Programme Specifications

Computing

September 2023

Subject knowledge

• To give students a good grounding in the major fields of Computing through a wide range of experiences;

• To give students an understanding of the political, economic, legal and social issues surrounding software;

• To enable students to learn about an organization and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths.

Subject specific skills

• To equip students with the skills necessary to design software and to program in high-level computing languages;

• To enable students to understand and apply the range of principles and tools available to the software engineer;

• To instil the professional skills and ethical responsibilities reqired of computer practititoners

Generic and graduate skills

• To reason logically and creatively; to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; and to be able to obtain and interpret information from a wide range of sources;

• To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competititve edge in the graduate job market.

Overall aim of the scheme

• To produce graduates who are highly sought after by industry, and who have the potential to succeed in a rapidly changing computing workplace.

The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• A1. Knowledge of a range of programming languages and software design techniques.

• A2. Knowledge of algorithm designing and use of effective data structures.

• A3. An understanding of the mathematical underpinnings of Computer Science.

• A4. An understanding of computer hardware architecture and construction.

• A5. Knowledge of software engineering, the management of software projects, and their legal, social, ethical and professional aspects.

• A6. Knowledge of a range of specialist topics giving a broad experience of computing (some of Robotics Vision and Graphics Systems Administration; Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Web development).

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (A1-A6)

• ​Problem classes (A2,A3)

• ​Seminars (A5, A6)

• ​Laboratory work (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6)

• ​Group and individual projects (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (A5, A6)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (A1-A6)

• ​Problem sheets (A1, A2, A3)

• ​Project diaries (A1,A5, A6)

• ​Project reports (A1, A2, A5, A6)

• ​Oral presentations (A5, A6)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (A1, A2, A5, A6)

• ​Capstone project (A1, A2, A5, A6)​​

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• B1. Application of a range of concepts and principles in well-defined software development contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.

• B2. Implementation of computer programs in a modern object-orientated language.

• B3. The ability to develop and evaluate logical arguments.

• B4. The skill of abstracting principles and knowledge to develop complex software systems.

• B5. Application of engineering principles and knowledge to develop complex software systems.

• B6. The capability of evaluating systems in terms of general quality attributes, possible trade-offs and risk within the given problem.

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (B1-B6)

• ​Problem classes (B3, B4, B5)

• ​Seminars (B1, B4, B5, B6)

• ​Laboratory work (B2, B4, B5)

• ​Group and individual projects (B1-B6)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (B3, B5, B6)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (B1-B6)

• ​Problem sheets (B1, B2, B3)

• ​Project diaries (B1, B3, B6)

• ​Project reports (B1-B6)

• ​Oral presentations (B1, B3, B6)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (B1, B2, B4, B5)

• ​Capstone project (B1, B2, B4, B5)​​

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• C1 Present arguments and conclusions effectively and accurately

• C2 Use computer software to support presentations, produce reports and work as part of a software team

• C3 Understand the different ways in which project teams operate in the computing industry

• C4 Use appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems

• C5 Recognise any risks, safety or security aspects that may be involved with a computer system within a given context

• C6 Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems

• C7 Demonstrate a range of transferable skills in employment including employability, initiative, independence and commercial awareness.

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (C1-C6)

• ​Problem classes (C1)

• ​Seminars (C1-C6)

• ​Laboratory work (C4, C6)

• ​Group and individual projects (C1-C6)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (C1, C3, C5)

• ​Integrated year in industry (C1-C7)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (C1, C4, C5)

• ​Problem sheets (C1)

• ​Project diaries (C2, C3, C5)

• ​Project reports (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6)​​

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• D1. Apply general mathematical skills to a range of problems.

• D2. Work independently.

• D3. Use information technology confidently.

• D4. Manage time and resources effectively.

• D5. Develop effective learning skills.

• D6. Be aware of the need to plan for employment and to develop various skills for such employment

• D7. Work cooperatively as a member of a software development team, recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams.

Learning and Teaching

• ​​Lectures (D1-D7)

• ​Problem classes (D1,D5)

• ​Seminars (D4, D5, D7)

• ​Laboratory work (D3, D4, D7)

• ​Group and individual projects (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (D6, D7)​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (D1)

• ​Problem sheets (D1,D5)

• ​Project diaries (D3, D4, D7)

• ​Project reports (D5,D6, D7)

• ​Oral presentations (D7)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

• ​Capstone project (D2, D3, D4, D5)

• ​Integrated year in industry (D2-D7)​​