Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Innovative Computing Leading to MSc from Buckingham University

PGD in Innovative Computing Leading to MSc
The overall aim of education is to lay down solid foundation for concepts, theories, principles and practical skills in computing. The programme consists of courses that combine critical academic understanding and useful Practical skills, producing graduates with knowledge and skills that are highly desirable in the IT industry and beyond. The programme can also serve as the pre-master preparation course for students who intend to proceed on to the Buckingham University ’s MSc Computing programme.

This programme of study is intended primarily for graduates from Computing and any non-computing backgrounds, IT professionals with extensive practical experience but without formal qualifications and those who want to pursue a higher degree in computing.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. The role that computers and computer systems play in the modern world
2. The fundamental knowledge and skills in programming, together with relevant mathematical structures and concepts, to create such systems
3. Fundamental concepts and principles of databases, networking, object-oriented programming, web design, human-computer interaction and multimedia systems
4. Advanced understanding of a computing subject area through undertaking a postgraduate project

Learning and teaching strategies to be used
The principle of progressive disclosure is adopted for classroom-based and lab-based teaching. Reading, comprehension and practice are general ways for learning. For particular ILOs, the following strategies are to be used:
1. Seminars, presentations and individual projects
2. Practical exercises
3. Lectures, tutorials, course projects, practical exercises
4. Seminars, invited talks, course projects, group projects, individual projects

Assessment criteria:
ILOs are evaluated by the following means:
 Exams (1, 3, 4)
 Coursework (1, 2, 3, 4)
 Practical exams & tests (2).
 Project reports (1, 4)
 Project presentation (1, 4)
 Project software (2, 4)
 Project viva (1, 3, 4,)

According to the marks awarded, students are considered as being
 Failed to achieve the ILOs,
 Partially achieving the ILOs or
 Fully achieving the ILOs

Cognitive skills:

Learning and teaching strategies to be used
1. Through exercises in tutorials, practical classes and course projects
2. Through exercises in tutorials, practical classes, course projects, individual projects
3. Through literature survey and other works in individual projects

Assessment criteria:

Key skills:

Some or all of the following key skills:
1. General software development skills
2. Database design skills
3. Web application development skills
4. Programming and Problem solving skills
5. Computer networking and Multimedia concepts and skills

Learning and teaching strategies to be used
 Lectures, tutorials and/or Intensive practical classes (1,2,3,4,and 5)
 Implementing a range of programs (4)

Assessment criteria:

1. Course projects for various courses and individual projects
2. Practical coursework and written examinations for the database courses
3. Coursework, group projects and written examination for web computing course.
4. Coursework and/or written examination for the Algorithm and programming courses.
5. Coursework and/or written examination of the Network Applications and the Multimedia courses.

Practical skills:

1. Communicate successfully with a variety of audiences, both managerial and technical
2. Operate effectively both as an individual and as a member of a team in the development of computer systems
3. Make effective oral/written presentations of work
4. Self-reliance in management of work

Learning and teaching strategies to be used
The skills are obtained through practice in
 Coursework and course projects (1, 3)
 Oral presentations (1, 3)
 Individual projects and group course projects (2)
 Student’s own management of work with feedback from tutors

Assessment criteria: