Computing – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Course Structure

Pre-term Course

To help students familiarise with the Department's computer systems before thy start using them. (Unassessed)

Java Programming Concept

A solid grounding in the essential features of object-oriented programming as well as in depth understanding of data structures and algorithms.

Computer Systems Architecture

Number representations and binary arithmetic, assembly programming, basic operating system concepts.

Formal Specification

Formal Specification addresses the use of mathematical methods in systems development, particularly in high-integrity systems.

Concurrent and Real Time Programming

Concurrent & Real-Time Programming studies the features of Real-Time Java and applies them to concurrent embedded-systems programming.

Software Engineering

Understand the process of engineering and design of large software systems with an emphasis on models, and methods.

Software Measurement and Testing

Software Measurement & Testing teaches methods of software verification, including advanced testing and static-analysis techniques.

Web Design

Building on students' prior knowledge of usability principles in general, this module looks at how web pages can be designed to give users a positive experience.

Human Factors Engineering

Human Factors Engineering teaches concepts and techniques that support the design and assessment of interactive systems.

Project

A substantial, independent research project buidling on the taught course. (A Dissertation)

Professional Development Seminars

These sessions cover some of the important, broader topics of computing and management practice, including Ethics, Codes or Practice and Legal Issues. (Unassessed)

Personal Tutor & Tutorial Group
Each student is assigned to a tutorial group (usually containing no more than four or five students), and hence to a personal tutor. Tutorial groups meet regularly until the start of the project. The purpose of these meetings is to reinforce the material taught in the formal course units, and also to provide an opportunity for informal discussion of related subjects.

Assessment
Assessment of students' performance in the course modules takes place in a variety of forms: practical exercises, reports, closed examinations and a dissertation for the project. Students are deliberately exposed to a variety of assessment methods so that they are not disadvantaged by background.

The assessments take place at various times during the year. Closed examinations take place in:

* the 1st week of Term 2 (for those courses taught during Term 1) and
* around the 10th week of Term 2 (for those courses taught during Terms 2)

Practical exercises, reports and other forms of open assessment are due either during the course module or just after its completion.

The individual project is undertaken by students in Terms 3 and 4. The subject matter of projects varies widely; most projects are suggested by members of staff, some by external organisations, and some by students themselves, perhaps relating to an area of personal interest that they wish to develop further. All project proposals are rigorously vetted and must meet a number of requirements before these are made available to the students. The department uses an automated project allocation system for assigning projects to students that takes into account supervisor and student preferences.