Studying at York
Advanced Project: Computer Science - COM00178M
- Department: Computer Science
- Credit value: 40 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2022-23
Module summary
An extended project module which seeks to further autonomous and experiential learning within Computer Science.
Professional requirements
PLEASE NOTE: due to PSRB requirements compensation cannot be applied for this module (for those students on accredited routes).
Related modules
It's expected that students who take this module have taken a Stage 3 individual project and have chosen to continue this form of study with a greater level of autonomy.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
The aim of the Advanced Project: Computer Science (PR4M) module is to allow students to do a further independent project and gain more experiential learning.
Two models are considered appropriate: working with industry or with an academic member of staff on a project that could build on previous work. The student would be expected to demonstrate organisational and operational skills, the ability to deliver what is expected of them, and communicate these to others.
PLEASE NOTE: due to PSRB requirements compensation cannot be applied for this module (for those students on accredited routes).
Module learning outcomes
- To demonstrate the ability to set clear milestones and objectives for the project, and to provide regular reports to your team leader and peers.
- To conduct advanced study into an area of Computer Science, and to articulate what this means.
- To demonstrate an understanding of the constructive use of feedback.
- To demonstrate the ability to both produce and evaluate artefacts that are useful to stakeholders other than the learner.
- To present the results of the work both in a logbook and as part of a demonstration.
Module content
Self-defined project and ongoing support
You are required to define your own project, a process which begins in Autumn term week 2, although you will have been encouraged to think about this beforehand. Progress monitoring will be done in group sessions in which you present to your peers. The cohort will be split into peer support groups of around 5-6 which will be maintained for the duration of the module.
The module team provides general guidance, progress management, consideration for write up, and if necessary, risk mitigation and disaster resolution. The module team will be available for office hours for you to discuss individual concerns.
Optional extended project focus
This will be more of a research-driven project that ideally builds on previous work (for example PRBX). You will work with your allocated project supervisor/partner during Aut/2-3 in preparing the project brief and defining the scope and background of the project. They also commit to being present during your assessment presentation in Sum/4-5, and to make available appropriate resources that allow you to complete your agreed work.
It is expected that research-driven work highlights clear research methods including research questions systematically developed, SMART objectives and appropriate evaluation of the objectives.
Optional industrial focus
Many of you have worked on an interesting topic in their Year in Industry (or internship) and wish to continue to study in this area. This module will allow you to do this. Equally you could have been working with an academic staff member who has an industrial project you’d be interested in developing.
When an external company is involved, the Module Lead remains responsible for academic delivery. The industrial partner assists you during Aut/2-3 in preparing the project brief and defining the scope and background of the project. They also commit to being present during your assessment presentation in Sum/4-5, and to make available appropriate resources that allow you to complete your agreed work.
It is expected that industrially-focussed work will highlight customer requirements capture and evaluation against key performance indicators to reflect the higher readiness level of the resulting artefact. The assessment should judge both the final artefact as well as the process by which it was reached.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20 |
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20 |
Module feedback
The module team provides general guidance, progress management, consideration for write up, and if necessary, risk mitigation and disaster resolution. The module team will be available for office hours for you to discuss individual concerns.
Feedback before submission on all the assessment tasks would be offered (where drafts are provided to supervisor/partner in a timely manner).
Earlier written feedback will be provided on the milestones and objectives task (Autumn Term). Verbal feedback will be given for the presentation with written feedback to follow (Summer Term). The final submitted logbook (Summer Term) would also receive written feedback. Overall the feedback mechanism, including turnaround time falls within the University assessment guidelines.
Indicative reading
*** Dawson, C. W Projects in Computing and Information Systems. Addison-Wesley 2005
*** Gowers, E. The complete plain words. Penguin 1987
*** Kopka, H and Daly, P.W. A guide to LATEX : document preparation for beginners and advanced users, 3rd edn. Addison-Wesley 1999
*** Zobel, J. Writing for computer science, 2nd edn. Springer 2004