Academic Regulations 2004/5
School of Electronics & Computer Science

MSc Software Engineering

Programme Structure

The programme has a number of compulsory and optional taught units. Units can be single or double-weighted. Each successfully completed unit is worth 10 credits; double units are worth 20 credits. The MSc requires you to complete 120 credits of taught units. You then undertake a research project leading to a dissertation worth a further 60 credits. Appendix 1 shows the compulsory and optional taught units for the programme. Most of these units are also taught to Master of Engineering (MEng) students, typically in their fourth and final year. All MSc units are at Masters level (level M).

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

Semester 1 6 single units including Research Methods and Advanced Object-Oriented Development.
Assessment is through a mixture of coursework and written examination.
Semester 2 3 double units including Advanced Software Engineering.
These units are assessed mainly through coursework.
Summer/Semester 3 Following the successful completion of the taught component of the programme, you will undertake the research project lasting 3 - 4 months which is assessed by a 15,000 word dissertation.

Examinations are held at the end of Semester 1 (January) and at the end of Semester 2 (May). The progression rules for MSc courses in the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics apply. If you do not pass at the first attempt you will be referred in all failed subjects over the summer. Students who have successfully completed 60 or 120 credits worth of taught material may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma respectively.

Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of software engineering: for example, you might investigate and evaluate a new software engineering method, technique or tool. At the start of the summer, you will be allocated a project supervisor with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These must be submitted to, and agreed by, the project co-ordinator. You will thereafter have weekly meetings with your supervisor or, if your supervisor is unavailable, a delegated deputy. Your dissertation is due by the end of September; late submissions will be penalised unless an extension of this deadline has been agreed in writing by the project co-ordinator.

The table below shows the overall structure and exit points:

Examinations
Dissertation
Exit Points
Semester 1: Oct-Jan
end-Jan
PG Certificate (60 credits)
Semester 2: Feb-May
end-May
PG Diploma (120 credits)
Project: June-Sept
end-Sept
MSc (180 credits)

Units shown in a regular font are compulsory; units shown in italics are optional. If you are exceptionally well prepared, it may be possible to take a relevant option in place of a compulsory unit, but this requires written permission from your personal tutor and course leader.

Semester 1 Units

Module Title
Code
Credits
Coursework
Advanced Object-Oriented Development COMP6013
10
30%
Research Methods for Software Engineering COMP6008
10
100%
Artificial Intelligence ELEC6035
10
100%
Computer Networks ELEC6030
10
20%
Computer Graphics ELEC6025
10
100%
Intelligent Systems ELEC6053
10
100%
Technologies for E-Commerce COMP6003
10
100%

You must take the 2 compulsory units and 4 of the options.

Semester 2 Units

Module Title
Code
Credits
Coursework
Advanced Software Engineering COMP6014
20
15%
Computer Vision ELEC6024
20
100%
Cryptography and Data Compression ELEC6032
20
50%
Distributed Computing Systems ELEC6026
20
100%
Formal Design of Systems COMP6004
20
100%
Intelligent Agents COMP6006
20
40%
E-Business Strategy COMP6007
20
100%

You must take the 1 compulsory unit and 2 of the options.