Computing Science

Year 1

You will take part in a multidisciplinary Foundation Year to understand the breath of subjects offered by the School, to form a community of practice beyond your course, and to be equipped with the right technical knowledge for the more advanced years of your course. In your first year, you will get to grips with the fundamentals of programming devices, as well as the basics of problem solving and modelling. On this course, you get to kickstart your practical, technical, and professional development with advanced software development practices. You can shape your Foundation Year with the subjects you want to study - so you will also get a choice between creative digital graphics techniques, or an introduction to networking.

Year 2

You will study modules that reflect a variety of target devices in modern computing, including advanced software development techniques, dynamic web development, database systems, embedded systems and computer networks. You will learn how to address the professional, legal, social and ethical aspects of computer science.

Year3

You will study more advanced programming concepts including modern programming paradigms and software engineering, and develop new skills in areas such as web security, operating systems and mobile application development.

Year 4

You will undertake the unique MSci placement year. This stage allows you to choose to take one of three routes depending on your future career aspirations;

• An industrial placement: working for a company in the field of computing, applying your learning to a real company and developing new industry based skills.
• Study abroad: where you will advance your skills at one of our specialist international partner institutions.
• A research placement: where you will join one of the university research teams working on a real piece of cutting-edge research.

Year 5

The MSci year develops advanced skills in Artificial Intelligence and programming techniques, gain an insight into the latest trends in computer science research, develop skills in security and understand human computer interaction. Finally, you will apply your knowledge and skills to a large, self-directed master’s project.

Learning Methods

You will be taught using a combination of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.

Lectures with 30-100 students last no more than an hour and allow theoretical aspects to be explained. One-hour tutorials will discuss more complex materials with smaller groups of 5-20 students.

Practical sessions form the majority of our teaching. These sessions of around 30-100 students, allow you to gain hands-on experience of the techniques demonstrated. These sessions last 2-3 hours and in addition to the academic leading will have a number of additional demonstrators to help and offer advice throughout.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - 40students per group, 4hours per week
• Seminars - 40students per group, 5hours per term
• Tutorial - 8 - 12 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 1 - 5students per group, 1hourper week
• Demonstration - 1per term
• Practical class or workshop - 40students per group, 8 - 12hours per week

How long is an MSci Computing Science course?

A Computing Science degree can be completed over 5 years.

Independent Study

Students are expected to make use of time outside the course contact hours to further explain their knowledge of the subject area. This will include material provided as additional reading by the modules and independent research and development for project based assessments.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The majority of the staff on this course are fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

Staff on this course feature regularly in the Universities annual STAR awards. In the last 4 years this has included Lecturer of the Year (twice), continued excellence (twice), personal tutor of the year and a number of certificates of recognition.

Many of the staff on the course are research active and are involved in a number of industry facing applied research projects in the areas of AI, data science, IOT and cyber security.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed eachyear:

Year 1

• 2 set exercises
• 4 practical skills assessment

Year 2

• 2 written exams, typically for 2hours
• 1 report
• 1 set exercise
• 3 project outputs
• 2 practical skills assessments

Year 3

• 4 written exams, typically for 2hours
• 4 project outputs
• 2 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 4 written exams, typically for 2hours
• 1 dissertation
• 5 project outputs

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.