Taught Masters at Durham

1. Taught Masters at Durham Department of Computer Science University of Durham Liz Burd

2. The Programmes • Two programmes within Computer Science • Internet and Distributed Systems – this is for Computing Graduates • Internet Systems and E-Business • The programme is 1 year long and finishes on Friday 16th September 2005 • These programmes share some module

3. Changing Programmes • If you are on the IDS programme you can change to the ISEB programme, but you must let us know you want to change with in the next couple of weeks • If you think that you have the qualifications and want to change from ISEB to IDS you may also be allowed to change • If you think that you wish to change attend all classes for both programmes for the Java module

4. What is a module? • A module is a study topic such as ‘Web Technology’ • Each module is worth 15 credits • A module is 4 weeks in duration • To obtain you MSc you need 180 credits • For each programme we have 8 taught modules AND • A ‘project’ module worth 60 credits (details to follow) • YOU MUST PASS EACH MODULE

5. Passing the programme • To pass a module you need to get at least 50% • Module in Durham are not assessed by examinations • Each module will have the following course work: • One formative exercise (this will not count as a mark towards you degree) • Some summative work (this will count towards your degree) • However, don’t panic you can resit each module.

6. Pass with distinction • We also have a distinction • These are the rules to get a distinction • You must pass on your modules at the first attempt • You must get a mark of 70% or more on 2 taught modules AND the dissertation • You must have an overall average mark of 65%

7. Outline of a module timetable • Week 1 – lectures (probably Monday, Wednesday, Friday); possibly some afternoon practicals, or tutorials; formative work set • Week 2 – lecture (as above), possibly some afternoon practicals, or tutorials, formative work completed • Week 3 - practicals, or tutorials, probably in the afternoon, there may be a few lectures, formative work returned; assessment set • Week 4 – a few tutorials; time to complete assignment; students submit assignment at the end of the week.

8. The Project Module • The project module runs from the end of June until mid-September • You can choose a your own project or one proposed by staff • You will work individually with your supervisor • The project will include you developing some software • At the end of the project you will demonstrate this software to the examiners • You will submit a project report of 12,000 words • We have a project preparation module in April to help prepare you for this work.

9. Warnings… • We are very committed to you getting your degree • We have an excellent pass rate in Durham and we want to maintain this! • So.. If we are concerned about your progress we will send you a letter • This letter is termed a Board of Studies Warning’ • These are very important as we are concerned that you may fail. • If you get one of these warning you will be asked to come and see me. We will try and sort out problems to ensure that you pass.

10. What happens if I’m ill? • You MUST let us know • Let me know, if you are ill and will miss lectures or are not able to complete an assignment • You can either phone the office or email Louise. • If you can not complete an assignment due to illness – you MUST let us know before the assignment deadline. • Remember we are here to help you, but you must keep us informed.

11. Learning Java • If you do not know Java or want some revision of your knowledge attend the Java lectures for the ISEB module. These lectures will no assume any knowledge of Java. • If you are on the IDS course make sure that you attend both sets of lectures. • If you think that you want to change course also attend both sets of lectures. • If you are stuck with your java work, book an appointment with our Java wizard - he will help you fix your problems mail java.wizard@dur

12. Teaching Timetable • Lectures, CG215 or CG219 • Week 1 and 2: Mon, Wed, Fri from 9 – 12 • Week 3 and 4: Mon, Fri from 9 – 11 • On Tuesdays from 12-1 in (E005) we sometime have an industrial lecture. We will shortly distribute the speaker list for this. • You may also be expected to do practicals or group work. These will be in the afternoon, but not on Wednesdays

13. Wednesday Afternoon • This is sports afternoon • The University runs a large amount of clubs and societies, you can join any of these. • Many clubs will arrange activities on this afternoon • Remember in the UK ‘sport’ is a very generic term – many only involve themselves in ‘armchair sports’ (watching). So drinking coffee at the local coffee shop and socialising is also a suitable activity!

14. Java Timetable • Lectures, CG215 or CG219 • For ISEB • Week 1 and 2: Mon, Wed, Fri from 9 – 10.30 • For IDS • Week 1 and 2: Mon, Wed, Fri from 10.30 - 12 • Practicals on Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri from 2 until 5

15. Computer Access • Some classrooms are available 24 hours a day all year around. • Others have restricted opening times. • The Department also has wireless facilities (including in the coffee room.) • The IT service has a helpdesk that can help you sort out problems (including En-Suite ON-Line)

16. Library access • The main University library is on the Science Site • To use the library you need your Campus Card • The library has different opening times during and outside the undergraduate terms • You have been booked on a library course • They will show you the facilities that are available, including the electronic facilities • Make sure that you attend this course, its essential for the project module

17. Learning logs • We encourage all students to produce a learning log. • This is a book containing skills that you have learned in your course. • Make sure that you start this early and (at least) document what you have learned at the end of every module • The external examiner in his visits to during may as to see the logs that you have produced.

18. Grading in the UK • Grading is different in many countries • In the UK we use the following grading schemes • For Masters • 50% = pass • 70% = distinction • 75%+ = top 5% • 85%+ = top 1% • A very good mark is therefore one over 60%

19. The Student Consultative Committee • The SSC is a means of us getting feedback from you • In this committee we discuss issues including programme design, programme content etc. • Each masters programme has a representative on the committee (we need to appoint this representative) • The committee meets 5 times a year.

20. Self study • For each module you should be expected to do around 150 hours of work. • Much of this should be ‘self study’ • This involves doing the reading set, attending and reviewing the lecture materials and doing the assignments and background work • In the UK Personal Development Planning is an important part of our educational planning • Therefore we place great emphasis on showing you how to do self study

21. How we will contact you • The Department uses email as its main means of contact. • Please ensure that you do not miss important announcements by reading your email every work day.

22. Submitting work • We have an electronic submission system to collect your summative work • This is done over the web • At the deadline the submission system closes and you will not be able to submit • The Durham rules are very strict (you get NO marks if your assignment is late) • The address of this • http://www.dur.ac.uk/cs.submission

23. Plagiarism • You must not copy the work of others without referencing it. • Failure to do this is very series and may mean that you will be required to leave the University. • If you are using materials from the web, lectures or books etc. rephrase or quote. • If in doubt ask the lecturer or programme coordinator

24. Professional Bodies • The Department recommends students should consider registering with a Professional Body • In Computing these are: • IEEE Computer Society • British Computer Society • Membership forms are available

25. Important Sources of Information • Our Departmental web pages • http://www.dur.ac.uk/computer.science • The Departmental postgraduate handbook • http://www.dur.ac.uk/computer.science/postgraduate/taughtmasters/index.htm • DUO • http://duo.dur.ac.uk

26. Departmental Seminars • We have a regular seminar programme, as a postgraduate student you are welcome to come. Details of events will be placed on the web • http:///www.dur.ac.uk/computer.science/events/researchsems.htm

27. In sessional language courses • The following are available to international students • Reading and Writing for Science and Technology • Speaking and listening in the University Environment • Grammar • I understand that this is free for anyone who attended the Durham Summer Language School, but there may be a charge for others. • WE STROGLY REMOMMED THAT YOU ATTEND Registration Elvet this Wed from 4.30 – 5.30

28. Fees • The department does not collect or deal with fees • These issues are dealt with by the Graduate Society • If you have financial problems you should inform the University or Department as soon as possible • It is possible to make fee payment termly

29. Support Services at Durham • We have good student support in Durham, you can use the following: • International office • Graduate society • Language centre • Counselling service • Health Service • Durham Students Union (or Grad Soc.)

30. Department Facilities • You are able to book study rooms in the Department for group or individual work during the day-time. • You may book at room via the Departmental office • The Departmental office is on the first floor in the Department main building

31. Health and Safety • We treat our postgraduate as we do staff • Therefore it is important that you are mindful of Health and Safety issues that will effect you or your colleagues • Good Health and Safety is mainly using your common sense • The University rules can be found on the coffee room notice board.

32. Studying for a Research Degree • A number of you have asked if you can change to this • This is not possible now for this year • However if you do well in this MSc will are very likely to accept you on our research programmes including our PhD programme • If you are interested in this come to see me in January and we can make the necessary preparations for Oct 05 • You need to identify a research topic and write a brief report on your ideas

33. Contacts • These are the staff that will be able to help you • Your module staff (for queries about your work) • Your programme coordinator • IDS – Mike Smith (m.p.smith@dur) • ISEB - Phyo Kyaw (phyo.kyaw@dur) • The Programme Director (liz.burd@dur) • Louise (e.l.coates@dur)