DEPARTMENT OF
COMPUTER SCIENCE
PROPOSED M.Sc.
COURSE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
(run part-time from
October 1970)
At the moment the
vast majority of graduates entering commerce and industry in the computer field
are qualified in subjects other than Computer Science. It therefore follows
that there is a need for an M.Sc, course in Computer
Science designed primarily for candidates with good honours degrees in
Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Engineering etc.. The
proposed course, of duration one calendar year, caters for this type of
individual. It is not intended for graduates in Computer Science who will
normally take the degree by research.
The contents of the
course work include compulsory studies of Computer Organisation, Information Structures,
Programming Languages and Computing Systems, together with optional studies of
several specialisations. The special subjects are divided into two groups. The
subjects in the first group are examinable and are studied to a greater depth
than those in the second non-examinable group.
The four compulsory
subjects and the optional examinable subject are studied during the first two
terms. This part of the course work is the subject of examination at the end of
the second term. Three optional non-examinable subjects are studied during the
third term. A dissertation on a topic in Computer Science is written during the
second and third terms. (The subject of the dissertation and the nature of the
optional subjects will be chosen in consultation with the Head of Department).
The degree is awarded on the results of five examinations and the assessment of
the dissertation.
COURSE STRUCTURE
A Compulsory
Examinable Subjects
A1. Computer Organisation (30 hours)
A2. Programming Languages (40 hours)
A3. Data Structures (20
hours)
A4. Computing Systems (25 hours)
B Optional
Examinable Subjects (One to be chosen) each (20
hours)
Each subject within
this group represents a major topic within the field of Computer Science. It is
for this reason that each student is required to select one of these for
particular study.
B1. Numerical Methods
B2. Information Retrieval
B3. Simulation and Control
B4. Business Data processing
B5. Programming Theory
B6. Digital Techniques
C Optional
Non-examinable Subjects each (10 hours)
The subjects within
this group fall into two categories. The first category comprises the same list
of topics as are presented in group B. The second category introduces subjects
of greater specialisation. Each student is expected to broaden his knowledge of
the major topics by selecting a further subject from that category, while
exploring the specialisations by choosing two subjects from the second category,
i.e. three subjects from this group to be studied; one chosen from category 1
(and different from the examinable subject chosen from group B), and two chosen
from category 2.
C1. Numerical Methods )
C2. Information Retrieval )
C3. Simulation and Control ) Category 1
C4. Business Data Processing )
C5. Programming Theory )
C6. Digital Techniques )
C7. Computer Graphics )
C8. Symbol Manipulation )
C9. Techniques of Operations Research ) Category
2
C10 Algebraic Machine Theory )
C11 Computer Logic and Design )
C12 Heuristic Programming )
Part-time Study
It is anticipated
that there will be demand for part-time study leading to the M. Sc. Degree over
a period of two years. This can be accommodated within the above structure by
allowing a student to pursue two of the compulsory examinable subjects in each
year together with two of the optional subjects. The student would be expected
to attend for one whole day per week and one evening.
Staffing
It is estimated that one/two additional members of staff
will be required for the course.
Course Fees
It is suggested that the following fees should be charged
for the course:
|
|
Full-time |
Part-time |
|
Tuition Fee |
£ 75 |
£ 40 |
|
Special Facilities Fee |
£200 |
£100 |
|
Students Association Fee |
£ 10 |
£ 5 |
Copied from the Senate Minutes of 4.11.69, Appendix A