Computer Science MComp

Core modules:

Introduction to Software Engineering

This module introduces the Software Engineering concepts that are needed to develop software systems that can meet basic functional requirements within a given problem domain. It covers the main steps in the process of developing such systems, from requirements analysis through to their implementation and testing. A major part of the module involves students working in teams to develop a web-based software system, which gives practical experience in teamwork and managing software projects and their products.

20 credits

Foundations of Computer Science

The course consists of (around) 10 blocks of 2-3 weeks work each. Each block develops mathematical concepts and techniques that are of foundational importance to computing. Lectures and problem classes will be used. The intention is to enthuse about these topics, to demonstrate why they are important to us, to lay the foundations of their knowledge and prepare students for future computing courses. It is not expected that the course will cover ALL of the maths that is needed later either in terms of depth or scope.

20 credits

Java Programming

This module introduces programming concepts through the Java programming language. Program design and the use of testing to drive program creation are also covered. Initial focus is placed on the structured aspects typical of many programming languages: the ideas of a sequence, selection and repetition. The object-oriented approach to building large software systems from components is then presented. Throughout the module, emphasis is placed on the practice of writing well-structured and readable programs to solve problems.

20 credits

Machines and Intelligence

This module provides an introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and to key concepts and problems in the field, such as whether a computer is capable of understanding, and whether humans should themselves be viewed as machines. It also provides a brief historical overview of the subject and reviews the state-of-the-art and open questions in some of the major sub-areas of AI, pointing out connections to research work in the Department. As well as providing a first encounter with the main issues that underlie attempts to create Artificial Intelligence, the module also has a more practical component that introduces algorithms and data structures for AI problem solving through practical programming examples, as well as hands-on experience with simple programming of robots. The emphasis here is on identifying the abstract nature of the problem that is to be solved, matching this to an appropriate algorithm or technique and implementing a solution. It also serves as an introduction to programming for research rather than for software engineering.

20 credits

Devices and Networks

This module runs throughout the academic year, starting in Autumn and ending in Spring. The module consists of two parts. In the first, important elements of computer architecture are covered including digital logic, computer arithmetic and instruction set architecture. The approach in the module is to show how the basic elements of a computer are constructed and combined to give sophisticated architectures that support accelerated performance via cache memory and pipelining. The second half of the module shows how computing devices can be connected into networks, and covers the principles of layered protocols, error detection/correction and reliable transmission over networks. 

20 credits

Web and Internet Technology

This module is for students studying Computer Science as a main subject. The Web and the Internet are now pervasive in modern life, providing an information resource, and promoting novel, interactive solutions to computing-related activities. The main focus of the module is on practical use of HTML, CSS and JavaScript in front-end development of interactive websites. As part of this, the module covers responsive web design, accessibility and legal issues when creating websites and an introduction to information security.

10 credits

Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures

Algorithms and algorithmic problem solving are at the heart of computer science. This module introduces students to the design and analysis of efficient algorithms and data structures. Students learn how to quantify the efficiency of an algorithm and what algorithmic solutions are efficient. Techniques for designing efficient algorithms are taught, including efficient data structures for storing and retrieving data. This is done using illustrative and fundamental problems: searching, sorting, graph algorithms, and combinatorial problems such as finding the shortest paths in networks. 

10 credits

Global Engineering Challenge Week

The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme. The project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of 5-6, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, Waste Management, Energy and Digital with scenarios set in an overseas location facing economic challenge. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Engineering for people design challenge*.

*The EWB challenge provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations.

Core modules:

Data Driven Computing

This module is intended to serve as an introduction to machine learning and pattern processing, but with a clear emphasis on applications. The module is themed around the notion of data as a resource; how it is acquired, prepared for analysis and finally how we can learn from it. The module will employ a practical Python-based approach to try and help students develop an intuitive grasp of the sophisticated mathematical ideas that underpin this challenging but fascinating subject. 

20 credits

Systems Design and Security

This module provides a grounding in software systems design, highlighting security issues. Topics include: choice of software lifecycle, customer-developer interaction, requirements capture, information management, database design, functional design, design patterns, software architectures, user interfaces, data validation, software verification and testing. Security topics include: threats, countermeasures, policies and technologies. The lectures are complemented by an integrating team-project. This 20-credit unit prepares students to participate in the Software Hut (COM3420) in the Spring.

20 credits

Robotics

This module is concerned with the design and implementation of the technology underpinning contemporary robotics. The course has a multidisciplinary content spanning psychology, computer science and robotics. 

20 credits

Logic in Computer Science

This module introduces the foundations of logic in computer science. The first part introduces the syntax and semantics of propositional and predicate logics, natural deduction, and notions such as soundness, completeness and (un)decidability. The second part covers applications in computer science and beyond, such as automated reasoning and decision procedures, modal and temporal logics for the verification of computing systems, and type systems for programming languages.

10 credits

Functional Programming

This module introduces the principles of functional programming, using the Haskell programming language. It introduces types and classes, function definitions, list comprehension, recursive and higher order functions, eager and lazy evaluation, and basic data types.

10 credits

Automata, Computation and Complexity

This module introduces the theoretical foundations for computing systems: finite state machines, pushdown automata, and Turing machines, along with the formal languages that can be recognised by these machine models.

It also deals with the question 'What is computable?' and 'What is efficiently computable?' by showing when problems are computationally hard, and how to find algorithmic solutions to computationally hard problems.

20 credits

Software Hut

The Software Hut (a microcosm of a real Software House) gives students an opportunity to experience the processes of engineering a real software system for a real client in a competitive environment. The taught element covers the tools and technologies needed to manage software development projects successfully and to deliver software products that meet both client expectations and quality standards. Topics that are put into practice include: the requirements engineering process; software modelling and testing; using specific software development framework(s); group project management; quality assurance; testing. Tutorials take the form of project meetings, and so are concerned with team management, conduct of meetings and action minutes.

20 credits

Engineering - You're Hired

The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project. The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.

Core modules:

Dissertation Project

In the individual research project, you will complete a major original piece of software design, or an experimental investigation. This work will be reported formally in a research dissertation and also presented at a project presentation session, to which industrial representatives, students and academics are invited. The work will include an Interim report that consists of an initial survey and literature review. You will be engaged in a major piece of software development, or the design and execution of an empirical experiment. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor, who will advise on any problems you encounter. You will prepare an 7,000-14,000 word dissertation, which includes the material from the interim report, but also contains a complete design, implementation and evaluation of the results of your project. This may be assessed by oral examination. 

40 credits

Accounting and Law for Engineers

The module is designed to introduce engineering students to key areas of accounting and legal risk that engineers should be aware of in their working environment. The module will draw directly on practical issues of budgeting, assessing financial risks and making financial decisions in the context of engineering projects and/or product development. At the same time, the module will develop students' understanding of the legal aspects of entering into contracts for the development and delivery of engineering projects and products, and enhance their awareness of environmental regulation, liability for negligence, intellectual property rights and the importance of data protection. Through a series of parallel running lectures in the two disciplines, the module will provide a working knowledge of the two areas and how they impinge on engineering practice.

10 credits

Optional modules:

Modelling and Simulation of Natural Systems

This module will provide a practical introduction to techniques used for modelling and simulating dynamic natural systems. Many natural systems can be modelled appropriately using differential equations, or individual based methods. In this module, you will explore and understand both modelling approaches. You will gain knowledge of the assumptions underlying these models, their limitations, and how they are derived. You will learn how to simulate and explore the dynamics of computational models, using a variety of examples mostly drawn from natural systems. At the end of the module, we will introduce basic recurrent neural networks as examples of dynamical systems with multiple timescales. You should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

Computer Vision

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to computer vision. Major topics include image processing, detection and recognition, semantic understanding, photometric geometry, image registration, place recognition, and vision and video analysis. Students will learn the basic theories and fundamental topics of computer vision, the mainstream methods for core computer vision applications. Importantly, the students will also gain hands-on experience to solve real-life vision problems.

10 credits

Text Processing

This module introduces fundamental concepts and ideas in natural language text processing, covers techniques for handling text corpora, and examines representative systems that require the automated processing of large volumes of text. The course focuses on modern quantitative techniques for text analysis and explores important models for representing and acquiring information from texts. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course

10 credits

Theory of Distributed Systems

The aim of this module is to set out a strong theoretical basis for the analysis and design of concurrent, distributed and mobile systems. We will use the process calculi to model and reason about complex systems, studying both its formal semantics and its many uses, via a number of examples. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

Reinforcement Learning

This module aims to teach students the theory and implementation of reinforcement learning. Topics include: Supervised learning: the backpropagation algorithm (as prerequisite for Deep reinforcement learning). Reinforcement Learning: Temporal Difference Learning (Q learning, SARSA), Deep Reinforcement Learning, Advanced Topics. As well as the material taught in class, students are expected to self-study relevant books and research articles and produce reports in research article styles.

10 credits

Computer Security and Forensics

This module provides an introduction into computer security and forensics focussing on approaches and techniques for building secure systems and for the secure operation of systems. It aims to develop knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of information security, develop familiarity with compromise of computer systems and what countermeasures can be adopted and provide practical experience of implementing secure systems. The module requires a solid understanding of mathematical concepts (e.g., modulo-arithmetic, complex numbers, group theory) and logic (set theory, predicate logic, natural deduction) a solid understanding of a programming language (e.g., Java, Ruby, or C), basic software engineering knowledge and an understanding of database and Web systems. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

Speech Processing

This module aims to demonstrate why computer speech processing is an important and difficult problem, to investigate the representation of speech in the articulatory, acoustic and auditory domains, and to illustrate computational approaches to speech parameter extraction. It examines both the production and perception of speech, taking a multi-disciplinary approach (drawing on linguistics, phonetics, psychoacoustics, etc.). It introduces sufficient digital signal processing (linear systems theory, Fourier transforms) to motivate speech parameter extraction techniques (e.g. pitch and formant tracking). Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

3D Computer Graphics

This module is an introduction to the techniques used in modern 3D computer graphics. It deals with fundamental techniques that are the basis of work in a range of industries, e.g. entertainment and computer-aided design. Both basic and advanced topics concerned with the production of images of abstract 3D objects are covered, including: 3D representations and manipulations in graphics, light reflection models, realism techniques such as shadows and textures, ray tracing and 3D animation. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

The Intelligent Web

This module is concerned with gaining knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the intelligent Web. We will introduce, study and apply contemporary technologies such as: 1) The basic tools of the advanced Web and their implementation; 2) Offline and multimodal interaction; 3) Client server architectures; 4) Web 3.0 and the Web of Data. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

10 credits

The Internet of Things

Low cost networked computers add eyes and ears (or sensors) and arms, legs and voices (or actuators) to the Internet. These devices are then connected to on-line 'brains' (using big data, machine learning and analytics in the cloud). This field is called the Internet of Things (IoT). Will the result be a 'world robot'?! No matter, in a world of many more devices than people, engineers who know how the new tech works and how to secure it will be in high demand. The COM3505 module covers the context and history of the IoT, the hardware, communications protocols and security systems it relies on, and the cloud-side analytics that make sense of the data produced. It gives practical hands-on experience of common IoT devices (sensors, actuators, microcontrollers), and look at a range of commercial platforms. Each student is given an ESP32 wifi microcontroller to keep and we program live IoT applications using that device. Students will have the opportunity to use the Diamond electronics lab and the iForge project space to complete their own IoT device with a range of hardware and capabilities. [Students should be competent programmers to take this course, be ok using Git and the command-line, and be aware that there are limited places available.]

10 credits

Software Reengineering

Software development often involves the improvement and adaptation of 'legacy systems' - well-established, business-critical software systems that might have become difficult to maintain over time. This module introduces the skill-set that is required to get to grips with such systems. It teaches students how to reverse-engineer and appraise complex, unwieldy systems by implementing source code and execution analysis techniques. It also presents a range of strategies that can be used to adapt and reengineer such systems to improve their quality and viability.

10 credits

Bioinspired Computing

This module focuses on modern artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and their inspiration from biological systems. Examples include evolution, multicellular tissues, neural systems, the immune system and swarms, inspiring abstractions such as evolutionary or swarm-based optimization algorithms, neural computing, as well computational approaches to simulate real world systems, (e.g. cellular automata and agent-based models). Lectures introduce a range of AI and related approaches in the context of their relevant biological inspiration and also their potential application to real word problems. A selection of optimisation and simulation techniques are explored in more depth using Python via active learning in computer laboratories. There is an emphasis on applying the scientific approach to practical work within this module.

10 credits

Cyber Security Team Project

Cyber Security Team Project is a module that equips students with the knowledge needed to keep an organisation secure from today's cyber security threats and presents the necessary steps to take when a breach occurs.

Using a combination of learning methods and teaching techniques such as project based learning, active learning and case studies, this module teaches cyber security management principles that are needed to secure the digital assets of an organisation. A major part of this module involves students working in teams to evaluate and develop secure policies and strategies to solve real-world cyber security issues for organisations.

Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this module.

10 credits

Cognitive and Biomimetic Robotics

Cognitive robotics is the field of creating robots that think, perceive, learn, remember, reason and interact.
Biomimetic robotics is the approach of designing robots using principles discovered in nature, including what we can learn from the evolution and development of natural intelligence in animals including humans.
This module will explore progress in developing cognitive and biomimetic robots, relating wider progress in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cognitive science to the development of next generation robotic systems.
The practical component of the course will focus on programming biomimetic cognitive architectures for robots.

Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this module.

10 credits

Software Testing and Analysis

This module introduces the problems and techniques of analysing and testing software systems. The module covers how to statically analyse software and how to dynamically test it. The module will teach different techniques and tools to thoroughly test software systems, and will teach how to automate testing tasks, including test generation. Finally, the module will cover techniques to measure and assess aspects of source code and software tests.

Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this module.

10 credits

Managing Engineering Projects and Teams

This module provides you with an understanding of the significance of projects as an instrument of business success in engineering organisations. You will learn a range of project management tools, techniques and methodologies throughout the project life cycle. You will develop skills in defining, planning, delivering, and controlling engineering projects. You will also learn the roles and responsibilities of people within engineering projects and understand how to manage teams in engineering projects.

10 credits

Software Development for Mobile Devices

This module aims to provide a thorough grounding in the principles of software development for mobile devices. The Android platform will be used as an example, although the module emphasises general principles that are common across all mobile platforms. An important aim of the module is to demonstrate the real-world application of object-oriented programming principles and design patterns in software for mobile devices. Students undertake a substantial software implementation project, working in teams.

10 credits

Advanced Algorithms

Algorithms and algorithmic problem solving are at the heart of computer science. This module, Advanced Algorithms, focuses on teaching efficient algorithm design and analysis for solving complex computational problems. It covers optimisation tools, various algorithmic techniques, and a number of modern computational models that deals with massive datasets - these are crucial for students who are aspiring researchers or industry professionals. The module integrates research-led teaching to introduce students to cutting-edge topics in algorithm design and optimisation theory. The students gain theoretical as well as practical skills relevant to research and industry demands, making them well-prepared for any career requiring a deep understanding of algorithms and their efficient implementation.

10 credits

Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme in Computer Science

This module provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of computer science secondary education through a mentoring scheme with a teacher in a local school. Typically, each student will work with one class for half a day every week, for 10 weeks. The classes will vary from key stage 3 to sixth form. Students will be given a range of responsibilities from classroom assistant to the organisation and teaching of self-originated special projects. Only a limited number of places are available and students will be selected on the basis of their commitment and suitability for working in schools. 

20 credits

Core modules:

Darwin Project

The Darwin research project provides the opportunity for students to engage in a substantial piece of research work. It is undertaken in groups. Unlike the individual project, it is not primarily concerned with software development, although software development may be involved as part of the process of carrying out the research, for instance to construct the 'experimental apparatus' required for it. Projects are suggested and supervised by School of Computer Sciences staff. Students form groups and choose a project which interests them (subject to numbers of students registered), then refine the scope of the research by conducting a thorough analysis of the topic area and formulating a solution also with the help of their supervisor. The project is developed under strong supervision and appropriate interim reports are produced and presented. The project culminates with the production of a publication of the research finding and a full report of the work carried out, as well as a final conference style presentation.

30 credits

Optional modules:

Text Processing

This module introduces fundamental concepts and ideas in natural language text processing, covers techniques for handling text corpora, and examines representative systems that require the automated processing of large volumes of text. The course focuses on modern quantitative techniques for text analysis and explores important models for representing and acquiring information from texts. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Computer Security and Forensics

This module provides an introduction into computer security and forensics focussing on approaches and techniques for building secure systems and for the secure operation of systems. It aims to develop knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of information security, develop familiarity with compromise of computer systems and what countermeasures can be adopted and provide practical experience of implementing secure systems. The module requires a solid understanding of mathematical concepts (e.g., modulo-arithmetic, complex numbers, group theory) and logic (set theory, predicate logic, natural deduction) a solid understanding of a programming language (e.g., Java, Ruby, or C), basic software engineering knowledge and an understanding of database and Web systems. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Speech Processing

This module aims to demonstrate why computer speech processing is an important and difficult problem, to investigate the representation of speech in the articulatory, acoustic and auditory domains, and to illustrate computational approaches to speech parameter extraction. It examines both the production and perception of speech, taking a multi-disciplinary approach (drawing on linguistics, phonetics, psychoacoustics, etc.). It introduces sufficient digital signal processing (linear systems theory, Fourier transforms) to motivate speech parameter extraction techniques (e.g. pitch and formant tracking). Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

3D Computer Graphics

This module is an introduction to the techniques used in modern 3D computer graphics. It deals with fundamental techniques that are the basis of work in a range of industries, e.g. entertainment and computer-aided design. Both basic and advanced topics concerned with the production of images of abstract 3D objects are covered, including: 3D representations and manipulations in graphics, light reflection models, realism techniques such as shadows and textures, ray tracing and 3D animation. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Testing and verification in safety-critical systems

This module provides an introduction to the processes and problems of building complex software such as for use in aerospace applications. Topics covered can be split into four major groups: safety, specification languages, concepts of software engineering, different methods of software testing. A substantial amount of time will be spent on the ideas of software testing and specific testing techniques.
1. Safety includes software and systems safety, methods of performing hazard analysis, human factors and the IEC 61508 standard.
2. Specification languages such as Statecharts.
3. Software engineering concepts focus on the software lifecycle, safe language subsets, software testing and maintenance.
4. The software testing part is concerned with advanced approaches to generating software tests.Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Software and Hardware Verification

This module introduces state-of-the-art software and hardware verification techniques which nowadays are widely used in industry. They are particularly important in safety-critical applications, where system failures can not be tolerated. Designing high quality dependable computing systems is widely believed to be the main challenge in computer science. Particular focus is on protocol verification and hardware design verification by model checking and program verification by formalisms such as Hoare logics. These techniques presume formal system specifications and use automated tools for analysing whether a system satisfies the properties required or imposed. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course. 

15 credits

Machine Learning and Adaptive Intelligence

The module is about core technologies underpinning modern artificial intelligence. The module will introduce statistical machine learning and probabilistic modelling and their application to describing real-world phenomena. The module will give students a grounding in modern state of the art algorithms that allow modern computer systems to learn from data. It has a considerable focus on the mathematical underpinnings of key ML approaches, requiring some knowledge of linear algebra, differentiation and probability.

Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this module.

15 credits

Software development for mobile devices

This module aims to provide a thorough grounding in the principles of software development for mobile devices. The Android platform will be used as an example, although the module emphasises general principles that are common across all mobile platforms. An important aim of the module is to demonstrate the real-world application of object-oriented programming principles and design patterns in software for mobile devices. Students undertake a substantial software implementation project, working in teams.

15 credits

Speech Technology

This module introduces the principles of the emergent field of speech technology, studies typical applications of these principles and assesses the state of the art in this area. Students will learn the prevailing techniques of automatic speech recognition (based on statistical modelling); will see how speech synthesis and text-to-speech methods are deployed in spoken language systems; and will discuss the current limitations of such devices. The module will include project work involving the implementation and assessment of a speech technology device. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Natural Language Processing

This module provides an introduction to the field of computer processing of written natural language, known as Natural Language Processing (NLP). We will cover standard theories, models and algorithms, discuss competing solutions to problems, describe example systems and applications, and highlight areas of open research. You should be aware that there are limited places available on this module.

15 credits

Network Performance Analysis

This module considers the performance of computer networks from a statistical aspect, using queuing theory. It is shown that the performance of a computer network depends heavily on the traffic flow in the network, and different models of traffic and queues are used. These include single-server queues, multiple server queues, and the concept of blocking is discussed. Although the analysis is entirely statistical, all the relevant background is provided in the lectures, such that the course is entirely self-contained. Problem sheets are provided in order to assist the students with the course material. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course.

15 credits

Parallel Computing with Graphical Processing Units (GPUs)

Accelerator architectures are discrete processing units which supplement a base processor with the objective of providing advanced performance at lower energy cost. Performance is gained by a design which favours a high number of parallel compute cores at the expense of imposing significant software challenges. This module looks at accelerated computing from multi-core central processing units (CPUs) to graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerators with many TFlops of theoretical performance. The module will give insight into how to write high performance code with specific emphasis on GPU programming with NVIDIA CUDA GPUs. A key aspect of the module will be understanding what the implications of program code are on the underlying hardware so that it can be optimised. Students should be aware that there are limited places available on this course. 

15 credits

Genesys

This module involves students working with real customers and solving genuine problems, using agile software engineering and lean startup practices. Students work in teams to develop web applications as part of Genesys, supported by staff from epiGenesys.

45 credits