(MSc) Master of Science
Advanced Computer Science
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time or part-time
None
MSC G40012
25/09/2012
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall 2:1.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
MSc Computer Science is a programme of study designed for graduates with a first degree in computer science.
Its main aims are :
To prepare students for careers in advanced research and/or development environments by extending their knowledge and skills in specialised areas of computer science
To develop the students' ability to make a critical evaluation of the theories, techniques, tools and systems used in their chosen areas of specialisation to enable students
To contribute to future developments in their field by providing them with an understanding of recent advances and current research activity to develop the students' ability
To undertake research by providing appropriate resources and guidance in their use
To develop the students' ability to make an effective contribution to team-based activity
To encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and develop autonomous study skills in order to assist their continuing professional development
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Theory : current and emerging concepts, principles and theories relevant to the chosen areas of specialisation (Note: Areas of specialisation include software engineering, distributed information systems, artificial intelligence, embedded systems and robotics)
A2: Techniques : methods, tools and enabling technologies used in, or arising from, the chosen areas of specialisation
A3: Applications : established and potential applications of techniques developed within the chosen areas of specialisation
A4: Professional Issues : legal and ethical issues relating to the present and future use of technology developed within the chosen areas of specialisation
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in A1 - A4.
Students are also directed to reading from textbooks, academic papers and material available on-line.
Understanding is reinforced by means of exercise classes, discussion groups, laboratories and assignments.
Knowledge of a particular topic, chosen by the student from within his/her areas of specialisation, is gained in CE902 through a staff led literature search which forms the basis for weekly group discussions.
Individual supervision of the summer project and dissertation provides further support for the development of those areas of knowledge relevant to the student's chosen topic.
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations and marked coursework.
Understanding of professional issues (A4) is assessed by MCT during the course of the term.
The assessment of the CE902 essay includes specific allocation of marks for the breadth and depth of the knowledge gained during the study of the chosen topic.
An assessment of the understanding of principles and implementation techniques forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Evaluate and apply critical judgement to the theories and techniques that relate to the chosen areas of specialisation
B2: Analyse problems and recognise opportunities to apply advanced specialised techniques to their solution
B3: Construct informed and reasoned arguments, descriptions and proposals that incorporate advanced specialised knowledge
B4: Interpret the contents of articles and other sources, and form a critical judgement of their relative importance and relevance to an area of study
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures, and they are developed by means of recommended reading, guided and self directed study, assignments and project work.
B1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
B2 is a key element of most assignments and central to the group project.
In CE902, the acquisition of B3 and B4 is supported by lectures about research methodology and report writing, and further developed during tutor led group discussions.
Skills B1 - B4 are all required for the successful completion of the summer project, and are developed in the course of individual supervision.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual skills B1 and B2 is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations, marked assignments and project work.
The assessment of the CE902 essay includes specific allocation of marks for use of original sources (B3), clarity of description and originality (B4).
An assessment of the extent to which students have developed skills B1 - B4 forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Make effective use of a range of theories, techniques, programming languages, operating systems, design support tools and development environments
C2: Specify, design, implement, test and document a computer-based system
C3: Work as a member of a development team, contributing to the planning and execution of a shared design and implementation task
C4: Propose, plan, undertake and report a self-directed individual programme of investigation, design and implementation
Learning methods
Practical skills are developed in exercise classes, laboratory classes, assignments and project work.
C1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
Various aspects of C2 are acquired in design, programming and other assignments, and further developed in group and individual project work.
C3 is developed in the group project, CE903.
C4 is developed during the supervision of the summer project and dissertation.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.
An assessment of the extent to which students have demonstrated practical research skills (C4) forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate effectively in written reports and oral presentations using appropriate terminology and technical language
D2: Retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present technical reports in various formats (documents, oral presentations)
D3: Use mathematical techniques in the processes of analysis and desig
D4: Analyse complex problems and design effective solutions
D5: Plan and manage team projects using available support tools; work effectively as part of a team
D6: Organise activity and manage time in a programme of self-directed study
Learning methods
The development of key skills forms an integral part of the students' overall learning activity.
In particular D1 and D2 are developed in group and individual project work.
D2 is developed through the use of the internet as a major information source, and practice in the effective use of tools such as Word and PowerPoint.
D3 and D4 are developed in exercises and assignments.
D5 and D6 are developed in the group project.
D6 is further developed in CE901, the summer project and dissertation.
Assessment methods
tbc