Programme Learning Outcomes

The negotiated coursework (max 60 credits) builds on the established School of Computer Science and Informatics graduate taught portfolio (and appropriate modules across the University) offering students flexible access to advanced specialised courses aimed at familiarising the student with state-of-the-art debate and controversy in the area of specialisation within the field of computer science. Coursework is complemented by an obligatory research project/task (worth min 30 credits) in which the student is encouraged to demonstrate originality in developing and applying the concepts learned in the coursework.

The breadth and topicality of Computer Science and Informatics lends itself to a negotiated programme which is fundamental to outreach in the context of evolving multidisciplinary programmes. This programme offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and problem-solving abilities and apply them in new and unfamiliar environments, both within the chosen specialisation of the negotiated programme and in the wider context of ICT and the workplace. The programme also serves as a portal programme to thematic PhD programmes which focus on the application of and integration with computer science and informatics skills in other domains.

More than most graduate taught programmes, the nature of the negotiated programme facilitates the ability to make judgments, not only in the context of the area of specialisation but also in terms of personal and professional development. The programme is aimed at providing students with the ability to integrate knowledge from the coursework and formulate judgements in the domain and wider context in the research project (including professional, social and ethical issues). Personal and professional development is supported by a training needs assessment and negotiated learning contract.

Communication and working skills are particularly important in this programme. Where the training needs assessment identifies this as an area in which the student requires further training, students are offered training modules commensurate with their needs.

The negotiated programme is aimed primarily at

• individual students who have specific workplace and continuing professional development needs
• cohorts of students who wish to specialise in a specific area of computer science  (i.e. the programme may be negotiated with a specific industry sector or on behalf of a specific group of students)

The flexible nature of the programme addresses very specific negotiated learning outcomes supporting future self-directed and autonomous learning both facilitating career progression in the industry environment and in the context of multidisciplinary thematic PhD programmes (e.g. writing a proposal for IRCSET (or other) scholarship funding).