Programme specification postgraduate Programme



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2.4

What option modules are available within the programme (how and when do I choose my options)? This section will include information on how students will be informed of options available, and how they be supported in making option choices.

There are no option modules on this programme. All students follow a ‘core’ set of computer science modules to provide you with advanced, specialist knowledge and skills. At the start of your course and during it you will be provided with details of the modules you will study, including the project module. The project provides an opportunity for you to focus your learning on a topic of your chosing and to deepen your knowledge of it.


2.5

How will I be supported pastorally on the programme? This section should contain information on what pastoral support is available for students on the programme, and how students may access the support.

Pastoral support on matters outside of teaching and learning is available from a number of sources across the University, including:


  • Programme Leader, who is responsible for managing and looking after the well-being of the year group/programme




  • Guidance Tutors, who are responsible for helping to monitor students’ academic progress and welfare




  • The Student Support Team – a dedicated team who act as a first point of contact for student queries and issues. The team can be contacted in person at the office or via telephone or email




  • Central student support services such as, the library and academic services, accommodation services, chaplaincy and faith service, careers and employment, Team Northumbria (sport), counselling, disability services, support for international students, study skills assistance

The next section under “Communication with staff” details different ways that communication with the staff mentioned in this section is facilitated.




2.6

How will I be supported academically on the programme? This section should contain information on what academic support is available to students on the programme. It should include details of how support at module level may be accessed outside formal scheduled teaching; how students will be guided in relation to their academic progress; and how faculty and university learning support may be accessed.

Support is provided by a range of academic and professional support staff, including:


  • Module tutors - each module has a designated module tutor. The module tutor may have other staff working with them on the module. With the module team, they provide support for students including answering student queries and providing guidance in relation to the module, including its assessment and the student’s academic progress. You can seek support in-class and can also request it outside of class time via appointment (see ‘Communication with staff’)




  • Year Tutors and Programme Leader - who are responsible for managing and looking after the well-being of the year group/programme. This may include providing guidance about your academic progress where necessary




  • Placement Tutor – placement students will be supported by a placement tutor during your placement year. There is also a dedicated placement team operated by administrative staff within the Faculty who help organise placement opportunities and provide guidance on CV writing, interview preparation, etc.




  • Professional support staff (including the Student Support Team) – the staff in the faculty office provide a first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission / extensions, enrolment and visa related problems




  • Communication with staff – this is supported in a number of ways, including:
    • Email – you will be provided with a personal University email account and you should to use it when you need to contact members of staff. Members of staff also use the University email system as a means of contacting students

    • eLearning Portal (eLP) - this is used to providing you with specific information related to the modules you take, such as copies of lecture and seminar handouts, assignment briefings, instructions, and announcements

    • Appointments - members of staff operate an open door policy. However, as academic (teaching) staff may teach on many modules/programmes you are advised to make an appointment to see them.

For international students additional support is provided by welfare, immigration and funding advisers who provide assistance on a range of issues including: immigration/visas, working in the UK as an international student, finance, police registration and travel information. In addition, the University provides English language support.



2.7

How will I be involved in the programme? This section should contain information on how students’ views on their experiences will be collected during the programme, and how feedback on the views collected will be given. It should also contain general information on the types of roles available to students related to programme involvement. (Reference Student Engagement Policy)

  • Student - an open door policy and you are encouraged to provide feedback / ask questions etc., either informally or formally

  • Student representatives - students elect a representative(s) from the programme, to represent their views to staff, including at Staff Student Programme Committee meetings

  • Module evaluation - students are asked for feedback on each module that you study. This will be considered along with other sources of information such as external examiner comments as part of an annual process of module review. Feedback from the module teaching team on student views may be provided in a range of ways, including in-class and via Staff Student Programme Committees

  • Staff Student Programme Committee meetings – these occur once per semester and are a forum for discussing the programme, with input from student representatives and staff, and from other sources such as external examiners. This may include commenting on any issue relating to the operation of the programme, discussion of any planned developments and other relevant matters. Feedback on any matters raised will be provided in all students in the form of meeting minutes

  • Surveys – you are invited to complete these every year to help gauge student opinion on the programme and modules. Feedback on survey results may again be provided in a range of ways, including via staff student programme committees.

2.8

How will I be prepared for employment / further study on the programme? This section should contain information on the opportunities available to students to enhance their employment / future study prospects, e.g. placement, study abroad, live projects, work based learning / assessment. (Reference: Northumbria Employability, Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Plan)

Industry practice has strongly influenced the design of the programme, and the programme content will evolve in line with developments in the industry and in the subject as an academic discipline. The programme has been designed to meet the requirements of the QAA Subject Benchmark statememt for computing and the requiremnets of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and to partially meet the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You will be prepared to progress to full Chartered Engineering (CEng) and/or Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status after gaining the necessary professional experience.
Staff research and industrial expertise informs the content of your modules. Key knowledge and skills for the computing professional are developed throughout the programme that supports career development. The programme is designed to provide you with the advanced and specialised knowledge and skills necessary for postgraduate level employment in computing and progression to further study and academic or research orientated careers if desired. Through your coursework, you will develop and apply these skills, including in researching and handling complex issues, planning, leading and managing project tasks, communication, team-working and critical reflection as well as advanced computational skills.
The Universities Careers & Employment Service provide assistance to support graduate employment, including Career Guidance, CV checks, cover letter and application form assistance, and interview and assessment centres preparation. A faculty employer fayre is also organised to connect employers and students and to promote vacancies. Wherever possible real-world scenarios are used in modules, including in assessments and employers are invited to provide guest talks to help you relate your learning to a real-world context.



SECTION 3: Programme Structure
September start: The programme typically runs over three semesters. In the first two semesters taught modules are studied. In the third semester students complete their project. During the summer students will take a vacation or obtain work experience.


Semester 1 (Sept – Jan)

Semester 2 (Feb - May)

Summer break (June - Sept)

Semester 1 (Sept - Jan)

KF7009 Decision Support Systems

KF7031 Wireless Networks and Security





KF7029

MSc Computer Science & Digital Technologies Project



KF7032 Big Data and Cloud Computing

KF7028 Research Methods and Project Management


KF7012 Implementation of Object Oriented Designs

KF7024 Systems Development Workshop



January start: The programme typically runs over three semesters. In the first two semesters taught modules are studied. In the third semester students complete their project. During the summer students will take a vacation or obtain work experience.



Semester 2 (Feb - May)

Summer break (June - Sept)

Semester 1 (Sept - Jan)

Semester 1 (Feb - May)

KF7031 Wireless Networks and Security





KF7009 Decision Support Systems


KF7029

MSc Computer Science & Digital Technologies Project



KF7028 Research Methods and Project Management

KF7032 Big Data and Cloud Computing

KF7024 Systems Development Workshop


KF7012 Implementation of Object Oriented Designs



SECTION 4: Programme Learning Outcomes

QAA Expectation: A3.2



Degree-awarding bodies ensure that credit and qualification are awarded only where:

  • The achievement of the relevant learning outcomes has been demonstrated through assessment.

  • Both UK threshold standards and their own academic standards have been satisfied.


Students undertaking this programme are expected to achieve the following learning and educational outcomes on completion of each stage (level) of the programme prior to progression to the next stage.

(Programme learning outcomes should be specific to area/s of study and should reflection national subject benchmarks and qualification framework level descriptors)


Please note PLOs are cumulative across the award/s and should not be repeated in each section.
Lower Level Award (60 Credits Level 7 Completion)

Postgraduate Certificate

YES



If yes, indicate award title:

Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Studies

NO






Postgraduate Diploma Programme Learning Outcomes (120 Credits)

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):

KU1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the role, nature, threats to information security, evolution and limitations of aspects of computer science

KU2. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, theories, methods, techniques and tools in the application and management of a range of current and emerging aspects of computer science

KU3. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the major issues at the frontiers of research and development in computer science

KU4. Apply a comprehensive understanding of the professional, ethical, legal and social issues involved in the development and operation of a range of aspects of computer science.

KU5. Deploy detailed knowledge and understanding of the main features and major issues associated with the establishment and management of a technical project

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):

IPSA1. Systematically identify and analyse complex problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature working both individually or as a member of a team and offer appropriate strategic solutions using a range of effective methods and tools

IPSA2. Critically examine, apply, discuss and evaluate the philosophies, techniques, tools, and methods relevant to computer science for a range of applications and a variety of domains

IPSA3. Systematically apply a range of techniques, tools and knowledge in the analysis, design, construction, testing, operation and effective management of high quality and secure enabling solutions to complex computer science problems in a variety of both real world and theoretical contexts

IPSA4. Critically examine the ways of defining, promoting, controlling and validating the attainment of quality in the field of computer science

IPSA5. Apply evidence and criteria to integrate, evaluate, interpret and synthesise information and data from a variety of sources, discriminating between what is primarily essential or useful, and what has secondary value

IPSA6. Apply and reflect on the professional, ethical, social and legal issues surrounding the development and use of computer science, including in a business or industrial context

IPSA7. Use appropriate techniques, tools and knowledge to support effective project management

IPSA8. Appreciate and apply appropriate techniques, tools and knowledge to support effective research and advanced scholarship

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

PVA1. Learn independently as an individual or as a team member, enhancing existing skills and developing new ones to a high level, enabling you to sustain your own continued professional development

PVA2. Demonstrate initiative, personal responsibility, personal enterprise, self-reliance and self-direction, and the management of time and resources, acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level

PVA3. Demonstrate creativity in problem solving and decision making in complex and unpredictable situations

PVA4. Critically appraise the processes used in a research and development computer science project

PVA5. Engage in critical self-appraisal of their own learning experience, personal strengths, limitations and performance

PVA6. Demonstrate independent research and enquiry at an appropriately advanced level.


Postgraduate Diploma Level 7 Learning and Teaching Matrix

Module Code

Credits

Core

Option


Module title

Research Rich Learning Nexus: indicate main strategy applied for each module

Assessment Method

ESAF

Submission



PLOs assessed

Led

Orientated

Based

Tutored

Yes

No

KF7009

20

C

Decision Support Systems









Individual report and presentation on a critical review of an academic paper. Group development of a decision support system application, including documentation and a presentation.





KU1,2,3,4

IPSA1,2,3,4,6,8

PVA1,2,3,6


KF7012

20

C

Implementation of Object Oriented Designs









Group assignment to design, implement and test an Object Orientated System and an individual report critically evaluating the work.





KU1,2,3,4

IPSA1,2,3,4

PVA1,2,3


KF7024

20

C

Systems Development Workshop









Assignment to plan and manage the development of a solution for a project mandate/problem statement, and an individual critical evaluation.





KU1,2,3,4,5

IPSA1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

PVA1,2,4,5,6


KF7028

20

C

Research Methods and Project Management









Assignment to produce a project proposal to justify, plan, monitor, control and execute a project at master’s level, and a professional reflection critically analysing the project proposal.





KU2,3,5

IPSA1,4,5,6,7,8

PVA1,2,3,4,5,6


KF7031


20

C

Wireless Networks and Security










Exam and a research based assignment.





KU1,2,4

IPSA1,2,3

PVA1,2


KF7032

20

C

Big Data and Cloud Computing









Assignment to design and construct, an appropriate solution for a given big data problem and a research report that will critically assess a relevant big data approach.





KU1,2,3,4

IPSA1,2,3

PVA1,2



Lower Level Award (120 Credits Level 7 Completion)

Postgraduate Diploma

YES



If yes, indicate award title:

Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science

NO




Masters Degree Programme Learning Outcomes (180 Credits)

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):

KU6. Apply in-depth specialist knowledge and critical understanding of research methodologies and project management in the context of an independent research project in a major issue at the frontiers of research and development in computer science


Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):

IPSA9. Identify, plan and execute a significant individual project by conducting independent research and applying originality plus a range of specific skills and established techniques in research methodologies and literature reviewing.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

PVA7. Communicate the findings from a significant individual project through a written dissertation and a viva/presentation or similar which demonstrates that you have reached a high level of understanding in the computing knowledge domain that relates to the project.


Masters Degree Learning and Teaching Matrix

Module Code

Credits

Core

Option


Module title

Research Rich Learning Nexus: indicate main strategy applied for each module

Assessment Method

ESAF

Submission



PLOs assessed

Led

Orientated

Based

Tutored




Yes

No




KF7029

60

C

MSc Computer Science & Digital Technologies Project









Written dissertation and project viva.





KU2,3,4,6

IPSA1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9



PVA1,2,3,4,5,6,7





SECTION 5: Opportunities for placement / study abroad


Please tick as appropriate

Yes

No

  1. Will the programme be offered as a four year full time programme with a yearlong study abroad?





If yes, please provide brief details of how this has been designed into the programme and how the learning opportunities will be assessed.


Module Code

Credits

Core/ option

Module Title

Which programme learning outcomes is the module designed to contribute to?







Choose an item.







  1. Will the programme be offered as a four year full time programme with a yearlong Work Placement?





If yes, please provide brief details of how this has been designed into the programme and how the learning opportunities will be assessed.


Module Code

Credits

Core/ option

Module Title

Which programme learning outcomes is the module designed to contribute to?







Choose an item.







  1. Will semester based study abroad be offered as an option within the programme?





If yes, please provide brief details of how this has been designed into the programme and how the learning opportunities will be assessed.


Module Code

Credits

Core/ option

Module Title

Which programme learning outcomes is the module designed to contribute to?







Choose an item.







  1. Will semester based work placements be offered as an option within the programme?





If yes, please provide brief details of how this has been designed into the programme and how the learning opportunities will be assessed.


Module Code

Credits

Core/ option

Module Title

Which programme learning outcomes is the module designed to contribute to?







Choose an item.







  1. Other

Yes

No

Are work placements integrated into module outcomes as required by PSRBs





Are optional summer / vocational learning opportunities available?





Will field trips / study tours be incorporated into the programme?





Are workplace visits available to students?





If you answered yes to any of the above four questions, please provide brief details of how these have been designed into the programme and how the learning opportunities will be assessed.

Example: details of any additional costs to the student for field trips etc. should also be identified.



Module Code

Credits

Core/ option

Module Title

Which programme learning outcomes is the module designed to contribute to?



























































































If you answered no to all the above, please provide a brief explanation.

This programme does not have placement or study abroad opportunites as it as at postgraduate level.




SECTION 6: Programme Design


Programme Design Pillars (as applied to programme design)

How and where have these incorporated into the design of programme? (Max 200 words per section)

Northumbria University Research Rich Learning, with specific reference to how the programme will:

  • Embed student engagement in critical scholarship across the programme.

  • Use research to benefit learning and teaching from the first year of undergraduate study onwards. Specifically at:

  • Level 4: Year 1 students should be introduced to the academic literacies required to perform successfully in higher education. In this formative year, it is expected that Research Rich Learning will be chiefly concerned with introductions to research methodologies and knowledge construction, gaining confidence of approaches to research and critical thinking and with sufficient guidance for students to enable them to engage in well-structured and bounded enquiry based learning.

  • Level 5: Year 2 students should be provided with bounded, but flexible, negotiated opportunities for greater critical enquiry; during this year students should be given more opportunities to operate as participants in research projects. Students should be encouraged to develop their critical thinking, and in taking responsibility for their own study, such as by defining their own research projects and literature based reviews

  • Level 6: Year 3 students will capitalise on the academic experiences of the previous years, synthesizing their learning and experience through a summative ‘capstone’ assignment which demonstrates autonomous learning, academic rigour, self-directed purpose, and intellectual ambition.

  • Level 7: Masters level students will systematically demonstrate and apply understanding and knowledge at the forefront of their discipline or professional practice. Mastery will entail the development of depth and specialism in their selected area of interest, which will generally be assessed via an independently conducted, innovative project which demonstrates and utilises appropriate techniques of inquiry, critical evaluation and synthesis. Students will demonstrate the attributes of taking responsibility of their own learning, dealing with complexity, acting with initiative, learning independently, and communicating and defending their work effectively to a wide range of audiences

The full RRL plan can be accessed at:

https://intranet.northumbria.ac.uk/cs/pdf/ar/rrl


The degree structure is designed to support research rich learning and development of research skills throughout the programme.
You are provided with opportunities to advance skills through researching and studying advanced specialist topics in depth. You are expected to become increasingly creative, reflective, independent learners and researchers. The development of these skills will be supported in each module, including in the module Research Methods and Project Management. This module is designed to help you learn what is required when working at Masters’ level especially in relation to the individual project, but this can also be applied on other modules.
Through the MSc Individual Project module, you will undertake a major individual project. This provides a platform to conduct a substantial piece of research and software development into a topic at the forefront of the computing discipline or professional practice. This will include the need to utilise appropriate advanced research techniques, critical evaluation and synthesis. You will also need to effectively defend your work in a demonstration and viva.
You are also invited to attend department research seminars. These provide another opportunity for exposure to research methods and contemporary research issues.


Technology Enhanced Learning, with specific reference how the TEL environment of the programme will:

  • Be driven by the pedagogy and learning opportunities that it offers.

  • Ensure that all students will benefit from an approach to TEL which is both specific to their needs and benefits from a One University approach to delivery, provision and standards.

  • Be one in which staff and students can be innovative, take risks and explore current and emerging technologies

  • Ensure students have a clear understanding of the purpose and nature of TEL as part of the programme philosophy and pedagogy and their broader learning and teaching experience.

The full TEL principles can be accesses at:

http://nudev.northumbria.ac.uk/tel/what-is-tel.html


The Universities eLearning (eLP) provides remote access to module course materials. This facilitates use of materials outside as well as inside scheduled classes, supporting revision, assessment work etc. The Faculty eLearning standard specifies the content that must be included for each module on the eLP. It is expected that each module will meet or exceed this.
Where appropriate technology is used to help integrate teaching and research. Electronic reading lists support this. These allow you to quickly access relevant sources that can further inform their learning with up-to-date information, covering topics directly taught in the module as well as indicating their relevance in a wider context.
Electronic submission of and feedback on assessment further supports your learning where appropriate. This supports ease of submission and helps to promote active learning through the provision of accessible feedback. Modules may use different forms of feedback, e.g., written, audio or video as required to enhance your learning.

Northumbria Employability, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, with specific reference to how the programme will:

  • Embed employability in learning and teaching strategies through engagement with the employability framework

  • Enable all students to have the opportunity for career development learning

  • Enable all  students to have the opportunity for a work related learning experience

  • Provide opportunities for  students to have access to enterprise and entrepreneurial learning

The full EE&E plan can be accessed at:

https://intranet.northumbria.ac.uk/cs/pdf/ar/EmployabilityEnterpriseEntrepreneurshipPlanFinal


Industry practice and subject benchmarking have strongly influenced the design of the programme. Staff research and industrial expertise informs teaching. Key knowledge and skills for the postgraduate level computing professional are developed throughout the programme that supports career development, including:


  • advanced and specialist subject knowledge and skills and the ability to apply them critically

  • the ability to appreciate innovations, advances and major issues at the frontiers of the computer science and their implications

  • the ability to deal with complex issues both creatively and systematically, and to show originality in tackling and solving problems

  • computational skills

  • communication, individual and team-working skills

  • planning, leading and managing project tasks

  • applying innovation / creativity

  • researching and handling complex issues

  • forming balanced judgements

  • critically evaluating and reflecting upon practitioner experience

You are provided information on opportunities for work related learning, including volunteering and enterprise and entrepreneurship during induction, together with other opportunities.


The Universities Careers & Employment Service provide assistance to support employment, including Career Guidance, CV checks, cover letter and application form assistance, and interview and assessment centres preparation.

Northumbria Assessment Principles, with specific reference to how assessment and feedback strategies across the programme will:

  • Help students to clarify goals, criteria and standards before, during and after assessment

  • Encourage authentic learning

  • Provide high quality feedback to enable students “to improve”

  • Use summative assessment as a learning tool

  • Provide formative assessment opportunities

  • Develop self-assessment and reflection

  • Promote dialogue around assessment

  • Use/adopt inclusive approaches to assessment that support learning and achievement across a diverse and increasingly internationalised student body

The full Northumbria Assessment & Feedback Policy can be accessed at:

https://intranet.northumbria.ac.uk/cs/word/ar/AFLPolicydoc


Module content and assessments are both aligned to module learning outcomes, which in turn are aligned with the programme learning outcomes. As such they are designed to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required at postgraduate level in the computer science discipline. You will be expected to incorporate self-assessment and reflection within your learning. Wherever possible real-world scenarios are used to help promote authentic learning.

Formative assessment and feedback is incorporated into modules wherever appropriate to help develop knowledge and skills and to prepare you for summative assessment.
Assessment and marking criteria are provided for each summative assessment that distinguishes the different knowledge and skills required to guide you. Typically requirements will also be discussed within scheduled classes and / or further written communication is provided to aid understanding.
A range of assessment methods are used across the programme including exams, reports, presentations, individual, group and project work. Group work forms an essential element of the programme. This reflects the importance that the computing industry places upon team working skills and so helps you prepare for this. In addition, this provides you with the opportunity to work on larger projects than can be tackled as part of individual assessment.
Feedback is provided in a suitable format (written and / or verbal) to help you understand how they performed in relation to the assessment criteria. This includes identifying strengths and weaknesses and areas where you could improve that you can feedforward to help improve performance in future work.

EXTERNAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS / PSRB requirements

If applicable, please append any mapping exercise as required by the PSRB.



This programme has been designed to meet the requirements of the QAA Subject Benchmark statememt for computing and the requiremnets of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and to partially meet the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).



SECTION 7: Programme Overview / Summary


Programme Title and Award

MSc Computer Science

UCAS or other Admissions Code




Northumbria Programme Code

ie SITS route code



14FCSQ-N-CSI6

Mode(s) of Delivery please indicate the main mode of delivery in bold

Classroom-based



Distance Learning



Blended



Mode(s) of Attendance please indicate the main delivery

Full-time



Sandwich



Part-time



Other please specify




Location(s) of Delivery (if other than Northumbria)




Education Provision with Others / Transnational Education if applicable

Northumbria Programme Delivered:



Dual Award



Joint Award



Partner Programme leading to a Northumbria award



By the partner



With the partner



At the partner



Partner Institution(s)

MDIS Singapore

Date(s) of Approval / Review

Click here to enter a date.

QAA Subject Benchmark Group

Computing 2011

PSRB accreditation if applicable

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT


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