Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

" Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

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— CovUniEC (@CovUniEC) February 9, 2015 OVERVIEW

This Computer Science course runs in 2016/17.

Computer science exposes the heart and soul of almost all the technology we rely on in the modern world. It introduces many of the most powerful problem-solving strategies known to mankind.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

If you choose the MSci/BSc course you will benefit from:

• Accreditation by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional; partially meeting the Academic Requirement for registration as a Chartered Scientist; and, on behalf of the Engineering Council, partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer;
• the opportunity to transfer onto the MSci in Computer Science subject to academic performance;
• well-equipped specialist computing labs with high-performance hardware and industry-standard software;
• the option to join the CISCO Academy Programme leading to an industry-recognised CISCO Certified Networked Associate (CCNA) qualification;
• strong links with employers, enabling us to offer visits, guest lectures and joint projects with local companies;
• an excellent social experience with events, trips, LAN gaming and funded computing club;
• the opportunity to apply for an industrial placement year working with a technology company. Companies that students have worked for in the past include: Microsoft UK Ltd, Intel, Accenture as well as a range of medium sized companies in web, media and the creative industries;
• free access to Microsoft software for study and development purposes as part of the Microsoft Academy scheme;
• committed and enthusiastic teaching staff, active in educational development and technical research which informs their teaching;
• yearly New Wizards Showcase, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate work to potential employers;
• an international environment, which reflects the globalised nature of the computing industries.

Accreditation

The British Computer Society (BCS)

Accreditations shall be renewed in accordance with the accreditors standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

In your first year, you will gain a fundamental knowledge in all areas of the subject, including programming, computer architecture, software system design and usability testing. You will work to develop professional skills through an activity led learning approach. The programme gives a sociable and fun introduction to most aspects of the subject and helps all our students get to know the staff and each other.

By the end of the second year, you should have learned to write and test programs, work in a development team on a real world project, build network systems and have a working knowledge of vital aspects of computer industry ethics and law.

In the final year, these skills are combined with an individual project. This normally involves building an original computer system, which will solve one of a range of challenging problems suggested by an expert in the relevant field. We introduce you to the study of the limits of computation, techniques for analysing and solving more complex problems and large scale software systems development. Additionally, you have the option to study advanced topics in artificial intelligence, computer architecture, concurrent and real time systems, development of enterprise systems and web services.

As part of the optional MSci programme, you should acquire specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of: advanced software design and development, cloud computing and distributed technologies, intelligent information retrieval and machine learning. You also have the option to study advanced topics in artificial neural networks, evolutionary and fuzzy systems. The programme is completed with an individual research project.

HOW WILL THIS COURSE BE TAUGHT?

This material is learned through a range of creatively designed practical tasks, projects, lectures and tutorials. We build our own, ground-breaking educational software at Coventry University and use it to teach programming, theoretical computer science and parallel processing.

If you are interested in part-time study (which is taught during the day) please contact the Part-time Admissions team on +44 (0) 24 7765 4321 or email part-time.uni@coventry.ac.uk for further information, but please note that not all courses have a part-time option.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

An estimated percentage breakdown of how your final grade is assessed is as follows: formal examinations 25%; coursework, essays, project and group work 50%; practical exams e.g. presentations, tests, etc.25%.

A compulsory Add+vantage module must also be completed: please see the page on the Add+vantage scheme for more details.

TEACHING CONTACT HOURS

In a typical week, you will have up to 18 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 6 hours of tutorials (or later, individual project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: 6 hours of practical laboratory classes each week

Large group teaching: 6 hours of lectures each week

Personal study: 22 hours each week studying and project work in your own time – including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.

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