Programme Specification including programme description

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1 Programme Specification including programme description Form QA3-2 GENERAL INFORMATION Awarding Institution//Body Teaching Institution Validated/Franchised (if appropriate) Programme accredited by (including date of accreditation) Programme approved by (including date & minute number of Senate) Final award Programme title UCAS code (if applicable) Subject Benchmark Statement University of Bath University of Bath N/A N/A PAPAC Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science PG Diploma/MSc Internet Systems and Security N/A chmark/statements/computing10.pdf Intended level of completed programme (in line with FHEQ) Duration of programme & mode of study M level 1 year full time Date of Specification preparation/revision last amended 31 January 2011, , Applicable to cohorts (eg. for students commencing in September 2008 or 2008/ /10) For students commencing October 2012 Synopsis and academic coherence of programme The MSc is a 90 credit course with a taught component comprising 60 credits, split over two semesters, and a summer supervised r project of 30 credits. The Postgraduate Diploma comprises the taught component only of the MSc programme (60 credits). The programme is designed to provide an integrated and flexible masters training package that is consistent with: the current and future context of applied computer science expertise; the academic strength and masters training track record of the Department of Computer Science; Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council's (EPSRC) vision of advanced scientific training; British Computer Society's vision of taught postgraduate programmes. The programme produces advanced level graduates with transferable skills suitable for careers associated with research and innovation in industry or academic life. EPSRC state that the development of talented people is a priority for its masters training packages. It defines talent directly in terms of the future technological capability of the UK and identifies qualification with higher-level training and transferable skills. This degree focuses on the science base for computing innovation and satisfies requirements for flexibility, overall integrity, specialisation and coherence across the programme.

2 Educational aims of the programme The design and implementation of complex software systems offers a significant challenge. The need to deliver large, reliable systems with the desired capability is a challenging engineering task. Practioners need to develop stable and clear system requirements, deliver with software engineering skills, and, in particular, to apply established design techniques, including formal methods, to large complex systems. These degrees provides theoretical, practical and system-wide perspectives on the design and development of software systems with particular emphasis on the engineering of systems for safety and security, the use of design techniques such as reuse, genericity, inheritance, delegation, and network issues. These concepts of software systems development will be of interest in industry, business and software engineering research. Specific Aims To provide students with the knowledge, techniques and skills necessary to undertake professional work or research on Internet systems design and development. To provide an understanding of the key aspects of Internet systems, their networking requirements, system security, and user authentication and privacy issues. To provide an understanding of a range of dynamic client and server-side technologies and to develop skills in designing and implementing secure Internet systems using these technologies. To develop skills in the design of web applications using good software engineering practice with an emphasis on formal methods and specification of software components and system level design. To give an understanding of the legal, moral and ethical issues of Internet technologies and their usage both by professionals and the general public. Generic Aims To enable students to establish a coherent body of computer science knowledge within a theme specialised in system and informational terms, such that they have the skills necessary to become practitioners in this field of computer science or to move into a research or academic career. To provide a framework within which students may select, deploy and evaluate relevant scientific and engineering techniques to contemporary computer science problems. To equip students with a set of abilities for assessing the impact of an information system's principles, for the design and development on the system's usage and for the conceptualization of information. To enable graduates to contribute to a broad range of work in the development, design, deployment and integration of systems into their target application contexts. To contribute to the rapidly growing communication and information technology industries. To give some appreciation of the professional, ethical and legal obligations of a practitioner, and to understand the interaction between these developments and their social, contextual and cultural effect. To develop individual research skills by using and developing primary source material. To generate in students an enthusiasm for the application of computer science in science, industry and commerce. Intended learning outcomes (including teaching, learning and assessment methods, specifying those applicable for interim awards where appropriate) Knowledge & Understanding: 1. An understanding of the relevance, advantages and problems with the advanced use of computers and the

3 PG Diploma and MSc human and technical aspects of such usage. 2. An understanding and critical awareness of the current state and future directions of technological advances in computer science, and an appreciation of how current research directions might influence computer technology. 3. To be able to undertake a research project and complete the project to a professional standard. 4. To be able to demonstrate research outcomes, analyse the results and be able to indicate potentially fruitful future directions. 5. An understanding of how the quality of development and software solutions to problems can be measured and objectively assessed. 6. An appreciation of the ethical and legal obligations of a computer practitioner. Intellectual Skills: PG Diploma and MSc 1. The ability to recognise and distinguish the fundamental concepts, principles and theories of Internet software infrastructure and development. 2. The ability to draw on a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of Internet technologies. 3. The ability to define valid and appropriate solutions to Internet systems development problems. 4. The ability to select and use appropriate network support, security and authentication technologies in the design and development of web applications. 5. The ability to integrate and evaluate information and data from a variety of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice. 6. The ability to critically analyse and evaluate innovative approaches to designing and developing Internet systems, and to aid in the development of research activity. 7. An appreciation of the legal, professional, social, moral and ethical issues involved in the development of usable and accessible Internet-based systems. Professional Practical Skills: PG Diploma and MSc 1. The ability to make creative and innovative decisions in the design and implementation of software-based systems. 2. The ability to match appropriate professional software development methods to given software and research problems, and to deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of software solutions, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective use of computers to solve practical problems. 3. The ability to work effectively as part of a team in the analysis, design and development of software-based systems.

4 Transferable/Key Skills: PG Diploma and MSc 1. Utilising self-directed problem solving and analytical skills in a wide variety of practical situations. 2. Decision making and evaluation in complex situations. 3. Working effectively as part of a team and appreciating the key roles involved. 4. Independently acquiring skills and information needed for continuing professional development. 5.. Managing one's own learning and development including time management and organisational skills MSc Research Project To apply high-level research in practice, by conducting a defined research project in their specialist subject and use a wide range of research techniques relevant to the specialist subject To achieve Critical awareness of research literature and its application to current developments in the subject To be able to identify the tasks to be completed in a research project proposal, plan a scheme of work, and complete the project to a professional standard; To assemble and create the necessary analysis, design and development tools, carry out the development of the solution of a technical problem in computer science, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution against common standards of quality; To demonstrate the successful completion of these tasks in a well-structured and coherently written dissertation. This will include a discussion of the research outcomes of the work, and future directions. Structure and content of the programme (including potential stopping off points) OPTIONS 1 2 Options must be chosen as a group, indicated by Column 1, 2 or 3 Grey indicates Required units. Sem 1 CM50109 Formal methods & programming 12 Credits 1 1 CM50123 Networking 6 Credits 1 1 CM50199 Systems programming 6 Credits 1 1 CM50121 Safety critical systems 6 Credits 1 CM40212 Internet technology 6 Credits 1 Sem 2 CM50175 Research project preparation 12 Credits 1 1 CM50209 Security and integrity 6 Credits 1 1 CM50210 Cryptography 6 Credits 1 1 CM40149 Collaborative systems 6 Credits 1 CM40179 Entrepreneurship 6 Credits 1 Sem 3 CM50170 Reseach Project (MSc students only) 30 credits 1 1

5 The MSc Research project The Department has a focus of systems research that underpins all the research groups, which includes Human Computer Interaction, Mathematical Logic and Symbolic Computation and Media Technology. There is also a growing activity in Agents and Artificial Intelligence. The interdisciplinary nature of its research is reflected in the vibrant academic and research staff community. Staff have backgrounds which include Computing, Engineering, Mathematics and Psychology and many are active in a number of collaborative research centres such as the Media Technology Research Centre and the EPSRC-funded Systems Engineering Doctorate Centre. Involvement with industry at both regional and international levels is high. Regionally, we have close links with HP Laboratories, BAE Systems, Airbus and Vodafone. These collaborations benefit both our research and teaching activities, providing opportunities for research, seminars, student projects and placements, graduate and postgraduate employment. Each student on the MSc will undertake a project and dissertation during the summer. The second semester unit CM50175 Research Project Preparation provides the grounding for the research project, and allow students to choose and research their chosen project area. The research period starts after the Semester 2 examinations, and students are expect to meet regularly with their project supervisor throughout the summer. Students also have the option of an extended period in industry during which they can undertake their research project and write their dissertation. The research project will be related to the theme that the student is studying. In most cases the project will be a synthesis of both an analytical and a computational approach to solving or investigating a substantial computer science problem. However, projects will vary in style, and some may be more experimentally-based, and some may be purely theoretical. It is expected that several projects will involve external collaboration, as has been the case in previous years on related Masters programmes. Details of work placements / work-based learning / industrial training / study abroad requirements N/A Details of support available to students (e.g. induction programmes, programme information, resources) The Department has been running Masters programmes for over 13 years and has considerable experience in the support required by graduate students, and with the specific needs of overseas and mature students. The Department of Computer Science integrates with the University support services through its framework of academic and pastoral support. Student support starts with the student handbooks provided for each accepted student prior to joining, that introduces the prospective student to the Department. On joining the Department, our Masters induction introduces students to the campus, the Department, and the Programme. Each student will receive an Postgraduate Programmes Handbook which includes a unit catalogue describing the programme and relevant academic regulations. Each student will be assigned a personal tutor who will be the focus for academic advice and guidance throughout their time on the Programme. Personal tutors also act as an interface to the central support services should financial or other personal problems arise. The Director of Teaching oversees the operation of the Programme and is also available for consultation by the students and, of course, staff. There is additionally a Year Tutor specific to the masters year. The Department already has a well-equipped Masters computing laboratory, which is for the exclusive use of our Masters students. The MSc will have representatives on the Departmental Staff Student Liaison Committee. The Programme Handbook provides details of support services available in the University, and explains how to access all aspects of student welfare within the University. Students also have access to the University Careers Service, and to skill development opportunities both through the University and the Students' Union. These services can provide information, advice and support in relation to accommodation, emotional difficulties, assessment of needs and provision of support relating to disability, student

6 funding, general welfare, academic problems, student discipline and complaints, careers, international students, spiritual matters, part time work, security and personal safety. The Students Union can also provide advocacy for students. More information about these services can be accessed via: Student Support and Resources web pages 1. There are also Medical and Dental Centres, and a Chaplaincy on campus that are very experienced in meeting the needs of a student population, as well as a University nursery and vacation play scheme to provide childcare for older children during the school holidays. Admissions criteria (including arrangements for APL/APEL) Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Bath. All candidates are considered individually on merit, and the normal requirement is a good honours (2.1 or higher) degree from a UK university, in an appropriate subject for the degree the applicant wishes to study, or other equivalents. Post-degree computing experience of a candidate will be taken into account. Honours degrees should be in he computer sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences or engineering. Students from other disciplines who can offer relevant experience in computing will also be considered. Proficiency in the English language is required for entry to the MSc since it is a highly intensive course. We expect candidates to achieve at least 6.5 in IELTS or 237 in TOEFL (computer-based test), or equivalent, before being admitted to the course. We accept GCSE English, in line with University practice. Summary of assessment and progression regulations The total taught requirement is 60 credits total over 2 semesters. The research project attracts a further 30 credits, in order to complete the 90 credit Masters programme. The PG Diploma requires the successful completion of the taught units over two semesters. These units are Required units: CM50123 Networking 6 Credits CM50109 Formal methods & programming 12 Credits CM50199 Systems programming 6 Credits CM50210 CM50121 Cryptography Security and integrity 6 Credits 6 credits CM50175 Research project preparation 12 Credits In each semester the credits taken must total 30, by choice of one of the Options. The chosen Option is followed for the entire degree. Students may not mix pathways in different semesters. Some of the taught units are examined solely by coursework, others by a mixture of examination and coursework, and others solely by examination. The written examinations for the taught units that have them take place at the end of the semesters in which the units are taught. The progression and assessment requirements of the PG Diploma/MSc are fully compliant with the New Framework for Assessment: Assessment Regulations Phases 2 and 3 for postgraduate taught programmes (NFAAR:PGT) Progression to the Dissertation (Research Project) Stage Progression to the Dissertation Stage normally requires that a student achieves a mark of 50% or above as an overall stage average. If a student achieves a mark of at least 40%, but below 50% in the overall stage average, progression to the dissertation stage will not normally be permitted, and the Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded, provided that the student has met the criteria for this award under NFAAR:PGT rules. 1

7 Dissertation (Research Project) Referral A student will only be permitted to retrieve a failed dissertation at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and, normally, where the dissertation has obtained a mark of at least 35%. Resubmission of the dissertation should normally be within 12 months of the first submission. A student is allowed only one attempt at retrieval of the dissertation. A student who fails to submit a dissertation will not normally be allowed a retrieval, and will only be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, as above. Awards MSc: An average mark of 50% or higher across all the taught units, and a dissertation mark of 40% or higher is required for the award of an MSc,provided the student has met the overall credit requirements under NFAAR: PGT rules. Postgraduate Diploma: An overall stage average of 40% or above in the in the Semester 1 and Semester 2 stages and an overall credit requirement of 60 credits may qualify a student for the Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma is only awarded as a terminating qualification. Students cannot be awarded the Diploma and continue onto the MSc. Awards with Distinction or with Merit Students will normally be eligible for the award of a Masters degree with Distinction if they achieve a mark of at least 70% in the dissertation/project and an average mark across the taught units of at least 70%. Students will normally be eligible for the award of a Masters degree with Merit if they achieve a mark of at least 60% in the dissertation/project and an average mark across the taught units of at least 60%. Students will normally be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate (as appropriate) with Distinction if they achieve an average mark across the taught units of at least 70%. Students will normally be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate (as appropriate) with Merit if they achieve an average mark across the taught units of at least 60%. Indicators of quality and standards (e.g. professional accreditation) The University regulations and practice in regard to Quality Assurance are defined within the Quality Assurance Code of Practice, which is available to all staff and students from the University intranet web-site at All units on the programme and the programme specification are validated through the University QA procedures. The quality of unit assessments will be externally assessed on an annual basis by an external examiner, appointed to oversee the degree. At the end of each Semester students are asked to complete a questionnaire for each of the taught units, with the results being collated by the Department. At the end of each academic year each Unit Lecturer is provided with the processed results of the Unit Questionnaires, the assessment marks within the unit and a comparative statistical analysis of student performance in the unit against their performance in other units. Using this information, and any comments from examination boards or the External Examiner, the Unit Lecturer will produce a brief report on the operation of the Unit, will reflect on the changes made in the unit when compared with previous years, and will identify plans to address any difficulties for the incoming year. These reports are considered by the Director of Teaching as a part of the Annual Programme evaluation, and are brought to the Department's Staff Student Liaison Committee and Learning Teaching and Quality Committee for discussion. This allows persistent problems to be identified, action to be taken and good practice to be identified for dissemination. The Dissertation will be marked by at least two members of staff, one normally being the student's supervisor. Markers will be provided with generic marking descriptors to assist the marking process,

8 and initial marking will be done independently, with the initial marks and marks sheets being submitted independently to the Director of Studies. After the initial marks have been collected the two markers will meet to compare assessments and decide upon an agreed mark for the dissertation. The two markers will provide a written record of how the final mark was agreed. A moderation process will be used if the two markers cannot agree a mark, or if there is a discrepancy between initial marks and final mark. All dissertations are available for the external examiners to see, and externals are particularly asked to consider borderline pass/fail or pass/distinction dissertations, and those dissertations which have required moderation. The Director of Teaching will undertake an annual programme review (feedback results, external examiners' reports etc) for the Faculty Learning Teaching & Quality Committee, which provides information for programme development. There is also a five year degree scheme review for all degree programmes within the University. The Director of Teaching will hold regular, informal meetings with the student cohort to discuss academic issues. Each student will be assigned a personal tutor who will be able to discuss academic issues and offer advice on personal circumstances affecting the student's study, and more generic training opportunities. To assure continuing excellence in its quality and standards, the University of Bath has a quality management framework 2 including: 1. A Quality Assurance Code of Practice 3, and associated regulations and policies. 2. A learning, teaching and quality committee structure 4 which monitors quality and standards 5 and instigates action for enhancement. 3. Staff development arrangements 6 that assist staff in enhancing their own performance as educators, as researchers or as professional support services staff. Students are involved in many of these processes 7. The emphasis here is upon the informed student voice - engaging with students as academic citizens to ensure they have opportunities to take an active part in shaping their own learning. A more detailed overview of the University s Quality Management framework is set out in it Approach to Quality Management 8. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) periodically reviews the quality of the University of Bath s Learning and Teaching performance. At the last review by the QAA in November , the University was given the highest grading available, that of Confidence, in the soundness of the University s current and likely future management of both the academic standards of its awards and the quality of learning opportunities available to students. Sources of other information

9 * Form QA3-2

10 Appendix: Programme description for a programme outside the NFA Form QA3-2 Programme code TBC Programme title MSc Internet Systems and Security Award type Masters degree Award title Postgradauate Diploma/MSc Internet Systems and Security Mode of Attendance Full time Length 12 months Approving body and date of approval FLTQC 12 January 2011, PAPAC Please read/use in conjunction with: Year 1 Options must be chosen from the following groups Option 1: CM40212, CM40179 (12 credits total) Option 2: CM50121, CM40149 (12 credits total) Normal period of study for this Mode Unit code Unit title Unit status Credits Weighting for degree classification /90 Notes Semester 1 CM50199 Systems programming Compulsory 6 6 Semester 1 CM50109 Formal methods & programming Compulsory Semester 1 CM50121 Safety critical systems Optional 6 6 Options: See note above Semester 1 CM40212 Internet technology Optional 6 6 Options: See note above Semester 1 CM50123 Networking Compulsory 6 6 Semester 2 CM40179 Entrepreneurship Optional 6 6 Options: See note above Semester 2 CM50210 Cryptography Compulsory 6 6 Semester 2 CM50175 Research project preparation Compulsory Semester 2 CM50209 Security and integrity Compulsory 6 6 Semester 2 CM40149 Collaborative systems Optional 6 6 Options: See note above Summer CM50170 Research project Compulsory 30 30