - Not offered
For further information see COSC480 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.