Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Employer Engagement will be achieved by:

Visiting Speakers

As appropriate

Volunteering

Local employers seeking volunteer support for IT services contact the department, such opportunities are advertised to students on this course.

Fieldtrips

Visits to local employers may be organised as appropriate.

Employer Forums

The School organises an employer forum as appropriate.

Other

The MSc Project provides a particularly useful opportunity for students to engage with employers, perhaps by solving a real-life problem or developing a prototype of a potential new software product.

Most modules use case studies, scenarios and examples from the computer industry to illustrate concepts and their importance. Opportunities for work-related learning activities continue as students engage in and contribute in a positive manner to the solution of world of work tasks and problems.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

The course team will plan and run a programme of induction activities during the first week of attendance. Induction lectures are recorded and made available to students through Blackboard, supporting students who join the course after induction week or do not attend.

The Universities ICIS system provides access to course information and module definitions.

Personal Academic Coach

The Course Leader acts as personal tutor who is able to meet students on a regular basis. The relatively small cohort sizes means that the Course Leader quickly recognises each student and identifies each one’s engagement and progress.

Learner Analytics

This can be obtained using a variety of tools such as Course Evaluation within Unilearn (Blackboard) and JISC. This data helps to identify students who are not engaging or performing to expected standards, allowing the Course Leader to intervene and offer appropriate support to students where necessary.

Office hours

Staff work regular office hours, although commitments to teaching and other responsibilities mean they are unavailable at certain times each day. Students may approach lecturers for support when they are available (either in person or using remote methods such as Microsoft Teams), and staff will make every effort to accommodate this, although it may be necessary to make appointments in advance during busy periods.

Tutorials

Every module has at least one hour of tutorial or lab practical where students are able to practice what they are learning and receive individual support.

Formative Assessment

Lectures and tutorials contain formative exercises to encourage students to experiment and gain practical experience.

Progress meetings

Each student has a project supervisor for their project where they have regular meetings throughout the project period.

Research Supervision

Each student has a project supervisor for their project where they have regular meetings throughout the project period

Online Resources

Teaching and coursework assessment materials are made available on-line through the University’s virtual learning environment (Unilearn). Modern computing laboratories provide access to specialist resources and students can gain remote access to software if working from home. Each student has an academic e-mail account that is particularly useful when requesting support from teaching and tutorial staff.

Advice Zone

USW students have access to the Advice Zone. Typically, this falls under the purview of Student Services. Students can use the USW Advice Zone for any problems they may have and will deal with the USW Advice Zone for guidance on applying for Extenuating Circumstances, Appeals etc.

Disability

Students with any disabilities can request support from Student Services or USW advice zone.

IT/Library

USW has a modern up-to date library which provides access to textbooks, journals, on-line materials and IT equipment.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Typically, MSc graduates continue their careers in industry or commence doctoral research.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

The MSc Computing and Information Systems is designed for graduates with a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent in a connected subject.

Typically entrants will have graduated in a technical degree – such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Information Systems, or Electronic Engineering – and need to further develop their skills in systems development, advanced database systems, and project management.

Candidates applying to the course with non-standard qualifications will be judged on an individual basis using Recognition of Prior Learning procedures as defined in the University’s Regulations. For example, the University may admit students on the basis of their prior experiential learning, provided that it is identifiable, relevant to the programme of study for which they are applying and provides sufficient evidence of their ability.

The School of Computing and Mathematics seeks actively to promote University policies on equal opportunities and widening access and will seek to recruit as wide a range of students as the current mode of attendance and admission requirements permit.

The procedures, criteria and regulations for admission, including promotion of wider access and equal opportunities will follow those established for the existing post-graduate provision offered by the School of Computing and Mathematics. Normally, evidence will be sought of successful completion of an under-graduate Honours degree and, where appropriate, a minimum average IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A