The honours project is intended to promote the development of research capability including communication and technical skills through an in-depth investigation of a particular area under the guidance of a supervisor. The project is not merely a large system-building exercise. Rather, the principle objective is for students to show initiative, acquire new knowledge, develop basic research skills and develop insight in assimilating and critically evaluating ideas.

The nature of the investigation will depend on the project itself but is likely to include a literature search, the identification (in collaboration with the supervisor) of a suitable project, the planning and management of the project, the execution of the plan resulting indefensible results, the development and presentation of results and the production of a thesis embodying the methods and results of the project. Other aspects which may be included in some projects include liaison with other researchers, industry practitioners and/or the community, either working on similar projects or with expertise required for the project.