PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM - King's College London · presentations, and the industrial placement report. Practical skills: 1. Specification, design and implementation of computer -based

PAF originally approved: June 2007 Last update: August 2018

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PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry– UBSH4CSCI

Core Programme Information and Award Details

Programme Name Computer Science with a Year in Industry

Programme Code UBSH4CSCI

Programme designation

Single honours Joint Major/minor

Final award

Award Title Credit Value

ECTS equivalent

Any special criteria

BSc (Hons) Computer Science with a Year in Industry

390 195 If a student’s level 4 module average <60% at their first attempt then they will transfer to the BSc Computer Science programme for the second and subsequent years.

BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Year in Industry

360 180 As above, and in addition for the Artificial Intelligence specialisation, students must take and pass at the first attempt at least four modules from a specified list. Students are required to opt in to receive the specialisation award.

BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) with a Year in Industry

360 180 As above, and in addition for the Software Engineering specialisation, students must take and pass at the first attempt at least four modules from a specified list. Students are required to opt in to receive the specialisation award.

Nested awards


ECTS equivalent


N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Exit awards


ECTS equivalent


BSc (Hons) Computer Science

360 180 6CCS3PRJ is core and must be passed. The required 360 credits may include 30 credits for 5CCS2YII.

BSc (Hons) Computer Studies

360 180 6CCS3PRJ is compulsory. The required 360 credits may include 30 credits for 5CCS2YII.

Ordinary degree

Natural & Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science)

300 150 N/A

X


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UG Diploma Natural & Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science)

240 120 N/A

UG Certificate Natural & Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science)

120 60 N/A

Level in the qualifications framework 6

Awarding institution/body King’s College London

Teaching institution King’s College London

Lead Faculty Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Lead Department Informatics

Campus Strand

Programme organiser and contact details Dr Andrew Coles [email protected]

UCAS code (if appropriate) G405

Date of production of specification Updated in August 2018

Date of programme review 2019/20

Collaborative provision, partnerships and placements

Is the programme involved in any collaborative activity?

Yes

Does the collaboration involve one of: Joint Award within UoL

Joint Award outwith UoL

Multiple

Dual

None of These X

Institution responsible for administration King's College London

Partner institution

Both institutions

Institution awarding the degree King's College London

Partner institution

Both institutions

Type of Collaboration Programme has access/feeder programme entry into it

Programme has an articulation/progression agreement for entry in it

Franchised programme

Partnership programme

Placements X

Recognition for Study or Award of credit through off-campus study or placement

Staff and Student exchange

Provision of learning support, resources or specialist facilities

mailto:[email protected]


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Validation provision

Distance learning and online delivery involving work with deliver organisations or support providers

List of Partner Institutions

Collaborating institution type No collaborating organisation

Large private company

Small or Medium (SME) Enterprise

Overseas Education Provider

Other UK Education Provider – private

Other UK Education Provider – public sector

NHS

Other public sector organisation

Charity

Other

Multiple collaborators of different types X

Off-campus study or placement type Year Abroad

Year in Employment

Internship

Placement X

Other

Nature of study of off-campus study or placement (how time is spent, length of time out and the number of times during the programme)

Is the collaborative activity compulsory? Yes

Number of credits obtained 30

Year(s) in which the study or placement takes place (Full Time)

Year 3

Rationale for any time out of College, other than that which is a requirement of a PSRB

Modes of Attendance and Length of Study

Attendance

Full-time Part-time Distance Learning

Mode of Attendance X N/A N/A

Minimum length of programme 4 years N/A N/A

Maximum length of programme 10 years N/A N/A

Educational aims To equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge and experience of the theory and

practice of computer science, so that they might be able to pursue a professional career and/or postgraduate study successfully.

To offer students opportunities to develop analytical and practical transferable skills and prepare them to play a creative role in the community.


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To develop students’ understanding and appreciation of the changing role of information technology in society and motivate them to pursue continual professional development.

To ensure that students acquire an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities and of the impact of computing technologies in a wide and varied range of contexts.

Develop Students’ awareness of the relationship between their studies and the needs of the software engineering industry through a year-long regulated placement in an appropriately selected organisation.

For BSc Computer Science (Software Engineering):

To equip students with in-depth knowledge and experience of planning, creating and deploying large software systems for the solution of practical problems arising in a wide range of social and commercial activities.

For BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence):

To equip students with in-depth knowledge of the theoretical foundations and methodologies of artificial intelligence and with understanding of techniques and processes of development of intelligent software systems.

The College standard learning aims and outcomes apply to the Exit Awards for this programme.

Educational objectives

Knowledge and understanding

The programme provides a knowledge and understanding of the following: 1. Basic theoretical concepts of Computer

Science. 2. Hardware and systems platforms

(operating systems, computer architecture, networks and communications etc.)

3. Programming concepts and reasoning, various programming paradigms, testing and verification.

4. Models of computation, parallel/distributed computing, network computing.

5. Systematic development of large scale software (systems analysis, design, implementation and evaluation) and relevant management techniques.

6. Modern information technology (parallel/distributed computing, network computing, internet technology, agents, natural language processing, automated verification and reasoning, artificial intelligence, data and knowledge bases, computer graphics, multimedia, information security etc.).

These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: Acquisition of these is through a combination of lectures, tutorials, small group supervision, supervised laboratory classes, coursework, individual and group projects throughout the 4 years of the programme. Assessment: Coursework, written examinations, assessed group and individual projects. The latter includes assessment of written reports, software demonstration, and oral presentation. Industrial Placement report.


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7. Data and applications security. 8. Business and management techniques

relevant to software engineering. 9. The professional and ethical

responsibilities of software engineers. 10. The role of the software engineer in the

development and application of computing technology and solutions in a global context.

11. Actual theoretical and practical problems that arise in real-world software engineering.

Additional objectives for BSc Computer Science (Software Engineering): 12. Engineering considerations involved in

design, implementation and usage of complex software systems.

13. Methodologies and processes of delivering large-scale computer-based systems as solutions to societal and industrial needs.

14. Risk, reliability and scalability of the range of possible software development options.

Additional objectives for BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence): 10. Main achievements and future challenges

of artificial intelligence. 11. A wide range of artificial intelligence

technique, their applicability and their limitations.

12. Methodologies for developing software systems capable of intelligent decisions.

Skills and other attributes

Intellectual skills:

1. Plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

2. Analyse and solve computing problems.

3. Design a system, component or process to meet a need.

4. Be creative in the solution of problems and in the development of designs.

5. Evaluate designs, processes and products, and make improvements.

6. Integrate and evaluate information and data from a variety of sources.

These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: Intellectual skills are developed through a combination of lectures, tutorials, small group supervision, supervised laboratory classes, coursework, individual and group projects throughout the 4 years of the programme. Analysis and problem solving skills are further developed through coursework, laboratories, tutorials and supervision of project work.


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7. Take a holistic approach in solving problems and designing systems, applying professional judgements to balance risks, costs, benefits, safety, reliability, aesthetics and environmental impact.

All skills are also developed during the year-long regulated placement in an appropriately selected software engineering organisation. Assessment: Analysis and problem solving skills are assessed through unseen written examinations and coursework. Research and design skills are assessed through laboratory work, coursework reports and project reports and presentations, and the industrial placement report.

Practical skills: 1. Specification, design and implementation

of computer-based systems, particularly in the context of the industrial placement.

2. Evaluation of systems and design trade-offs.

3. Effective contribution to development teamwork.

4. Prepare technical presentations. 5. Write technical reports, produce technical

documentation. 6. Give oral presentations. 7. Use the scientific literature effectively. 8. Take notes effectively. 9. Use computational tools and packages.

These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: Practical skills are developed through a combination of lectures, tutorials, small group supervision, supervised laboratory classes, coursework, individual and group projects throughout the 4 years of the programme, especially in the context of coursework, individual and group projects, and the industrial placement. In particular, skill 3 is developed more thoroughly in the context of the 2nd year group project and the industrial placement. Assessment: Practical skills are assessed through coursework reports and individual and group project reports and presentations, as well as the industrial placement report.

Generic/transferable skills: 1. Communicate effectively (in writing,

verbally and through diagrams and graphs).

2. Apply mathematical skills (logic, geometry, modelling, discrete mathematics).

3. Work as a member of a team.

These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: Transferable skills are developed through a combination of lectures, tutorials, small group supervision, supervised laboratory classes, coursework, individual and group projects throughout the 4 years of the programme.


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4. Transfer techniques and solutions from one problem domain to another.

5. Use information technology. 6. Retrieve information using catalogues and

search engines. 7. Manage resources and time. 8. Learn independently in familiar and

unfamiliar situations with open-mindedness and in the spirit of critical enquiry.

9. Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development in a wider context throughout their career.

10. Adapt to the industrial placement setting.

Skill 1 is developed through most of the curriculum. Skill 2 is taught through lectures and coursework. Skill 3 is developed through group project work. Skill 4 is developed mostly through group and individual project work. Skills 8 and 9 are partly developed through the year in industry. Assessment: Skill 1 is assessed through coursework reports, presentations and oral and written examinations. Skill 2 is assessed primarily through examinations, coursework and project work. Skill 3 is assessed in the context of the 2nd year group project. Skills 4, 7 and 8 (in part) are assessed mostly in the context of the individual project. Skills 8 and 10 are assessed by the industrial placement report. The other skills are not formally assessed.

QAA Benchmarking

Relevant QAA subject benchmark/ professional and statutory body guidelines

Benchmarks for Computing British Computing Society (BCS)

How the programme has been informed by the relevant subject benchmark statements(s) and/or professional and statutory body guidelines

The curriculum and the teaching methods employed have been designed (and recently updated) taking fully into account the relevant subject benchmark, both in terms of body of knowledge covered and in terms of the skills and abilities that students should develop while undertaking this programme of study. The department recently updated its undergraduate curriculum informed by the relevant benchmark statements for computing.

Programme accredited by PSRB? The British Computer Society Sanford Street Swindon SN12 1HT

Date of PSRB accreditation 2018-2022

Frequency of validation 5 years

Date of next accreditation validation 2021/22


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Department contribution to teaching

Department Contribution (%)

Department Informatics 100%

Nature of the contribution of each Department

Rationale for particular subject combination in the case of Joint Honour Programmes

N/A

Programme Structure and Curriculum

Credits taken in each year of the programme

Year Full-time Part-time

Year 1 120 N/A

Year 2 120

Year 3 120

Year 4 120

Pattern of Study

numbers of compulsory and optional modules to be taken in each year of the programme Year 1: 90-credits compulsory and 30-credits optional modules. All at level 4. Year 2: 60-credits compulsory and 60-credits optional modules chosen from a prescribed list. All at Level 5. Year 3: 30-credits core (for the Year in Industry title) Year 4: 30-credit core (for Computer Science)/compulsory (Computer Studies), 90-credits optional modules chosen from a prescribed list. All at Level 6. Exceptionally students may be permitted to take level 7 modules. Within the required 120 credits per year normally no more than 30 credits in optional modules may be taken outside the programme during the final year, including no more than 15 credits outside of the Department, and must be with prior approval of the Department. Such modules ae referred to as ‘replacement modules’. Any student who does not have an industrial placement approved by the department by the September that marks the start of their Extra Mural Year will be transferred to the corresponding 3 year programme. 5CCS2YII is core for the honours “with a Year in Industry”. Students failing 5CCS2YII at the first and only attempt will be considered for exit awards under the criteria for the G400 BSc Computer Science Programme. The module will be assessed only as either pass or fail. The module will not be used in the calculation of the class of honours. The optional level 4 modules will not be required for students transferring directly to Year 2 of the BSc Computer Science programme after successfully completing the first year of the BSc Computer Science with Management programme (including the “with” options). The students transferring this way will not be allowed to take any replacement modules outside their programme during the final year.

If a Master’s programme, are level 6 credits permitted within the programme?

N/A

Maximum credits for a condoned fail? 45

Condoned fails are permitted, at the discretion of the Assessment Board, for marks in the range of 30-39% for levels 4, 1-39% for 5 and 6 and 1-49% for level 7. For modules from other departments, who do not have the discretion to condone to 1%, the College standard regulations will apply.

Students permitted to take additional credits? Yes


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In exceptional cases, students may be permitted to take additional modules up to a maximum value of 30 credits with academic approval

Students permitted to take a substitute module? Yes

Exceptions to the regulations regarding credits, progression or award requirements?

Progression To progress from year one to year two students must pass 90 credits overall (excluding condoned fails); and have completed a first attempt and achieved a mark in the level 4 condonable range in all remaining modules. In exceptional cases, the latter of these requirements may be suspended at the discretion of the relevant assessment sub-board. To remain on the BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry programme student must have achieved an average of at least 60% at the first attempt. Students unable to meet this criteria will be transferred to the 3 year BSc Computer Science programme.

Students wishing to transfer onto the BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry from the 3 year BSc Computer Science programme are required to meet the above criteria.

To progress from year two to year three, students must pass 210 credits overall (excluding condoned fails); and have completed the first attempt and have achieved a mark in the condonable range in all remaining modules. In exceptional cases, the latter of these requirements may be suspended at the discretion of the relevant assessment sub-board.

Awards 6CCS3PRJ is core for honours degrees in computer science, and compulsory for the honours degrees in computer studies.

Two specialisations are available: Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering. Specialisations are opt-in, and reflect the profile of the optional modules which the students select in their final year.

Students will be required to actively opt for either the generic degree title or the specialisation title. These modules account for at least half of the level 6 credits

For the Artificial Intelligence specialisation, students must take and pass at the first attempt at least four of the following optional modules, to include at least one of either 6CCS3AIP or 6CCS3AIN: 6CCS3AIP Artificial Intelligence Planning, 6CCS3AIN Artificial Intelligence, 6CCS3OME Optimisation Methods, 6CCS3AMS Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, 6CCS3COV Computer Vision, 6CCS3PRE Pattern Recognition.

For the Software Engineering specialisation, students must take and pass at the first attempt at least four of the following modules, to include at least one of either 6CCS3SAD or 6CCS3SIA: 6CCS3SAD Software Architecture and Design, 6CCS3SIA Software Engineering of Internet Applications, 6CCS3DSM Distributed Systems, 6CCS3PAL Parallel Algorithms, 6CCS3HCI Human Computer Interaction, 6CCS3CFL Compilers and Formal Languages, 6CCS3VER Formal Verification, 6CCS3SMT Software Measurement and Testing.

The Department does not run every level 6 module every year, we will commit to running at least five of the listed modules for each specialisation but not necessarily all of them each year.


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Module List

Title Credit level

Credit value Status

Pre-requisite / Co-requisite

Assessment

Year One

4CCS1CS1 Computer Systems 4 15 Cp Exam and coursework

4CCS1DST Data Structures 4 15 Cp Exam and coursework

4CCS1FC1 Foundations of Computing I 4 15 Cp Exam and coursework

4CCS1DBS Database Systems 4 15 Cp Exam and coursework

4CCS1PPA Programming Practice and Applications 4 30 Cp Exam and coursework

Students to select one of the following modules:

4CCS1ELA Elementary Logic with Applications 4 15 O Exam and coursework

4CCP1351 Mathematical Methods in Physics 1 4 15 O Exam and coursework


4CCS1ISE Introduction to Software Engineering 4 15 O Exam and coursework

4CCS1LOD Logic Design 4 15 O Exam and coursework

Year Two

5CCS2PEP Practical Experiences of Programming 5 15 Cp Practical exam

5CCS2FC2 Foundations of Computing II 5 15 Cp Exam

5CCS2OSC Operating Systems and Concurrency 5 15 Cp Exam and coursework

5CCS2INT Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 5 15 Cp Exam and coursework


5CCS2PLD Programming Language Design Paradigms 5 15 O Exam

5CCS2SAS Signals and Systems 5 15 O Exam and coursework


5CCS2ITR Introduction to Robotics 5 15 O Exam and coursework

5CCS2INS Internet Systems 5 15 O Exam and coursework


5CCS2RGP Robotics Group Project 5 30 O

Presentations, coursework, demonstration & exam

5CCS2SEG Software Engineering Group Project 5 30 O Exam and coursework

Year Three 5CCS2YII Year In Industry 5 30 Cr Coursework


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Year Four 6CCS3PRJ Individual Project 6 30 Cr Coursework

Students to select 90 credits from the following modules:

6CCS3AIN Artificial Intelligence 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3COM Computational Models 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3CSL Computer Science Logic 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3GRS Computer Graphics Systems 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3CIS Cryptography and Information Security 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3DSM Distributed Systems 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3OME Optimization Methods 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3PAL Parallel Algorithms 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3SAD Software Architecture and Design 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3SIA Software Engineering of Internet Applications 6 15 O

Exam

6CCS3SMT Software Measurement and Testing 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3TSP Text Searching and Processing 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3NSE Network Security 6 15 O Exam

6CCS3VER Formal Verification 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3AIP Artificial Intelligence Planning 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3WSN Algorithms for the World Wide Web and Social Network 6 15 O

Exam and coursework

6CCS3CFL Compliers and Formal Languages 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3HCI Human-Computer Interaction 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3AMS Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3COV Computer Vision 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3PRE Pattern Recognition 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3MDE Model-Driven Engineering 6 15 O Exam and coursework

6CCS3SPE Agile Software Performance Engineering in Industrial Practice 6 15 O

Exam and coursework

Other modules as approved by the Department. No more than 30 credits in optional modules may be taken outside the programme, including 15 credits outside the Department, and must be with prior approval of the Department.


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Examination Boards and Marking

Marking Criteria Used The marking scheme for this programme follows the College generic criteria and additionally those in the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Board of Examiners The Computer Science Sub-Board of Examiners reports to the Undergraduate Board for Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Inclusivity Statement

Anticipatory: All students in receipt of an offer receive an information booklet on the support services offered by the College. All students receiving offers who have indicated they have a disability in their application receive a letter from the Faculty Disability Adviser with their contact details and offering the applicant the opportunity to discuss their requirements. Lift access is available to all lecture theatre and teaching rooms, with disabled toilet facilities nearby.

Flexible: A wide range of teaching methods are utilised. Assistance can be given in practical labs for those with mild physical disability – this has to be assessed in every individual case. Where students have limitations on attendance (typically single parents) we attempt to schedule course contact to fit, but we usually have no flexibility on the timing of lectures and practicals.

Collaborative: Individuals are assessed with the Faculty Disability Officer and the Departmental Education Co-ordinator or their nominee to identify what adjustments can be made to ensure the student has every opportunity for a full Engineering education on the course. Feedback on how this is working is immediate via the Personal Tutor system.

Transparent: Exam paper marking is carried out by two academics as first and second markers, and also the external examiners will check the detailed marking. The students can also formally request to see their marked exam papers.

Equitable: Advice has been taken from the Equality & Diversity Department to ensure assessment methods do not unfairly discriminate against students with disabilities. The College’s Personalised Examination Provisions Committee (PEPC) considers requests for adjustments to assessment to take account of learning and/or physical disabilities.


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Documents

PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM - King's College London · presentations, and the industrial placement report. Practical skills: 1. Specification, design and implementation of computer -based