Computer Science MSci / BSc (Hons)

Modules

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – 10 credits

  This module introduces students to modern concepts and applications of artificial intelligence. The aim of the module is to allow students to explore how machines are able to reason and perform goal-directed behaviours that are seen as intelligent by humans.

  Compulsory

• Software Engineering – 20 credits

  This module looks into the software quality processes associated with the production of a large-scale software development. Students learn the tools and techniques appropriate to contribute to the development of a solution to a real-world problem.

  Compulsory

• Theory of Computation – 20 credits

  This module is designed to help students understand the theoretical foundations of Computer Science, and from this an appreciation of the limitations of computation and the important questions that remain open to this day. The module covers: formal specification of languages; the main models of computation; and what these tell us about issues of computability and complexity.

  Compulsory

• Advanced Algorithms – 20 credits

  This module builds on the concepts and principles outlined in the programming modules in Year 1, providing students additional insight into advanced programming techniques and data structures.

  Compulsory

• Operating Systems and Security – 20 credits

  This module introduces students to modern Operating Systems (OS) with a focus on security. The main topics covered will include basic OS concepts such as processes, memory management, drivers and file systems.

  Compulsory

• Data Science – 20 credits

  This module provides an insight into how data and information retrieval systems are designed. It provides a study of database concepts, theory and design with some practical use of database and information retrieval tools and techniques.

  Compulsory

• Big Data Programming Project – 0 credits

  During this module, students work on an individual project which requires skills and knowledge presented and developed in the other modules studied in the semester.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage Module – 10 credits

  Compulsory

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution.

Past students have undertaken placements working in data analysis at Shell Oil, system development at IBM and technical support at Cummings.

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.

Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.

Modules

• Work Placement

  Optional

• Study Abroad

  Optional

In the third year, we introduce you to the study of computer security and machine learning and its applications. You will also be able to choose from a range of optional modules in topics such as advanced programming paradigms, parallel distributed programming and web or mobile app development. The latter should enable you to explore and implement mobile phone apps using Android or Apple iOS technology.

Modules

• Individual Project Preparation – 10 credits

  The aim of this first module is to prepare students for the primary research to take place in their individual project module. This includes topic selection, supervisor allocation, project planning, literature review and completion of the Coventry University Ethics process.

  Compulsory

• Individual Project – 20 credits

  The Individual Project allows students to conduct an in-depth investigation on a topic in the domain of Computer Science.

  Compulsory

• Security – 20 credits

  This module introduces students to the concepts and practical considerations of creating and evaluating secure computer systems. Systems will be analysed at both the application level and at the level of interconnected devices in architectures suck as client-server and cloud-based, with attention given to security-by-design, security legislation and regulation and the associated products and services.

  Compulsory

• Machine Learning and Related Applications – 20 credits

  This module represents an introduction to the wide field of machine learning. It will present fundamental concepts related to supervised and unsupervised learning methods, for example linear regression, support vector machines, radial basis function, decision trees and random forests, clustering techniques and naïve Bayes classification models.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage Module – 10 credits

  Compulsory

• Optional modules

  2 from the following:

  • Mobile Application Development – 20 credits 
    This module will enable students to use development kits to build applications for mobile platforms. The practical issues of programming for such devices will be taught alongside software design for portable devices, investigation of the interface components and user interaction possibilities of smartphones.
  • Web API Development – 20 credits
    Web APIs allow websites to access the data and services of others, and are an essential part of the modern web. They provide key functionality to both developers and end-users and are the driving force behind the explosion in online social media.
  • Parallel Distributed Programming – 20 credits
    This module covers the principles and practice of parallel and distributed programming. Students will learn how these techniques are applied to commercial tasks such as data processing and other real-world applications.
    
  • Advanced Programming Paradigms – 20 credits
    This module will give insight into some advanced programming paradigms. We start with a focus on functional programming, solving problems exclusively in this paradigm using a relevant language such as Haskell. We will also consider some of the underlying theory to better understand the advantages of the paradigm.

  Optional

Students who meet the following two requirements can opt to extend their degree with an additional year of study at master’s level:

1. The average required grade for year three is above 60%
2. The required grade for the final year project is above 60%

If you progress to a master's, you will build on the machine learning foundations of your third year to learn about artificial neural networks, the technique behind many of the startling advances in artificial intelligence we have seen recently. Other artificial intelligence modules should introduce you to evolutionary computing (where software ‘breeds’ solutions to problems) and what we believe to be one of the most important domains for machine learning: computer vision.

Elsewhere, you should be able to continue to improve your programming skills by learning how to program in parallel with GPUs, and build upon your existing knowledge of computer security with modules on ethical hacking and secure software design. Your knowledge and skills will be tested with a research level individual project.

Modules

• Individual Research Project Preparation – 15 credits

  The Individual Research Project is a substantial piece of research into an area of study chosen by the student, under guidance from a supervisor and with relevance to their degree course. In the preparatory module, students will identify a suitable topic of study and project supervisor. They will then exercise and extend their skills in gathering, understanding and critically evaluating literature; assessing and acting on relevant ethical and legal issues; and applying planning processes for the undertaking of a significant piece of work.

  Compulsory

• Individual Research Project – 15 credits

  In this practical module the students will build on the planning and literature survey from the preparatory module and actually conduct the proposed research. They will implement the necessary tools, performing the research experiments, analyse the findings, and draw suitable conclusions. Finally, they write-up their work into a significant report.

  Compulsory

• Computer Vision – 15 credits

  Machine Vision is concerned with the capture of an image, its presentation, enhancement and analysis to permit decision making. This module introduces the models, algorithms and hardware involved, providing practical experience with image data.

  Compulsory

• Parallel Programming with GPUs – 15 credits

  This module will build on students existing programming skills and look at the advanced topic of parallel programming on GPU architecture.

  Compulsory

• Artificial Neural Networks – 15 credits

  This module provides an introduction to the concepts used in neural networks and their application to solving real-world problems.

  Compulsory

• Evolutionary and Fuzzy Systems – 15 credits

  The aim of this module is to give students an introduction to evolutionary algorithms and fuzzy logic from an application-oriented standpoint.

  Compulsory

• Ethical Hacking – 15 credits

  This module covers the latest techniques of penetration testing or ethical hacking and provides practical experience in selecting and applying suitable tools and techniques.

  Compulsory

• Secure Design and Development – 15 credits

  This module will introduce technical security controls used to prevent, detect and recover from security violations at the application or system level.

  Compulsory