MSci Computer Science with an Industrial Year - 2019

Educational Aims Of Programme

• Thorough coverage of the core areas of computer science, with a systematic grounding both in its theoretical underpinnings and in practical software development, through a focussed programme offering an extensive choice of advanced and specialist options in the third and fourth year.
• A basis for a career as a computer science professional, producing graduates who are equipped to work effectively in a professional capacity, with transferable skills in numeracy, problem-solving, team working and general communication and information technology.
• A solid foundation for advanced study in computing/IT, producing graduates who are self-motivating and are able to take responsibility for their continuing personal and professional development.
• A curiosity-driven programme offering a choice of options in the second year and an extensive choice of advanced and specialist options from our specialised Masters programmes in the third and fourth year.
• Flexibility to change programmes after the first year, e.g. to the BSc in Computer Science or the MEng in Computer Science/Software Engineering.
• The vocational aspect of an honours degree in Computer Science is considerably enhanced when students are able to augment their academic study by working in a commercial environment. The integration of an industrial placement of ones duration in the programme aims to provide the opportunity for a student to:

1. Understand how theoretical and academic work completed within the university environment relates to its practical application in the work place.
2. Learn how computing professionals operate within a commercial organisation.
3. Improve his or her skills of organisation, time management and record keeping over a significant period of work.
4. Undertake technical project work in a commercial environment.

Programme Outcomes and Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies

Knowledge and Understanding

• The essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to Computing and computer applications as appropriate to the topics covered in the programme.
• Appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems.
• Current problems and issues at the forefront of Computing including an awareness of emerging technology.
• The role of computing professionals within a company and the interactions that normally take place with other disciplines.
• The application of technical knowledge in a commercial context at an appropriate level for the student's qualifications.
• The standard of professional presentation and reporting skills required in industry and commerce.

Skills & Other Attributes

• The ability to apply the knowledge and understanding noted above to the analysis of a large given information handling problem.
• The ability to specify, design and construct high quality computer-based systems in a professional manner, using appropriate tools, and to document all stages of this process.
• The ability to evaluate critically and apply areas of current research and advanced scholarship in computer science.
• A professional software engineering ethos, and a responsible, ethical and open-minded attitude to their work.
• The ability to work as a computing professional in a commercial environment, demonstrating a professional and responsible attitude.

Transferable Skills

• The ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• The ability to use and apply general IT facilities, including those required for effective information-retrieval.
• Numeracy, in both understanding and presenting cases involving quantitative or similar formal, symbolic dimensions.
• Management of learning and development, including time management, organizational skills, and the ability to pursue independently further professional development.

Footnotes

• Programme Year Requirements: Students with a C or better in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent as approved by the School) must choose one 20 credit or two 10 credit modules from the list of 'modules from outside the main discipline' (MOMDs), excluding modules provided by this School. Students without this level of mathematics must take the 20 credit mathematics module. Those required to take this module should note that it must be passed to allow progression to Year 2.
• Pre-requisites: Some of the modules in the option block are prerequisites for options available in the final year, so that choices need to be considered across both years.
• Module Failure: The Syllabus web page for every module defines the resit rules if they are different from the first attempt -- follow the links under the module code.
• Language Modules: Language modules (at Level 2 or above) may only be chosen in order to continue study of a language successfully passed in Year 1.
• Progress Decisions: Please refer to Section 7 of the University Regulations for further information on assessment, progression and awards. Students on the MSci programme must have acquired at least 100 credits in Year 2, at least 220 credits altogether, and an average of at least 55% in Year 2 modules in order to be eligible for progression to Year 3 of the MSci programme.
• Industrial Year: In order to proceed to Year 3 (the industrial year), students must: - Not have any modules to repeat during the year. If they have resit examinations, they must arrange for time off to take these. - Have found a company willing to provide a placement which meets the School's requirements, which include providing an Industrial Tutor. The placement must involve a component of skills training (approximately 40%) and technical project work (approximately 60%). The skills training can include formal taught and/or self study courses and apprenticeship style learning "on the job". The training and project work must be of a technical nature relevant to the degree programme. The project work will most typically involve programming but other types of project work are acceptable. Students who do not meet the academic requirements or cannot find a suitable industrial placement will transfer to the degree programme without the Year in Industry component. See also the web page for Programmes with an Industrial Year.
• Optional Modules: Not all options may be available in any particular year. Some option combinations are only available if the timetable permits. As students may have to make preliminary option choices before timetables are available, changes may be needed later if there are clashes. In selecting options, students need to pay attention to pre- and co-requisites.
• Language Modules: Language modules (at Level 3 or above) may only be chosen in order to continue study of a language successfully passed in Year 2.
• Degree Classification: Refer to the University Regulations for further information on the general rules governing degree classification. It is a specific requirement of this programme that students pass the Computer Science Project in order to be awarded an Honours Degree.
• Accreditation: 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.