Programme Specification for MSc Web and Mobile Computing 2012 ...

Programme Specification for MSc Web and Mobile Computing 2012/2013

Teaching Institution: London South Bank University

Accredited by: Faculty of origin: BCIM Highest Award within the Programme: MSc Web and Mobile Computing

Other Awards within the Programme:

PG Diploma in Web and Mobile Computing PG Certificate in Web and Mobile Computing

Reference Points: Internal ·

LSBU Corporate Plan 2009-2012

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LSBU Academic Regulations

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Faculty of Business Faculty Plan 2010/11

External · The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, QAA, August 2008 ·

Master’s degree characteristics, QAA, March 2010

Benchmark Standards for Taught Masters Degrees in Computing’, report sponsored by the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC) and British Computer Society, April 2008

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Rationale & Aims:

• Appreciate and analyse the impact brought about by the internet, www technologies and their strategic applications for business • Evaluate and critique latest mobile technologies and develop the skills required to design, develop and maintain secure mobile communication systems • Apply a range of tools and techniques in the analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of networked ICT systems within the internet and non-internet environments of business • Formulate and scrutinise security issues and policies associated with the development and use of mobile technologies

Programme Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

A. Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:

A1 The strategic management of information and communication technologies (ICT). A2 The strategic and global application of networked business systems and ICT environments. A3 The nature of information systems analysis, design, engineering and implementation within the managerial and strategic levels of an organisation. A4 The integration of decision support systems within the organisational domain to deliver information and engineer knowledge. A5 The tools, techniques and technologies necessary to implement strategic ICT systems solutions for business Teaching and learning strategy Achievement of the knowledge outcomes A1-A5 is normally through exposition, demonstration, and practical work, the latter being divided between tutorials and assignments.

Assessment The course lays strong emphasis on the practical expression of theoretical technical knowledge. This is tested by a mixture of coursework and formal examination. The nature of some units, particularly, Professional Development and Preparation for Project require a high level of reflection on individual learning and thus are more suited to coursework modes of assessment.

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B. Students will develop their intellectual skills such that they are able to: B1 Synthesise and evaluate a range of concepts, principles, practices and subject knowledge from a variety of sources within the business ICT domain. B2 Implement monitoring strategies to oversee and co-ordinate integrated business systems activity. B3 Critically identify, evaluate and advise on the ICT systems and technologies necessary for meeting an organisation’s current and emerging information needs. B4 Demonstrate systems problem solving and evaluation skills and to make informed decisions to satisfy them. B5 Critically appraise systems problems and apply creativity to their solution.

Teaching and learning strategy Acquisition of the course intellectual outcomes B1-B5 is normally through a range of tutorial and seminar work and assignments, including use of literature searches and comparisons, case studies, and projects.

Assessment Assessment is through a mixture of coursework, traditional exam and the final Dissertation.

C. Students will acquire and develop practical skills such that they are able to: C1 Plan, co-ordinate and manage systems projects within the strategic BIT domain. C2 Formally communicate business and IT issues and operate effectively within the strategic ICT domain. C3 Produce work (within time frameworks) involving problem solving and evaluation skills drawing on supporting evidence. C4 Identify appropriate practices, within a professional and ethical framework. C5 Recognise opportunities for technological innovation and develop strategies for managing the social/technological aspects of change within organisations. C6 Design and develop user-centred computer-based systems and technologies that support the strategic aims of the business.

Teaching and learning strategy Acquisition of C1 and C6 is normally through practical work, frequently in groups; of C3, through exposition and regular practice; of C4, through regular practice; C5 and C6, through exposition and practical work.

Assessment

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Assessment is through coursework, including in-class presentations. The proportion of marks given to group skills competencies - Skill C2 - varies between the units that address the issue, as do the reasons behind this variety.

D. Students will acquire and develop transferable skills such that they are able to: D1 Objectively manage own responsibilities, including time-management and task-management. D2 Undertake self-development and the capacity to learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations. D3 Communicate effectively using a variety of mediums and formats specifically within the strategic context. D4 Work with others both individually and as part of a team. D5 Identify and solve problems within the managerial and strategic domains. D6 Understand the need for continuing professional development. D7 Recognise and exploit opportunities for technological innovation. D8 Manage the processes of technological change within organisations.

Teaching and learning strategy Acquisition of D1 is encouraged throughout the course, mainly through the need to balance the demands of simultaneously-running coursework. D2 underpins the great majority of units, as is D4. The acquisition of D3, while encouraged earlier in the course, is a skill predominantly associated with successful completion of the Dissertation.

Assessment Assessment is through individual components of coursework (see Unit Guides for details), and through the Dissertation

E. Core skills: In addition, students will be helped to develop (or acquire, if they do not possess them already) the following core skills that underpin all work on the course: ·

Information skills (e.g. research tools, techniques and strategies

· Career management skills (eg market awareness, self-presentation· Communication, both written and spoken (with particular emphasis on acquiring a level of competence in written English equal to the demands of M-level work) ·

Numeracy (handling numerical data)

As many students on the course will have been out of formal education for some time, the development or

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re-development of the above will permeate every unit to a greater or lesser extent. The development of English skills will also require considerable attention because, for the majority of students, English is not their first language. Support on teaching and learning, language and academic writing skills will be provided by the University’s Centre for Learning Support and Development (CLSD).

Entry Requirements In order to be considered for entry to the programme applications will be required to have the following qualifications:

·

A UK BSc/BA Honours degree at 2:2 or above, in a computing or non-computing discipline, OR

· The equivalent of a UK BSc/BA Honours degree at 2:2 or above, in a computing or non-computing discipline, awarded by a non-UK institution. OR … · Substantial commercial/industrial experience in the computing field which, in spite of a lack of normal qualifications, may be considered an appropriate indication of the candidate’s ability to work at MSc Level. Candidates wishing to follow this ‘practitioner entry’ procedure must be prepared to offer evidence of the nature and level of work experience they have gained in the field and submit themselves to an entry test.

Applications may be considered on the combination of educational qualifications and work experience.

Note: All overseas candidates whose first language is not English should normally have attained a minimum of IELTS Level 6.5 (or TOEFL equivalent).

Programme Structure

The MSc Web and Mobile Computing course consists of eight core units and the Dissertation. The full ISM provision is as follows: CORE UNITS ·

Internet technologies (20 credits)

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Service oriented architecture (20 credits)

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Managing mobile technologies (20 credits)

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Investigative methods and project preparation (20 credits)

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Professional development (10 credits)

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Project (60 credits)

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OPTIONAL UNITS (choose one from the following) ·

Networks and communications software (20 credits)

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Information security and risk management (20 credits)

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Developing enterprise systems (20 credits)

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