Programme Specifications

Integrated year in industry

Computing

September 2023

The Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth has a strong research focus on techniques and applications of intelligent systems, working with many major companies. Our taught Masters degrees draw on this focus, and link to the expertise and interests of the Department. They are designed to meet the needs of both students wanting a foundation for a career in research, and those wanting to expand on their skills to accelerate their industrial career.

Contemporary software is usually developed in teams using agile methods. Strong software engineering skills and specialist technical knowledge needs to be combined with planning, teamwork and communication skills to develop applications on time and on budget.

This Masters course is intended to develop these skills and is suitable for students intending to pursue a career in the software industry, and can also lead to a career in research.

The integrated year in industry version of the scheme also enables students:

To apply Advanced Computer Science approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in a work-based context.

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

To learn about an organisation and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate further career paths.

On completion of the degree, students will have gained a valuable insight into a field of employment relating to Advanced Computer Science, developing associated skills.

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

A1 A comprehensive understanding of design principles used in software systems to meet security, performance, quality of service and reliability requirements.

A2 A critical awareness of current practice, opportunities and limitations relating to advanced software engineering

A3 A knowledge of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues that apply to software development and delivery

A4 An understanding of important standards, best practices and legal issues that govern the construction, operation and use of software systems.

A5 A critical awareness of current problems and/or recent development within the discipline.

A6 A knowledge of important architectural frameworks, tools and techniques for developing complex software systems.

A7 A knowledge of several development methodologies that might be employed when developing complex systems.

A8 An ability to demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and professional awareness.

Learning and Teaching

• Lectures (A1-A7)

• Problem classes (A1,A7)

• Seminars (A1-A7)

• Laboratory work (A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7)

• Group and individual projects (A1-A7)

• Visiting lecturer series (A2, A5)

During their year in industry students will embed themselves within a working environment, allowing for the development of a range of transferable and life skills. Furthermore, students on this scheme will have the potential to utilize the knowledge and skills associated with other outcomes developed at earlier levels. This will be in part dependent on the nature of the organisation at which they undertake the year in industry.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• Time-constrained examinations (A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7)

• Project diaries (A1-A7)

• Project reports (A1-A7)

• Oral presentations (A1-A7)

• Computer programs and assignments (A1- A7)

• Capstone project (A1-A7)

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

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

B1 Integrate acquired knowledge and understanding with practical skills resulting in a sound approach to problem solving.

B2 Synthesise information from a variety of sources.

B3 Critically evaluate different methodologies and approaches to solving software development problems and to demonstrate their applicability, strengths and weaknesses.

B4 Critically evaluate the trade-offs associated with different design choices and their impact on critical non-functional requirements such as security, performance, maintainability, scalability and reliability.

B5 Undertake an independent piece of substantial development work that includes a degree of original research.

B6 Evaluate systems in terms of general quality attributes, possible trade-offs and risk within the given problem

B7 Deal with complex issues when developing software applications both systematically and creatively arriving at an appropriate design and implementation even in the face of incomplete requirements.

B8 Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment.

Learning and Teaching

• Lectures (B1-B7)

• Problem classes (B1-B4, B6, B7)

• Seminars (B1-B4, B6, B7)

• Laboratory work (B1-B4, B6, B7)

• Group and individual projects (B1-B7)

• Visiting lecturer series (B2, B4, B6)

Relevant professional skills will be achieved by completing an extended period at a suitable workplace.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• Time-constrained examinations (B1-B4, B6, B7)

• Project diaries (B1-B7)

• Project reports (B1-B8)

• Oral presentations (B1-B7)

• Computer programs and assignments (B1-B7)

• Capstone project (B1-B7)

Relevant professional skills will be evidenced by a report on the industrial placement accompanied by a corresponding report from the employer.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

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

C1 Configure and apply suitable development methodologies within a specific project context.

C2 Reuse, configure and administer frameworks, software and servers.

C3 Write survey-style papers on major topics within the field of computer science

C4 Write critical reports on software systems developed by the student or as a group.

C5 Identify appropriate practices in complex and unpredictable professional environments, and perform work within a professional, legal and ethical framework – including data management and use, security, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and sustainability – in the work that they undertake

C6 Orally present and argue design and implementation choices made during system development.

C7 Apply research skills (e.g. literature searches).

C8 Apply discipline principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories in a professional context, as well as understanding the challenges of working in a professional environment.

Learning and Teaching

• Lectures (C1-C7)

• Problem classes (C1)

• Seminars (C1-C7)

• Laboratory work (C1, C2)

• Group and individual projects (C1-C7)

• Visiting lecturer series (C3, C6, C7)

Relevant professional skills will be primarily developed through spending a year in industry.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• Time-constrained examinations (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6)

• Project diaries (C1-C7)

• Project reports (C1, C2, C4, C5, C7, C8)

• Oral presentations (C6)

• Computer programs and assignments (C1, C2)

• Capstone project (C1-C7)

Relevant professional skills will be evidenced by a report on the industrial placement accompanied by a corresponding report from the employer.

D1 The ability to work independently and manage own time and learning

D2 The ability to work within a team, identifying individual strengths and weaknesses and allocating work accordingly to meet the team’s objectives.

D3 The ability to manage effectively individual tasks and larger scale projects identifying and resolving possible obstacles.

D4 The ability to investigate and assimilate relevant external resources found within the academic literature, on the Web and elsewhere.

D5 Competent use of information technology such as e-mail, word-processors, software tools, servers and the Web.

D6 A high level of computing skills.

D7 The ability to present information, understanding and arguments using effective communication (written and oral) with awareness of intended audience.

D8 Professionalism and an understanding of commercial/professional pressures.

Learning and Teaching

• Lectures (D1-D7)

• Problem classes (D1-D7)

• Seminars (D1- D7)

• Laboratory work (D1-D7)

• Group and individual projects (D1-D7)

• Visiting lecturer series (D1, D4-D7)

Relevant professional skills will be primarily developed through spending a year in industry.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• Time-constrained examinations (D1-D7)

• Project diaries (D1-D7)

• Project reports (D1-D8)

• Oral presentations (D1-D7)

• Computer programs and assignments (D1-D7)

• Capstone project (D1-D7)

Relevant professional skills will be evidenced by a report on the industrial placement accompanied by a corresponding report from the employer.