POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme Title:
MSc Web Development
Awarding Body:
Staffordshire University
Teaching Institution:
Staffordshire University
Final Awards:
MSc Web Development
Intermediate Awards:
PgC/PgD Web Development
Mode of Study:
Full Time
UCAS Codes:
Not Applicable
QAA Subject Benchmarks:
Master’s Degrees in Computing
2011
JACS Code:
Not applicable
Professional/Statutory Body:
Accredited by BCS – The Chartered
Institute for IT for:
Chartered IT Professional - Further
Learning (CITP)
Chartered Engineer (CEng) -partial
Chartered Scientist (CSci) -partial
Date of Production:
April 2013
Date of Revision:
April 2015
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EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
•
Develop masters-level knowledge and skills in Web Development in context of employer-driven needs, emerging markets, and contemporary subject areas within the discipline.• Gain an awareness of current research in the area of web technology and development.
• Critically apply the theoretical aspects of web development to the design, practical development and implementation of web-based computer solutions. • Apply the theories and principles of the discipline to evaluate or design specific
web-based systems, deploying appropriate approached, strategies, methodologies and tools.
•
Develop academic and discipline-specific rigour through applied scholarship to build or strengthen domain-specific understanding and transferrable skills thus equipping graduates for a career in industry or academia•
Develop and strengthen critical analysis, independent scholarship, and intellectual empowerment through a structured research-informed programme of studies.• Use the rigour of academic knowledge development and training to develop applied practical skills for construction of computer systems in real-world contexts.
• Provide a balanced programme of study, comprising web development theory with the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience.
• Develop scholarly and professional skills within the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that govern the development of web-based solutions.
• To equip you, through independent learning at a postgraduate level, for further academic study, lifelong learning, and for personal & professional development • Develop effective communication skills of value to academic, technical and
professional environments.
What is distinctive about this programme?
This award aims to develop and expand knowledge and skills in the design and development of web-based systems and applications. The award aims to equip you for a wide array of career possibilities that range from media resource specialist through to full web systems infrastructure developer. You will have the opportunity to study in one of the rapidly growing areas of both the computing and business world from both an applied and theoretical perspective. The award curriculum is diverse - it covers core business areas, media resource development, programming in areas such as HTML5 and PHP, and delivery to different device platforms.
• You can choose to undertake a 12 month industrial placement where the University will advise you and help you in finding a placement opportunity • There will be opportunities to attend a variety of guest lectures, seminars, and
mini-conferences
• You will develop practical skills in the latest languages for developing web applications, and a knowledge of associated key issues
• Independent research features strongly throughout the course. You will be able to develop your research skills and apply these in the completion of an award- specific dissertation in Web Development. This provides a good foundation for progressing to further research study or career in this area
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you
should be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding
Develop specific focus and depth of critical understanding and interpretation in specific areas in the Web Development
Learning
Develop and demonstrate full and competent ability in the approach, execution and critical synthesis of Web Development and related discipline-specific theory and principles, and their value in real-world contexts
Enquiry
Demonstrate the ability to conduct an independent study of scientific investigation, and on the basis of conclusions drawn, make appropriate recommendations to promote research- based changes in Web Development practice
Analysis
Understand and demonstrate analytical powers of thought through critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of subject material and demonstrate an in-depth understanding and application of research styles and methods of inquiry
Problem Solving
Use a principle-based approach to find and develop web-based solutions within legal, ethical, and professional governance.
Communication
Convey, the educational experience and accrued knowledge & skills to academic and non- academic audiences, including its value in both an academic and commercial context
Application
Adopt a critical lens in the application of Web Development-related concepts and practice to academic and commercial contexts
Reflection
Be able to fully identify and understand one’s one intellectual capital in relation to
knowledge and skills in web-based systems and their development and its future value in the Knowledge Economy
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS Programme Title: MSc Web Development
September start – Fast Track
L E V E L 7 Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71024 Professional Development (15 credits) COIS70920 Database Design & Development (15 credits) COWB70359 Mobile Web and Multimedia (15 credits) COWB70290 Media Editing and Multimedia Applications (15 credits) Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71040 Research Methods (15 credits) COWB70282 Multimedia Research (15 credits) COWB70372 Programming for Web Applications (15 credits) Option (15 credits) Dissertation period (Teaching Block 3) (The dissertation period is 16 weeks plus a viva period)
COIS71052 Dissertation (60 Credits)
Note – no industrial placement period is permitted as part of the Fast Track award. OPTIONS:
Not all option modules will be available in any given semester, or academic year. You should consult your award leader for specific details.
CE01110-7 Operational and Analytical Databases CESCOM10194-7 IT Infrastructure
CESCOM10195-7 Project & Change Management
CESCOM10202-7 Location Aware Mobile Application Development* CESCOM10203-7 Advanced Android Application Development * CESCOM10205-7 Application Development for iOS Devices *
September start – Standard L E V E L 7 Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71024 Professional Development (15 credits) COIS70920 Database Design & Development (15 credits) COWB70359 Mobile Web and Multimedia (15 credits) COWB70290 Media Editing and Multimedia Applications (15 credits) Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71040 Research Methods (15 credits) COWB70282 Multimedia Research (15 credits) COWB70372 Programming for Web Applications (15 credits) Option (15 credits) Summer Vacation Dissertation period (Semester 1 extended) (The dissertation period is 16 weeks plus a viva period)
COIS71052 Dissertation (60 Credits)
Note – the award allows students to take a 6 or 12 month industrial placement between the completion of study of the PG Diploma stage and commencement of the
Dissertation period, subject to a student meeting the relevant progression regulations. OPTIONS:
Not all option modules will be available in any given semester, or academic year. You should consult your award leader for specific details.
CE01110-7 Operational and Analytical Databases CESCOM10194-7 IT Infrastructure
CESCOM10195-7 Project & Change Management
CESCOM10202-7 Location Aware Mobile Application Development* CESCOM10203-7 Advanced Android Application Development * CESCOM10205-7 Application Development for iOS Devices *
September start – Extended L E V E L 7 Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71160 Academic English (0 credits single module) ELEC70320 Study Skills &
Employability (0 credits single module)
COSE70645
Computing Fundamentals (0 credits double module)
Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71024 Professional Development (15 credits) COWB70282 Multimedia Research (15 credits) COWB70372 Programming for Web Applications (15 credits) Option (15 credits) Summer Vacation Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71040 Research Methods (15 credits) COIS70920 Database Design & Development (15 credits) COWB70359 Mobile Web and Multimedia (15 credits) COWB70290 Media Editing and Multimedia Applications (15 credits) Dissertation period (Semester 2 extended) (The dissertation period is 16 weeks plus a viva period)
COIS71052 Dissertation (60 Credits)
Note – the award allows students to take a 6 or 12 month industrial placement between the completion of study of the PG Diploma stage and commencement of the
Dissertation period, subject to a student meeting the relevant progression regulations. OPTIONS:
Not all option modules will be available in any given semester, or academic year. You should consult your award leader for specific details.
CE01110-7 Operational and Analytical Databases CESCOM10194-7 IT Infrastructure
CESCOM10195-7 Project & Change Management
CESCOM10202-7 Location Aware Mobile Application Development* CESCOM10203-7 Advanced Android Application Development * CESCOM10205-7 Application Development for iOS Devices *
* Students need to satisfy the necessary pre-requisite. January start L E V E L 7 Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71024 Professional Development (15 credits) COWB70282 Multimedia Research (15 credits) COWB70372 Programming for Web Applications (15 credits) Option (15 credits) Summer Vacation Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71040 Research Methods (15 credits) COIS70920 Database Design & Development (15 credits) COWB70359 Mobile Web and Multimedia (15 credits) COWB70290 Media Editing and Multimedia Applications (15 credits) Dissertation period (Semester 2 extended) (The dissertation period is 16 weeks plus a viva period)
COIS71052 Dissertation (60 Credits)
Note – the award allows students to take a 6 or 12 month industrial placement between the completion of study of the PG Diploma stage and commencement of the
Dissertation period, subject to a student meeting the relevant progression regulations. OPTIONS:
Not all option modules will be available in any given semester, or academic year. You should consult your award leader for specific details.
CE01110-7 Operational and Analytical Databases CESCOM10194-7 IT Infrastructure
CESCOM10195-7 Project & Change Management
CESCOM10202-7 Location Aware Mobile Application Development* CESCOM10203-7 Advanced Android Application Development * CESCOM10205-7 Application Development for iOS Devices *
January start - Extended L E V E L 7 Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71160 Academic English (0 credits single module) ELEC70320 Study Skills &
Employability (0 credits single module)
COSE70645
Computing Fundamentals (0 credits double module)
Summer Vacation Semester 1 (12 weeks) COIS71024 Professional Development (15 credits) COIS70920 Database Design & Development (15 credits) COWB70359 Mobile Web and Multimedia (15 credits) COWB70290 Media Editing and Multimedia Applications (15 credits) Semester 2 (12 weeks) COIS71040 Research Methods (15 credits) COWB70282 Multimedia Research (15 credits) COWB70372 Programming for Web Applications (15 credits) Option (15 credits) Summer Vacation Dissertation period (Semester 1 extended) (The dissertation period is 16 weeks plus a viva period)
COIS71052 Dissertation (60 Credits)
Note – the award allows students to take a 6 or 12 month industrial placement between the completion of study of the PG Diploma stage and commencement of the
Dissertation period, subject to a student meeting the relevant progression regulations. OPTIONS:
Not all option modules will be available in any given semester, or academic year. You should consult your award leader for specific details.
CE01110-7 Operational and Analytical Databases CESCOM10194-7 IT Infrastructure
1
CESCOM10195-7 Project & Change Management
CESCOM10202-7 Location Aware Mobile Application Development* CESCOM10203-7 Advanced Android Application Development * CESCOM10205-7 Application Development for iOS Devices *
* Students need to satisfy the necessary pre-requisite.
Potential Awards:
•
Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) – comprising a total of 60 credits from any of the modules listed above including any required core modules.•
Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) – comprising PG Cert plus a total of 60 credits from any of the modules listed above including any core modules.•
MSc (180 credits) – total of 180 credits from any of the modules listed above including the MSc Dissertation and Core Modules.Progression:
•
In order to progress to the Industrial Placement (Internship) you must have passed at least 45 credits.•
In order to progress to the MSc Dissertation you must have passed at least 105 credits.Note:
•
Module COIS71024 (Professional Development) will only be considered for compensation in the following circumstances: The student has achieved a compensatable grade in the module AND has achieved a pass grade in the Dissertation to compensate the module against. If the award board is unable to compensate the module against the dissertation then at most a Postgraduate Certificate can be awarded.HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?
Teaching and Learning
A substantial variety and range of teaching and learning strategies are used on this award. These take the form of class attendance (for on-campus students), directed reading, independent reading (this is very strongly encouraged), electronic delivery of learning material, computer simulations, discussions with supervisors, practical work, problem solving, working with peers in group activities, working with people in industry, undertaking literature reviews and critically appraising published work, giving presentations, being interviewed, report writing, industrial visits and seminars. This variety of methods is designed to encourage you to become an independent learner so that you can continue to increase your knowledge even after you finish the course (and thus is contributes to your employability).
Teaching and learning within the University is supported by electronic distribution of information and course management through the Blackboard virtual learning environment. Each module within the Faculty has a presence on Blackboard. This allows you to engage in your studies in a structured, directed and flexible manner. The system also provides a means of formal and informal communication between students and lecturers through discussion forums. Many of the modules on the MSc
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have been developed to make full use of this facility and are used as exemplars of good practice. The information on Blackboard is in support of, and not as a replacement for, attendance at taught classes each week – attendance is a requirement (for on-campus students).
You will also approach your studies from both practical and theoretical perspectives; and also learn from the range of assessment activities that you will be subjected to. These activities include delivering presentations, engaging in interviews, recording logbooks, programming, and report writing. You will receive both written and verbal feedback on these activities from tutors to assist you in further developing your skills. The substantial range of facilities available within the Faculty and the University, contribute to generating a research/academic community environment and culture that impacts favourably on MSc students. However, the resource that influences the learning of students most on these awards is probably the staff - their approach to supporting you, their specialist subject knowledge, and their knowledge of appropriate specialist texts and other support material that can contribute to your learning. Thus, we believe in, and practice, Research Informed Teaching.
Assessment
Assessment serves two purposes. Firstly it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have successfully understood the information you have been given. Secondly, and most importantly, assessment is also a continuation of the learning process. Revision for examinations and writing reports allows you to practice what you have been taught and the feedback received from the lecturer can further direct you to enhance your knowledge and skills further. Modules on the course are assessed by a mixture of coursework (written and practical work) and by examination. The coursework is designed to assess practical skills and problem solving ability whereas the examination will focus more on assessing knowledge and understanding. Some modules aim to teach practical applied skills and so may be assessed entirely by coursework - this might include laboratory work, report writing and presentations. It is recognised that peer-group support is an important part of the overall learning process so you may be occasionally encouraged to work in small groups where appropriate, and in this case the work may be assessed as a group.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entry Requirements (including IELTS score)
What qualifications would I need to join this programme?
The entry requirements for the award are normally:
An Undergraduate Honours degree (grade 2.2 or above) in a related Computing discipline from a UK University or the international equivalent. You must be able to demonstrate a good standard of English. A minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands) or an equivalent qualification is required for this award. Applicants with appropriate experience will also be considered provided you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate study.
Disability Statement
Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/disabled_students/index.jsp
AWARD SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Further information about the award can be found in the relevant
Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes
information about optional modules, student support, and academic
regulations.
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Assessment of the programme will be undertaken in accordance with the University awards regulations.
Students are encouraged to undertake a suitable Industrial Placement (Internship) lasting up to a maximum of 1 academic year. This placement must be completed before the student starts the MSc Dissertation. The placement is zero credit rated and so does not contribute to the final award.
