Solent University: Course Specification

Course Data
Awarding Institution Solent University
Teaching Institution Solent University
QAA Subject Benchmarking Group Computing
QAA Framework for Higher Education 7
Qualifications Level
Award MSc Computer Engineering
Course Code(s) MCOMENF
Approved Annual Start Dates September
Language of Instruction English
Language of Assessment English
Mode of Study Full-Time
Academic School Media Arts and Technology
Foundation Year/s No
Placement Year No
Approval effective from 2016/17
Revalidation due 2020/21

Aims of the Course

The specific aims of the MSc Computer Engineering course are to:

 Provide a flexible, accessible, structured and interactive programme of postgraduate

study that satisfies the educational requirements for Master Degree in Computer
Engineering.

 Be informative and challenging, and to establish the programming and project

management skills suitable for a career in software development.

 Produce confident problem solving graduates who are able to engineer solutions in a
variety of software environments.

 Enable the graduate to work effectively within the social, ethical and legal
frameworks associated with the computing and IT profession.

 Provide a strong emphasis on the underlying discipline of software development and

its application within contemporary commercial contexts.
 Offer a programme that is designed to enhance employability skills in order to
progress existing careers or enter new areas of development within a rapidly
changing technological environment.

 Provide opportunities to engage in a peer review process that involves the critical
review of papers, software and proposals, coupled with positive advice for
improvement and innovation.

 Develop interpersonal skills in communication within a broad range of media, taking

into consideration diverse social, cultural and international backgrounds and also
audiences from both technical and non-technical areas.

 Recognise the wider global and international contexts in which computing and IT
skills are exercised.

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

 Provide an environment for learning where the curriculum is informed by industry

and professional bodies to maintain currency and relevance.

18. Intended Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1) Contextualise and explain the concepts, main principles and theoretical
foundations of computing, including both the foundations and issues at the
forefront of the software development discipline.

K2) Respond to the professional implications of fundamental and complex issues

related to the functioning of IT systems – relating to design, quality, information
security, operation safety, usability and future-proofing.

K3) Critically evaluate robust design and quality principles required for computing
project development to real-world problems in technical, business and commercial
contexts

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures, workshops, seminars, presentations, technical demonstrations, peer discussions
and feedback, directed and self-directed learning.

Assessment Methods:
Portfolio, coursework, online reflective journals, essays, projects.

Cognitive Skills
C1) Recognise and develop patterns in problem solving approaches to analyse and solve
non-routine and real-world problems.

C2) Analyse, design and evaluate a variety of software models and information
systems.

C3) Critically evaluate the suitability of business and computing methods, tools and
techniques to real-world applications.

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Small group sessions including group work and the use of the University VLE (blended
learning), tutor/student led seminars, projects and case studies, directed and self-
directed learning, in course assessment, research activities and written reports,
workshops, seminars, presentations, technical demonstrations, peer discussions and
formative feedback.

Assessment Methods:
Portfolio, coursework, online reflective journals, essays, projects, in-course assessment,
research activities and written reports

Practical and Professional Skills

P1) Work effectively within the framework of legal, ethical and social issues associated
with the computing profession and associated professional bodies.

P2) Undertake independent research based activities using a wide range of appropriate
resources.

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

P3) Show discrimination and judgement in applying suitable and effective methods and
applications, using appropriate computer based tools in a wide variety of contexts.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:

Small group sessions including group work, tutor/student led seminars, practical IT
sessions, projects and case studies, directed and self-directed learning, in course
assessment, research activities and written reports.

Assessment Methods:
Presentations, in-course assessment, research activities and written reports.

Transferable and Key Skills

T1) Work effectively in collaboration with others.

T2) Present information using a range of different communication media.

T3) Make appropriate self-assessment judgements about their own learning.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:

Small group sessions including group work, tutor/student led seminars, projects and case
studies, practical IT sessions, directed and self-directed learning.

Assessment Methods:
Presentations, in-course assessment, research activities and written reports.

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

Maps of Modules Intended Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge & Practical & Transferable &

Cognitive
Understanding Professional Key
Module Title K1 K2 K3 C1 C2 C3 P1 P2 P3 T1 T2 T3
FHEQ Level 7
Research Methods ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Professional Issues and
Practice ● ● ● ● ● ●

Pilot Project ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Research Project ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Computer Fundamentals ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Web Technologies ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Databases ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Cyber Security
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Application
Networking ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Software Design and
Development ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Structure and Assessment Summary – Full-Time

Code Module Name Credit Type Mode Assessment Element

Weighting %
AE1 AE2 AE3 AE4
FHEQ Level 7
MAA112 Research Project 45 C CD 75 25
COM700 Professional Issues and Practice 15 C CD 60 40
MAA111 Pilot Project 15 C CD 50 50
MAA103 Research Methods 15 C CD 40 60
COM709 Computer Fundamentals 15 C CD 100
COM710 Web Technologies 15 C CD 100
COM711 Databases 15 C CD 100
COM713 Cyber Security Application 15 C CD 100
COM712 Networking 15 C CD 20 30 50
COM714 Software Design and Development 15 C CD 100

Module type: C = Core O = Option

Module mode (Delivery model): CD: Campus Delivery / DL: Distance Learning/ PL:
Placement

Admissions
For full details of the standard admission requirements for this course please see the
University’s website:-

http://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply.aspx

Assessment Regulations
Assessment is carried out in accordance with Solent University’s Assessment Policy and
Regulations, as set out in the current edition of the Academic Handbook (Section 2O).

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

Awards

60 level 7 credits Postgraduate Certificate*

120 level 7 credits Postgraduate Diploma*
180 level 7 credits Master’s degree

* In circumstances where a student is enrolled on a full degree course but has not passed
all assessments, an exit award may be granted if they have met the requirements as set
out in the Assessment Regulations.

Classification
Awards will be calculated as set out in the Solent University Assessment Regulations.

Exemption(s) from Solent University Assessment Policy, Regulations and/or Academic

Framework: None

Special Provisions relating to requirements of Professional/Statutory Bodies: None

Course Structure

Period 1 Period 2 Period 3

Level 7
Year 1

Core Core Module: Core Module: Core Module: Core Module:

Module:
Computer Professional Web Research
Networking Fundamentals Issues and Technologies Project
Practice
(Sept-Jan) (Sept-Jan) (Jan-May) (May-Sept)
(Jan-May)

Core Module: Core Module: Core Module: Core Module:

Databases Research Cyber Software

Methods Security Design &
(Sept-Jan) Application Development
(Sept-Jan)
(Jan-May) (Jan-May)

Core Module:

Pilot Project

(Jan-Sept)

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

Annex 1
Map to Masters Computing Subject Benchmark

Threshold Learning
Outcome
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the knowledge of K1, K2, C2, P3
the domain of their programme of study, with depth being
achieved in particular areas, including both foundations and
issues at the forefront of the discipline and/or professional
practice in the discipline; this should include an understanding
of the role of these in contributing to the effective design,
implementation and usability of relevant computer-based
systems
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding, and a critical K2, C3, P2, T2
awareness of: the essential principles and practices of the
domain of the programme of study as well as current research
and/or advanced scholarship; current standards, processes,
principles of quality and the most appropriate software
technologies to support the specialism; the relevance of these
to the discipline and/or professional practice in the discipline;
and an ability to apply these
Demonstrate consistently produced work which applies to and K2, C3, P2, T2
is informed by research and/or practice at the forefront of the
developments in the domain of the programme of study; this
should demonstrate critical evaluation of aspects of the
domain, including appropriate software support, the ability to
recognise opportunities for software or hardware tool use as
well as possible tool improvement, an understanding of the
importance of usability and effectiveness in computer systems
development, and generally the acquisition of well-developed
concepts
Demonstrate understanding of the professional, legal, social K3, C3, P1,
and ethical framework within which they would have to
operate as professionals in their area of study; this includes
being familiar with and being able to explain significant
applications associated with their programme of study and
being able to undertake continuing professional development
as a self-directed lifelong learner across the elements of the
discipline
Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles and practices K3, C1, C2,T1,
of the particular programme's domain in tackling a significant T3
domain related activity; the solution should demonstrate a
sound justification for the approach adopted as well as
originality (including exploration and investigation) and a self-
critical evaluation of effectiveness but also critical awareness
of current problems and new insights, and a sense of vision
about the direction of developments in aspects of the domain
of the programme.
Taken from:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-
Masters-degree-computing.pdf

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

Annex 2
1. Learning Outcomes for Award of PgCert:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1) Explain the concepts, main principles and theoretical foundations of computing and
information technologies.
K2) Informed by current practise and research, evaluate the fundamental issues related
to the functioning of IT systems – relating to design, quality, information security,
operation safety, usability and future-proofing.
K3) Describe and explain the processes and tasks involved in managing projects in a
specific computing context.

Cognitive Skills
C1) Recognise and describe formal approaches to problem-solving in computing.
C2) Analyse a variety of computing and information systems.
C3) Evaluate the suitability of business and computing methods, tools and techniques to
real-world applications.

Practical and Professional Skills

P1) Undertake investigations in practical real-world situations.
P2) Apply a variety of methods and applications, and computer based tools in various
contexts.

Transferable and Key Skills

T1) Present information using a range of different communication media.
T2) Reflect about their own learning.

2. Learning Outcomes for Award of PgDip:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1) Explain the concepts, main principles and theoretical foundations of computing and
information technologies and their relevance to computing projects.
K2) Recognise the professional importance of the fundamental and complex issues
associated with the design, quality, information security, operation safety and
future-proofing, of computer systems and their functioning in very varied and
dynamic professional environments.
K3) Explain the relevance of theories, concepts and ideas for computing project
development and assess the value of the tools available to developers.

Cognitive Skills
C1) Utilise problem solving approaches to analyse and solve non-routine and real-world
problems.
C2) Analyse and evaluate a variety of computing and information systems.
C3) Critically evaluate the suitability of business and computing methods, tools and
techniques to real-world applications.

Practical and Professional Skills

P1) Work effectively within the framework of legal, ethical and social issues associated
with the computing profession and associated professional bodies.
P2) Undertake investigations using a wide range of appropriate resources.
P3) Apply a variety of methods and applications, and computer based tools in various
contexts.

Transferable and Key Skills

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20

 Solent University: Course Specification

T1) Work effectively in collaboration with others.

T2) Present information using a range of different communication media.
T3) Make appropriate self-assessment judgements about their own learning.

MSc Computer Engineering: 2019/20