(Integrated Master in Science:) Integrated Master in Science
Computer Science (Integrated Masters, Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MSCII100
18/06/2014
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Admission criteria
A-levels: AAB-ABB
GCSE: Mathematics C
IB: 33-32 points, including Standard Level Mathematics grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD (in relevant subject)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. (Different requirements apply for second year entry.)
If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.
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
MSci Computer Science (including placement year) is a 5 year programme of study.
Its teaching aims are:
1) to equip students with the knowledge and skills that are currently in high demand in the computing industry and in the wider economy
2) to enable students to acquire a broad understanding of computer science, whilst providing opportunities for them to develop expertise within particular areas of specialisation
3) to develop the students' ability to make an effective contribution to team-based activity
4) to encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and develop autonomous study skills in order to ensure their continuing professional development
5) to provide students with an understanding of the industrial context and an appreciation of a range of external factors that affect the work of the computer professional.
6) to prepare students for careers in advanced research and/or development environments by acquiring knowledge and skills in specialised areas of computer science
7) to develop the students' ability to make a critical evaluation of the theories, techniques, tools and systems used in their chosen areas of specialisation
8) to enable students to contribute to future developments in their field by providing them with an understanding of recent advances and current research activity
9) to develop the students' ability to undertake research by providing appropriate resources and guidance in their use
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: Principles, techniques and processes of project management.
A2: The industrial context and the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of computer scientists
A3: Mathematical principles that underpin the analysis and generation of computing models and algorithms
A4: Programming models, languages and development environments
A5: Computer systems, including computer architecture, operating systems, embedded computer systems and computer networks
A6: Information systems, including data modelling, database design, information retrieval and visualisation, and access via interactive web pages
A7: Systems analysis and software development processes
A8: 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 and agents, embedded systems, intelligent systems and robotics and advanced web engineering)
A9: Techniques: methods, tools and enabling technologies used in, or arising from, the chosen areas of specialisation
A10: Applications : established and potential applications of techniques developed within the chosen areas of specialisation
A11: An experience based understanding of work roles is developed through the placement year
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in A1 to A10.
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, assignments and project work.
Specialist knowledge (A8 to A10) is further developed in the Year 3 individual project, and in CE902 which includes a staff led literature search that forms the basis for weekly group discussions.
A11 is acquired through a placement year at a host organisation.
The details of the learning/teaching methods are included on each training agreement and are specific to an individual student.
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations, and also through marked coursework.
An assessment of the understanding of underlying concepts and principles forms part of the overall assessment of the Year 3 individual project report and oral presentation.
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.
Assessment of the placement year is through a number of elements including an assessment of the students performance in securing the placement, undertaking the placement, and reflecting on the placement experience.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a given problem and select the most appropriate methods for its solution, making use of advanced specialised techniques where applicable
B2: Evaluate and apply critical judgement to theories, techniques and tools used in the design and construction of computer based system in general, and the students chosen area of specialisation in particular
B3: Interpret the contents of articles and other sources, and form a critical judgement of their relative importance and relevance to an area of study
B4: Construct informed and reasoned arguments, descriptions and proposals that incorporate advanced specialised knowledge.
B5: A capacity to connect subject specific theory to practice in a work environment
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 a key element of most assignments and project work.
B2 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
B3 is developed through guided reading and tutor led discussion groups.
B1 to B4 are all important aspects of the Year 3 project, and are developed in the course of individual supervision.
In CE902, the acquisition of B3 and B4 is supported by lectures about research methodology and report writing, B5 is developed during the placement year.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual skills is assessed primarily through unseen closed book examinations, and also through marked assignments and project work.
An assessment of the extent to which students have developed skills B1 to B4 forms part of the overall assessment of the Year 3 project and report.
The assessment of the CE902 essay includes specific allocation of marks for the quality of literature study (B3), clarity of description and originality (B4).
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 team, contributing to the planning and execution of a system development task.
C4: Propose, plan, undertake and report a self-directed individual programme of investigation, design and implementation.
C5: Communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment
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 team and individual project work.
C3 is developed in the Year 2 group project and group assignments.
C4 is developed during the supervision of the Year 3 individual project and the CE902 essay.
C5 is developed during the placement year.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.
Assessment of the placement year is through a number of elements including an assessment of the students performance in securing the placement, undertaking the placement, and reflecting on the placement experience.
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 solution
D5: Plan and manage team projects using available support tools; work effectively as part of a tea
D6: Organise activity and manage time in a programme of self-directed study
D7: Capacity to work in a team within a work environment
D8: Improve personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment
Learning methods
Assessment methods
Assessment of the key skills D3 and D4 is intrinsic to subject based assessment.
The assessment of project work includes specific allocations of credit for project management (D5, D6) and the quality of presentations (D1 and D2).
An individual's contribution to team projects (D5) is determined by means of a submission containing reflective and self-assessment components.
The assessment of the final year individual project report includes specific allocation of credit for the quality, extent and relevance of a bibliography, including internet sources (D2).