Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
+44 (0)1509 222222

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Advanced Computer Science

Academic Year: 2019/20

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
Module Specifications

Summary
Aims
Learning outcomes
Structure
Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution	Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department	Department of Computer Science
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body	None (BCS accreditation currently applied for for all programmes)
Final award	MSc/ PGCert/ PGDip
Programme title	Advanced Computer Science (ACS) Note the abbreviations in brackets are used throughout this document.
Programme code	ACS: COPT15 (full time), COPT16 (part time)
Length of programme	One year (full time) one to two years (part time)
UCAS code	N/A
Admissions criteria	Full Time MSc in Advanced Computer Science (ACS) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/COPT15 Part Time MSc in Advanced Computer Science (ACS) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/COPT16
Date at which the programme specification was published	Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:42:23 BST

1. Programme Aims

Aims	ACS
To inspire students to have interest and enthusiasm for subjects they have chosen to study, and to involve them in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying.	X
To give students the knowledge and skills needed to become effective specialist professionals within the computing industries	X
To provide students with specialised areas of study so that they can understand and apply the theory and practice of a range of advanced computing topics	X
To provide students with specialised areas of study so that they can understand and apply the theory and practice of internet computing and network security
To provide students with an awareness of the impact and risks of professional, legal, ethical and social issues in their specilsit area	X
To provide students with the training to undertake research projects in their specialist area of knowledge in computing	X
To provide training, through a range of educational activities, to develop a range of transferable skills applicable to employment	X

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

QAA Computing Benchmark
The professional requirements of the British Computer Society
The National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Loughborough University's Learning and Teaching Strategy
The particular specialisms of the Department of Computer Science staff.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

Students will gain knowledge and understanding in the following areas:		ACS
K1	Theory and programming methods for the construction of complex systems	X
K2	Advanced principles of computer networks and distributed computing	X
K3	Security issues and vulnerabilities for computing and networked systems	X
K4	The principles of encryption and their application to security problems	X
K5	Principles of image processing and coding	X
K6	Principles of robotics, control and intelligent/autonomous systems	X

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

Students should gain the ability to:		ACS
C1	Analyse requirements for, plan, model and design computer based systems in the specialist fields of the programme	X
C2	Critically evaluate computer-based systems	X
C3	Critically evaluate visual systems and associated technology	X
C4	Critically evaluate networked and Internet-based systems with particular reference to the security of the systems	X
C5	Plan and manage a research project in computer-based systems	X
C6	Assess the possible professional, legal, ethical and social issues associated with a computing project in their specialist area	X
C7	Identify and manage commerical and scientific risk associated with a computing project in their specialist area	X

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

Students should gain the ability to:		ACS
P1	Build, implement and test complex computer-based systems that are well structured, reliable and useable	X
P2	Build, implement and test computer-based systems which take into consideration context and appropriate visual interfaces	X
P3	Build, implement and test internet and networking systems that are secure, reliable and useable.
P4	Assemble and effectively measure and utilise networking equipment	X
P5	Effectively deploy tools and computer equipment for the implementation and documentation of computer-based systems	X
P6	Deploy research methodologies in a computing context to produce novel and leading edge outcomes	X

c. Key transferable skills:

Students should gain the ability to:		ACS
T1	Effectively employ research and information-retrieval skills	X
T2	Employ numeracy in understanding cases involving a quantitative dimension	X
T3	Make effective use of general IT facilities	X
T4	Manage their own learning and development, including time management and organisational skills	X
T5	Work effectively on their own or as part of a team	X
T6	Plan and manage a project to complete within schedule and resource availability	X
T7	Present their work in the form of reports, oral presentations or demonstration	X

4. Programme structure

All modules indicated by ‘X’ are compulsory

Code	Module Title	Credit Weight	ACS
COP324	Project Preparation	30	X
COP500	Research Methods	10	X
COP501	Programming for Specialist Applications	15	X
COP502	Building Secure Networks	15	X
COP507	Computer Vision and Embedded Systems	15	X
COP514	Cryptography and Secure Systems	15	X
COP518	Robotics and Intelligent Systems	15	X
COP531	Wireless Networks	15	X

Project

Code

Module Title

Credit

Weight

ACS

COP325

Computing Project

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Students who fail the assessment at their first attempt are allowed the opportunity for reassessment. This may take place at the Special Assessment Period (if available) or when the module is offered in the following year.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

N/A