Programme Specification for the MSc in Computer Science
NOTE: This is a formal specification for the degree programme. If you are not yet a student in the School, you will find more appropriate information on the Taught Postgraduate Admissions pages.
| Final Award | MSc |
| Interim Awards | PGDip |
| Programme Title | Computer Science |
| School/Department | School of Computer Science |
| Banner Code | 0008 |
| Mode(s) of Study | Full-time |
| Length of Programme | 1 year |
| Total Credits | 180 |
| UCAS Code | N/A |
| Awarding Institution | The University of Birmingham |
| Teaching Institution | The University of Birmingham |
| Designed for accreditation by | British Computer Society [See Footnote 2] |
| QAA Benchmarking Groups | Computing |
| Completed by | Dr P Coxhead |
| Date | 18 October 2002 |
| Educational Aims of Programme | |
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Within the context of the general Learning & Teaching Aims of the School, this one-year conversion Masters programme aims to provide:
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| Reference Points used to inform Programme Outcomes | |
| Computing Benchmarking Statement, UK-SPEC, Requirements of Accrediting Bodies, the University and School Teaching and Learning Strategies. | |
| Special features of the Programme | |
| None. | |
Programme Outcomes and Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies |
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Knowledge & Understanding |
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| Ref | A. Students are expected to have knowledge and understanding of... | Teaching, Learning & Assessment Strategies to enable outcome to be achieved and demonstrated | |
| Learning & Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods | ||
| 1 | The essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to Computing and computer applications as appropriate to the topics covered in the programme. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Independent study | Examinations, Coursework |
| 2 | Appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Independent study | Examinations, Coursework, Reports |
Skills & Other Attributes |
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| Ref | B. Students are expected to have attained the following skills and other attributes: | Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies to enable outcome to be achieved and demonstrated | |
| Learning & Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods | ||
| 1 | The ability to apply the knowledge and understanding noted above to the analysis of a given information handling problem. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Projects, Independent study | Examinations, Coursework, Reports |
| 2 | The ability to specify, design and construct computer-based systems, using appropriate tools, and to document all stages of this process. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Projects, Independent study | Coursework, Reports, Examinations, Presentations |
| 3 | The ability to evaluate computer-based systems in relation to a given information handling problem. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Projects, Independent study | Coursework, Reports, Examinations |
| 4 | An understanding of commercial software engineering and a responsible, ethical and open-minded attitude to their work. | Lectures, Projects, Practical work | Coursework, Reports, Presentations |
| (transferable skills) | |||
| 5 | The ability to work independently on a substantial software project and as an effective team member. | Projects, Independent study, Practical work | Reports, Presentations, Coursework |
| 6 | The ability to use and apply general IT facilities, including those required for effective information-retrieval. | Practical work, Projects | Coursework, Reports, Presentations |
| 7 | Numeracy, in both understanding and presenting cases involving quantitative or similar formal, symbolic dimensions. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Projects, Independent study | Coursework, Reports, Presentations, Examinations |
| 8 | Management of learning and development, including time management, organizational skills, and the ability to pursue independently further development of their IT education. | Lectures, Tutorials, Exercise classes, Practical work, Projects, Independent study | Coursework, Reports, Presentations |
Footnotes
- The Learning & Teaching and Assessment Methods above are not intended to be exclusive, but to indicate the main methods in use. Module Descriptions contain more detail.
- Whether to award accreditation is a decision made from time to time by a professional body according to criteria which are then current; hence there is no guarantee that the programme will actually be accredited for any particular year of entry by any particular professional body.
See also: