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1. Admissions/ Management Information
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Title of the programme – including any lower awards
Please provide the titles used for all awards relating to this programme. Note: all programmes are required to have at least a Postgraduate Certificate exit award.

See guidance on programme titles in:
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https://www.york.ac.uk/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/documents/programmedevelopment/Framework%20for%20Programme%20Design%20-%20PG.pdf
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Masters MSc in Advanced Computer Science
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Postgraduate Diploma Please indicate if the Postgraduate Diploma is available as an entry point, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.N/A
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Postgraduate Certificate PG Cert in Advanced Computer Science (only as exit award)Please indicate if the Postgraduate Certificate is available as an entry points, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.Exit
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Level of qualificationLevel 7
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This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:2020
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Awarding institutionTeaching institution
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University of York University of York
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Department(s):
Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department		Board of Studies
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Lead Department Computer ScienceBoard of Studies in Computer Science
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Other contributing Departments:
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Route code
(existing programmes only)		PMCOMSCOM1
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Admissions criteria
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In addition to University requirements, we normally at least a 2:1 in Computer Science or a high 2:1 in a Computer Science-related degree. From 2020/21, we will expect a high 2.1 degree in Computer Science or a 1st in a Computer Science-related degree
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Length and status of the programme(s) and mode(s) of study
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ProgrammeLength (years/ months) Status (full-time/ part-time)
Please select		Start dates/months
(if applicable – for programmes that have multiple intakes or start dates that differ from the usual academic year)		Mode
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Face-to-face, campus-basedDistance learningOther
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MSc in Advanced Computer Science1 yearFull-timeSeptemberPlease select Y/NYesPlease select Y/NNo
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Language(s) of study
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English
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Language(s) of assessment
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English
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2. Programme accreditation by Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies (PSRB)
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2.a. Is the programme recognised or accredited by a PSRB
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Please Select Y/N: Noif No move to section 3
if Yes complete the following questions
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3. Additional Professional or Vocational Standards
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Are there any additional requirements of accrediting bodies or PSRB or pre-requisite professional experience needed to study this programme?
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Please Select Y/N: Noif Yes, provide details
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(max 500 words)
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4. Programme leadership and programme team
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4.a. Please name the programme leader for the year to which the programme design applies and any key members of staff responsible for designing, maintaining and overseeing the programme.
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Samuel Braunstein
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5. Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
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5.a. Statement of purpose for applicants to the Masters programme
Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective masters student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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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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5.a.i Statement of purpose for applicants registering for the Postgraduate Diploma programme
Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective diploma student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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5.b.i. Programme Learning Outcomes - Masters
Please provide six to eight statements of what a graduate of the Masters programme will be able to do.
If the document only covers a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma please specify four to six PLO statements in the sections 5.b.ii and 5.b.iii as appropriate.
Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
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PLOOn successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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1Apply 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]
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2Apply 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]
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3Identify, evaluate and summarise cutting-edge research literature and apply as relevant to project goals.
[Cutting-edge literature]
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4Independently design and implement a significant and effective computing artifact to fulfil a research-led specification.
[Significant computing artifact]
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5Evaluate the merits and limitations of state-of-the-art, complex computational systems using clearly argued criteria.
[Evaluation of systems]
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6Produce 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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5.c. Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning Outcomes
Please explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
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i) ... in what way will these PLOs result in an ambitious, challenging programme which stretches the students?
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The PLOs are ambitious because as a graduate you are expected to develop in different ways. We teach both the theory and the practical application of computer science, and therefore expect you to develop an understanding of both the science and the engineering side of the discipline. The PLOs allow you as graduates to be working at the cutting-edge of the discipline.
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ii) ... in what way will these PLOs produce a programme which is distinctive and advantageous to the student?
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You will gain an in-depth knowledge of topics on the frontiers of Computer Science in order to engage in research or development and application of leading-edge research findings.
By undertaking an individual project, you will become a specialist in your selected area and produce research results of your own. This will prepare you as a graduates to undertake a successful future career in either industry or academia.
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iii) ... how the design of the programme enables students from diverse entry routes to transition successfully into the programme? For example, how does the organisation of the programme ensure solid foundations in disciplinary knowledge and understanding of conventions, language skills, mathematics and statistics skills, writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity
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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. During August, 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 n the University (e.g. Writing Centre; Maths Skills Centre).
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iv) ... how the programme is designed to enable students to progress successfully - in a limited time frame - through to the end of the award? For example, the development of higher level research skills; enabling students to complete an independent study module; developing competence and confidence in practical skills/ professional skills. See QAA masters characteristics doument http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf
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Most of the ACS modules in Autumn and Spring are assessed by open assessments stretching over several weeks to support continuous working on problems. You are prepared for the ISM by the PRSK module which provides guidance on techniques for researching and writing extended project reports in Computer Science. During the Summer term and Summer vacation, you will work on projects while being hosted by the research group of their project supervisor, to benefit from the knowledge and resources of the whole group. Being attached to a research group also allows students to take part in their informal research seminars, and receive feedback and help from other members of the group.
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v) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will develop students’ digital literacy skills and how technology-enhanced learning will be used to support active student learning through peer/tutor interaction, collaboration and formative (self) assessment opportunities (reference could be made to such as blogging, flipped classrooms, response 'clickers' in lectures, simulations, etc).
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You will be immersed in digital activities throughout, and are expected to become creators of digital resources rather than just consumers. As to technology-enhanced learning, departmental policy is that lecture capture is the default, and all modules have websites on the VLE where resources such as lecture notes and recordings are stored, along with any module-specific tools, simulations etc. Where appropriate, assessments are carried out online, with all open assessments submitted in digital form.
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vi) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)?
The programme's employability objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
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http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/careers/staff/
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Nine out of every ten of York's Computer Science students go on to employment or further study within six months of graduating. The ACS programme has been designed to enable you as a graduates to undertake more senior roles in the IT industry or engage in cutting-edge Research & Development or progress further to a Computer Science PhD.
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viii) ... how learning and teaching on the programme are informed and led by research in the department/ Centre/ University?
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The ACS modules are often based on staff members' research specialisms. In addition, ISMs are mostly proposed by supervisors and arise from current research interests.
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5.d. Progression
For masters programmes where students do not incrementally 'progress' on the completion of a discrete Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma, please summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of the PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of the set of modules or part thereof. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules and in circumstances where students registered on a higher award will exit early with a lower one.

Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each masters PLO, but this can be done if preferred.
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On completion of modules sufficient to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate students will be able to:
If the PG Cert is an exit award only please provide information about how students will have progressed towards the diploma/masters PLOs. Please include detail of the module diet that students will have to have completed to gain this qualification as an exit award.
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PG Cert in Advanced Computer Science is an exit award only which is based on the taught-module stage of the ACS programme. An award is recommended for students whose performance in the 100-credit taught-option stage fails to satisfy the University's criteria for MSc, but who have results for any 60-credit group of modules that satisfy the criteria for a Certificate. 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.
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6. Reference points and programme regulations
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6.a. Relevant Quality Assurance Agency benchmark statement(s) and other relevant external reference points
Please state relevant reference points consulted (e.g. Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, National Occupational Standards, Subject Benchmark Statements or the requirements of PSRBs): See also Taught Postgraduate Modular Scheme: Framework for Programme Design:
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https://www.york.ac.uk/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/documents/programmedevelopment/Framework%20for%20Programme%20Design%20-%20PG.pdf
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http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf
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http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements
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http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication?PubID=2843#.VthM1fmLS70
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The ACS MSc meets all the requirements of the "Taught Postgraduate Modular Scheme: Framework for Programme Design", and the QAA "Characteristics of Master's Graduates".
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6.b. University award regulations
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The University’s award and assessment regulations apply to all programmes: any exceptions that relate to this programme are approved by University Teaching Committee and are recorded at the end of this document.
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7. Programme Structure
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7.a. Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map
Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If the structure of your programme does not fit the usual academic year (for instance students start at the beginning of September or in January) please contact your Academic Quality Team contact in the Academic Support Office for guidance on how to represent the structure in an alternative format.

To clearly present the overall programme structure, include the name and details of each individual CORE module in the rows below. For OPTION modules, ‘Option module’ or 'Option from list x' should be used in place of specifically including all named options. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists by term of delivery or subject theme these lists should be provided in the next section (7.b).

From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of teaching delivery for the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA'). It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets).

Summative assessment by exams should normally be scheduled in the spring week 1 and summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7). Where the summer CAP is used, a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place. (NB: An additional resit assessment week is provided in week 10 of the summer term for postgraduate students. See Guide to Assessment, 5.4.a)
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http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/registry-services/guide/
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Full time structure
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CreditsModuleAutumn TermSpring Term Summer Term Summer Vacation
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CodeTitle12345678910123456789101234567891012345678910111213
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10
COM00094M
 Identity, Trust, Reputation & Their Applications (ITRA)SEA
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10
COM00069M
Critical Systems (CRSY)SEAAA
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10
COM00071M
Evolutionary Computation (EVCO)SEA
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10
COM00111M
Model-Driven Engineering (MODE)SEA
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20
COM00125M
User Centred Design for Interactive Technologies (UCDE)SEA
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10
COM00159M
Constraint Programming (CONS)SEA
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10
COM00093M
Cryptography Theory & Applications (CTAP)
AA
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10COM00045MQuantum Computation (QUCO)SEA
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10
COM00116M
Rigour in Secure System Development & Assessment (RISS)SEASEA
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COM00021M
Advanced Topics in Interactive Technologies (ADVT)SEA
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10
COM00158M
Topics in Unconventional Computing (TUCO)SEA
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10
COM00082M
Topics in Privacy & Security (PSEC)SEA
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10
COM00042M
Quantum Information Processing (QIPR)SEAA
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10
COM00122M
Software Testing (SOTE)SEA
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10
COM00139M
Professional and Research Skills (PRSK)SEA
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COM00105M
ISM in Advanced Computer Science (PACS)SSA
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Please indicate when the Progression Board and Final Exam board will be held and when any reassessments will be submitted.
NB: You are required to provide at least three weeks notice to students of the need for them to resubmit any required assessments, in accordance with the Guide to Assessment section 4.9