MSc Advanced Computer Science Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised August 2023
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6	Programme Title			MSc Advanced Computer Science
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2023		Award type			MSc
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10	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			1 year
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full-time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A.
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Computer Science
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18	Lead department			Computer Science		Other contributing departments
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
26	N/A.
27	N/A.
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	For our BSc and MEng programmes we use accreditation requirements and ACM guidelines as reference points. Here we use expert judgement but lean on the fact most of the modules are existing and proven in action. The programme has also been updated based on the current modularisation and semesterisation guidance.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	N/A - University Policy and Procedures apply.
37	N/A - University Policy and Procedures apply.
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A.
42	N/A.
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Yes			Transfers out:	Yes
48			Yes				Yes
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	The Advanced Computer Science MSc programme is aimed at students wanting to develop a level of understanding and technical skill at the leading edge of Computer Science. The programme has been specifically designed to address this pace of change by giving you breadth of knowledge in several areas, a range of advanced skills, and the expertise necessary to engage in leading-edge Computer Science application. In addition, the significant individual project included in the programme will provide you with the opportunity to work on a highly-specialised topic of your choice. The programme will therefore take the strong foundation you already have in Computer Science and build on it. As a graduate, this will enable you to undertake more senior roles in the IT industry or engage in cutting-edge Research & Development or, if you wish, progress further to a Computer Science PhD.
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54	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
55	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
56	Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Advanced Computer Science			Exit award only	A student graduating with a PG Cert qualification will have made progress on achieving all the PLOs, however clearly not to the extent of students who graduate with a MSc.			Worth 60 module credits - the module diet consists of ROCS or PRAD + additional 40 taught credits. Should ROCS &/or PRAD NOT be achieved, students would be eligible to transfer to Computer Systems PG Certificate (see row below).
57	Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Computer Systems			Exit award only	A student graduating with a PG Cert qualification will have made progress on achieving all the PLOs, however clearly not to the extent of students who graduate with a MSc.			Worth 60 module credits - the module diet consists of any 60 module credits from across our on-campus PGT programmes.
58	Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Advanced Computer Science			Exit award only	A student graduating with a PG Dip qualification will have made progress on achieving all the PLOs, however clearly not to the extent of students who graduate with a MSc. The project work, in particular, gives students the opportunity to build on the core modules in an focussed way with the support of a supervisor.			Worth 120 module credits - the module diet can be from any taught modules and can include the Capstone Project Module, but to include modules ROCS &/or PRAD. Should ROCS &/or PRAD NOT be achieved, students would be eligible to transfer to Computer Systems PG Diploma (see row below).
59	Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Computer Systems			Exit award only	A student graduating with a PG Dip qualification will have made progress on achieving all the PLOs, however clearly not to the extent of students who graduate with a MSc. The project work, in particular, gives students the opportunity to build on the core modules in an focussed way with the support of a supervisor.			Worth 120 module credits - the module diet consists of any 120 module credits from across our on-campus PGT programmes.
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61	Programme Learning Outcomes
62	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
63	1	Apply advanced computational thinking to complex problems encountered, using skills in analysis, design and implementation of computing systems, drawing on the foundations of computer science and the state-of-the-art research literature. [Advanced computational thinking]
64	2	Apply specialist knowledge in areas, such as Interactive Technologies, to complete research and development tasks requiring knowledge beyond that typically acquired in a first degree in Computer Science. [Specialist knowledge]
65	3	Identify, evaluate and summarise cutting-edge research literature and apply as relevant to project goals. [Cutting-edge literature]
66	4	Independently design and implement a significant and effective computing artifact to fulfil a research-led specification. [Significant computing artifact]
67	5	Evaluate the merits and limitations of state-of-the-art, complex computational systems using clearly argued criteria. [Evaluation of systems]
68	6	Produce and present accessible, detailed, accurate, concise accounts of sustained investigations, including illustrations and explanations of complex technical ideas, for professional audiences. [High-level communication]
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70	Diverse entry routes
71	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
72	Admission to the ACS programme requires at least an upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related discipline. Prior to arrival, you are sent a document describing the background knowledge needed for each module and references to where this knowledge is available (for example, widely available text books and web pages). As part of the application and induction week process, you are made aware that many of the modules expect a high level of specialisation and where appropriate recommendations are made to take certain combinations of modules (termed in the rest of this document as strands) and avoid others. Students on the course will also have access to a wide range of supplementary help from the University (e.g. Writing Centre; Maths Skills Centre).
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74	Inclusion
75	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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77	Employability
78	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
79	The ACS programme has been designed to enable you as a graduate to undertake more senior roles in the IT industry or engage in cutting-edge Research & Development or progress further to a Computer Science PhD. Skills for employability are embedded throughout the programme, with opportunities for students to return to skills throughout the degree. Throughout the programmes, industrial case studies are used, and the students are exposed to managed risks and project management. The two core research skills and professional development modules specifically address ‘professionalism’ and ‘teamworking’ that should help prepare students for both interview and the work place.
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93	Description of Structure
94	Provide a BRIEF description of the structure of the first stage (UG) or programme (PGT): this is only necessary if this is not evident from the tables below. For instance, an entry might be 'students choose X modules in Autumn Semester from List A and Y modules from List B'. For York Online programmes using the 'carousel' model, the description should include whether any modules have to be taken in a particular order (e.g. if there is an introductory module and/or any constraints on the timing of option and/or ISM or ISM-related modules).
95	Students take one core module in semester 1 (ROCS) and one core module in semester 2 (PRAD) taught modules. Students can select any of the optional taught modules for the remaining credits, prerequisites permitting. In the Summer Semester students also take their Capstone Individual Project (PACS).
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99	Part-Time Structure (Normally PGT Only): For part-time variants of programmes, please use the box below to specify which modules will be taken in year 1 and which will be taken in year 2 (and so on if more than 2 years).
100	P-T study is N/A.
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102	Can a Languages for All module be taken ab initio (ie beginner level) in Stage 1?									No
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104	Elective modules									No
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106	Module List & Programme Structure
107	Please use the following tables to indicate the programme structure by listing the modules on the programme. There are separate tables for each stage of the programme. For PGT programme or other programmes that only have one stage, simply use the first table and leave the rest blank. As far as possible, please order modules by semester. Additional rows can be added as needed (copy and paste an existing row to retain formatting). Note: It is suggested that optional modules that are grouped (e.g. where students have to select from lists grouped by term or theme) be listed under a generic title for the group under the 'title of module' column, with titles of individual specific modules in that group in the 'further title' column. Where modules are grouped, it is not necessary to complete each row against every column for every module in the group if the information is the same for all modules in that group.
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111	PGT: