COURSE IN DEPTH
Year one
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Computer Programming
20 credits
This introductory computer programming module provides the underpinning knowledge and practice for computing students to design, build and test software components. The module will make use of practical sessions primarily to allow you to apply programming principles and constructs in order to creatively solve problems by means of developing small programs. Module content and assessment enables learners to acquire programming skills in a modern imperative language.
Computer Systems
20 credits
Within the Computer Systems Module, you will gain knowledge and experience of computers and computer hardware.
This module presents a holistic view of how computer systems work and it also provides the underpinning knowledge required:
- for the design of computer architecture
- to show how software interacts with hardware
- to apply electronics principles
- to use number systems for computer technology
Website Design and Development
20 credits
This module provides the underpinning skills necessary to develop an effective web based information system based around a clear understanding of the visual requirements of an interface, a structured design approach and the technical skills necessary to implement a solution.
Data Structures and Algorithms
20 credits
Data structures and algorithms are essential in computer science, software engineering, and computer games and graphics programming. Data structures are structured representations of data; the design of a data structure determines how operations (such as reading to, writing from, modifying, or computing with the data) can be achieved. An algorithm is a set of instructions which can be followed in order to solve a computational problem.
Network Fundamentals
20 credits
The module provides the opportunity to learn and critically reflect the skills required in building and designing basic networks and their requirements within a network infrastructure. This module builds on the underpinning knowledge and theory of networking systems.
The module consists of:
- Subject specific lectures/laboratory sessions to introduce knowledge and skills relevant to network and information systems, along with communication architecture
- Lectures/laboratory sessions to introduce principles and techniques for information communication within a network and ensuring effective communication
- Global view on information system communication.
Innovation Project
20 credits
This first-year project allows you to develop and cultivate a creative mind-set through collaborative innovative practice, allowing you to bring together knowledge and imagination to construct a viable product. It is an opportunity to express your ideas, skills and talent to the wider community of innovative practice.
The project provides you with an opportunity to be part of a thriving community of innovators that practices connected learning. This is facilitated by putting you into inter-disciplinary project teams supported by innovation mentors, advisors and academics; culminating in you exhibiting your work to an international panel of experts.
Year two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Object Oriented Programming
20 credits
Programming is an engineering tool that plays a vital role to drive most of the modern technologies surrounding us, including the technological devices for communication, transportation and entertainment. In other words it can be said that our modern lifestyles are heavily dependent on programming.
Moreover, businesses increasingly rely on computers and the software run on them. Programming skills and a broader and deeper understanding of programming are therefore becoming increasingly important to the jobs market.
Operating Systems
20 credits
This module will provide an introduction to fundamental concepts associated with operating systems and will lay the foundations for other Computer Science modules that will require a broad understanding of operating systems principles.
A good understanding of operating systems is very important for computer scientists in order to design efficient solutions to a wide range of programming problems including concurrent programming, resource management and performance analysis.
Database and Web Application Development
20 credits
The vast majority of web applications are connected to databases for the purpose of storing and retrieving information. On this module you will be introduced to relevant concepts and technologies, applying them to the development of such applications. You will gain knowledge and skills concerning data modelling (entity-relationship models) and relational database implementation and administration (using SQL).
You will also acquire new programming skills (e.g., writing server-side scripts in PHP) in order to produce applications that provide useful functionality. You will also gain practical experience in the use of web frameworks to develop web applications to enhance your employability skills.
Discrete Mathematics and Declarative Programming
20 credits
This module embeds core discrete mathematics concepts relevant to programmers, within the context of programming. We will use sound abstract reasoning techniques to design and produce computer programs within the declarative paradigm. Finally, these solutions will be tested and evaluated against their functional requirements using a number of testing and verification techniques
Cyber Security
20 credits
Computer Scientists need to address the realities of the application of their field within an environment where cyber security threats present unique challenges to application and system developers, in relation to the requirement for secure design and operation.
This module provides a foundation for security consideration as required in the design of software expected to perform within a networked and data sharing environment. This module has been designed to provide the necessary theoretical framework, foundations and practical support for effectively pursuing security solutions with reference to the requirement for secure application development.
Software Design
20 credits
This module is about software engineering with a focus on software design. It covers three stages of the software engineering life-cycle, requirements, design and implementation, but with a focal point on design and an emphasis on the design theme.
The module provides the necessary skills to:
- construct models of requirements and designs,
- synthesise implementations from design models,
- apply software design patterns.
The standard UML is used as the modelling language, the vehicle through which important design concepts are explored to convey a software engineering ethos based on getting it right by adequately studying the problem and mindfully constructing designs of software solutions.
Year three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
User Experience Design
20 credits
This module will focus on combining theoretical concepts around user experience design with practical “hands-on” approaches used widely in industry and academia to create effective interactive experiences. You will learn about the user-centred design process that places a core emphasis on designing products, applications, and software for “people”.
In particular, you will learn techniques for gathering and understanding a target audience’s requirements, the importance of universal design and accessibility, and methods for undertaking rapid prototyping.
An emphasis will also be placed on gaining practical experience in designing and conducting usability studies, as well as how to incorporate key findings back into the design process. You will apply this knowledge to design and evaluate an innovative digital prototype using industry standard tools.
Cloud Computing
20 credits
One of the major objective of the computer science course is to introduce the theory, principles and technologies underlying the construction of modern computing systems. This module introduces Cloud Computing, which is the technology that enables on-demand computing resources (everything from applications to data centres) over the Internet.
This technology has revolutionized modern computing by allowing users to access infinite pool of computing services and resources on a pay-per-use basis. This module introduces the fundamental concepts and technologies related to cloud computing architecture, platforms and services. The module follows a practical approach to equip the students with hands-on experience of cloud computing by using a public Cloud service, such as Amazon Web Services.
Mobile and Wearable Application Development
20 credits
Mobile technologies, particularly in the form of smart phones, are now the de-facto mode for us to communicate and navigate information. Building on this success, wearables have the potential to make computer technology ubiquitous. Although encompassing many forms, probably the most prevalent example of wearables is seen in the emergence of powerful ‘smart watches’.
This module explores the direction mobile and wearable technologies are taking and aims to equip students with the essential design and programming skills to develop their own robust, usable and ubiquitous applications for at least one of the most popular mobile and smart watch platforms (such as Google’s Android / Wear and Apple’s iOS / watchOS).
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
20 credits
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a core component of computer science, aiming at developing intelligent agents that mimic human’s cognitive capability in learning, reasoning, and problem solving.
As a branch of AI, machine learning (ML) allows to create software that adapts and learns (from examples), rather than being explicitly programmed for a particular outcome. Both AI and ML rely on managing, processing and analysis of large datasets, something that Data Science (DS) is concerned with. Many services provided by technology giants such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, Amazon, etc. are powered by DS, ML and AI. The recent advances in these subjects have already led to significant industrial applications such as self-driving cars and Industry 4.0.
Individual Honours Project
40 credits
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
Year four
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Semantic Web and Knowledge Engineering
20 credits
The Web, as it stands today, primarily depends on human understanding and the interpretation of the vast information space it encompasses. However the Web was originally designed with a goal to support not only human interaction, but also automated machine processing of data with minimal human intervention.
At the heart of Semantic Web is semantic representation and reasoning of data using ontologies and knowledge engineering. This module is about investigating the next generation of the Web, whose key distinguishing characteristics will be the support for and use of semantics in new, more effective, more intelligent, ways of managing information and supporting applications. The module will look into different aspects of Ontology representation, creation, design, reasoning, programming and applications. The course is focused on ontological engineering, which represents an important part of Semantic Web development.
Advanced Databases
20 credits
This module will focus on combining theoretical concepts around user experience design with practical “hands-on” approaches used widely in industry and academia to create effective interactive experiences. You will learn about the user-centred design process that places a core emphasis on designing products, applications, and software for “people”. In particular, you will learn techniques for gathering and understanding a target audience’s requirements, the importance of universal design and accessibility, and methods for undertaking rapid prototyping.
A core emphasis will be placed on gaining practical experience around how to design, conduct, and analyse usability studies (utilising a variety of evaluation techniques) and then incorporating key findings back into the design process. You will apply this knowledge to collaboratively design and evaluate an innovative digital prototype using industry standard tools.
Service Oriented Architecture
20 credits
This module covers the fundamental principles of service-oriented design and the core technologies that enable the implementation of service-oriented systems. It aims to equip you with the key skills and knowledge in order to perform service-oriented systems design and implementation.
Group Integrated Master’s Project
60 credits
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed group project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, your group will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your group’s topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
You will be expected to work as part of a group but you will receive additional support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your groups chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
