Introduction
The aim of this programme is to equip students with skills in computing as applied to Information Technology (IT). It is intended to cater for people from a variety of disciplines, being suitable for graduates of any discipline who are not trained in IT but wish to enter this field. Indeed, graduates of disciplines where formal training in Computing has been a core outcome are not permitted to join this programme. The emphasis is on preparing students for employment with industrial and commercial organisaions now utilising Information Technology
Students should benefit from the strong links that the Department of Computer Science has with industrial, commercial and governmental organisations. These have been established through research, industrial training for undergraduates, short courses and consultancy. A high priority is given to meeting the needs of prospective employers. Furthermore, collaborative work is carried out with outside organisations to maintain close links with industry. Student projects undertaken in conjunction with commerce and industry are welcomed and indeed encouraged.
The programme is intended to cater for people from a variety of disciplines, being suitable for graduates of any discipline who are not trained in IT but wish to enter this field. The emphasis is on preparing students to immediately make a significant contribution to a business or organisation making use of or intending to make use of Internet-related internationalised Information Technology.
The individual project allows students to consoliate their knowledge by practical application and allows them to research and develop new knowledge and skills. In the light of the above, considerations of structure, reliability and usability are formally taken into account when assessing these projects. Where coursework is of a group participation nature, students will learn how to maximise the effectiveness of group relationships. Opportunities exist for students to practise their communications skills, both written and verbal, as they present the results of subject-specific investigations to their peers. The project is a further opportunity for students to develop their written and other communication skills.
Programme Aims
Students admitted to this degree programme will possess a first degree, which has not included formal training in Computing. The degree is designed to broaden students' knowledge by exploring the following areas;
- Principles and practice of computer systems and programming;
- Principles of computer operating systems and networks;
- Appreciation of the issues and of managing computer systems and projects;
- Understanding the requirements and the practicalities of constructing IT systems.
To enable students graduating at Masters level to:
- Choose a specific topic related to the degree programme and study it in some depth with a view to producing a project report;
- Move on immediately, if they wish, into postgraduate research.
Cognitive Skills
Students graduating from this programme will be able to analyse the manner in which complex, computer-related visual systems are constructed and will, as a result, be able to make judgements on how a given application should be tackled with particular emphasis on the requirements and practice of internationalisation. The knowledge gained from their studies will allow students to create systems that are well structured, reliable and useable as well as being acceptable to audiences across the globe. Certain modules will allow students to obtain experience in reading, summarising and evaluating some primary research literature relevant to the degree programme, and communicating their summaries and evaluations to their peers.
Subject Specific Practical and Professional Skills
The knowledge gained from exposure to the modules in this programme will enable students to make a contribution to the provision of high quality computer-based systems.
Outline Structure
When studied full-time this programme is delivered over a single year with the first seven months dedicated to a taugh core of technical modules. The remaining five months are used for a dissertation project. The project provides a sound research grounding for subsequent work and study. Taught modules are delivered in intesive three-week blocks. Such a structure may appeal to local students who do not wish to stay on campus or those in employment who wish to study on a part-time basis. When studying part-time, students undertake one or more modules each year finishing with the dissertation project work, usually completed within a maximum period of one calendar year after completion of the taught modules. Part-time students are recommended to complete the programme in as short a time as possible to maintain the relevance of previous study (although up to seven years is permitted). Modules listed are correct at the time of publication. We are constantly reviewing content and so modules may change.
| Module | Weight | Semester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Skills for Computing | 15 | 1 | |
| Internet Programming | 15 | 1 | |
| Computer Systems | 15 | 1 | |
| Management of IT Systems | 15 | 1 | |
| Information Systems and Modelling | 15 | 2 | |
| Network Systems | 15 | 2 | |
| Practical IT Systems | 15 | 2 | |
| Research Methods and Project Preparation* | 15 | 2 | |
| Individual Project | 60 | ||
*Part-time students undertake two separate modules, namely COP500 Research Methods (10 credits) and COP454 Project Preparation (5 credits), the latter being taken in the year in which the project is to be undertaken.
Contact the Admissions Tutor
Dr Lin Guan
Department of Computer Science
Loughborough University
Loughborough, LE11 3TU
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 635661
Email: l.guan@lboro.ac.uk
