MSC CS ProgrammeHandbook 2013
MSC CS ProgrammeHandbook 2013
MSC CS ProgrammeHandbook 2013
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Computer Science and
Engineering
CSE
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction...................................................................................................... 1
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Important Note
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
given in this booklet, but the University can accept no responsibility
for any errors or omissions. University courses are continually
reviewed and revised and there may well be some changes between the
date of publication and the date the student embarks on the course.
The University reserves the right to amend By-laws and Regulations
governing courses of study whenever it sees fit. Students and other
interested parties should make inquiries from the Course Co-ordinator
about any changes to the programme and its modules/courses as close
to the beginning of the academic year as possible. Admittance to the
University is subject to the requirement that the student will comply
with the Universitys registration and examination procedures and will
duly observe the By-laws and Regulations of the University.
1. Introduction
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science & Engineering of the University of
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. We hope this handbook will give you the background
information you need during your studies at the University. Please read it carefully
and keep it for future reference.
You will find in this handbook an outline of the programmes of Master of Science
(MSc) and Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Computer Science offered by the
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). In addition to academic
information, the handbook also provides details of the environment within which we
operate. An outline of our procedures with regard to teaching and learning methods,
attendance and assessment is also included. There is also information about help and
advice and staff-student interaction. We place great importance on our relationship
with our students and are anxious to listen and help. To foster this, we hope that in
addition to formal arrangements there will be a great deal of informal contact. It
describes what we expect of you and what you can expect from us.
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering believes that one of its
responsibilities is to provide students with a framework, which helps them to achieve
their full potentials and capabilities. We abide by the Universitys teaching aims, i.e.,
to provide quality teaching that is informed and invigorated by the research and
scholarship of staff;
to engender in students a commitment to continuing self-improvement and the
development of their skills in order to facilitate their full contribution to the
society in which they live;
to sustain a culture of research and teaching that is able to foster both the free
pursuit of truth and the impartial analysis of values as well as being responsible
and responsive to present and anticipated social needs;
to inoculate a sense of respect for the traditions of higher education and a
commitment to the values of truth, tolerance and justice.
In pursuing these aims your learning programme in the Department of Computer
Science and Engineering will emphasise:
studentcentred learning as the means of developing an appreciation of both the
spirit and practice of enquiry;
conceptual thinking as the key to understanding complex phenomena;
awareness and understanding of experimental research;
importance of methodical approach to the design, implementation and analysis of
computing systems;
systematic development and assessment of students personnel and transferable
skills;
skills development to create new knowledge through active learning and original
research;
systematic development of skills through new methods of teaching and learning to
use new knowledge to prosper industry; and,
professional and ethical behaviour during your study as well as in your career.
The MSc/PG Dip. project is started in Semester 3. MSc students are expected to
complete the project, write the dissertation and face the oral examination on the
project by the end of 2014, while PG Dip students may complete the project at the end
of Semester 4. Full time students commence their research project in Semester 1, and
are expected to complete it by the end of Semester 4.
Course Module
Credits
Special.
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
13
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
3
3
3
1.5
1.5
3
3
3
A
A*
Core modules
CS5202
CS5204
CS5401
CS5404
CS5405
CS5701
CS5901
CS5999
CS6998
CS5203
CS5212
CS5228
CS5455
CS5650
CS5213
CS5223
CS5224
CS5225
CS5226
CS5227
CS5250
CS5251
CS5252
CS5253
CS5312
CS5313
CS5314
CS5414
CS5422
CS5425
CS5426
CS5429
CS5430
CS5431
CS5450
CS5451
CS5452
CS5453
CS5454
CS5512
CS5513
CS5612
CS5613
CS5614
CS5814
CS5850
CS5101
CS5102
CS5103
CS5116
CS5912
CS5921
CS5922
A*
A
A
3
3
3
S, A
A
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
3
3
3
3
3
3
1.5
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
A
A
N
N
S*, A, N
A
N
S
N*
N
N
S
S
A, N
Code
Course Module
Credits
CS5923
Directed Study 1
1.5
CS5924
Directed Study 2
1.5
CS5925
Directed Study 3
1.5
CS5926
Directed Study 4
1.5
Key:
Spec - Specialisation
C Compulsory
N Computer Networks Specialisation
A Software Architecture Specialisation
S Information Systems Security Specialisation
* Compulsory for specialisation
1 Offered over 2 semesters
2 Students may take either CS5999 or CS6998 depending on the qualification sought
Special.
Topics covered include: Design concepts, Design strategies, Design notations, Design
support tools, Design evaluation.
10
11
12
13
14
CS5426 e-Commerce
Objectives: To provide an understanding of the concepts and types of e-commerce,
effective methods of e-commerce solutions and technological, social and security
aspects of e-commerce.
E-commerce principles: concepts and types of e-commerce, methods of e-commerce
solutions, business case for an e-business, functional requirements for the e-business;
e-commerce infrastructure: technical requirements for e-business, guiding principles
behind design and strategy of the customer web interface, management of on-line
content, understand the traditional and new communication approaches.
15
16
17
18
19
IT Project Management
IT Policy and Planning
Information Systems Management
IT and Society
The syllabi of the above subjects are given in the MBA in IT curriculum and are not
presented here.
20
Staff-Student Interaction
Students are encouraged to discuss matters (academic or non-academic) related to
their course of study with staff members, especially the Course Coordinator and the
staff at the departmental postgraduate office. Students are expected to elect two
representatives to interact with the staff on various matters that arise.
Students and their representatives:
a) can discuss with the administrative staff, general issues raised by students and
staff regarding course contents, design, delivery, assessment, tutorials, time
tabling, library, lab facilities and group work assignment, etc.
b) are expected to provide feedback on modules and assessment.
c) can provide opinions on the quality of education being received.
Individual issues will be taken up between individuals and appropriate staff.
21
Assignment title
Assignment number
Name of student (as in the attendance list)
Name of the module,
Names of the lecturer and
Academic year
There will be clear guidelines from the lecturer or the module co-ordinator at the
beginning of the module regarding the overall assessment process; the rubric of the
examination and the purpose and nature of each coursework assignment within the
overall assessment process. For each assignment you will be informed of: title,
maximum/minimum length, contribution to the overall assessment, deadline for the
submission, explanatory rubric, ancillary materials and reading guidelines etc. In the
case of laboratory or programming assignment, the details and form of submission,
deadlines, software/technologies to use etc., will be clearly specified.
22
of why you feel the work has academic credibility. A lecturer has the right to request
you to produce a copy of the article as well as a reference to it.
23
24
Group Formation
Objectives
To maximise the opportunities for each student to benefit from the transfer of
work experiences and other practices with other students through the assignment
medium;
To create opportunities for students to make lasting networking ties with each
other;
To make the work sharing process as fair as possible.
Process
Module Lecturers should select student groups for assessed assignments, not the
students.
Groups should be chosen by quasi-random selection, resulting in each group
containing a mix of students differentiated as far as feasible by such factors as
age, gender, level and type of experience.
New groups should be formed for each different piece of group-work.
Students preferences should only be granted where the teacher is satisfied that
there is a logistical problem that threatens the functionality of the group.
Group-work Assessment
When a group project is submitted, a separate section should be included in which
each member of the group briefly describes his/her contribution to the project. In
general, each person in a group may get different grades for the amount and quality of
work done, as judged by the lecturer(s).
Background Reading
During the course students will find it useful to keep up to date by reading current
issues of the IEEE Computer, IEEE Spectrum, Communications of the ACM and
similar or more specialized Journals and conference proceedings published by the
IEEE, IEE, ACM, CSSL and IESL. Many are available at Moratuwa University
Library.
25
Types of Project
a) A student may attempt to solve a practical problem (not necessarily a completely
successful attempt). The dissertation may demonstrate the ability to put to
practical use of some of the techniques learned.
b) Some students may be engaged by a company to do a specified job in a specified
time: they may need to put the work they do in a wider perspective.
c) Under exceptional circumstances a student may be allowed to carryout a portfolio
of smaller research projects that can be integrated into an acceptable whole.
d) Students are highly encouraged to select a dissertation topic according to their
specialisation in MSc
Supervision
Students cannot expect their projects to be minutely supervised by their supervisors,
but they can expect reasonable access to staff members. In particular, they can expect
the supervisor to help if they get in to severe difficulty. However, it is better to have
regular contact with your supervisor to avoid this. It is the joint responsibility of
supervisor and student to agree early on the programme of work for the project. All
projects should have a written statement of the plan of the project and the various
stages through which it is expected to pass. Students may of course, approach other
members of staff than their supervisor for specialist advice on particular matters in
their projects.
26
A supervisor will usually be able to tell the student when it is time for the student to
begin the final write-up. However, you are advised to begin writing frameworks for
chapters and chapters as early as possible.
Supervisors will be keeping a log of the progress of students. This procedure is
intended to improve consistency between supervisors, give sufficient information to
understand the requirements of each stage, assists in the keeping of a log of deadlines
and contacts with the supervisor and student.
27
28
Credit Rating:
One hour of lectures or other classroom activity, seminars or tutorials per week for
one semester of approximately 14 weeks duration carries one credit. Two hours per
week on the same activities during a short-term of 7 weeks will carry one credit.
Duration of Course:
The normal duration of the programme leading to the MSc degree would be
approximately 2 years (24 months) on a part-time basis and 16 months on a full-time
basis.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
I
F
Grade
Point
4.2
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
0.0
0.0
Description
Excellent
Good
Pass(a)
Incomplete(b)
Fail(c)
29
The grading for the research project will be A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, I and F.
(
GRADE
POINT
*
CREDITS
)
GPA
CREDITS
Release of Results:
Subject to confirmation by the Senate, results of a candidate shall be released after the
Board of Examiners meeting, unless the Board of Examiners recommends
withholding of the results for specific reasons.
Award of the Degree:
A candidate is eligible for the award of the MSc degree if he/she,
Has obtained a GPA of 2.7 or above and 38 credits from course work
including compulsory and optional course modules.
Has successfully completed the research project and obtained 16 credits for
the project.
Date of Award:
The effective date of the MSc shall be the first day of the month after the successful
completion of all of the following and having obtained the minimum credit
requirement for the MSc degree programme:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
30
.
AND
(d) Collected a minimum of 35 credits from course modules offered according
to the curriculum approved by the Faculty and the Senate.
AND
(e) Successfully completed the project carrying 3 credits and of 3 months
duration on a part-time basis (or equivalent amount of time on a full-time
basis) assigned to the candidate and presented results of the research in the
form of a dissertation and defended the dissertation in front of a panel of
examiners.
Credit Rating:
One hour of lectures or other classroom activity, seminars or tutorials per week for
one semester of approximately 14 weeks duration carries one credit. Two hours per
week on the same activities during a short-term of 7 weeks will carry one credit.
31
Duration of Course:
The normal duration of the course leading to the PG Diploma would be 16 months on
part time basis.
Award of Grades for Course Modules:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
I
F
Grade
Point
4.2
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
0.0
0.0
Description
Excellent
Good
Pass(a)
Incomplete(b)
Fail(c)
32
(
GRADE
POINT
*
CREDITS
)
GPA
CREDITS
Release of Results:
Subject to confirmation by the Senate, results of a candidate shall be released after the
Board of Examiners meeting, unless the Board of Examiners recommends
withholding of the results for specific reasons.
Date of Award:
The effective date of the PG Diploma shall be the first day of the month after the
successful completion of all of the following and having obtained the minimum credit
requirement for the PG Diploma programme:
(a) The written examinations in all the course modules; and
(b) The seminars; and
(c) Assignments, term papers and other project based activities.
33