Postgraduate study in Computer Systems Engineering
What can you study in Computer Systems Engineering?
A strong research focus is vital to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and postgraduate study in Computer Systems Engineering is no exception. You’ll gain opportunities to tackle projects alongside world-class researchers, sometimes within well-known research groups in purpose-built laboratories, with real-world applications. Major topics may include:
- Control systems, applied to bioprocess modelling, control of water treatment plants and nonlinear filtering design, active fault-tolerant control of nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems, and more
- Embedded systems, working with well-recognised researchers to investigate hardware/software co-design, real-time systems, low-power design, application-specific processors, system-level languages, wearable computing, smart sensors, intelligent transportation, medical devices, and the Internet of Things
- Industrial informatics and automation, focusing on distributed intelligent control architectures in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, food processing
- Robotics, generally undertaken in the Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science with an aim to create innovative technologies to improve social well-being; focusing on human-robot interaction, software systems and tools, and applications in the healthcare and primary sectors
Entry requirements
Important requirements for international students
- All international applicants should ensure that they meet all the programme’s entry requirements. You should only proceed with your application if your GPA matches or exceeds the requirements listed for your country. Please do not apply if your GPA is below the minimum entry requirements, but consider the alternative study options that may be offered as a pathway into your preferred programme.
- You are strongly advised to consider visa application times. Please be aware of the student visa processing times in your home country and submit the documentation needed well ahead of the Faculty of Engineering's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
- If you’re applying for your second masters degree, you need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering is required to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with the courses in the University of Auckland programme that you have expressed interest in. You must therefore allow more time for your application to be processed, and be aware that further documentation may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take visa application times into account.
Structuring your postgraduate programme in Computer Systems Engineering
Master of Engineering
120-point option
- Completion of COMPSYS 796 ME Thesis (120 points)
180-point option
- Completion of COMPSYS 796 ME Thesis (120 points)
- At least 60 points from courses listed in the Master of Engineering Studies in Computer Systems Engineering schedule
Master of Engineering Studies (120 or 180 points, taught)
At least 45 points from:
No more than 45 points from COMPSYS 787–789 and 795
Semester One
- COMPSYS 701 Advanced Digital Systems Design (15 points)
- COMPSYS 726 Robotics and Intelligent Systems (15 points)
- COMPSYS 787 Project X (15 points) 1 semester
- COMPSYS 788 A&B Project Y (30 points) 2 semesters
- COMPSYS 789 Project Z (30 points) 1 semester
- COMPSYS 795 A&B Research Project (45 points) 2 semesters
- COMPSYS 795 Research Project (45 points) 1 semester
- ELECTENG 734 Power Electronics (15 points)
- SOFTENG 701 Advanced Software Engineering (15 points) enrolment opens 7 Dec 2023
- SOFTENG 751 High Performance Computing (15 points) enrolment opens 7 Dec 2023
Semester Two
- COMPSYS 704 Advanced Embedded Systems (15 points)
- COMPSYS 705 Formal Methods for Engineers (15 points)
- COMPSYS 725 Distributed Cyber-Physical Systems (15 points)
- COMPSYS 721 Special Topic (15 points)
- COMPSYS 730 Robotics and Society
- COMPSYS 731 Human-Robot Interaction
- COMPSYS 732 Mobile Autonomous Robotics
- COMPSYS 787 Project X (15 points)
- COMPSYS 788 A&B Project Y (30 points)
- COMPSYS 789 Project Z (30 points)
- COMPSYS 795 Research Project (45 points) 1 semester
- ELECTENG 704 Advanced Control Systems (15 points)
For a 120-point programme, up to 75 points from the following:
For a 180-point programme, up to 135 points from the following:
Semester One
- COMPSYS 723 Embedded Systems Design (15 points)
- ELECTENG 722 Modern Control Systems (15 points)
- ELECTENG 733 Digital Signal Processing (15 points)
Semester Two
- COMPSYS 721 Special Topic (15 points)
- COMPSYS 725 Distributed Cyber-Physical Systems (15 points)
- COMPSYS 730 Robotics and Society
- COMPSYS 731 Human-Robot Interaction
- COMPSYS 732 Mobile Autonomous Robotics
- ELECTENG 726 Digital Communications (15 points)
- SOFTENG 761 Advanced Agile & Lean
- Software Development (15 points) enrolment opens 7 Dec 2023
For 120-point programme:
Or, up to 30 points from appropriate 600 and 700 level courses offered at this University, subject to approval by the Head of Department.
For a 180-point programme:
Or, up to 45 points from appropriate 600 and 700 level courses offered at this University, subject to approval by the Head of Department.
Help and advice
For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs.
If you would like further academic information, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.