MSc Computer Science

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

+ Information by E-mail

MSc Computer Science

Objectives MSc Computer Science is a programme of study designed for graduates with a first degree in computer science. Its main aims are : to prepare students for careers in advanced research and/or development environments by extending their knowledge and skills in specialised areas of computer science to develop the students' ability to make a critical evaluation of the theories, techniques, tools and systems used in their chosen areas of specialisation to enable students to contribute to future developments in their field by providing them with an understanding of recent advances and current research activity to develop the students' ability to undertake research by providing appropriate resources and guidance in their use to develop the students' ability to make an effective contribution to team-based activity to encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and develop autonomous study skills in order to assist their continuing professional development
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications 1st or 2nd class degree (or equivalent). Account is taken of relevant experience.
Academic title MSc Computer Science
Course description
Course Description
This course allows graduates who already have substantial knowledge or practical experience of computer science to extend their knowledge by choosing from a wide range of modules that encompass agent-based and multi-agent systems; machine learning and pattern recognition; distributed information management systems; embedded systems and robotics; evolutionary computation; and theoretical computer science and formal methods.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    ADVANCED EMBEDDED SYSTEMS DESIGN
    ADVANCED RELATIONAL AND OBJECT-ORIENTED DATABASES
    AGENT TECHNOLOGY FOR E-COMMERCE
    ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
    BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL ANALYSIS
    BIOLOGICALLY INSPIRED ROBOTICS
    Core: GROUP PROJECT
    Core: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
    DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
    DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
    E-COMMERCE PROGRAMMING
    EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CO-DESIGN
    FUZZY LOGIC AND HYBRID SYSTEMS
    HEURISTIC AND EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION
    INDUSTRY BASED PROJECT AND DISSERTATION
    MACHINE LEARNING AND DATA MINING
    MATHEMATICAL RESEARCH TECHNIQUES USING MATLAB
    MSC PROJECT/DISSERTATION
    NETWORKS: PROTOCOLS AND SECURITY
    OBJECT ORIENTED SOFTWARE DESIGN
    PERVASIVE COMPUTING AND AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE
    PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION
    PROGRAMMING EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
    QUANTITATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
    SENSOR SIGNAL PROCESSING
    SITUATED AUTONOMOUS AGENTS AND AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS
    SOFTWARE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
    XML AND RELATED TECHNOLOGIES

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : Theory : current and emerging concepts, principles and theories relevant to the chosen areas of specialisation (Note: Areas of specialisation include software engineering, distributed information systems, artificial intelligence, embedded systems and robotics)
    A2 : Techniques : methods, tools and enabling technologies used in, or arising from, the chosen areas of specialisation
    A3 : Applications : established and potential applications of techniques developed within the chosen areas of specialisation
    A4 : Professional Issues : legal and ethical issues relating to the present and future use of technology developed within the chosen areas of specialisation

    Teaching Methods
    Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in A1 - A4. Students are also directed to reading from textbooks, academic papers and material available on-line.

    Understanding is reinforced by means of exercise classes, discussion groups, laboratories and assignments.

    Knowledge of a particular topic, chosen by the student from within his/her areas of specialisation, is gained in CE902 through a staff led literature search which forms the basis for weekly group discussions.

    Individual supervision of the summer project and dissertation provides further support for the development of those areas of knowledge relevant to the student's chosen topic.

    Assessment Methods
    Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations and marked coursework.

    Understanding of professional issues (A4) is assessed by MCT during the course of the term.

    The assessment of the CE902 essay includes specific allocation of marks for the breadth and depth of the knowledge gained during the study of the chosen topic.

    An assessment of the understanding of principles and implementation techniques forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Evaluate and apply critical judgement to the theories and techniques that relate to the chosen areas of specialisation
    B2 : Analyse problems and recognise opportunities to apply advanced specialised techniques to their solution
    B3 : Construct informed and reasoned arguments, descriptions and proposals that incorporate advanced specialised knowledge
    B4 : Interpret the contents of articles and other sources, and form a critical judgement of their relative importance and relevance to an area of study

    Teaching Methods
    The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures, and they are developed by means of recommended reading, guided and self directed study, assignments and project work.

    B1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.

    B2 is a key element of most assignments and central to the group project.

    In CC402, the acquisition of B3 and B4 is supported by lectures about research methodology and report writing, and further developed during tutor led group discussions.

    Skills B1 - B4 are all required for the successful completion of the summer project, and are developed in the course of individual supervision.

    Assessment Methods
    Achievement of intellectual skills B1 and B2 is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations,, marked assignments and project work.

    The assessment of the CC402 essay includes specific allocation of marks for use of original sources (B3), clarity of description and originality (B4).

    An assessment of the extent to which students have developed skills B1 - B4 forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Make effective use of a range of theories, techniques, programming languages, operating systems, design support tools and development environments
    C2 : Specify, design, implement, test and document a computer-based system
    C3 : Work as a member of a development team, contributing to the planning and execution of a shared design and implementation task
    C4 : Propose, plan, undertake and report a self-directed individual programme of investigation, design and implementation

    Teaching Methods
    Practical skills are developed in exercise classes, laboratory classes, assignments and project work.

    C1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.

    Various aspects of C2 are acquired in design, programming and other assignments, and further developed in group and individual project work.

    C3 is developed in the group project, CC403.

    C4 is developed during the supervision of the summer project and dissertation.

    Assessment Methods
    Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.

    An assessment of the extent to which students have demonstrated practical research skills (C4) forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Communicate effectively in written reports and oral presentations using appropriate terminology and technical language
    D2 : Retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present technical reports in various formats (documents, oral presentations)
    D3 : Use mathematical techniques in the processes of analysis and design
    D4 : Analyse complex problems and design effective solutions
    D5 : Plan and manage team projects using available support tools; work effectively as part of a team
    D6 : Organise activity and manage time in a programme of self-directed study

    Teaching Methods
    The development of key skills forms an integral part of the students' overall learning activity. In particular

    D1 and D2 are developed in group and individual project work.

    D2 is developed through the use of the internet as a major information source, and practice in the effective use of tools such as Word and PowerPoint.

    D3 and D4 are developed in exercises and assignments.

    D5 and D6 are developed in the group project.

    D6 is further developed in CC901, the summer project and dissertation.

    Assessment Methods
    Assessment of the key skills D3 and D4 is intrinsic to subject based assessment.

    The assessment of project work includes specific allocations of credit for project management (D5, D6) and the quality of presentations (D1 and D2).

    An individual's contribution to the group project (D5) is in part determined by means of a submission containing reflective and self-assessment components.

    The assessments of the CE902 coursework and the CC901 dissertation include specific allocation of credit for the quality, extent and relevance of a bibliography, including internet sources (D2).