UNIVERSITY OF WALES, NEWPORT
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
MSc Computing
Newport Business School
Programme Overview
This programme is awarded by the University of Wales, Newport and is designed
to meet the growing demand for graduates who posses with Information
Technology skills and required competencies, and is targeted at graduates for
any discipline, along with those with experience in the field but no formal
qualification from the UK and internationally.
The MSc Computing is a 180 credit Level 7 programme. The programme will be
delivered across three stages culminating with a 60 credit Dissertation module
that includes integrated research methods workshops. Achievement of a
specified 60 credits on the programme will enable an exit award of Postgraduate
Certificate in Project Management, and achievement of 120 credits will enable an
exit award of Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management.
The programme can be completed over one full academic year (full-time) or two
academic years (part-time), although a more flexible approach is anticipated for
part-time students whereby they will be allowed to register for and complete
credit-bearing modules over a longer period, potentially offered as short courses
as part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The MSc Computing is a generalist academic programme which aims to develop
a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects to computing,
and to develop the essential skills and competencies necessary analyse, design
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develop and implement successful IT solutions. The programme is focused on
career preparation and relevant pre-experience providing a theoretical approach,
but with an emphasis on putting theory into practice.
The programme is designed for students who have a first degree in any discipline
seeking to develop a career in an Information Technology environment. It
provides the requisite knowledge base, organisational and analytical skills for
those wishing to pursue a career as a Software Developer, Systems Analyst, IT
Consultant, Network or Database Administrator. It is also designed to enhance
the necessary applied research skills of those desiring to pursue advanced
research study.
Programme Aims
The programme aims to:
Equip graduates from any discipline or those with relevant experience,
but no formal qualifications, with the skills for a career in Computing;
Facilitate progression to further study and/or research;
Develop a student's academic ability to a level in accordance with a
Masters level award;
Enhance the transferrable and employability skills of its graduates;
Foster within students the platform from which to demonstrate
independence of thought and an ability to take responsibility for their
own learning.
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Learning Outcomes
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
Apply understanding, judgement, and analytical skills to the solution of
a wide range of computing problems;
Develop skills in the analysis, design and implementation of software
systems;
Contextualise software systems development within a commercial
/business context;
Demonstrate an appreciation of the physical implementation of
computerised systems;
Appreciate the underlying mathematical concepts of computerised and
information technology systems.
Benchmarks and Reference Points
The MSc in Computing is a conversion programme designed to enhance
employability and understanding of Information Technology issues and solutions
within organisations, and enables students to develop a career within those roles.
The Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma exit stages allow
students to build towards the final MSc. award.
The development of the programme has embraced the work of the council of
professors and heads of computing found at:
www.cphc.ac.uk/docs/cphc_masters_april_final.pdf
And the level of the programme and the learning outcomes are consistent with
the level descriptors published by the credit and Qualifications Framework for
Wales:
http://www.elwa.org.uk/doc_bin/Credit%20Framework/credit_specification_guida
nce_100604.pdf.
Learning and Teaching Strategies
The learning and teaching strategy for the programme is explicitly designed to
contribute to the achievement of intended learning outcomes which are clearly
expressed at programme and module level. There is an integrated teaching,
learning and assessment strategy which is explicit and which demonstrates the
appropriateness of the learning and teaching methods used in relation to the
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intended learning outcomes and skills being developed, linked to the mode of
delivery and the student profile. All modes are expected to develop an
independent learning culture and to be exposed to a challenging learning
experience.
The general approach to the learning process for most modules is one which
involves:
A series of lectures and seminars;
A workshop programme including internal and external speakers;
A directed reading programme;
Independent study including extensive use of MLE and online materials.
However, due to the variety of modules included in the programme some of
which are shared with other programmes, there may be different approaches
adopted that are appropriate for particular subject areas. At the start of each
module, tutors will provide a study guide in the form of a Module Implementation
Plan (MIP) which details the module structure, assessment and the learning and
teaching approaches to be adopted.
The lecture, seminar and workshop programmes are timetabled and together
make up the lecturer supported study hours. The reading programme constitutes
independent and directed learning. A variety of student-centred learning activities
such as case study analysis, role play, class discussions and debate, micro-
presentations, use of computer packages and business simulations will be used.
Many students are likely to be in part-time or full-time employment, therefore
whenever possible these employment experiences are utilised as part of the
learning and teaching approaches.
The university employs a virtual learning environment (MLE) where students can
access lecture notes, discussion areas and engage with staff, other students and
the wider academic and practitioner community.
No modules are currently delivered through the medium of Welsh, although
students may choose to submit their assessments in the Welsh language.
The use of these strategies is complemented by varying formative and
summative assessment methods to give the learner the necessary knowledge
and experience for successful progression.
Assessment Strategies
The assessment process for the programme reflects both the aims and learning
objectives of the programme and establishes clear links with the underlying
philosophy of the learning and teaching strategy. This requires the use of a wide
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range of assessment methods involving an appropriate balance between
formative and summative methods.
Summative assessment is guided by the need to measure student achievement
in relation to the aims and objectives specified for the programme, and the
specified learning outcomes of the individual modules. Overall, the assessment
methods should aim to assess achievement across the whole degree programme
both formatively and summatively. It is recognised however that achievement of
some components may be more difficult to assess. Nevertheless graduates will
be expected to have achieved Master's level in the specified knowledge,
understanding and skills when taken as a whole.
Formative assessment is guided by the need to provide students with
developmental feedback. Of particular importance is staged feedback to enhance
student dissertation performance. This type of formative assessment encourages
reflective practice, develops academic and personal skills and builds student
confidence. Formative assessment is in evidence in all modules throughout the
programme.
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Programme Structure and Requirements, Levels, Modules,
Credits and Awards
Postgraduate Certificate in Computing
Requires 60 CQFW credits (30 ECTS) at level 7
Data Structures & Algorithms - 20 credits (10 ECTS)
Information Systems Development - 20 credits (10 ECTS)
Programming – 20 credits (10 ECTS)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
Requires 120 CQFW credits (60 ECTS) at Level 7
Computer Systems & Networks – 20 credits (10 ECTS)
Maths for Computing – 20 credits (10 ECTS)
Software Engineering – 20 credits (10 ECTS)
MSc in Computing
Requires 180 CQFW credits (90 ECTS) at Level 7
Dissertation has a value of 60 CQFW credits (30 ECTS) and includes
research techniques workshops
Modules during the taught stages of the programme can be taken in any order
allowing for timetabling flexibility, and there are no pre-requisites or co-requisites.
However, the specified modules will need to be completed if a named exit award
in MSc Computing is to be claimed.
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Criteria for Admission to the Programme
Candidates for modular Master’s degrees shall normally hold one of the following
qualifications prior to commencement of the programmes:
(i) an initial degree of the University of Wales;
(ii) an initial degree awarded by another approved degree-awarding body
with a minimum 2:2 classification, or equivalent;
(iii) a non-graduate qualification which the University has deemed to be of
a satisfactory standard for the purpose of postgraduate admission
(such as a recognised Premaster’s or Master’s Qualifying Programme).
A non-graduate may also be admitted to this programme provided that he/she
has sufficient experience to benefit from, and cope with, study at the
postgraduate level and in relation to the demands of the particular programme.
A prospective candidate who already holds a doctoral degree shall show that the
Master’s programme to be pursued is in a different field of study from that for
which the doctoral degree was awarded.
In all cases, Newport shall satisfy itself that a candidate is of the required
academic standard to complete the programme of study proposed and is able to
meet Newport’s English Language requirements.
International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK
Higher Education postgraduate programmes. Admissions criteria will be in line
with institutional postgraduate admission requirements along with IELTS 6.0.
Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through
normal Accreditation of Prior Achievement (APA) processes. APA applicants
must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning
outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Interviews will not normally be required. External applicants (i.e. those not from
University of Wales programmes) would normally be required to produce two
supporting references, at least one of which would preferably be academic.
Date at Which the Programme Specification Was Written or
Revised
1st March 2010
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Student Contract
All students will be required, as a condition of enrolment, to abide by and submit
to the policies, regulations and procedures of the University, as amended from
time to time. A copy of all the relevant documents can be found at
www.newport.ac.uk or is available, on request, from the University Information
Centre.
The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses in
accordance with the descriptions set out in this programme specification.
However, the University does not provide education to UK undergraduates on a
commercial basis. It is also very largely dependent upon charitable and public
funds, which the University has to manage in a way that is efficient and cost-
effective, in the context of the provision of a diverse range of courses to a large
number of students. The University therefore:
Reserves the right to make variations to the contents or methods of delivery
of courses, to discontinue courses and to merge or combine courses, if such
action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. If the
University discontinues any course, it will use its reasonable endeavours to
provide a suitable alternative course.
Cannot accept responsibility and expressly excludes liability, for damage to
students’ property, transfer of computer viruses to students’ equipment or
liability for breach of contract.
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