This module aims to equip students with the main principles guiding the activities involved in software development throughout its lifecycle, including software requirements, object-oriented analysis and design, software validation and testing, software maintenance and software evolution, and configuration management processes and tools.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of software engineering
2. Demonstrate an ability to carry out software requirements specification, object-oriented analysis and design, and software testing
3. Demonstrate an understanding of object orientation and relate object-oriented models to corresponding object-oriented programming constructs
4. Represent the outcome of each stage in the software lifecycle using standard modeling notations
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of architectural styles and design patterns
6. Demonstrate an understanding of software reliability issues

Outline Syllabus

- Introduction to software engineering
- Lifecycle models
- Software modeling notations
- Requirements analysis and specification
- Principles of software design
- Functional and non-functional requirements and the need to verify and validate them through a variety of techniques
- Principles of object-oriented design
- Introduction to design patterns and architectural styles
- Validation and testing, including unit testing, and testing against requirements
- Software reliability and quality
- Evolution and maintenance
- Configuration management processes and tools
This module extends the student's knowledge and skills in object-oriented application programming by a treatment of further Java language principles and of important Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The Java Collections API is explored in some detail with emphasis on how to utilise these classes to best effect. Students will also be introduced to third-party APIs, since an important part of application programming is the process of understanding and using such APIs. The module will give students core programming skills that are required for Years 2 and 3 of the Computer Science degree schemes.

Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of core Java application libraries.
2. Explain the event-driven model underlying Java GUIs.
3. Write Java programs with interactive graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
4. Demonstrate knowledge of how Java programs interact with databases.
5. Write Java programs that make efficient use of the Java collections package.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of design patterns appropriate to Java GUIs.

Outline Syllabus
  • Java Language
  • Review of inheritance, abstract classes and interfaces
  • Exceptions
  • Generics

Application Programming and APIs
  • The Collections framework
  • User interface programming with AWT and Swing, event handling
  • Relational database interfacing with JDBC
  • Object serialization and object databases
Aims

Data structures and algorithms lie at the heart of Computer Science as they are the basis for the efficient solution of programming tasks. In this module, students will study core algorithms and data structures, as well as being given an introduction to algorithm analysis and basic computability.
The module will give students core algorithmic skills that are required for Years 2 and 3 of the Computer Science degree schemes.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of core data types such as stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
2. Implement core data types in Java and write programs that make efficient use of them.
3. Reason about the time and space complexity of programs.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of commonly used algorithms.
5. Explain the main concepts of computability and how some problems have no algorithmic solution.

Syllabus

Data types
Abstract data types
Lists, stacks, queues, trees, sets, graphs

Algorithms
Divide and conquer
Sorting and searching
Algorithms: binary search trees, minimum cost spanning trees, shortest paths, parse trees
Algorithm analysis: time and space complexity

Basic computability, incomputable functions and the halting problem

Module Description


The aims of this module are to extend the principles of SQL database modelling laid down in the first year, to describe the field of Information Retrieval, to introduce the concept of NoSQL databases and hence to compare the strengths and weaknesses of all three approaches to information access.


Learning Outcomes


After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to: 

1. Understand SQL database modelling and normalisation;
2. Appreciate the principles of Information Retrieval;
3. Apply and evaluate IR in a practical context;
4. Discuss differences between models such as SQL, IR and NoSQL. 


Outline Syllabus


Inference Rules for Functional Dependencies
Closure of Attributes and Keys  
Relational design by analysis
Theory of normalisation, functional and join dependencies
Multivalued dependencies and higher normal forms
Projecting Functional Dependencies
Validation and security in databases
Analytical databases and business intelligence
Introduction to NoSQL Databases
Principles of Information Retrieval
Comparison of SQL, IR and NoSQL paradigms

Learning & Teaching Methods


Lectures, Laboratories and Classes

Assessment


This module is 70% Exam and 30% Coursework
Aims

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the principles that underlie the design of web applications, and to provide practical experience of the technologies used in their construction.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Design and implement HTML and JavaScript form-based input systems.
2. Write Java Server Pages (JSPs) and Java classes that implement key web application components (e.g. a shopping basket for an on-line shop).
3. Use appropriate techniques to manage session state.
4. Design and implement data models, databases and data bound classes to support web applications.

Syllabus

Overview of E-commerce technologies
Client side: HTML, Java Applets, Javascript, Cascading Stylesheets
Server side: Web servers
Serving dynamic content
Java servlets, Java Server Pages (JSP)
XML

Web-based User Interface Design
HTML form elements
Designing form-pages
Using JQuery
Limitations of HTML forms
JavaScript and the Document Object Model
Example JavaScript input components
JSP and Java Servlets
The servlet API and Lifecycle
A hello-world servlet
Servlet input and output streams
Reading parameters and posted data
Session tracking with URL encoding and Cookies
Techniques for dynamic generation of HTML
Enhancing web applications with Ajax

Databases for web applications
Data modelling for e-commerce applications

XML
Reasons for using XML
Syntax of well-formed XML documents
Validating XML with DTDs
Designing XML document structures

Module Description

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the C++ programming language. The contents covered by this module
include three parts: (1) basic concepts and features of C++ programming (e.g., operator overloading),
(2) C++ Standard Template Library, and (3) inheritance, function overriding and exceptions.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Explain the basic concepts and features of C++.
2. Describe the underlying memory model and explain the role of the execution stack and the heap.
3. Write object oriented programs that incorporate basic C++ features such as pointer, reference, inheritance, function overriding, operator overloading, exceptions, etc.
4. Make effective use of the C++ Standard Template Library.

Outline Syllabus
Overview
  • paradigms: procedural + object-oriented vs purely object-oriented
  • pointers and references
  • C++ functions: call by value and call by reference
  • class definition
  • memory management
  • the C++ Standard Template Library

A model of memory
  • static and dynamic memory
  • the execution stack: existence of local variables, parameter passing
  • the heap: dynamic memory allocation
  • memory management in C++

C++ language features
  • pointers: declaring and using pointer variables, the operator *
  • references: declaring and using reference variables, the operator &
  • functions: call by value and call by reference, function overloading
  • arrays: array identifiers, static and dynamic arrays, arrays as parameters, arrays as results
Classes and objects in C++
  • class definition: private and public members
  • inheritance
  • function overriding (polymorphism)
  • operator overloading
  • constructors, destructors, copy constructors and the assignment operator
The Standard Template Library
This module is designed to develop a range of professional skills of students using a team project as the vehicle. Each student will work on a project within their team given a set of attributes that the project must contain.

The projects are based on typical industrial scenarios and incorporate the concepts of specifications, design, and implementation. Within the project, students will learn about sustainability, project and time management, design, legal issues, health and safety, data analysis and presentation, team reporting, company organisagtion, and self evaluation.


Module Directory


Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Describe the processes involved in project management and produce a project management plan.
2. Use project management tools and techniques.
3. Explain and justify their team's finished product.
4. Report and reflect on their individual contribution to the team's effort.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of professional, legal and ethical issues that affect the work of professionals in their discipline.
6. Demonstrate the ability to research and use system development tools.
7. Produce a Curriculum Vitae, and cover letter.

Syllabus

The module consists of two parallel strands:

  • The major strand will consist of team project, which will be based on a simple but realistic development scenario chosen to maximise the students' experience within a collaborative group environment.
  • The project will be on a topic directly relevant to the students' degree course and will typically involve developing a product through the specification and design stages.
  • The second strand consists of a series of professional development lectures including topics such as project management, legal and ethical issues, accounting, entrepreneurship, communication skills (including change management), project-risk analysis and control, and careers guidance.

The aim of this module is to give students an opportunity to manage a project from beginning to end under the guidance of an individual supervisor. Projects are offered by academic members of staff and cover a wide range of topics from computer science and electronic engineering. Professional development elements such as risk analysis, project management, ethics and intellectual property (IP) are embedded in the project structure.

On completion of the module students will be able to;

1.Apply an appropriate design methodology to achieve a product defined by a specification.
2. Use Gantt charts and time management techniques to plan and manage a project over a period of six months or more.
3. Locate and read references and produce summaries and critical analysis of them. Be aware of peer review as a means of the quality assurance of written work.
4. Record plans, ideas, results, and reflections in a log book as defined in the project guidebook.
5. Work as an individual to specify, design, construct and test a system to meet a project requirement.
6. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills through the writing of the initial and final report, through the midpoint second assessor oral examination, through the preparation and presentation of a poster at the Project Open Day, and by providing a working demonstration of the project product at the Presentation, Demonstration, and Oral Examination (PDO).
7. Present and discuss ideas informally with academic supervisors.
8. Plan an employability strategy in light of current knowledge regarding graduate employment.
9. Define and discuss the role of an engineer in society particularly related to professional ethics.
10. Plan and report on the aspects of risk within their specific project.
11. Explain the meaning of Intellectual Property and ways in which IP can be protected.


Outline Syllabus

This is a triple module in which individual students work under a project supervisor to produce a final product starting from a project description provided by the supervisor. Projects are allocated at the end of the second year.

Working space is provided for students and regular weekly meetings are held with supervisors. In parallel with the independent project work students receive a weekly lecture on topics in support of their project work.

The aim of this module is to give students an opportunity to manage a project from beginning to end under the guidance of an individual supervisor. Projects are offered by academic members of staff and cover a wide range of topics from computer science and electronic engineering. Professional development elements such as risk analysis, project management, ethics and intellectual property (IP) are embedded in the project structure.

On completion of the module students will be able to;

1.Apply an appropriate design methodology to achieve a product defined by a specification.
2. Use Gantt charts and time management techniques to plan and manage a project over a period of six months or more.
3. Locate and read references and produce summaries and critical analysis of them. Be aware of peer review as a means of the quality assurance of written work.
4. Record plans, ideas, results, and reflections in a log book as defined in the project guidebook.
5. Work as an individual to specify, design, construct and test a system to meet a project requirement.
6. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills through the writing of the initial and final report, through the midpoint second assessor oral examination, through the preparation and presentation of a poster at the Project Open Day, and by providing a working demonstration of the project product at the Presentation, Demonstration, and Oral Examination (PDO).
7. Present and discuss ideas informally with academic supervisors.
8. Plan an employability strategy in light of current knowledge regarding graduate employment.
9. Define and discuss the role of an engineer in society particularly related to professional ethics.
10. Plan and report on the aspects of risk within their specific project.
11. Explain the meaning of Intellectual Property and ways in which IP can be protected.


Outline Syllabus

This is a triple module in which individual students work under a project supervisor to produce a final product starting from a project description provided by the supervisor. Projects are allocated at the end of the second year.

Working space is provided for students and regular weekly meetings are held with supervisors. In parallel with the independent project work students receive a weekly lecture on topics in support of their project work.

The aim of this module is to give students an opportunity to manage a project from beginning to end under the guidance of an individual supervisor. Projects are offered by academic members of staff and cover a wide range of topics from computer science and electronic engineering. Professional development elements such as risk analysis, project management, ethics and intellectual property (IP) are embedded in the project structure.

On completion of the module students will be able to;

1.Apply an appropriate design methodology to achieve a product defined by a specification.
2. Use Gantt charts and time management techniques to plan and manage a project over a period of six months or more.
3. Locate and read references and produce summaries and critical analysis of them. Be aware of peer review as a means of the quality assurance of written work.
4. Record plans, ideas, results, and reflections in a log book as defined in the project guidebook.
5. Work as an individual to specify, design, construct and test a system to meet a project requirement.
6. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills through the writing of the initial and final report, through the midpoint second assessor oral examination, through the preparation and presentation of a poster at the Project Open Day, and by providing a working demonstration of the project product at the Presentation, Demonstration, and Oral Examination (PDO).
7. Present and discuss ideas informally with academic supervisors.
8. Plan an employability strategy in light of current knowledge regarding graduate employment.
9. Define and discuss the role of an engineer in society particularly related to professional ethics.
10. Plan and report on the aspects of risk within their specific project.
11. Explain the meaning of Intellectual Property and ways in which IP can be protected.


Outline Syllabus

This is a triple module in which individual students work under a project supervisor to produce a final product starting from a project description provided by the supervisor. Projects are allocated at the end of the second year.

Working space is provided for students and regular weekly meetings are held with supervisors. In parallel with the independent project work students receive a weekly lecture on topics in support of their project work.

Module Definition

This module introduces students to more advanced programming constructs and techniques and build on their knowledge from the first two years. This will include a review of Java, Threads and synchronisation, File I/O sockets, client/server, JSON and web services.

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce the students to more advanced programming constructs and techniques.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the programming constructs and techniques introduced to this module; and
2. Use these constructs and techniques in the design and implementation of programs
3. Critically reflect on program designs.

Outline Syllabus

. Java Review
. Threads and synchronisation
. File I/O, sockets and client/server
. JSON and web services
. Collections
. Streams
. Recursion and program optimisation
. Design patterns
. Introduction to functional programming in Haskell
. Miscellaneous

lab01.pdflab01.pdf

Aims/ Learning Outcomes

The aim of this module is to introduce the students to formal languages and compilers.

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of formal languages
2. Describe formal languages using BNF notation
3. Explain the link between finite state automata and regular expressions
4. Describe the syntax and semantics of basic programming language elements
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of compilers and their main components
6. Implement key parts of a compiler for a simple language

Syllabus

Introduction to formal languages
-Regular and context-free grammars
-Backus-Naur Form notation (BNF)
-Finite state automata
-Introduction to compilers
-Syntax and semantics of basic programming languages elements
-Lexical analysis
-Parsing
-Static analysis
-Code Generation

As humans we are adept in understanding the meaning of texts and conversations. We can also perform tasks such as summarize a set of documents to focus on key information, answer questions based on a text, and when bilingual, translate a text from one language into fluent text in another language. Natural Language Engineering (NLE) aims to create computer programs that perform language tasks with similar proficiency.

This course provides a strong foundation to understand the fundamental problems in NLE and also equips students with the practical skills to build small-scale NLE systems. Students are introduced to three core ideas of NLE: a) gaining an understanding the core elements of language--- the structure and grammar of words, sentences and full documents, and how NLE problems are related to defining and learning such structures, b) identify the computational complexity that naturally exists in language tasks and the unique problems that humans easily solve but are incredibly hard for computers to do, and c) gain expertise in developing intelligent computing techniques which can overcome these challenges.

The aim of this module is to introduce key ideas and techniques used in the design and implementation of natural language engineering applications. We will primarily cover statistical methods, and will look at the use of such methods in applications.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Describe and formalize how language problems can be solved computationally.
2. Understand and implement techniques for language modelling, speech tagging, and syntactic parsing.
3. Understand and implement techniques for computational semantics and discourse processing.
4. Understand, implement and use algorithms such as Viterbi decoding, and basic supervised classification.
5. Understand how NLE techniques can be used to design and implement applications such as text summarization, sentiment analysis and writing quality prediction.


Outline Syllabus

Language models
Topic classification
Part-of-speech tagging
Syntactic parsing
Lexical semantics
Discourse processing
NLE applications such as text summarization, sentiment analysis, and identifying writing quality

Module Description

This module provides students with a working knowledge of modern software development techniques for large software systems gained through a series of lectures, a 6-week team project and hands-on laboratories.

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide students with a working knowledge of modern software development techniques for large software systems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course students will be able to

1. Understand the issues involved in large-scale software development and how they can be managed with modern practices, techniques and tools
2. Make effective use of modern tools and techniques for the cooperative development of software including version control, ticketing systems, build tools, etc.
3. Make effective use of modern bug prevention and detection techniques as well as refactoring techniques.
4. Make use of modern practices and techniques for the effective development of software within teams

Syllabus

The course will focus on powerful technologies such as:

1. agile software development,
2. extreme programming
3. working effectively in teams,
4. revision control systems,
5. unit and acceptance testing,
6. integrated development environments,
7. build tools,
8. ticketing systems,
9. refactoring.