Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

These four taught modules are required as Pre-Requisites as they generally form the foundations for any completing any challenging group project that can be offered in this specialist MSc. For this reason, the module is not to be offered to study-abroad students unless such learners are confirmed to have been formally assessed in equivalent modules so that all members of each group possess near similar background knowledge in tackling the challenges. Otherwise, there is a danger of knowledge asymmetry within groups leading to a poor experience of group working.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To prepare for working on individual research projects
To give experience of reading, discussing and interpreting the professional and research literature
To provide an insight into current and future developments in Cloud computing systems
This module seeks to offer the students the experience in applying the techniques taught in preceding modules and building a cloud-hosted software system for a given specification by working in groups on a set of tasks which would involve literature review, software design, implementation, presentation of design and demonstration of the implemented system.

This module also aims to provide students an opportunity to research the literature on relevant topics and tools in Cloud computing and to collaboratively learn the tasks that lead to an efficient and state-of-art software system. Students will have access to technical guidance from faculty members, but will essentially work as a small independent team under their own initiative. This is meant to provide an opportunity to practice the technical skills developed in other modules, to develop new skills of cooperative working and organization, and to develop skills in preparation for the individual project and dissertation work.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is structured in several phases:
• Lectures on research methods delivered intensively:
•       Introduction to research projects and planning; identifying information need; assessing quality and reliability of sources of information
•       Role of peer review in research and system development
•       Critical evaluation of published material
•       How to present claims with supporting arguments
•       Academic report writing; standards in the discipline; use and citation of sources
•       Ethical issues

• Research topics are assigned and groups of 5-7 members are allocated by module leaders, mixing backgrounds, abilities and skills. Groups work together, forming reading circles to collaboratively produce a literature review.
• Groups begin work on the software development exercise. Choice of group organisation is left to the group. Development will involve research, requirements elicitation, evaluation of tools and alternative technologies, system design, implementation and testing. Selection of development methods and tools will be done by each group.
• A presentation is given by groups in week 6 together with group and individual report, which should include a risk assessment of the proposed solution.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To be able to describe and discuss:
- the sources of information and standards of information quality that apply in Computing Science generally.
- current challenges in research and topics of concern in industry and professional practice.
- state of current research in a particular technology or application area
- the challenges involved in planning a system development in which exploiting the best features of the available tools and middleware systems
- issues that relate to the planning and execution of a team-based software project, at an advanced level

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to:
- conduct a critical evaluation of technical literature in Cloud Computing
- form an argument based on presentation and analysis of relevant evidence
- cooperate in a team
- take a significant role in a team collaborative exercise
- communicate in written reports, verbally and in a presentation
- plan project development activities working within resource limitations
- select appropriate technology for a cloud computing project, taking account of professional, legal and ethical aspects

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning. Students aiming for degrees with Distinction/Merit are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of lecture notes through background reading.

Project meetings both formal and informal, will provide team members with the opportunity to follow progress and address team issues.

Students gain knowledge in research skills from lectures and working together on the literature review and reading circle. Students gain experience in development of a significant software project from the student-led activities and project work.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The literature review provides an opportunity to assess practical research, communication and collaboration skills in a realistic environment. Students will assess each other's contribution to the literature review (formative assessment).
The group work report is used to award a mark to each group. The individual report is used to moderate individual weightings allocated by the group, to award a final mark to each group member.

General Notes

N/A