Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 76

COMPUTING AND MATHEMATICS

MComp Computer Science
Overview

Computer Science is concerned with the application
of computing to a wide range of problems. Computer
systems are now vital to business, government, science
and society, and there is much demand for graduates
with the professional understanding and practical skills
to harness software and hardware technologies to
solve real world problems and to develop the systems
of the future.
The Master of Computing (MComp) in Computer
Science course is a four year integrated master’s
degree that combines the three year single honours
Computer Science course with additional fourth
year training at master’s level. The MComp course
enables you to devote your studies full-time to the
tools, techniques and underpinning theories that
make the science and technology so innovative and
exciting. The fourth year allows you to gain deeper
insight into cutting edge science and technology in
areas like user interaction design, cloud computing,
security and big data. The course explores the
theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and places
an emphasis on practical computer programming and
software development.
There are no specific subject requirements for entry to
MComp Computer Science and no previous experience
of computer programming is assumed. The courses do
not involve an advanced level of mathematics and any
mathematical knowledge needed beyond GCSE level is
taught as part of the modules included in the courses.

Course content

First year
MComp Computer Science s tudents typically take all
eight of the following modules:
Fundamentals of Computing introduces the core
concepts of the discipline.
Programming I introduces you to computer
programming. The module has a strong
practical element.
Requirements, Evaluation and Professionalism
develops skills in evidence gathering and requirements
engineering and addresses professional and
ethical issues.
Natural Computation introduces nature inspired
computation and the simulation and emulation of
natural phenomena and discusses novel computation
using natural phenomena and materials.
Information Systems and Interaction provides you
with an introduction to information systems and the
human-computer interface.
Computer Animation and Multimedia provides an
introduction to computer graphics, animation and
multimedia and appropriate programming skills.
Systems and Architecture bridges the gap between
the theoretical organisation of computer hardware and
high level concepts such as programming languages.
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Cybercrime provides an understanding of the risks
that you will encounter in today’s electronic society
and the measures that may be taken to counteract them.
In keeping with the Keele ethos of multidisciplinary
study, MComp students can (but need not) elect
alternatives to either or both of the latter two modules
above; these alternatives may be chosen from any
discipline. Current choices include business, law,
management, mathematics, philosophy, music and
language modules.
Second year
MComp Computer Science students typically take all
eight of the following modules:
System Lifecycles and Design provides you with
knowledge of the techniques and processes to design
a system once requirements and analysis activities
have been completed.
Programming II teaches the use of data structures and
algorithms as a means of incorporating and processing
data and knowledge within programs.
Mobile Application Development provides a
background and a practical experience in mobile
application development, including HCI design
principles for mobile devices.
Database Systems provides theoretical knowledge
and practical experience in data modelling, database
design, implementation and administration.
Computational Intelligence I provides an introduction
to evolutionary algorithms and neural networks, their
use in vision systems and robotics, and the similarities
and differences between natural and synthetic
intelligent systems.
Web Technologies provides an understanding of
internet communication architectures (such as clientserver) and enables you to develop multi-tier web
applications.
Advanced Programming Practices provides an
understanding of object-oriented programming,
advanced features of Java and their applications.
Virtual Worlds introduces you to virtual worlds,
showing how they can be used as an effective tool for
conducting business and delivering learning resources.
MComp students can (but need not) elect an
alternative to the Virtual Worlds module, from another
discipline.
Third year
MComp students undertake a large (double weighted)
individual project that continues throughout the year,
enabling them to tackle a large or complex problem
under the supervision of a member of staff. You will
choose six of the following modules:
Software Engineering Project Management
provides an understanding of the problems and
techniques associated with software engineering
project management.