University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
Postgraduate Student Handbook – September 2012
Contents A welcome to new students from the Head of Department, Professor Leszek Gasieniec ...... 4 Section 1 - Your Department ...... 5 1.1 Information about the Department ...... 5 1.1.1 Programme Information ...... 5 1.1.2 Departmental Prizes ...... 5 1.1.3 Academic Contacts ...... 6 1.1.4 Student Representation and Student Society ...... 6 1.1.5 General Information ...... 6 1.2 Diversity and Equality ...... 7 1.3 Health and Safety ...... 7 1.3.1 Fire Alarms ...... 8 1.4 Key People in the Department ...... 9 Section 2 - Your Studies ...... 10 2.1 Computer Science Departmental Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy ...... 10 2.1.1 Responsibilities ...... 10 2.2 MSc Programmes in the Department of Computer Science ...... 11 2.2.1 Joining the Programme ...... 12 2.2.2 At the End of the Programme...... 12 2.3 Other Masters Programmes ...... 13 2.4 Professional Accreditation ...... 13 2.5 Academic Year ...... 13 2.6 Teaching and Learning ...... 14 2.7 Your Timetable ...... 16 2.8 Commitment to Studies ...... 17 2.9 Monitoring Students’ Commitment to Studies ...... 17 2.9.1 Departmental Procedure for Monitoring Attendance ...... 18 2.10 Implications of Non-Attendance ...... 18 2.10.1 Student Progress ...... 19 2.11 Absence from Studies ...... 19 2.12 Jury Service...... 20 2.13 Implications of the Non-Payment of Fees...... 21 2.14 Misconduct ...... 21 2.15 Criminal Offences ...... 23 2.16 Withdrawal or Suspension of Studies ...... 23 Section 3 - Assessment ...... 25 3.1 Code of Practice on Assessment ...... 25
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
3.2 External Examiners ...... 25 3.3 Assessment in the Department of Computer Science ...... 25 3.3.1 Types of Assessment ...... 25 3.3.2 Practical assessments, projects and other types of coursework ...... 27 3.3.3 Submission of Work ...... 27 3.4 Penalties for Late submission of assessed work ...... 28 3.5 Plagiarism, collusion and fabrication of data ...... 29 3.6 Feedback ...... 31 3.6.1 Feedback to Students ...... 31 3.6.2 Feedback from Students ...... 32 Section 4 - Rules Relating to Your Academic Work ...... 33 4.1 Examination Behaviour ...... 33 4.1.1 The University Calculator ...... 33 4.2 Marking Descriptors and Assessment Framework...... 33 4.3 Progression to the Dissertation Stage ...... 35 4.4 Resits ...... 35 4.5 Framework and Regulations of Postgraduate Taught Programmes ...... 35 4.6 MSc Awards and Marks of Merit/Distinction ...... 35 4.7 Mitigating Circumstances Affecting Performance ...... 36 4.8 Departmental Procedure for claiming mitigating circumstances ...... 38 4.8.1 Mitigating circumstances affecting exams or overall performance ...... 38 4.8.2 Mitigating circumstances affecting coursework only ...... 39 Section 5 - Your Rights to Appeal or Complain ...... 40 5.1 Assessment Appeals Procedure (taught programmes) ...... 40 5.2 University Complaints Procedure ...... 41 Section 6 - Departmental Resources and Support for Students ...... 42 6.1 Support and Advice within your School/Department ...... 42 6.2 General Facilities ...... 42 6.2.1 Student Office ...... 42 6.2.2 Student Common Room and Private Study Area ...... 42 6.2.3 Meeting Rooms ...... 43 6.3 Computer Science Facilities ...... 43 6.3.1 Student Laboratories ...... 44 6.3.2 Help Desk ...... 44 6.3.3 Technical Support Staff ...... 45 6.3.4 Responsible Use of Computers ...... 45 6.4 Student Representation ...... 47 Section 7 - Your University ...... 48 7.1 Student Charter ...... 48
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
7.2 Liverpool Life ...... 48 7.3 Wednesday Afternoons ...... 49 7.4 SPIDER – Your Online Records ...... 49 7.5 University Calendar (Ordinances and Regulations governing degrees) ...... 50 Section 8 - University Resources and Support for Students ...... 51 8.1 The University Library ...... 51 8.2 Computing Services ...... 51 8.3 Learning and Study Skills Support ...... 52 8.3.1 Professional Skills – Computer Science ...... 53 8.4 The English Language Centre...... 53 8.5 The Careers and Employability Service ...... 54 8.6 Central Student Support Services ...... 54 8.6.1 The Disability Support Team ...... 55 8.6.2 Financial Support Team ...... 56 8.6.3 International Support Team ...... 56 8.6.4 Support for Care Leavers ...... 57 8.6.5 Student Counselling ...... 57 8.6.6 Mental Health Advisor ...... 57 8.6.7 Medical Registration ...... 58 8.7 Accommodation ...... 58 8.8 Liverpool Guild of Students ...... 59 8.8.1 Representation ...... 59 8.8.2 Advice ...... 59 8.8.3 Activity Groups ...... 60 Appendix A - Details of Programmes and Modules ...... 61 A.1 Structure of Programmes ...... 62 A.1.1 CSMS – MSc Computer Science ...... 62 A.1.2 CSAD – MSc Advanced Computer Science ...... 63 A.1.3 CSCI – MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics ...... 64 A.1.4 CSGT – MSc Computation and Game Theory with first degree in Economics ...... 65 A.2 Description of Modules ...... 66 A.2.1 Semester 1 ...... 67 A.2.2 Semester 2 ...... 70 A.2.3 Project stage ...... 72 Appendix B - Other Useful Information: Department and University ...... 73 B.1 About this Handbook ...... 74 B.2 Disclaimer ...... 74 B.3 Glossary of Terms ...... 75
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
A welcome to new students from the Head of Department, Professor Leszek Gasieniec
Computer Science at Liverpool University has a history going back to the 1960s. As the subject grew in importance, the Department of Computer Science was created in 1982, to provide a focus for continued development within the University. Since then the Department has grown and flourished. We now expect to welcome around 150 new undergraduates, including a number from Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU) in China, about 50 new postgraduate students, and many others embarking upon various joint degree and research programmes.
Like other University departments we see ourselves as having a dual role: in research, aimed at developing new knowledge and understanding of the subject of Computer Science, and in teaching and learning, through which we seek to pass on this knowledge and understanding to others. In a University, the two activities are interwoven, and both staff and students participate in both; we see learning as a co-operative process which requires effort from both sides.
It may take you some time to familiarise yourself with the organisation and ways of working of the University and the Department. Don’t worry if you find these changes difficult at first; you will not be the only one feeling this way. I am sure that you will soon get used to the new way of life that you find here.
The purpose of this handbook is to give you at least some of the information you will need to help you find your way around the system initially; other parts will be useful for future reference. Please do look through this handbook, so that you know what it contains, and so that you will be able to find the information when you need it.
Finally, if you do encounter problems, with your work or otherwise, please remember that my colleagues and I are all here to help you in any way we can. We all hope that your time at Liverpool University will be a happy and rewarding experience for you, and will do our best to make it so.
I look forward to getting to know you during the coming year.
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
Section 1 - Your Department 1.1 Information about the Department The Department of Computer Science is part of the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science and is located in the Ashton and George Holt Buildings. The Ashton Building houses the offices of the academic and administrative staff and the Holt Building houses the technical staff and the computer laboratories. The Department currently offers three full-time on-campus MSc programmes:
MSc Computer Science (CSMS) MSc Advanced Computer Science (CSAD) MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics (CSCI)
The Department also subscribes to and welcomes students on the Advanced Sciences MSc and Advanced Sciences MRes provided by the Faculty of Science and Engineering (of which the Department of Computer Science is a member department); these include a number of IT pathways.
The broad aim of the Department in its postgraduate teaching is to focus on depth of study, and critical awareness and evaluation, in selected areas of current research and advanced scholarship within the academic discipline of Computer Science; while at the same time ensuring a more general all round ability.
The Department’s MSc programmes are all full time and delivered over one year of study commencing in September. The MSc year is divided into three stages: semesters 1 and 2 and the project stage. The programmes each comprise a total of 120 credits of taught material, and 60 credits of project work. During a normal teaching week the total study time will be about forty hours, i.e. ten hours per week for each 15 credit module. The 120 credits (typically 8 modules) of taught material are provided, over the first two semesters, in the form of lectures, tutorials and/or practicals. A typical module (although there are many exceptions) has three lecture hours per week plus a one hour supervised practical class and 6 hours of private study. The remaining 60 credits consist of an individual project undertaken, with supervision, over the summer months of the MSc year.
1.1.1 Programme Information Information about all the Postgraduate Taught (PGT) degree programmes offered by the Department can be found in Section 2.2 and at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching/mscprogrammes.html.
Information about the modules taken in each programme and a brief description of these modules is given in Appendix A. A more detailed description of the modules in each programme can also be found at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching/modules/newmscmodules.html.
1.1.2 Departmental Prizes In 2012/13 the following award is expected to be available: the Ann Maybrey prize for excellent performance. 5
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
1.1.3 Academic Contacts Head of Department: Professor Leszek Gasieniec ([email protected]), room 321 on the second floor of the Ashton Building.
Chair of the Board of Studies in Computer Science: Prof Paul Dunne ([email protected]), room 204 on the second floor of the Ashton Building. The Board of Studies in Computer Science has overall responsibility for all aspects of the provision and assessment of postgraduate programmes in Computer Science.
Director of Studies for MSc Computer Science and MSc Advanced Computer Science: Dr Alexei Lisitsa ([email protected]), room 118 on the first floor of the Ashton Building.
Director of Studies for MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics Dr Piotr Krysta ([email protected]), room 305 on the third floor of the Ashton Building.
1.1.4 Student Representation and Student Society Student Representation (see also Section 6.4): The Department operates a Postgraduate Staff Student Liaison Committee (PG-SSLC). The contact for matters relating to the PG-SSLC and postgraduate student representation in general is Dr Alexei Lisitsa ([email protected]), room 118 on the first floor of the Ashton Building.
COMPSOC: All students in the Department are welcome to join COMPSOC. This is a departmental society associated with the University's Guild of Students. It is run by students and involves various social and sporting activities. Further information can be found on the COMPSOC noticeboard (outside Lab 1 on the first floor of the George Holt Building), or by contacting the Student Office, or the Departmental Coordinator, Dr Prudence Wong ([email protected]).
1.1.5 General Information Mail: Both internal and external post addressed to postgraduate students is delivered to the mailboxes located in the student common room, George Holt Building (H211/212). Students should check for post regularly.
Email: It is often necessary for staff to communicate with students, and the most convenient way for us to do this is via email. It is, therefore, very important that students read their University email regularly (at least every other day). This mailbox can always be accessed via the University webmail facility. Please note that students should always use their University email account rather than a personal email account when contacting staff.
Student Handbook: The Handbook will be updated as required and students informed of updates via email or ‘message of the day’.
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Seminars: the Department holds weekly seminars which are open to students. Details are available at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/research/seminars/.
1.2 Diversity and Equality The University of Liverpool is committed to providing a positive learning and working environment where all members of the University community are treated with dignity and respect. The University will address direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of:
Age Sex and sexual orientation Disability Socio-economic background Gender reassignment Spent criminal convictions (where there is Marriage and Civil partnership no exemption from the legal provisions in Pregnancy and maternity place) Race or ethnicity or Religion and belief Any other irrelevant factor
The University’s Diversity and Equality of Opportunity Policy provides the overarching framework for translating this commitment into actions and has supporting Disability, Gender and Race Equality Schemes and Age, Religion and Belief and Sexual Orientation Action Plans. The Dignity at Work and Study Policy further outlines the University’s commitment to eliminating bullying and harassment. These documents and further information can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/hr/diversity_equality
1.3 Health and Safety Student safety is very important to us – it is one of the University’s highest priorities. We are committed to providing you with a safe learning and living environment but we can only achieve this if we have your full support. In the same way we expect all our staff to work to high safety standards, we ask that you take health and safety seriously by: Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others; Acting in accordance with University safety rules.
As a minimum you should: Familiarise yourself with the fire procedures in buildings, including what to do if you discover a fire, what to do if the alarm sounds and where to assemble should you have to evacuate the building. The normal way into a building may not be available to you in a fire situation so ensure you know what alternative routes exist. Know the number to use in an emergency – on the University telephone system this is 2222 Never wedge open fire doors or obstruct escape routes. Always report accidents, near misses or dangerous conditions to a responsible member of the Department. Always follow any health and safety instructions you are given.
There is a lot more information and this can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/safety/. 7
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
If you have any problems or questions about safety, raise them with a member of teaching staff or one of the following:
Departmental Safety Coordinator: Mr Phil Jimmieson, room 120 ([email protected], 0151 795 4236)
Deputy Safety Coordinator: Mr Adrian Cavinder, room H2.16 ([email protected], 0151 795 4268)
Departmental First Aider: Mr Andrew Craig, room H2.05 ([email protected], 0151 795 4269)
Deputy First Aider: Ms Helen Bradley, room G07 ([email protected], 0151 795 4276)
1.3.1 Fire Alarms The fire alarm in the Ashton building is tested weekly on a Wednesday at around 9:50. The fire alarm in the Holt building is tested weekly on a Tuesday at around 10:00. In both cases, the bells in the building being tested will ring continuously for several seconds, while the bells in the other building will ring intermittently.
If the fire bells ring continuously for longer than this (or at any other time), everyone should immediately leave the building by the nearest exit. Do not stop to collect personal items, or linger in the building. Do not use the lifts. Assemble in the quadrangle (to the rear of the Ashton Building) and do not attempt to re-enter the building until told by the fire safety officer that it is safe to do so.
It is not necessary to leave the building if the bells are ringing intermittently, but do not attempt to use the corridor connecting the two buildings, or otherwise enter the building where the alarms are sounding.
Once a year, a fire safety evacuation practice will be held. The alarm will be sounded and the bells will ring continuously. This should be treated as if it were a real fire, and everyone should leave the building immediately.
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
1.4 Key People in the Department Academic staff Email
Head of Department Professor LA Gasieniec [email protected] Chair, Board of Studies Prof PE Dunne [email protected] Director of Studies – CSAD, CSMS Dr A Lisitsa [email protected] Director of Studies – CSGT Dr P Krysta [email protected] Careers Officer Dr T Payne [email protected] Disability Officer Dr M Guo [email protected] Examinations & Assessment Officer Dr I Potapov [email protected] Deputy Examinations & Dr R Martin [email protected] Assessment Officer PG Staff-Student Liaison Dr A Lisitsa [email protected] Committee (Secretary) Administrative staff Student Experience Team Mrs J Harding [email protected] Leader Student Office Staff Office open Mon-Fri: 9:15-16:45 (except Weds: 9:15-14:00 only)
Student Experience Administrator Mrs JM Lowry [email protected] Student Experience Administrative Ms H Bradley [email protected] Assistants Miss J Lewa [email protected] Mrs Claire Winterbottom [email protected]
Technical staff Helpdesk open Mon-Fri: 9:30-12:00 & 14:00-16:00 (except Weds: 9:30-12:00 only) - staff available on rota basis Mr AH Cavinder [email protected] Mr A Craig [email protected] Mr KJ Chan [email protected] Mr P Colleran [email protected] Mr P Jimmieson [email protected] Mr D Nixon [email protected]
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
Section 2 - Your Studies 2.1 Computer Science Departmental Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy
The general aims of our teaching provision are: to provide a range of degree programmes which reflect the diversity of Computer Science and its applications in such a manner as to be able to recruit and retain appropriately qualified students able to benefit from the opportunities available at the University and to maximise flexibility of student choice between programmes; to develop and deliver curricula for degree programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels which are informed by the research and scholarship of the staff as well as input by students, employers and professional bodies, and reflect current and potential future developments in the subject; to facilitate student achievement of the intended learning outcomes of their chosen programme of study as delineated in the programme specification by providing administrative, learning, pastoral, teaching and technical support and facilities for the effective delivery of the curriculum; to prepare students for further study in a related field and for careers where the skills and techniques acquired through computing based degree are important.
The broad aim of the Department in its postgraduate teaching is to focus on depth of study, and critical awareness and evaluation, in selected areas of current research and advanced scholarship within the academic discipline of Computer Science; while at the same time ensuring a more general all round ability. In addressing these aims, the postgraduate MSc programmes in Computer Science include a significant amount of material on the theory, design and implementation of computer systems while at the same time focussing on particular specialist areas of research within the academic discipline of Computer Science.
For information on the teaching methods that are employed to ensure effective delivery of the curriculum see Section 2.6. General information on assessment is provided in Section 3 while details of the assessment method for each module can be found in Appendix A. The responsibilities that the Department undertakes in the implementation of its strategic aims are given below. Full details of the Departmental Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy may be found at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/department/LTAS.html.
2.1.1 Responsibilities With respect to delivery and assessment and in order to help in the implementation of its strategic aims, the Department gives the following detailed undertakings: to provide adequate information about the structure of each of our degree programmes; to provide adequate information about the structure and content of each of our modules and of the method of assessment used for it; to explain the aims of each module in terms of the skills and knowledge gained and the relevance of these aims to the student’s progress and future; to assign an appropriate quantity of coursework as part of the assessment of the module or as practice examples to clarify the module material;
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
to assess or mark submitted work in a manner which provides students with clear information on their progress (subject to the special rules relating to examinations); to offer guidance on assignments in such a way that students know what is expected; to deliver lectures or take classes and tutorials according to the published timetable, except in cases of necessity, when alternative arrangements will be made and clearly published; to examine students fairly within the University rules; to consider sympathetically absences from lectures, practical classes and tutorials or late submission of assigned work resulting from illness or other good reasons, provided the student notifies the Department and explains the absence or late submission satisfactorily (see Section 2.11). to provide appropriate academic counselling; to invite and consider comments made by students, external examiners and other relevant persons and act on these comments where appropriate
2.2 MSc Programmes in the Department of Computer Science The Department currently offers three MSc programmes: Computer Science (CSMS) Advanced Computer Science (CSAD) Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics (CSCI)
Programme specifications for the following degree programmes can be found at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching/mscprogrammes.html.
All three MSc programmes are full time programmes of study .
MSc Computer Science (CSMS): The MSc in Computer Science is intended for graduates who do not hold an undergraduate degree in Computer Science but who wish to augment their existing knowledge with a good foundation in Computer Science as well as knowledge of research issues at the "cutting edge" of the discipline. The programme comprises a sequence of modules designed to both bring students "up to speed" and give a good understanding of a number of significant research areas. It is directed at careers in the IT industry that require some degree of research and development as well as more mainstream IT careers.
MSc Advanced Computer Science (CSAD): The MSc in Advanced Computer Science is intended for graduates who already have a first degree in Computer Science or a closely related subject, and who wish to extend the knowledge gained in their undergraduate study with more advanced specialised material reflecting current research at the "cutting edge" of the discipline. The programme comprises a sequence of modules focusing on the research strengths of the Department and is directed at careers in the IT industry that require a degree of research and development. It is also intended as a stepping stone for students who wish to continue their study to a higher level and undertake a PhD.
MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics (CSCI): The MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics is intended for graduates who already have a first degree in Computer Science, or in Economics, or a closely related subject, and who wish to extend their
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science knowledge with more advanced specialised material reflecting current research at the "cutting- edge" of the discipline of Algorithmic Game Theory, which lies at the intersection of economics and computer science.
The selection of taught modules taken in the first semester depends on the nature of the MSc programme. In the first semester, Advanced Computer Science students will undertake three research led modules, while the Computer Science students will take three foundation modules covering software engineering, programming and information systems. The two programmes come together in the second semester, with four research based taught modules.
In the CSCI programme students take three foundation modules in the first semester, including one which gives an overview of the programme’s main subareas and applications, and an additional module which is different for students with Economics or Computer Science first degrees. The second semester is built around three research led modules. Students also have an opportunity to choose among additional elective modules. All of the CSCI-specific modules present both underlying theoretical models and their applications to the existing electronic commerce systems and platforms. Most taught modules have 15 credits associated with them, although some have 7.5 or 60 credits. Further details of the modules in each programme are given in Appendix A.
Students on all three programmes take a "research methods" module, COMP516, in the first semester.
Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and written examinations in January and May. The project, undertaken from mid-June to mid-September, has a number of units of assessment associated with it including oral presentations, demonstrations and the final dissertation.
2.2.1 Joining the Programme At the start of the programme students will need to undertake the following: 1. Complete any forms required by the grant awarding authority, if applicable. 2. Register to use the Department’s computing facilities. Students should make sure that they have completed a computer registration form on the first day of the programme. In order to use their computing accounts students will need to have their photographs put on line; this is an electronic process carried out by a member of the technical staff. Instructions will be given as to when and where the photographs will be taken. Failure to have a photograph on-line will mean withdrawal of a student’s computer account. 3. International students will also need to present their passports and current UK Visa/Identity Card for Foreign Nationals (ICFN) for photocopying.
All the above should be done as soon as possible after the start of the programme. During departmental registration, all students who have registered prior to the start of the programme, should be issued with a Student Identity Card.
Students should ensure that their addresses are kept up to date on the Spider Student Web (see Section 7.4).
2.2.2 At the End of the Programme
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
The programme typically finishes with the submission of your MSc project report/dissertation. It is important that the end of programme information sheet (available from the Student Office) is completed. Students will be informed by email when this is available. Results will be available in mid-November on the Spider Student Web after the final Examiner’s Meeting.
2.3 Other Masters Programmes The Department is also involved in teaching on programmes run at Faculty level. These are:
MSc Advanced Science (ADSC). Further information is available at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/science/mscadvscience.html.
Advanced Science MRes (AVSC). Further information is available at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research_opportunities/advanced_science.htm.
2.4 Professional Accreditation The British Computer Society (BCS) has accredited the Advanced Computer Science (CSAD) programme as fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) Further Learning, and partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Scientist (CSci) registration.
Full exemption means that students who successfully complete the programme qualify for full exemption from BCS Professional Examinations. Advanced Computer Science graduates can therefore attain Professional BCS Membership after a shortened period of relevant experience and training. For further information see http://www.bcs.org/.
2.5 Academic Year The academic year is divided into three terms: the Autumn term followed by the Christmas vacation the Lent term followed by the Easter vacation the Summer term These three terms are followed by the period in which postgraduate students undertake their MSc project.
Teaching is split into two semesters, each consisting of twelve weeks of teaching, one week of exam preparation, and two weeks of examinations for the modules taught in that semester. Semester 1 starts at the beginning of the Autumn term and finishes after the first semester examination period. Semester 2 starts after the first semester examination period without an intermediate break and finishes after the second semester examination period. The end of the second semester teaching may coincide with the end of the Lent term, but more commonly teaching will continue in the Summer term. The teaching for a module lasts for one semester. Provisional results of the first semester and second examinations will become available a few weeks after the end of each examination period.
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science
For undergraduate students the end of the Semester 2, which coincides with the end of the Summer term, ends their programme of study for the academic year. In contrast, postgraduate students undertake a MSc project over the months that follow. For students who progress normally the MSc project commences in June following the second semester examination period and ends with a completion date in September. However, for students with a certain number of failed credits the project will follow a different schedule with a later end date (see Section 4.3 for further details).
Besides the first and second semester examination period, there is a two week examination period in August/September for resits (see Section 4.4 for further details).
The final marks for MSc project and final award for those students who have completed their project in September will be available on the Spider Student Web in early November. Graduation is usually in December.
The start and end dates for the terms and semesters, and examination periods of the current academic year can be found at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/department/calendar.html.
2.6 Teaching and Learning A variety of teaching methods are employed to ensure effective delivery of the curriculum:
Lectures The majority of modules are taught using 50-minute lectures that are intended to disseminate knowledge, concepts, ideas, background information, methods and skills related to a module that can be developed further by private study or practicals, tutorials, and projects, and also to promote reflection on your part and to stimulate wider learning beyond the specific content delivered by lectures. Lectures can also include elements of demonstration of processes, methods, and tools. Lectures will typically involve the whole cohort of a module.
The style of presentation of lectures varies from module to module. Some lecturers will distribute handouts, which might be summaries, diagrams, rough notes or condensed manuals on a programming language or other computer facility. These handouts, however, will be supplementary to any material contained in the module textbook or presented during lectures and it will still be necessary to take notes during the lectures.
It is essential that you keep up with the material given in lectures and do not allow a backlog of work to build up. You should make sure that they have a complete and fully understandable set of lecture notes by making clear notes during all the lectures. If notes are distributed in printed or electronic form, you will need to go over them and rewrite parts in your own words in order to fully understand them.
Obviously you must understand your notes, and the process of sorting them out should clarify the information and ideas they are intended to convey; those for some of the lectures will need rather a lot of work while others will need very little. The notes may need to be expanded to a greater or lesser degree, using material from the module textbook and other sources (e.g. the library). 14
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There will be two important consequences of this approach. Firstly, when the time comes round to revise, the notes will already be sorted out and it will not be necessary to spend valuable time doing this. Secondly, this is a task with a defined end point, in that you will know when they have finished dealing with a topic and can then go on to do other things.
If you have difficulty understanding any aspect of work and the textbooks do not help, they should not hesitate to ask either the module co-ordinator or a demonstrator for help. You should not be afraid to ask questions during or after lectures, tutorials, practicals or at other times. Many students experience difficulty with their work at some stage, so you need not be afraid that you will be alone in needing extra help to understand parts of the programme.
It is very important not to be left behind in any module, as the time available for catching up is very short.
Practicals/Labs Practical and/or lab-based elements are a central element of ensuring that you acquire the key skills fundamental to your chosen programme of study. All practicals are linked to specific modules and are intended to enable you to acquire the practical abilities and skills that the module aims to imbue.
The topic of each practical is determined by the module co-ordinator responsible for the practical. All scheduled practicals take place during timetabled sessions indicated in your individual timetable or alternative arrangements by the module co-ordinator in one of the specialised labs provided by the department and will last 50 or 100 minutes.
Scheduled practicals are supervised by demonstrators or by the module co-ordinator. Just as in lectures, you should not hesitate to ask questions or ask for help during a practical.
Tutorials and On-line Discussion Groups Tutorials, delivered (on campus) in smaller groups than lectures typically are, provide an opportunity for you to get more individual help and attention from academic staff or appropriately trained postgraduate demonstrators. All tutorials are centred around exercises that relate to material taught in lectures or to a continuous assessment tasks of a specific module and the topic of each tutorial is determined by the module co-ordinator responsible for the tutorial. Tutorials take place during timetabled sessions indicated in the individual timetables of students or by alternative arrangements by the module co-ordinator. Each tutorial typically lasts 50 minutes.
If the exercises for a tutorial are made available in advance, then you will either be instructed to familiarise yourself with the exercises and, in some cases, attempt to solve the exercises before the tutorial. You should use part of your private study time to so. Only by doing so will you take full advantage of the tutorials.
On-line discussion groups are variation of tutorials where interchanges between students and staff or demonstrators take place on-line in a Virtual Learning Environment. Like tutorials they
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can be centred around specific exercises or may provide another means by which students can have open-ended discussions related to the content of a specific module.
Project Over the summer you will undertake a 60 credit projects. The main aim of the project is for you to develop and demonstrate autonomy in the management and development of realistic projects in computer science, either research or application oriented. Although new technical skills may be acquired, this is not the main aim. At the end of the project a you should have demonstrated the ability to initiate, plan, manage and deliver a complete IT project for a customer or research supervisor. The delivery of the project will include giving interim presentations describing important stages of the project, and a final dissertation describing the project as a whole.
Private Study Private study includes the preparation for a formal teaching session (lecture, practical, tutorial, project meeting), reflection and consideration of the content of such a formal teaching session and related teaching material, wider background reading and learning, the practice of particular skills, methods, and processes (using the department's laboratory equipment outside scheduled practicals or equipment equivalent to that provided laboratories), completion of assessment tasks and the revision for examinations.
The Student Common Room on the second floor of the George Holt Building (room H216) is available for private study. The Department also has three meeting rooms in the Ashton Building (rooms 101, 208 and 310) which are available for project related activity including group project meetings as well as group study. See Section 6.2.3 for further details.
Modules will use an appropriate mix of these teaching methods. For a typical `taught' module the total notional hours of teaching and learning, as indicated by the credit value of the module, will consist of 20-25% of lectures, 10% of scheduled practicals or tutorials, and 65-70% of private study and assessment.
It is a student’s responsibility to keep abreast of his/her programme. If students have any problems understanding sections of their work, either in connection with lectures or with practical work, they should seek help immediately from their module lecturer or tutor. If students do not seek such help we will naturally assume, in the absence of other evidence to the contrary, that they are not having any problems. When they do seek help we will do our best, with their co- operation, to help.
2.7 Your Timetable Students can see their own personalised teaching timetables through the Spider Student Web; students will need to be fully registered, and it can sometimes take 48 hours (occasionally more) for their full timetable to appear once they have registered for all their modules.
The timetables published through the Spider Student Web are updated throughout the year to take account of any changes, for example if a lecture has to be moved to another venue, or if a student changes seminar group. In addition, students can view timetables for programmes and individual modules. Further information is available at: 16
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science http://www.liv.ac.uk/orbit/using-orbit/spider-timetables.htm.
2.8 Commitment to Studies The Department’s teaching commitments have been detailed in Section 2.1, but however good the teaching, a major effort is required from students in order for them to be successful on their University degree programme. The following points, taken almost entirely from the Student Charter, are given to indicate what commitment is expected of them. All students are expected: 1. To attend scheduled teaching and learning sessions punctually and regularly. Any student who fails to attend at least 75% of lectures or is absent from any practical classes without an acceptable explanation will be considered to be showing unsatisfactory commitment. 2. To avoid taking holidays within the project period over the summer. 3. To show a commitment to learning by supplementing the formal teaching with the recommended private study. The norm is that the total time (lectures, tutorials and private study) spent on each module is 10 hours per week. 4. To produce assignments and coursework on time 5. To attend examinations as required. 6. To notify the Department of absences, in writing and if possible in advance. Such notification should include written evidence of the reason for absence. See also Section 2.11. 7. To seek advice from the Department before any changes in programmes or modules are made, and to consult the Student Office about the formal process to be carried out. 8. To update Spider with any changes to local or home address or notify the Student Office, room G09. 9. To behave responsibly and observe the rules when using University facilities including computers. 10. To care for the security and premises of the Department, its equipment and amenities. 11. To keep in contact with the Department by checking their departmental email at least once every two weekdays in term time. 12. To attend interviews with staff when requested to discuss their progress. 13. To attend the module offered by the English Language Centre if they feel they need additional assistance with English language (see Section 8.4). A number of these points are elaborated below.
2.9 Monitoring Students’ Commitment to Studies The University is under an obligation to monitor the commitment to study of each student and to ensure that, if insufficient progress is being made, the situation can be discussed with the student. The aim of such a discussion will be to advise the student how performance on the specified assessments can be improved to enable the award of a degree. If commitment to study continues to be below standard, students should expect that their academic achievement will become compromised.
You are expected to attend all lectures regularly .The expectation is that students will not take holidays during either the taught semesters or the summer project period. Missing several weeks out of the project period may be detrimental to study and will not be considered to be an acceptable mitigating circumstance warranting an extension on the hand-in date.
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2.9.1 Departmental Procedure for Monitoring Attendance The modules in the Department introduce many new skills and often quite detailed and subtle concepts. Since there is only one week set aside for revision, students need to keep up with lecture material and coursework. It is therefore very important not to miss any lectures, tutorials, practicals or lab sessions.
Absence from lectures is often a sign that a student is having either academic or personal problems. We therefore monitor attendance closely to identify problem cases. Moreover, failure to attend may lead to serious visa problems for international students: the University has a responsibility to report such students to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
Students will be asked to scan their student ID card at each lecture to register their attendance. Students should carry their ID cards with them when attending a lecture or using the computer labs. If they forget their card, the lecturer will have a temporary register to sign.
If students attend a lecture but for some reason do not register their presence, they should advise the Student Office as soon as possible. If a lecture is missed for good reason (e.g. illness, family circumstances, medical appointment) students should complete an absence form and hand this in to the Student Office (see also Section 2.11). Their attendance records will then be amended accordingly.
Students whose attendance fails to meet the required standard will receive letters as follows:
An e-mail will be sent to students asking them to attend an interview with their academic advisor to discuss the reasons for poor attendance: If a student fails to attend this interview, or if attendance does not improve, a letter will be sent to both term time and permanent addresses, requesting him/her to attend an interview with the Chair of the Board of Studies. Failure to attend this interview may result in a student being reported to Faculty, which has the power to require withdrawal from study. For international students (non UK/EU), this will lead to the Student Administration and Support Division (SAS) informing the UKBA.
Please note that ID cards should never be scanned on behalf of anyone else. The Department takes this matter very seriously and anyone who is suspected of doing this will be required to attend an interview with the Chair of the Board of Studies or an appointed panel, and may subsequently be reported to Faculty and/or the UKBA.
2.10 Implications of Non-Attendance Students who attend regularly are generally successful in their studies. You are permitted to proceed with your approved programme of study if you maintain acceptable progress as evidenced by your regular attendance, satisfactory results in relevant formative and summative assessments and the proper completion of any other work given to you. Programme Directors, or their nominated representatives, will review your attendance on a regular basis. If you fail to maintain satisfactory levels of attendance you will be interviewed by the Head of School/Department (or their designated representative) and warnings will be given if you do not take appropriate action. In more serious cases students who fail to attend classes may be referred 18
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science to Progress Panels acting on behalf of Boards of Examiners. Further information about progress and attendance can be found in the ‘Guide on the Progress of Students on Taught Programmes of Study’ which can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/copassess/appendix_E_cop_assess.pdf.
International students (from outside the European Economic Area) who, under Tier 4 of the points-based immigration system, require a visa to study in the UK should be aware that the University is registered as a UK Border Agency Immigration Sponsor. In this regard the University has statutory responsibilities to monitor and report to the UK Border Agency any international student who fails to attend regularly and within normal expected attendance levels within the University. Non-attendance or poor attendance is likely to lead to a decision of termination of studies by a Board of Examiners. The consequence of this for a Tier 4 international student is that the University would cease its immigration sponsorship of the student and this would mean that they could no longer study in the UK.
Students should be aware that fee liability continues to accrue, even if they are not attending. If students wish to stop attending for reasons of ill health or other personal reasons, they should make arrangements to change their registration status (see Section 2.16 on suspension of or withdrawal from studies).
2.10.1 Student Progress If your progress is giving your tutors cause for concern, for example due to non-attendance or failure to submit coursework, your academic tutor may contact you. Ultimately if the situation gets serious you could be asked to attend a Progress Panel, acting on behalf of the Board of Examiners for your degree programme, and this panel may decide, either in mid-session or at the end of each session that you are required to terminate your studies. You would have a right of appeal against such a decision (details at http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration- centre/policies-procedures/appeals.htm).
If you are experiencing difficulties that are affecting your studies you should let us know. You can contact the central University Student Support services (see Section 8.6 below), details at http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/index.htm, or the support services offered by your Department/School (see Section 6).
2.11 Absence from Studies Absence from any part of a programme of study or from any assessment for whatever reason must be notified in writing to the Department of Computer Science at soon as possible.
If your absence has not affected any continuous assessments or examinations, then you must submit an absence form to notify the Department. The absence form can be obtained from the Student Office or downloaded from: http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student/officialforms.html.
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If your absence is due to illness and has lasted 5 days or less than this form counts as Certificate of Illness which does not require signature by a medical practitioner. The Certificate cannot be accepted if submitted more than two weeks following the date of illness. A maximum of two Certificates is permitted in any semester. If your absence is due to illness and has lasted more than 5 days , then you require a medical certificate authorised by a medical practitioner that needs to be submitted together with the absence form. Absence for any other reason and any duration, for instance personal problems or bereavement, requires prior authorisation by the Head of Department or the absence form needs to be accompanied with some supporting independent evidence explaining your absence.
Absence from studies or any other circumstances that have affected continuous assessments or examinations must also be notified. The details of the procedure that you need to follow is described in Section 4.8.
2.12 Jury Service From time to time students are called for jury service. Jurors are selected at random by Her Majesty’s Courts Service from the electoral register and everyone on the electoral register between the ages of 18 to 70 may be selected.
Where jury service is likely to interfere with your study or assessment, you may seek deferral of the service. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau evaluates any requests for deferral, which is usually no more than for 12 months. A letter can be obtained from the Director of Student Administration and Support to assist you in any request for a deferral. To do this you should complete the jury summons including Section 3 and take the completed form to the Student Administration Centre on the ground floor in the Foundation Building. The Student Administration Centre is open Mondays- Fridays between 09:00 and 17:00.
When a jury summons is received by the Student Administration Centre, the Director of Student Administration and Support will write on your behalf to Her Majesty’s Courts Service enclosing the summons and explaining that it would be detrimental to your studies to experience disruption due to undertaking jury service. It should be noted that the University can only make a request for deferral: the decision to allow a deferral rests with Her Majesty’s Courts Service.
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Her Majesty’s Courts Service will reply directly to you. Where no reply is received in a reasonable time you should contact Her Majesty’s Courts Service to enquire about the progress of your application for deferral.
The University cannot request an excusal on behalf of a student. Excusal requests should be sent directly by a student to the Summoning Bureau.
2.13 Implications of the Non-Payment of Fees You may either pay your fees in full at the start of a session or agree to pay in instalments, by direct debit or continuous credit card authority. Home and EU undergraduates may obtain a tuition fee loan via the Student Finance companies. It is your responsibility to ensure that proper arrangements are made with the University for the payment of fees and this must be done either before or at the beginning of a new academic session. For self-funded students, arrangements to pay fees should be made online. Any student who fails to make timely arrangements to pay their fees will be denied access to library and some computing facilities until such time as a suitable arrangement is in place. Also students who default on any payment will similarly be denied access to library and some computing facilities. Any student who then fails to respond within 30 days of the due date of any payment will have their IT and library access, including their University email account suspended until the whole of any outstanding amount has been paid. Any student in debt to the University at the time of sitting their examinations will not have those examinations marked or where the examination is marked will not be provided with the marks for those examinations, until the outstanding debt has been paid. Students will not be permitted to return to study in the next academic year until previous outstanding debts have been paid in full.
Any student who has not paid outstanding fees or other charges to the University by one month (at the latest) before the date on which the award of a degree, diploma or certificate is due to be conferred, shall not be eligible to be presented for such an award.
Further details may be viewed on the web at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/money/ Additional advice and guidance may be obtained by contacting the Student Administration Centre in the Foundation Building where specialist advisors are available to discuss the payment of fees (email: [email protected]).
2.14 Misconduct The University has Rules Regulating the Conduct of Students. Breaches of these rules are regarded as constituting misconduct and include: 1. Any breach of University Ordinances or Regulations or Codes of Practice, including the Regulations for the Conduct of Examinations; 2. Substantial obstruction or interference with the functions, duties or legitimate activities of any student or member of staff of the University, or any visitor to the University; 3. Violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, intimidating or offensive behaviour or language (whether expressed orally, in writing or electronically, including blogs, social networking websites and other electronic means);
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4. Distribution or publication of a poster, notice, sign or any publication which is offensive, intimidating, threatening, indecent or illegal, including the broadcasting and electronic distribution of such material; 5. Harassment of any student or member of staff of the University or any visitor to the University; 6. Fraud, deceit, deception or dishonesty in relation to the University or its staff, students or visitors; 7. Theft, misappropriation or misuse of University property, or the property of its students, staff or visitors; 8. Misuse or unauthorised use of University premises or items of property, including the misuse of computers and the communications network or any breach of the University’s policy on the use of its information systems; 9. Damage or defacement to University property or the property of other members of the University caused intentionally or recklessly, including misappropriation of such property; 10. Action which may cause injury or jeopardise safety on University premises, including occupation of premises of which the University is owner or occupier after being required to leave by an authorised member of the staff of the University; 11. Failure to provide identity such as name and student ID number to a member of staff of the University in circumstances where a request to do so is reasonable; 12. Any conduct, whether on or off campus, which results in a student receiving a formal police caution, irrespective of whether or not such a caution leads to the student being charged or convicted of an offence; 13. Any failure on behalf of the student to inform the University of any police caution, charge or conviction. (Convictions for a motoring offence for which a fine and a maximum penalty of three points are imposed are excluded. Offences which are spent under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 should also be reported as they may affect the right to practise for students following programmes leading to a professional qualification); 14. Any conduct which may be discreditable to the University or detrimental to the discharge of its duties or which may more widely bring the University into disrepute; 15. Failure to comply with any punishment imposed as a result of the University’s disciplinary procedures or contempt of those procedures;
The consequences of being in breach of either the Regulations for the Conduct of Examinations or the Rules Regulating the Conduct of Students are serious and will lead to referral to the University’s Student Disciplinary Procedures: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration-centre/policies- procedures/studentdisciplinaryprocedures_sep2008.pdf.
In recent years, the Board of Discipline has considered a number of cases where students have been caught in possession of unauthorised material in an examination and in many instances, the Board determined that the student concerned be awarded a mark of zero for the examination in question and suspended from studies for up to twelve months. The Board of Discipline also has the power to terminate a student’s studies where a very serious breach of the Rules Regulating the Conduct of Students has occurred.
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2.15 Criminal Offences The University has a duty of care to its staff and students and thus it needs to be informed of any alleged criminal activity by its staff or students. If at any time during registration on a programme of study at the University you are arrested by the police and charged with a criminal offence, you are required to report this immediately to the Director of Student Administration and Support. If you are sent for trial, the Director of Student Administration and Support must also be kept informed at all stages either by the student or their solicitor. If you are convicted then this must also be reported along with details of any sentence imposed. A conviction includes being put on probation, being given absolute or conditional discharge, being bound over, or being given a formal caution. You do not need to declare parking or speeding offences which are subject to fixed penalties.
You are advised that by declaring to the University that you have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence does not necessarily mean that disciplinary action will be taken against you under the University’s Disciplinary Procedures. However, any declaration of such offences is likely to lead to a risk assessment to be undertaken by a Risk Assessment Panel. You would be informed of the outcome of any such assessment.
To declare a charge, formal caution or criminal record to the Director of Student Administration and Support, a pro-forma which is available at http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student- administration-centre/policies-procedures/Criminal_Offences_Proforma.pdf should be completed and returned.
In addition to the requirements set out above, if you are a member of the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, you are also required to notify the Society if convicted of a criminal offence or upon becoming bankrupt. For further details see Code of Conduct for BCS members.
2.16 Withdrawal or Suspension of Studies Circumstances, often relating to ill-health, occasionally lead a student to consider withdrawing from their studies or suspending their studies for a period of time. Such action may also be appropriate if you have failed to make a fee payment or set up an arrangement for the payment of fees, and where it is clear that you have insufficient financial means to complete the year of study. Where students do suspend this is frequently with a view to returning in the next academic session. In cases of withdrawal or suspension there are financial consequences arising from such decisions and it is therefore essential that you ensure that the University receives formal notice of such action. In the first instance you should discuss your circumstances with your tutor or seek advice from the Department or School Student Support Office. All requests for a suspension of studies must be approved by your School/Department and will not normally be granted retrospectively. Suspending studies on the grounds of ill health, financial difficulties or other personal reasons suspends your fee liability and your requirement to undertake assessments. This allows you to take time out of your studies in order that you can regain your health or sort out other problems without financial or academic penalty before you return and re-start your studies. However failure to inform the University of your withdrawal or suspension of studies means that your tuition fee liability continues to accrue.
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If you do suspend your studies, it is important that you contact your academic department one month prior to your intended return to confirm that you will be returning to study. This will enable your department to ensure that your academic registration is updated.
For those students supported by a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England (SFE) it should be noted that the loan is only payable if the student remains in attendance until 1st December following academic registration in September. Therefore if you have a tuition fee loan and leave before that date then you will need to pay the outstanding tuition fee balance yourself. Where payment of fees has already been made, the University will recalculate the fee payable pro-rata to attendance and refund any overpayment. Students supported by Student Finance NI, Student Finance Wales or Student Awards Agency for Scotland should contact the Student Fees Office for advice.
For further advice on the financial implications of withdrawing from or suspending study you should contact the Student Fees Office at [email protected] or visit http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/money/
Further details, including the form to be completed in such an event, can be found on the web at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration-centre/student-record/suspensions.htm
For international students who require a visa to study in the UK, requested and authorised suspensions of study for any reason will be reported to the UK Border Agency as part of the University’s statutory reporting responsibilities. This will have consequences for the duration of the visa and international students are strongly advised to obtain immigration advice from the International Support Team in Student Support Services (see D3.3 above). For home/EU students who are sponsored by Student Finance England, Student Finance NI, Student Finance Wales or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, the University will inform the SFE, SFNI, SFW or SAAS of these changes.
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Section 3 - Assessment 3.1 Code of Practice on Assessment The University has formulated a Code of Practice on Assessment which brings together in a single document the main institutional policies and rules on assessment. The Code is an authoritative statement of the philosophy and principles underlying all assessment activities and of the University's expectations in relation to how academic subjects design, implement and review assessment strategies for all taught programmes of study. It is intended to inform staff and students, as well as individuals from outside the University such as external examiners and external reviewers (see C4 below). The Code is an important document and applies institution- wide. It also reflects the external reference points that the University has to be in accordance with such as the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education's UK Quality Code for Higher Education, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and individual subject benchmark statements. The Code and its appendices can be accessed at: http://cms.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/code_of_practice_on_assessment1/.
3.2 External Examiners External examiners are appointed for all programmes of study offered by the University. These examiners, senior academics or persons with professional expertise, are independent of the University. They help the University to ensure that the standards of its awards are comparable with similar subjects and awards in other UK Universities. They ensure that the assessment processes in Departments and Schools are appropriate, fair and fairly operated and are in line with institutional regulations and guidelines. Where relevant they ensure that any professional or statutory body requirements are met. External examiners have the right to see all assessed work from the modules they examine, but where there are large numbers of students on a module they would normally see samples of work. Information on the examiners appointed by your Department or School will be available from the Department or School offices and from November on the Student Administration and Support site at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/exams.
ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT directly with the external examiners. If you have any queries about their involvement in your degree programme or assessment you must seek advice from your tutor.
3.3 Assessment in the Department of Computer Science As noted above, assessment with respect to the Department’s PGT provision is governed by The University’s Code of Practice on Assessment.
The mark produced for a module is subject to scrutiny by the Board of Examiners and the External Examiner (who is an eminent academic from another university). Such meetings can vary individual marks as a consequence of special circumstances, and can adjust (scale) all the marks on a module in order, for instance, to maintain uniform standards.
3.3.1 Types of Assessment There is a wide variety of ways that the different modules making up the Department’s MSc programmes are assessed, the particular method being chosen to suit the material and aims of
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science specific modules. With respect to the MSc taught modules provided by the Department the methods chosen are:
Written examinations An examination is an assessment task formally scheduled and supervised by the University which takes place over a specified period, in a specified location and at a specified time.
Examinations on modules in the remit of the Board of Studies in Computer Science are written examination in which students provide written answers to a set of questions. This includes written examinations that in part or solely consist of multiple choice questions. Where the assessment of a module includes a written examination, this will take place at the end of the semester or semesters in which a module is taught. The duration of examinations varies between 1 and 2.5 hours.
Practical assessments Practical assessments include the assessment of practical tasks performed in laboratories as well as the assessment of written reports, oral presentations, or demonstrations of the outcome of work conducted in laboratories (or using equipment equivalent to that provided in laboratories) often in relation to an assignment set for a module.
Class tests A class test is an assessment task scheduled by the module co-ordinator of a module with a typical duration of 50 minutes. The format of class tests is identical to that of examinations.
On-line tests are alternative form of class test. An on-line test might be time-limited, that is, students have only a certain amount of time to complete the test, and there will either be a specific date and time on which the test takes place or there will be a deadline by which students must complete the test.
Project reports and dissertations Projects typically involve an element of assessment by a final report or dissertation due at the end of the project. Such reports and dissertations on a module in the remit of the Board of Studies in Computer Science will typically be practical assessments, that is, be based on laboratory or laboratory-related work. However, dissertations based on purely theoretical work are possible at level M.
Other types of coursework This includes essays or the completion of small assessed tasks during or in advance of a tutorial.
It should be noted that assessments of a module are not restricted to the assessment of material and skills covered in lectures, tutorials, and practicals but can extend to material and skills that can be expected to have been acquired through private study. Modules will use an appropriate mix of these types of assessment. Appendix B.3 lists the relevant percentages for all the modules. In any module where set work is part of the assessment, students will be notified in advance of:
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The deadlines for the assessed work. There is a standard University Policy imposing penalties for late submission, which is applied by the Department (see Section 3.4) Where, when and how the work must be handed in.
3.3.2 Practical assessments, projects and other types of coursework Nearly all the practical work that is done for a practical assessment, project or other type of coursework involves the use of the Department’s computer systems.
On some modules, the scheduled practicals in your timetable are intended to give you time in one of the laboratories to work on a practical assignment under the supervision of a demonstrators. In order to make the best use of this time, you should have given some thought to the solution of the assignment beforehand. This will probably involve familiarising yourself with any relevant handouts and lecture notes on the topic. You will also need to have planned out how to tackle the problem.
If the assignment is concerned with the design and implementation of a program, database, website, or other computer software, a draft solution should be prepared in advance of the practical class. This can be taken along, ready to be typed into or uploaded onto the computer, or be made available beforehand. If you have not been able to do that, then you should at least have a list of questions about the work to ask the demonstrator.
Without this preliminary preparation you will not be able to make use of help that the practical class demonstrator can provide, but will spend the time reading and understanding the assignment, being ready to ask questions only at the end of the session. This is obviously not an optimal use of the time.
Even if scheduled practicals are dedicated to exercises other than practical assignments, they still provide an opportunity to ask questions not only about those exercises but also about practical assignments.
You should try to make the maximum use of the help available during schedule practicals. Do not hesitate to ask the demonstrators and module co-ordinator questions; that is what they are there for. However, it is not the job of a demonstrator or module co-ordinator to solve assignments for you. So, there will be a limit to what they will able to do for you.
In addition to supervised practical sessions, most assignments will involve additional unsupervised work using the computers in order to prepare or complete a solution and to write reports.
It is also possible to obtain assistance and advice on general programming problems from the departmental Help Desk. However, the technical support staff are typically not familiar with the detailed contents of individual modules, so may not be able to assist with specialised queries. Such issues should be directed to the module co-ordinator and/or demonstrators.
3.3.3 Submission of Work In any module where set work is part of the assessment, you will be notified in advance and in writing of: the deadlines for the assessed work. 27
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where, when and how the work must be submitted.
If this information is not provided, then you should not hesitate to ask for it. Some modules have specified requirements with regard to the format and length of the submitted work and you should ensure that you adhere to these.
There is a standard University Policy imposing penalties for late submission, which is applied by the Department (see Section 3.4).
The Department follows the University policy on plagiarism and collusion as detailed in Section 3.5.
We may make and authorise third parties to make copies of any work submitted by you for assessment but only for the following purposes: Assessment of a student’s work; Comparison with databases of earlier answers or works or other previously available works to confirm there is no plagiarism; and Addition to databases of works used to ensure that future works submitted at this institution and others are not plagiarised from a student’s work. Review by accrediting bodies, external examiners, University QAA and other external bodies as appropriate.
Feedback on assessment tasks will be provided following the Policy on Feedback to Students (see Section 3.6.1). You can appeal against the results of an assessment task, examination, or decisions by the Board of Examiners following the University's Assessment Appeals Procedure (see Section 5.1).
3.4 Penalties for Late submission of assessed work The University’s standard penalties for the late submission of assessed work are:
5% of the total marks available for the assessment shall be deducted from the assessment mark for each working day after the submission date, up to a maximum of five working days (e.g. for work marked out of 100, five marks per day will be deducted; for work marked out of 20, one mark per day will be deducted); however, the mark will not be reduced below the pass mark for the assessment. Work assessed below the pass mark will not be penalised for late submission of up to five days. Work received more than five working days after the submission deadline will receive a mark of zero. In such circumstances, where a student is required to re-take the assessment, the re-assessment task must be different from the original assessment. Re-submission of the original piece of work is not permissible, except in the case of project work or dissertations. (A working day is defined as a day when the University is open and staff would normally be available for work and thus also be available for contact by students).
Full information about the penalties for late submission of assessed work, including information about special circumstances and School/Departmental responsibilities, are available in section 6 of the University’s Code of Practice on Assessment: 28
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science http://cms.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/code_of_practice_on_assessment1/.
3.5 Plagiarism, collusion and fabrication of data In university life, students are constantly learning from other people’s ideas: they hear them in lectures, discuss them in class, read them in books and online and incorporate them into their own writing. This is both natural and productive, as all knowledge is built from previous knowledge. It is, however, vitally important that you give credit where it is due, acknowledging the source of any information used. Failing to acknowledge the source of any information you present creates the false impression that these ideas, facts or words are in fact your own, and this is what constitutes plagiarism. In order to be awarded a degree, the University must be able to satisfy itself that you have successfully met the standards of this award and that they have achieved the objectives of their programme.
The assessed work (coursework, laboratories, exams etc.) provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate to the University that you have acquired these skills and can apply them successfully. It is essential that the assessment process is fair, and anything which compromises this fairness by allowing students to gain an unfair advantage over other students is treated as an offence and is taken very seriously. Collusion (where a student presents another student’s work as his/her own) is one such method of dishonestly gaining academic advantage, and can lead to failure or termination of studies.
You also need to be aware of a third offence in academic reporting that is often overlooked despite being no less serious than those mentioned above. When reporting on experimental work in a laboratory or project context, there is sometimes a temptation to misrepresent the data acquired, either by presenting different, `better looking” results, selective or partial results, or doctoring the data to enhance the data to make them appear “better” than they actually are. This is wrong for two reasons: it presupposes what the results should be, thus undermining the scientific method of investigation and is dishonest and fraudulent. Such behaviour can never be justified, and instances of fabrication or embellishment of data are again taken very seriously by the University.
The following definitions are contained within the University’s Code of Practice on Assessment and apply to all types of work submitted by students, including, for example, written work, diagrams, designs, charts, musical compositions, computer programmes and pictures:
“Plagiarism occurs when a student misrepresents, as his/her own work, the work, written or otherwise, of any other person (including another student) or of any institution. Examples of forms of plagiarism include:
the verbatim (word for word) copying of another’s work without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement; the close paraphrasing of another’s work by simply changing a few words or altering the order of presentation, without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement; unacknowledged quotation of phrases from another’s work; the deliberate and detailed presentation of another’s concept as one’s own.”
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When Plagiarism is suspected it should fall into one of two categories:
Minor Plagiarism: defined as a small amount of paraphrasing, quotation or use of diagrams, charts etc. without adequate citation. Minor plagiarism may result from poor scholarship (i.e. when a student, through inexperience or carelessness, fails to reference appropriately or adequately identify the source of the material which they use).
Major Plagiarism: defined as: extensive paraphrasing or quoting without proper citation of the source; lifting directly from a text or other academic source without reference; (Where material is taken directly from a text or other source the cited material should be demarcated with quotation marks or in some other accepted way and the source should be cited.) the use of essays (or parts thereof) from essay banks, either downloaded from the internet or obtained from other sources; presenting another’s designs or concepts as one’s own; continued instances of what was initially regarded as minor plagiarism despite warnings having been given to the student concerned.
“Collusion occurs when, unless with official approval (e.g. in the case of group projects), two or more students consciously collaborate in the preparation and production of work which is ultimately submitted by each in an identical, or substantially similar, form and/or is represented by each to be the product of his or her individual efforts. Collusion also occurs where there is unauthorised co-operation between a student and another person in the preparation and production of work which is presented as the student’s own.”
“Embellishment or Fabrication of data occurs when a student enhances or exaggerates legitimate data or wholly fabricates a set of data in the absence of legitimate data.
Academic staff and other assessors will use a variety of techniques and tools to detect plagiarism, collusion and fabrication of data, including MOSS, a system for the detection of software plagiarism and Turnitin, a system for the detection of plagiarism in written work.
Turnitin is a text comparison tool which is used to detect and quantify plagiarism and collusion. When coursework is submitted to Turnitin the text is compared with sources in the Turnitin database (this includes websites, online journals, newspapers and e-books as well as other student work submitted either at Liverpool or other institutions). This automatically produces an “originality report” such as those shown in Figure 1, where matching text is automatically highlighted and linked to the original source. Once matching text has been flagged up by the system, staff can then determine if the content has been used inappropriately. The system is extremely robust, and the originality reports are always used as evidence when suspected cases of plagiarism and collusion are reported to the Assessment Officer.
If you are suspected of plagiarism, collusion or fabrication/embellishment of data, you may be issued with a written warning. A copy of this warning will be placed on your student record. 30
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Plagiarism, collusion or fabrication of data could also lead to receiving a mark of zero for the assessment and may also cause you to fail a module. In cases of repeated incidents of plagiarism, it may lead to the termination of studies, or the Board of Examiners not granting the final award. The severity of these measures reflects the seriousness with which these offences are viewed; in professional life, cases of plagiarism or fabrication of data may cost someone their job or may lead to jail. There can be no justification for it.
The University’s Policy for Dealing with Plagiarism, Collusion and the Fabrication of Data and the Guidelines for Staff and Students can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/copassess/appendix_L_cop_assess.pdf
Recommendations: While the consequences of these three issues can be extremely distressing, avoiding them is in fact surprisingly simple. In its simplest form, the best advice for you is:
to do all the work yourself; to acknowledge all of your sources; to present your results as they are; to restrict the access to your work.
3.6 Feedback 3.6.1 Feedback to Students The purpose of feedback is to facilitate improvement and promote learning. This covers both academic content and formal aspects of work submitted for assessment. Information regarding the aims, learning outcomes, teaching and learning strategy, syllabus and method of assessment for each module is available on the departmental website, and further information will be provided by the lecturer concerned.
Feedback may take many forms: Written feedback, (recorded) oral feedback, peer feedback or self-assessment, and may include numerical marks, grades, and/or qualitative points and comments. There will normally be publicised marking descriptors for numeric or grade-based marking.
The aim would always be to provide feedback as quickly as is practicable (normally within 3-4 weeks of the submission deadline) and ideally before the next related assessment task (or final examination). However this may not always be possible, depending on the size of the class, and the timescales involved.
Examinations. Examination scripts are not returned to students. Individual formative feedback on examination performance will be provided by personal tutors and examiners. In addition, examiners will, provide generic group feedback to students on their performance in examinations. This group feedback can be seen at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student/examfeedback.html once the exam results have been made available.
Academic advisors can be consulted regarding feedback on your overall academic performance.
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The Feedback Policy for modules in the remit of the Board of Studies in Computer Science can be seen at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student/BSCS_Feedback_Policy_2011.pdf while the University Feedback on Assessment Policy can be seen at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/fdback_assess_pol.doc.
3.6.2 Feedback from Students As well as providing information to students about material submitted for assessment, the University also encourages students to provide feedback relating both to the content and provision of their programme of study, and also any other aspects of the overall University environment.
Students should feel able to provide informal feedback to any member of staff. However there are several mechanisms for providing formal feedback: Staff Student Liaison Committee End of Module Questionnaires End of Year Questionnaire
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Section 4 - Rules Relating to Your Academic Work 4.1 Examination Behaviour The Regulations for the Conduct of Examinations are available at the following website and you should ensure that you have read these before undertaking any assessment in the University: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/copassess/appendix_D_cop_assess.pdf
When doing examinations you should note that it is forbidden to take into the examination room any unauthorised material (Examination Regulation 3). All unauthorised materials such as notes, papers (including blank paper), bags and devices for storing or receiving alpha-numeric data (mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, etc.) must be left in the area designated by the Invigilators. Being in possession of and/or using unauthorised material is a serious breach of examination regulations and may lead to disciplinary action (see also Section 2.14).
Students are forbidden to communicate with each other in the examination room. All enquiries must be addressed to the Invigilator: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/exams/guidelines-behaviour.htm.
4.1.1 The University Calculator Except when otherwise stated, the only calculators allowed for use in an examination room will be the models adopted and specified by the University. These are the Casio FX83-SB-UH, Sharp EL- 531WH and Sharp EL-W531B which are only available from the shop in the Guild of Students, stamped with the University crest.
You should not purchase the same models of calculators without the University crest from other retailers as these will not be allowed into the examination room. It is not possible to stamp the University crest on a calculator you have bought elsewhere.
Further information on the use of calculators in examinations can be accessed via the following link: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/exams/index.htm Please note that these regulations also apply to class tests.
4.2 Marking Descriptors and Assessment Framework Each student's work in a module is assessed to provide an end-of-module mark that should represent work which typically has the characteristics described using the marking descriptors presented in the table below:
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Grade Description Key features Outstanding: Outstanding work. Factually almost faultless; clearly 80%+ directed; logical; comprehensive coverage of topic; strong evidence of reading/research outside the material presented in the programme; substantial elements of originality and independent thought; very well written. Distinction Grade: Originality; Well-directed independent thought Excellent: Excellent work. Logical; enlightening; originality of
70-80% thought or approach; good coverage of topic; clear, in- depth understanding of material; good evidence of outside reading/research; very well written and directed.
Very Good: Very Good work. Logical; thorough; factually sound (no 60-70% serious errors); good understanding of material; evidence of outside reading/research; exercise of critical judgement; some originality of thought or approach; well written and directed. Merit/Pass Grade: Essentially correct and Good: Good work. Worthy effort, but undistinguished complete: 50-60% outcome. Essentially correct, but possibly missing Competence; Critical important points. Largely derived from material judgement delivered in the programme, but with some evidence of outside reading/research; some evidence of critical judgement; some weaknesses in expression/presentation.
Marginal Fail: Inadequate work. Incomplete coverage of topic; Compensatable Fail: 40-50% evidence of poor understanding of material; Poor Significant weaknesses, but presentation; lack of coherent argument. serious effort
Fail: Unsatisfactory work: Serious omissions; significant Fail: Little or no <40% errors/ misconceptions; poorly directed at targets; achievement of learning evidence of inadequate effort. outcomes
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4.3 Progression to the Dissertation Stage All students complete the initial stages of the project. If students fail one or more modules in the first and second semester examinations, then the following rules apply:
Students who fail more than 15 credits, but at most 30 credits can proceed as normal. However they have the option to defer the project until after their resit exams. They need to make this decision within two weeks of the second semester exam results being published. No extensions to any project deadlines will be granted on the grounds of resit assessments if a student decides to proceed as normal. Students who fail more than 30 credits have to defer their project until after the resit examinations.
4.4 Resits Resits are usually taken during August/September. Students who need to resit will receive a letter explaining their options after the meeting of the Board of Examiners at the end of the second semester. Resit marks will not be capped but will be marked on the transcript as having been achieved at the second attempt.
In normal circumstances students will only be afforded one resit opportunity for any failed unit of assessment.
4.5 Framework and Regulations of Postgraduate Taught Programmes The definitive University framework and regulations for postgraduate taught programmes is contained within the appendices of the Code of Practice on Assessment, which is available at the following link: http://cms.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/code_of_practice_on_assessment1/
Please note that different frameworks and regulations apply to different groups of students, depending on when they commenced their studies; you should consult the relevant appendix of the Code of Practice on Assessment which corresponds to the academic session in which you commenced your studies.
For taught, modular, postgraduate degrees: see Appendix C of the Code of Practice.
If, having checked the relevant Appendix of the Code of Practice, you are confused about the conditions for the award of your degree please contact your Academic Advisor.
4.6 MSc Awards and Marks of Merit/Distinction The information provided in this section should be read as a `rough guide’ to degree classification. Full details of the degree classification system are outlined in the Code of Practice on Assessment (see Section 3.10 above) and can also be found in the assessment section of the relevant programme specifications at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching/mscprogrammes.html. To be eligible for an award, students should have:
i. attended for a minimum period of 12 months of full-time study, and
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ii. obtained at least 180 credit points with an average mark of 50% or more, of which no more than 15 credit points are from modules with a compensatable fail grade, i.e. a mark between 40 and 49 (no more than 30 credits should be at level 3), will be eligible for the award of an MSc in Advanced Computer Science, MSc in Computer Science, or MSc in Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics as appropriate.
The award will be made with a mark of Distinction to candidates who achieve (at the first attempt) marks of at least 70% in modules accounting for at least half the credits of the overall award, including the dissertation, and an overall average score of at least 70%.
The award will be made with a mark of Merit to candidates who achieve (at the first attempt) marks of at least 60% in modules accounting for at least half the credits of the overall award, including the dissertation, and an overall average score of at least 60%.
Please note that the mark of Merit or Distinction can be awarded according to the criteria above only where the requirements are achieved at the first attempt. A Merit or Distinction cannot be awarded if a candidate has failed and then passed on resit any credit that counts towards the final award. However, marks achieved in modules which are passed under the compensation rule may be counted towards a Merit or Distinction.
If a student fails to meet the criteria for the award of an MSc in Advanced Computer Science, or is unable to complete the programme he or she registered for, s/he will be eligible for the award of one of the following as an exit qualification:
Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science (PGDip) – this will be awarded to students who have previously registered for the Master’s degree and have obtained at least 120 credit points with an average mark of 50% or more, of which no more than 15 credit points are from modules with a compensatable fail grade and not more than 30 credits are at level 3.
Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science (PGCert) – this will be awarded to students who have previously registered for the Master’s degree and have obtained at least 60 credit points with an average mark of 50% or more, of which no more than 15 credit points are from modules with a compensatable fail grade and not more than 15 credits are at level 3. The award will be made with a mark of Distinction as follows:
i. PGDip: For candidates who achieve marks of at least 70% in modules accounting for at least half the credit of the overall award and an overall average score of at least 65%. ii. PGCert: For candidates who achieve an overall average of at least 70%.
4.7 Mitigating Circumstances Affecting Performance Students sometimes perform more poorly in assessments (whether examinations or other types of assessments) than their previous performance or achievements would have predicted. Sometimes this poor performance can be attributed, or partially attributed, to particular circumstances beyond the control of the student. Students may also miss an assessment with good cause. These circumstances are described as ‘mitigating circumstances’ if they are accepted in mitigation of the poorer than expected performance or absence from an assessment. When a Board of Examiners 36
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science accepts that there have been mitigating circumstances, it will usually not regard the student’s poorer than expected performance at its face value in making decisions about the student’s progress in studies or final degree classification. Where circumstances are accepted in mitigation of poorer than expected performance students may be allowed (where practicable) to retake the assessment as if it were a first attempt.
Mitigating circumstances may, for example, include: Illness affecting the student Bereavement Serious illness affecting a close family member Unforeseeable or unpreventable events
Independent documentary evidence, such as medical certificates, must be provided in all cases to verify mitigating circumstances.
If mitigating circumstances affect your studies then it is your responsibility to report all circumstances which you wish to be taken into consideration to the nominated person in your School/Department. You should report such mitigating circumstances as soon as possible (normally within five working days) after the events under consideration occur, and no later than one week before the meeting of the Board of Examiners at which the assessment concerned will be considered.
If you are unable to attend an examination or assessment which counts towards the final mark of a module owing to illness or other unavoidable circumstances, you must inform your Department, preferably in writing or by email, before the examination or assessment deadline, in order for the absence to be regarded as authorised. Provided that acceptable evidence of ‘good cause’ for such absence (e.g. a medical note) is presented for consideration by the Mitigating Circumstances Committee in accordance with the procedures set out in the Mitigating Circumstances Policy, you would be granted a right to re-sit as a first attempt (unless the examination missed was not a ‘first attempt’ examination). Only in exceptional circumstances, where a Board of Examiners, on the advice of the Mitigating Circumstances Committee, judges that it was not feasible for a student to have provided prior notification, will a student who is absent from an examination or fails to submit an assessment without informing their Department in advance, be granted a ‘first attempt’ re-sit.
Boards of Examiners may determine that a student who is absent from an examination or fails to submit an assessment without good cause (even when they have informed their Department in advance) should not be granted a re-sit attempt without repeating the year of study.
Full information on the Mitigating Circumstances Policy and the Mitigating Circumstances Guidelines for Students is available at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/copassess/appendix_M_cop_assess.pdf http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/mit_circ_student.pdf
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4.8 Departmental Procedure for claiming mitigating circumstances 4.8.1 Mitigating circumstances affecting exams or overall performance Where mitigating circumstances have affected examinations, it is advisable to contact your academic advisor for advice before submitting an application for consideration of mitigating circumstances. However, discussing mitigating circumstances with your academic advisor does not constitute a formal application to have them considered.
To make a formal application for the consideration of mitigating circumstance, you need to obtain a claim form from the Student Office or download it from: http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student/Mitiga ting%20Circumstances%20Form.pdf. Please complete the form and submit it together with supporting evidence to the Student Office. There is a deadline for the submission of claims of mitigating circumstances, typically a few days after the end of each examination period. In advance of each examination period, the Student Office will inform all students of the deadline via an e- mail and also circulate a reminder of the mitigating circumstances procedure.
It is important that the information in the claim of mitigating circumstances is as specific as possible, e.g. with regard to the period of time and the assessments that were affected, and that the evidence provided supports the extent of the claim. This is to enable the Mitigating Circumstances Committee to judge the seriousness of the circumstances, including the length of time they lasted, and the amount of work that was affected by the circumstances. In addition, the Mitigating Circumstances Committee will have to judge whether the results achieved under the circumstances were inconsistent with those achieved in periods of study unaffected by mitigating circumstances. This is very difficult if the mitigating circumstances affected your performance over a long period of time. If this is the case, in particular if it is foreseeable that your performance might be affected over a long period of time, then you should discuss with your personal tutor or your Director of Studies alternative ways how this can be dealt with.
An excused absence or failure will normally result in the resit examination being sat as a first attempt during the August/September resit period. If mitigating circumstances affect the MSc project, then the resit at first attempt will normally take place in the following academic year. Remember that the above procedure is intended to apply both to circumstances affecting the examination itself, and those affecting the period leading up to the examination.
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Account of illness or any other special circumstances can only be taken by the Board of Examiners if the above procedures are followed: in particular notification of the mitigating circumstances must be received, in writing, by the specified deadline.
4.8.2 Mitigating circumstances affecting coursework only For mitigating circumstances affecting practical assignments, class tests and project work, you should complete the form at: http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student/Mitigating%20circumstances%20-%20Coursework.pdf. In addition to submitting the form and appropriate evidence to the Student Office, you also need to approach the module co- ordinator responsible for the assessment, preferably before the deadline for the submission of such work or date of the class test, otherwise as soon as possible afterwards.
The module co-ordinator is empowered, as appropriate, to offer an extension of the deadline for practical assignments or project work to allow the piece of work to be completed. Where coursework or class tests missed count for no more than 20% of the module mark and it is possible for you to demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes of the module through other assessments, it is also possible for the module co-ordinator to excuse you from the missed coursework or class tests and to compute the module mark on the basis of the remaining assessments. Note that the decision rests with the module co-ordinator.
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Section 5 - Your Rights to Appeal or Complain 5.1 Assessment Appeals Procedure (taught programmes) The Assessment Appeals Procedure is available for use by students on undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes of study. Further details can be found in the document “Assessment Appeals Procedure”, which can be viewed on the web at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration-centre/policies-procedures/appeals.htm
The Assessment Appeals Procedure is divided into two sections:
Section 1 – Appeals against individual module marks, assessments in non-modular programmes and decisions made by a Clinical Assessment Panel An appeal can be made under this Section by students who have not yet completed their programme of study and who wish to appeal against a module mark, an assessment mark in non-modular programmes or a decision made by a Clinical Assessment Panel which has been determined by a Board of Examiners. This includes an appeal against a mark of zero awarded following a finding that major plagiarism, collusion or fabrication of data has occurred. For campus-based programmes, marks are designated as ‘provisional’ following the semester one examination period, until confirmed by the Board of Examiners at the end of semester two.
Section 2 – Appeals against the decision of the Board of Examiners on completion of a programme of study An appeal can be submitted under this section under the following circumstances: a) To appeal against the non-award of a degree, diploma or certificate, whether that award was the final award for the course concerned or an intermediate award for the stage of the course the student has just completed; b) To appeal against the classification or other mark of differentiation of a degree, diploma or certificate which has been awarded; c) To appeal against a decision to make a different award from that which the student was attempting to qualify for at that point of the course.
Students who wish to appeal against the decision of the Board of Examiners to terminate their studies or to deem them withdrawn prior to the normal expected date of completion of their programme, should refer to the ‘Guide on the Progress of Students on Taught Programmes of Study’ (Appendix E of the Code of Practice on Assessment) which describe the University’s Progress Procedures. This Guide can be accessed at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/copassess/appendix_E_cop_assess.pdf.
Advice on all appeals procedures can be obtained from the Director of Student Administration and Support (SAS) or the Academic Compliance Team, based in SAS. Students cannot appeal on any grounds which: have already been considered by the Board of Examiners could have been considered had notice of the student’s wish to have them so considered been given prior to the meeting of the Board of Examiners and the student has no valid reason for having failed to give such notice dispute the academic judgement of the Board of Examiners.
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5.2 University Complaints Procedure The University operates a Student Complaints Procedure to be used if you have a complaint against the University. This procedure provides for complaints to be dealt with, as far as possible, on an informal basis. It also sets out the formal route for the consideration of complaints should informal procedures fail to resolve a complaint satisfactorily. The Student Complaints Procedure can be accessed at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/stud_complnt_proc.pdf
Where the complaint is about an academic decision regarding assessment, the Assessment Appeals Procedure should be followed. Please see Section 5.1.
Complaints relating to the conduct of students are dealt with through the University’s Disciplinary Procedure which is administered by the Student Administration and Support Division. Further information and guidance about student conduct and discipline can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration-centre/policies-procedures/conduct- discipline.htm
In case of complaint within the Department of Computer Science, please contact in the first instance the individual concerned. If you do not feel comfortable doing so or the complaint cannot satisfactorily be resolved with the individual concerned, then please direct your complaint to the Academic Head of Department, Professor Leszek Gasieniec ([email protected]).
If the complaint is of a general rather than specific nature, it may be more appropriate to ask your student representative to raise it at the Staff-Student Liaison Committee or other appropriate committee or group. An alternative contact for the Staff-Student Liaison Committee, in particular outside term time, is its secretary, Dr Alexei Lisitsa ([email protected]).
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Section 6 - Departmental Resources and Support for Students 6.1 Support and Advice within your School/Department All students on programmes at the University of Liverpool are allocated an Academic Advisor who is responsible for providing appropriate support to help you to fulfil your academic potential in your studies. S/he will usually meet with you at the beginning of your studies and normally at the start of each academic year. S/he can also meet with you following exam results to discuss academic performance and provide advice on improving your performance. Your Academic Advisor is the first port of call if you are having problems with your academic studies.
Within the School’s Professional Services support team there will also be a named person to act as a first point of contact if you are experiencing difficulties with any aspect of University life. This named contact within the School will provide both advice on School level procedures and signposting to central and specialised support services for students.
The contact for the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science is: Mrs Jan Harding, Student Experience Team Leader E-mail: [email protected]; tel.: 0151 794 4511
The contact for the Department of Computer Science is: Mrs Janet Lowry, Student Experience Administrator E-mail: [email protected]; tel.: 0151 795 4234
6.2 General Facilities 6.2.1 Student Office This is located in room G09 on the ground floor of the Ashton Building and is the first point of contact for all students on undergraduate and taught MSc programmes. You can contact the Student Office for general advice and assistance, reporting of absence for any reason and submission of medical notes. The office is open daily from 9:15-16:45, except Wednesdays when it is open 9:15-14:00. You are welcome to call in at any time during opening hours.
If there is no-one available in the Student Office, the staff in the Departmental Office, room G07, will be happy to help.
6.2.2 Student Common Room and Private Study Area Room H211/H212 of the George Holt Building has been designated the student common and private study area. This room contains vending machines dispensing cold drinks and snacks, lockers for the storage of small items (e.g. laptops & books) and is open during normal working hours. Lockers are allocated on a first come, first serve basis - students wishing to rent a locker should see the staff on Help Desk for further details.
This room also contains network connections, allowing you to gain access to departmental facilities and the internet from their laptops. Such access is only available to students attending Computer Science modules, and is subject to authentication and an acceptable level of security. Laptops without up-to-date virus protection and security patches will not be allowed to connect to the network.
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You are permitted to eat and drink in this room and are encouraged to use this room for social gatherings. You are also responsible to keep this area tidy by disposing of rubbish in the bins provided.
6.2.3 Meeting Rooms The Department has three meeting rooms in the Ashton Building (rooms 101, 208 and 310) which are available for project related activity including group project meetings as well as group study. An electronic booking system is used which allows students to check the availability of a room and request hourly slots electronically. The Student Office will approve or decline the request and you will receive an automated e-mail to inform you of the decision. The electronic room booking system is available via the Computer Science portal at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~paddy/portal_csc/.
6.3 Computer Science Facilities The Department has around 300 computer workstations and servers, all networked together and connected to the wider University network and the global Internet. The facilities provide a full range of Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Macintosh computing environments, as well as a selection of departmental network services. All of these are available exclusively to staff and students attending Computer Science modules, and are in addition to the University-wide computing facilities provided by the Computing Services Department (see Section 8.2).
Most of the workstations provided for student use are PCs running the Windows 7 operating system. These also provide networked access to a set of workstations running Linux, which can be used either via a command-line-based terminal session, or a full graphical desktop environment. There is also a laboratory of 20 Apple iMacs running Mac OS X.
All systems, independent of the operating system used, share a common unified file system for individual users’ documents, programs, etc. Each user has their own data, which only they can access. These user files are backed up daily, to provide protection against accidental loss.
You also have the use of two high capacity laser printers, providing immediate access to printed output during Help Desk opening hours. Use of these printers is subject to quota restrictions, and students must purchase print quota from the departmental Help Desk before first attempting to print. The University is currently in the process of changing the access to printers for both staff and students. So, these arrangements are subject to change.
Other network services provided automatically to all members of the Department include remote access to the departmental Linux systems and common file system, departmental and personal web-based information (including dynamically generated pages), and electronic mail via the main University email service. Other services available on request include database facilities (MySQL & Oracle), and collaborative management of source code and other documents (CVS or Subversion). Students and staff also have access to the full range of University facilities provided by the Computing Services Department.
Use of Computer Science facilities is restricted to students attending programmes or modules provided by the Department of Computer Science. The access is controlled by means of a username and password, which will typically be assigned during the initial registration period. 43
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Note that the Computer Science facilities are administered separately from the CSD-maintained systems, and the Computer Science username and password will be different from those used to access University-wide services. Similarly departmental file system, printers and print quota are distinct from (and independent of) the corresponding University facilities.
6.3.1 Student Laboratories There are four teaching laboratories located on the first floor of the George Holt Building dedicated for student use. These contain 150 systems running Windows 7 and 20 Apple iMacs. In general, unless a given laboratory is booked for a scheduled class, the systems will be available for use by any student for working on practical assignments, private study or other activities relating to the degree programme. These laboratories will normally be open between 8:30 and 17:30, Monday to Friday during term time. Some of these labs may be closed for maintenance outside term time, but there would normally be access to departmental computing facilities during normal working hours.
Faults with equipment or software should be reported to the technical support staff, so that they can be attended to promptly. You should not attempt to interfere with or move equipment. The laboratories are protected with motion sensors and CCTV cameras, and moving equipment may cause an alarm to be triggered.
You are asked to assist in keeping the computer labs tidy and pleasant to work in, by disposing of waste paper and other rubbish in the bins provided. Food and drink may not be taken into the computer laboratories.
6.3.2 Help Desk The first point of contact for issues relating to the departmental computing facilities should be the Help Desk, which is situated on the second floor of the George Holt Building, in room H225. This is open during term time between 9:30-12:30 and 14:00-16:00, Monday to Friday (except Wednesday afternoons). Outside term time, you should contact a member of the technical staff directly.
The Help Desk should be used to report problems with equipment or software packages, to pick up printouts or purchase additional print quota. It may also be able to offer advice with general programming problems. However the technical support staff are typically not familiar with the detailed contents of individual modules, so may not be able to assist with more specialised queries. Such issues should be directed to the relevant module co-ordinator and/or demonstrators. Similarly, questions about the organisation or structure of the degree programme should be directed your academic advisor or the Student Office in the first instance.
Note that this Help Desk is purely concerned with the Computer Science departmental equipment. Issues relating to University-wide facilities (such as electronic mail, Student Web or the PC teaching centres in the libraries or halls) should be directed to one of the Computing Services Help Desks, on Brownlow Hill, or in the Harold Cohen or Sydney Jones Libraries.
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6.3.3 Technical Support Staff The technical support staff are responsible for maintaining and administering the computing facilities within the Department. The group is headed by Mr Ken Chan ([email protected]). The technical support staff are:
Adrian Cavinder [email protected] Holt 216 Ken Chan [email protected] Holt 201 Paddy Colleran [email protected] Holt 205 Andrew Craig [email protected] Holt 205 Phil Jimmieson [email protected] Ashton 120 Dave Nixon [email protected] Holt 216 Dave Shield [email protected] Ashton 320
6.3.4 Responsible Use of Computers All use of computing facilities within the University, both departmental and University-wide, are subject to the Regulations for the Use of IT Facilities and relevant Codes of Practice. These cover areas such as use of email and the web, teaching centres and laboratories, and the departmental, University and national academic computer networks. The full text of these Regulations and Codes of Conduct are available at http://www.liv.ac.uk/csd/regulations/.
The following summary is intended to highlight some of the most pertinent points, but should not be taken as a complete statement of what is/is not acceptable use of the facilities. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the full Regulations and Codes of Practice via the URL given above.
General Computing and network facilities are provided for registered users only. By registering for use of these facilities, students will have agreed to be bound by the Regulations for the Use of IT facilities. Use of these facilities will typically be authenticated by a username and password. Students must keep their password secure and secret, and must not allow anyone else to access computer facilities by way of their username. Similarly, students must not attempt to use the facilities through someone else’s username, or attempt to find out another person’s username/password combination. The computing facilities are provided to support University work. Limited use of email and web for personal and social purposes is tolerated, but such use should not become excessive, or interfere with or cause difficulties for other users.
Electronic Publishing (including Email and Web Pages) Material must not be sent by email or published on the web, in such a way as to obscure or hide the source of such material, or to claim an authority that it does not possess. Publication of material (including sending by email) must abide by the copyright of that material. In particular, material should not be published without obtaining the permission of the copyright owner.
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Material must not be published that is insulting, abusive or offensive, or that advocates or condones illegal activities. The computing facilities are provided to support a student’s programme of academic work. It is not permitted to use them for commercial purposes (including advertising).
Use of Laboratories Use of Labs and other shared facilities should show consideration for other users of the system. Loud or unruly behaviour, or the display of questionable material is not acceptable. Food and drink may not be taken into the Laboratories. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Department. Users must not attempt to open, move, disconnect or in any other way tamper with or attempt to destroy or damage any equipment. Headphones and USB devices may be connected to the front panel of a PC, but users must not otherwise connect any items of equipment to any part of the departmental computing facilities without first clearing this with the technical staff. Systems must not be left unattended. If students need to leave a terminal, they should either lock the screen (for a short absence) or log out of the system. The playing of computer games is not permitted at any time, unless specifically authorised for academic purposes.
Use of Networks All use of the departmental network must abide by the Regulations for Use of IT Facilities, and (where relevant) the JANET Acceptable Use policy. Personal laptops and similar systems may be connected to the “red network”, subject to authentication and adequate security (see below). Other equipment may not be connected to the departmental network without prior authorisation.
6.3.5 Laptops All software required for Computer Science modules is available and configured on the computers in the Computer Science teaching labs, and much of this (though not all) is also available on the central University computing facilities. It is not necessary to have access to a personal computer in order to study CS programmes.
Some students find it convenient to work on their own systems, and many packages are available at little or no cost. The module lecturer can advise as to what software might be needed for that module. However it is important to check that assignments written on your own personal equipment also work as expected on CS facilities, before handing them in. This is particularly important for the summer project.
Wired access for laptops is provided by a separate external "red network" (identified by red stickers on the relevant data points in the student common room). Access to this network is controlled using a web-based user login, together with a system validation (checking that patches and anti-virus protection are up-to-date, etc). Having connected your laptop to a red data point, simply start up a web browser, attempt to connect to any website, and then follow the instructions provided. The red network provides access to all public services (e.g. departmental
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science web servers and external SSH access), but not to internal services such as filestore and printing. This is essentially equivalent to the view from a personal home system.
Wireless connectivity is available via wireless access points operated by Computing Services, hence uses your University username/password. This can be configured by connecting to the 'AccessUOL' wireless service, start up a web browser, and click on "Connect Now". This should automatically configure your computer to use the EduRoam secure wireless service. You will typically be prompted for your (university) username and password. You may also see a warning regarding the 802.1x server certificate - this is perfectly normal.
6.4 Student Representation The University recognises the importance of appropriate student representation at all levels in the institution. Student representation on School/Departmental and Faculty Committees and the University Senate is governed by a Code of Practice on Student Representation which provides an institutional framework for student representation and sets out the minimum requirements for student representation at School/Department and Faculty level. This is supplemented by an Annual Annex which offers guidance on the principles and implementation of the Code. These documents can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/tqsd/polstratcop/cop_on_student_representation.pdf http://www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/media/livacuk/polstratcop/annual_annex.pdf
All students are encouraged to stand for election to the School/Department Staff-Student Liaison Committees. An e-mail will be sent to students at the start of the academic year requesting nominations. Elections may take place if a large number of nominations are received.
The departmental contacts for postgraduate student representation are Dr Alexei Lisitsa, room 115, ([email protected], (0151) 795 4250), and Miss Helen Bradley, room G07, ([email protected], (0151) 795 4276).
All Student Representatives on Staff-Student Liaison Committees are offered training and support by the Guild of Students and may have an opportunity to represent the School/Department on Faculty Committees, or at the University Senate. You can find out more information about what being a student representative entails on the Guild website: http://www.lgos.org/.
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Section 7 - Your University This section contains some general information about the University in addition to the Departmental/ School information. Think of it as a guide with information on and links to University services, activities and procedures.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate editions are produced annually for all new students and are included in pre-arrival mailings to new undergraduate students and made available on entry for new postgraduate students.
7.1 Student Charter The University of Liverpool Student Charter is issued jointly by the Senate and Council of the University and by the Liverpool Guild of Students. The Charter makes clear some of the reciprocal responsibilities which members of the University, both staff and students, have to each other and which should be reflected in policies and procedures in individual areas of the University. The Charter is included as an appendix to the ‘Your University’ publication given to new students.
The Annex to the Student Charter is updated each year. For your information it contains the names of all Academic Heads of Schools/Departments, Heads of Academic Services provided by the University, Wardens of the Halls of Residence, and Heads of Professional Services Departments.
In a number of areas the detailed working out of the commitments in the Charter are contained in University-wide Codes of Practice or similar documents and the Annex contains a list of those currently in force, together with information about how to obtain a copy of the relevant document. An electronic version of both the Student Charter and Annual Annex can be accessed at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/studchart_bkgrd/.
7.2 Liverpool Life The Liverpool Life Project has been designed to promote the full extent of the student experience, including co- and extra-curricular activities, offered within or facilitated by the University. These activities include volunteering, community engagement work, widening participation activities, mentoring, being trained as a student representative, participation in Guild societies, discipline- specific or generic seminars, voluntary accredited modules e.g. Continuing Education languages courses and IT training.
The first stage of the project starts in 2012-13 and will be a web portal that enables you to access information about these co- and extra-curricular activities via links to existing web pages, where you will be able to find out more and, in some cases, to book a place at relevant events or opportunities.
The next stage of the project (in 2013-14) will develop the site further to include a facility which will allow you to record your experiences and map your learning. It is anticipated that you will be able to search for particular activities (e.g. volunteering opportunities) and locate where such activities are offered and what skills you could be expected to achieve from engaging in this activity. Conversely if you are able to identify a particular skill that you would wish to develop, then you will be able to search for activities that can help you to achieve this. 48
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The interim portal can be accessed at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/liverpool-life/.
7.3 Wednesday Afternoons In common with many Universities, formal learning and teaching sessions are not normally scheduled on Wednesday afternoons during term time to allow you to participate in sport and other activities. However you are expected to attend any scheduled learning and teaching activity on Wednesday afternoons.
7.4 SPIDER – Your Online Records This is one of the most important facilities you will need to use. It provides a PIN protected access to essential personal and academic information and you will need to use it to: i. register (and re-register in the case of continuing students) for your studies online; ii. check notes, guidance and regulations concerning examinations; iii. check and update your term-time, permanent and ‘graduation correspondence’ addresses, and emergency contact details (the emergency contact is the person that the University should contact in the unlikely event of you suffering a serious illness or accident); iv. register for modules, and to check modules and registration status; v. access the online module catalogue; vi. view assessment details; vii. view examination timetables (programme, dates, times and venues); viii. view provisional First Semester marks; ix. view approved module marks, overall year results and degree classification; x. view an ongoing transcript of studies (modules and marks); xi. view your University financial account; xii. apply for University accommodation; xiii. request documentation such as Council Tax Student Certificates and Student Status Letters. In view of the importance of the Spider Student Web, you should familiarise yourself with the use of the system as early as possible in the academic year. An upgrade to the Spider Student Web is due to be launched in autumn 2012. Changes will be publicised widely, including on the student Digital University (https://student.liv.ac.uk/) and the Student Administration website (http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/student-administration-centre/index.htm).
You can also see your own personalised teaching timetables through the Spider Student Web; you will need to be fully registered, and it can sometimes take 48 hours (occasionally more) for your full timetable to appear once you have registered for all your modules.
The timetables published through the Spider Student Web are updated throughout the year to take account of any changes, for example if a lecture has to be moved to another venue, or if you change seminar group.
In addition, you can view timetables for programmes and individual modules. Further information: http://www.liv.ac.uk/orbit/using-orbit/spider-timetables.htm
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All students on taught programmes can access provisional first-semester marks, approved module marks, overall year results and final results (degree classifications) through the Spider Student Web. Full guidance is available from the SAS website: http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/exams/results/index.htm
There are a number of locations across the University where you may use either WiFi (wireless) or a wired connection to connect your own laptop computer (or other mobile device) to the University's network.
The main CSD Helpdesk is located in the Brownlow Hill Building (with satellites in the two main libraries) and provides a full range of support services including problem solving, software sales and registration queries.
Full details of the services provided by CSD are at http://www.liverpool.ac.uk/csd/ If you are having problems accessing the Spider Student Web you should email the Spider Enquiry Service at [email protected].
7.5 University Calendar (Ordinances and Regulations governing degrees) The University Calendar is published online by the Committee Services Unit. It contains information such as: Terms and semester dates The terms of reference, constitution and membership of central University committees (information regarding School/Departmental Committees can be obtained from your School or Department) The University Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations – these are the rules that govern the running of the University
The Calendar is only available as an electronic document and may be accessed at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/commsec/calendar.htm.
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Section 8 - University Resources and Support for Students 8.1 The University Library The University Library contains an impressive collection of approximately 1.9 million books and periodicals including extensive and important special collections of rare books and archives.
The Library provides access to around 520,000 electronic books, 40,000 electronic journals and online access to most major databases. The Library is located on two main sites, the Sydney Jones Library and the Harold Cohen Library. The libraries provide about 1,830 computer and study spaces, zoned areas for group and quiet study and staffed helpdesks. The entire stock of the Library is included in its online catalogue and all electronic resources can be accessed in the library or via the web. The two main libraries are open 24 hours Monday to Friday throughout the academic year and there is a 24/7 renewal line for loans.
The Sydney Jones currently has seating for 615 readers and approximately 400 PCs. Bookable study rooms are available for your use. The Sydney Jones also has a ‘walk-in’ short loan collection and a cafe. The Special Collections and Archives Department is located in the Sydney Jones Library and includes rare books, manuscripts and the library of the Science Fiction Foundation.
The Harold Cohen Library, with 295 PCs and seating for 500 readers, contains the main collections in Dentistry, Engineering, Science, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Mathematics. Facilities for both group and quiet study are available. There is also a branch library at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital on the Wirral.
Your University ID card will give you access to the libraries and enable you to self-issue and return books. There are introductory talks and tours available for new students and staff will help you find your way around and show you how to use the online catalogue.
Printed and web guides to the various libraries and services are available and staff at the Information Support Desks or Computing Helpdesks will be happy to help if you have a problem or a question. Further information on the Library can be found at www.liv.ac.uk/library.
The library contact for Computer Science is Mrs Zelda Chatten ([email protected]).
8.2 Computing Services The computing facilities physically located within the Ashton and George Holt buildings are administered and maintained by the Department of Computer Science (see Section 6.3). These are distinct from the University-wide computing provision, which is the responsibility of the Computing Services Department (CSD).
The Computing Services Department provides central computing and information technology services to assist the University in carrying out its learning, teaching, research and administration.
There are a number of PC Teaching Centres which are primarily used for teaching but, when not booked for classes, they are available for individual student use. These are located in centres across the campus and at the Leahurst Veterinary Centre. There are also a number of Learning Centres on the campus and in some Halls of Residence that are not bookable by tutors for classes 51
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science and therefore available for individual student use. The Teaching and Learning Centres each contain PCs linked together by a network. To use the PCs, you first need to self-register by following the information on the screen of a PC Teaching or Learning Centre, or at http://www.liv.ac.uk/register on any computer connected to the Internet.
The PC Teaching Service is based on Microsoft Windows and provides access to a wide range of services, including electronic mail, the Internet, VITAL (the Virtual Learning Environment), word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
There are a number of locations within the precinct where students may use either WiFi (wireless) or a wired connection to connect their own laptop computer (or other mobile device) to the University's network.
The main CSD Helpdesk is located in the Brownlow Hill Building (with satellites in the two main libraries) and provides a full range of support services including problem solving, software sales and registration queries. Full details of the services provided by CSD are at: http://www.liverpool.ac.uk/csd/.
Note that the PC in the PC Teaching Centres will not have the same software installed as those in the Computer Science Student Laboratories, nor do they allow direct access to your file store on the departmental file system.
8.3 Learning and Study Skills Support Throughout your University career, you will have opportunities to build and develop your skills for learning, such as study skills, time management and information literacy, as well as a range of employability skills. Your tutors may identify areas that you need to develop and also highlight a range of resources for you to use.
You should also visit iLearn (http://www.liv.ac.uk/ilearn), the University’s interactive learning website which provides coaching in the development of academic, digital learning and study skills. On entry to the University you can complete iLearn’s online skills diagnostic which will identify your individual skills profile and link to further self-study resources. iLearn’s bank of resources is continually being extended and you will see an increase in subject specific materials over the coming year. Through iLearn you can also book on a range of learning skills workshops that are delivered across the academic year.
Another useful resource is the LearnHigher website (http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk), particularly its pages designed especially for higher education students. The University of Liverpool has been a partner in building this resource bank. You can also visit the Library (http://www.liv.ac.uk/library/) where you will find help available from Library staff and access to their extensive resources and expertise.
Please note that iLearn and LearnHigher are generic resources and that some of the information provided on these websites either does not apply in the context of Computer Science or may in fact be incorrect. These resources should therefore never be used as a reference or as guidance for any assessed work within the department.
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8.3.1 Professional Skills – Computer Science As well as technical skills relating to the subject, all programmes will provide the opportunity to develop study and transferable skills. These include giving presentations, report writing, working in teams, time management and other things that will be useful in later life whatever career a student adopts.
While many of these skills are needed in all modules, some modules offer particular opportunities to practise them. The first semester module, COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science, includes various "high order transferable skills" such as searching for information on the WWW and libraries, reading and understanding research papers, writing papers (including referencing), a review of professional ethics and legal issues and problem solving. The COMP702 project, undertaken over the summer period, includes an element of assessment by oral presentation and demonstration of project work as well as report writing.
8.4 The English Language Centre The English Language Centre (ELC) is a Department within the Academic Secretary’s Office specialising in language teaching and learning. It offers language support for registered international students, visiting fellows and international staff members. It also supports the School of English in teaching MA programmes in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. The Director is Dr Susan Thompson.
Key services provided are: Summer courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Year-round courses in EAP English language classes for international students/staff members English language classes for Erasmus exchange students Discipline-specific English language support programmes for University Departments IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Testing IELTS Practice & Preparation Courses Cambridge ESOL CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) Bespoke English language programmes for external organisations
English Language Centre, University of Liverpool, Cypress Building, Chatham Street, Liverpool L69 7ZR, UK
For EAP enquiries Tel: +44 (0)151-794-2722 Email: [email protected]
For IELTS enquiries and testing Tel: +44 (0)151-794-2722 Email: [email protected]
For CELTA enquiries Tel: +44 (0)151 794 2722
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Email: [email protected]
Fax: +44 (0)151-794-2739
8.5 The Careers and Employability Service The Careers and Employability Service (CES) provides information, advice and guidance on all you need to know about planning your career - be it working for a big firm, supporting a community organisation, studying for a higher degree, or taking time out to travel the world.
CES services are aimed at all students, regardless of what stage in the career planning process they are at. Whether you are clued up or clue-less about your future, the Careers and Employability Service can provide you with all you need to take the next step. The Service can put you in touch with leading employers, introduce you to lots of new and exciting career ideas, and even help you write winning CVs and applications. All you have to do is take the first step and visit the team either in person or on-line. The Careers and Employability Service offers you: Access to part time, term-time job vacancies Internships and work experience opportunities Graduate job vacancies with leading national and local employers Opportunities to meet organisations that want to recruit Liverpool graduates Volunteering opportunities in Liverpool, across the UK and overseas Specialist help with CVs, applications and interviews Information on further study options Advice and information on taking a year out Skills development opportunities Holiday jobs and work experience opportunities across the world (and in Liverpool) Impartial advice about options with your degree.
The Careers and Employability Service is located on the first floor of the Student Services Centre, next door to the Guild of Students on Mount Pleasant, opposite the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Details of all the Careers and Employability Services are on the University website at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers. You can contact them by email: [email protected], or telephone: 0151 794 4647. You can also follow them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCareersandEmployabilityService
8.6 Central Student Support Services The University has a well established network of advice, guidance and support services for all students. Specialist teams and experienced Advisors are available to support students on a whole range of issues. Information is available on the web at www.liv.ac.uk/studentservices and in the publication ‘Your University’.
The Student Support Services are located in the Student Services Centre. Their role is to provide students with advice, support and information. They have very experienced specialist advisors who are available for you to come and talk through any issues you may have. They provide a confidential and quiet space for you to come and talk to them about any issues affecting your well-
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science being. They can also offer a range of practical advice or will be able to direct you to the appropriate source of the information you may need.
Specialist services within the Student Support Services include:
8.6.1 The Disability Support Team The University encourages a supportive and accessible environment for students with a wide range of disabilities, health conditions, mental health issues or specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia). Disabled students are advised to discuss their individual needs with their academic School/Department and with the Disability Support Team in the Student Services Centre in order that appropriate support arrangements can be made. The University actively encourages students to contact the Disability Support Team as soon as possible, to discuss their support needs in a friendly and confidential environment. Working to a person-centred approach, the Team, with your consent, can create an individual support plan. This details specific support requirements and recommends reasonable adjustments where appropriate, and is used to inform University Academic Departments, services and contacts of your support needs. With consent, the Team can assist students in all areas of disability-related support needs within their academic environment, including:
Liaising with your academic School /Department to plan support; Liaising with the Professional Services Departments e.g. in relation to support for examinations, library support, accessibility software installation, physical accessibility Guidance in applying for appropriate funding e.g. Disabled Student Allowance, Charitable Trusts, Blue Badge scheme Support in arranging and accessing specialist equipment or assessments including those for specific learning difficulties i.e. Educational Psychologist’s assessment and Study Needs assessment Referral to a wide range of internal and external contacts for specialist advice including the University’s Mental Health Advisory Service, Action for Blind People Support in arranging and managing non-medical study assistance e.g. note taker, study mentor, personal assistant.
The “Guide to Support and Services for Disabled Students” sets out further information about the Team and its work. The booklet can be obtained from the Student Support Services, Student Services Centre. It is also available at www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/disability/index.htm.
The Team also facilitates the Disabled Student Network (DSN). The DSN is an informal group, comprising a number of disabled students and members of the Disability Support Team which meets several times a year to discuss issues which may be relevant to disabled students. This provides an opportunity for you to give direct input into the service offered to disabled students at the University of Liverpool.
Disability Support Team 0151 794 5117 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/disability
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8.6.2 Financial Support Team The Financial Support Team (FST) is available to offer you help and guidance on a range of financial matters. The team can advise you on your entitlement to statutory funding and liaise with funding bodies if you experience problems receiving your funding; students considering withdrawing, suspending or transferring their studies are encouraged to contact the team for advice on their current and future funding.
FST is part of the national Money Doctors programme, which provides advice to students on how to improve financial capability. Throughout the year, the team organises a variety of interactive workshops and one to one sessions aimed at improving budgeting and money management. The team also offers a specialist debt advice service for students experiencing problems with debt. The team’s Money Advisor can discuss any options you may have and negotiate with creditors a repayment plan that you can afford. The team also offers: Discretionary financial help through the access to learning fund for students experiencing financial hardship Calculation of student support funding Calculation of welfare benefits and help with appeals if necessary Alternative sources of funding.
Financial Support Team 0151 794 6673 Email: [email protected]
8.6.3 International Support Team The International Support Team (IST) is a specialist advisory service for international students. The IST is there to support and advise international students both on arrival and throughout their studies. The IST provides specialist advice on student immigration matters (including advice on visa extensions) and other topics including personal and cultural issues. If the IST cannot help directly, they have a wide range of contacts and can refer you to another service that can assist.
The IST website contains lots of useful information on living and studying in Liverpool. This includes information on safety, health, finance and advice specifically aimed at those international students who have their family with them in the UK while they study here.
The IST produces a newsletter and bulletins, both of which are automatically sent to international students’ University email accounts. These often include important notes and changes to immigration rules and procedures so it is essential that international students read this information to keep up-to-date. The newsletter also contains features on interesting events taking place and information about UK life.
If the required information cannot be found on the IST website, then please email for advice or contact the IST for an appointment.
Website: www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/ist Tel: 0151 794 5863 Email: [email protected]
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8.6.4 Support for Care Leavers There is individual support for any students who have come to the University from a care background or have been looked after by their local authority.
Students who feel they would benefit from this type of support should contact Student Support Services for advice.
Website: www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/Care_Leavers.htm Tel: 0151 794 5863 Email [email protected]
8.6.5 Student Counselling The University Counselling Service helps students deal with a wide range of personal and emotional problems that may be affecting their capacity to study effectively. The counsellors are professionally qualified and experienced and enable students to talk over their difficulties in confidence.
You can contact the Counselling Service for support with a variety of issues such as personal, home and family relationships, depression, anxiety and loneliness. Support is available either through Drop-In sessions, one-to-one counselling sessions or through a programme of themed workshops and groups on topics including building confidence and self-esteem, making presentations, stress management, assertiveness, as well as a PhD support group.
The Drop-In service runs each weekday, Monday to Friday, all year round between 1.00pm and 2.30pm and on Monday mornings between 8.30 and 9.30 (no pre-booking necessary). This walk-in service gives you the opportunity to meet for up to twenty minutes with a counsellor to talk over any difficulties you are having. Drop-In is the main point of access to one-to-one counselling and you can register for individual counselling after attending a Drop-In session. There is also a weekly Men’s Space Drop-In run by the male counsellors for male students.
The permanent counselling staff also offer a telephone consultation service Monday to Friday which offers members of the University an opportunity to discuss concerns, receive information and advice about managing difficult situations e.g. when supporting a colleague or student in distress. Please contact Reception to arrange a consultation with the Duty Counsellor. Full details of all the services are posted on our website at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/counserv
University Counselling Service 0151 794 3304 Fax 0151 794 3300 Email [email protected]
8.6.6 Mental Health Advisor The main function of the University Mental Health Advisor (MHA) is to provide support to students with any mental health difficulties by facilitating their access to study successfully in the University.
The MHA works with individual students who have declared mental health needs during their application process to the University, or who develop mental health problems whilst at University. 57
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The role of the MHA is to offer support, advice and liaison between the student and the appropriate University Departments to ensure that the students’ mental health needs are adequately and appropriately responded to. Additionally, the MHA is able to offer consultation to students and staff regarding concerns about themselves or their concerns for others.
The MHA works closely with the Disability Support Team and other Student Services, including the Student Health Service, Counselling Service, University Residences and Academic Departments.
University Mental Health Advisor 0151 794 2320 Fax 0151 7944718 Email [email protected] Web www.liv.ac.uk/mhealth
8.6.7 Medical Registration Students who are living away from home should register with a local General Practitioner. They may, if they wish, register with the University Medical Practice based in the Student Health Centre if they live within the practice area. Further information is available in ‘Your University’ (see Section 7).
8.7 Accommodation The University offers postgraduate students accommodation in one of its self-catering residences on the University campus. This central location gives easy access to academic departments, the University’s central facilities and support services, the Guild of Students and Liverpool's thriving cultural scene.
The University guarantees to provide single international students with accommodation, provided that the application is completed online by 31st July 2012. The contract is for 51 weeks starting from September.
Note that such a contract may not cover the full duration of your studies. You should carefully check the deadline for the submission of your dissertation at the end of the MSc project and arrange extended or alternative accommodation for the remainder of your studies in such a way not to interfere with the conduct of your MSc project.
There are contracts for University accommodation that only end in December. These contracts are only available as continuation contracts for students already staying in the University Accommodation and are not available on a pro rata basis, that is, the full price has to be paid even if the accommodation is vacated earlier than the end of December.
The Accommodation Office also has special agreements with some of the local hotels and hostels which can be used for a short stay to complete MSc programmes. If you need further information please contact the Accommodation Office directly.
Finally, to help students find private accommodation the University funds Liverpool Student Homes (LSH) in partnership with other institutions. LSH co-ordinates the advertising of private
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University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science halls of residence and shared houses/flats. Although accommodation is not inspected by LSH there is a voluntary Code of Practice which owners can choose to sign up to, and registration requires landlords to adopt standards relating to safety and security. Further information is available at http://www.lsh.liv.ac.uk/.
8.8 Liverpool Guild of Students LGoS is a student-led charity and every student at the University of Liverpool is a member. It actively listens to its members and students’ contributions guide and shape its policies. The Guild lobbies and encourages students to take a lead in their University experience. The main duty of LGoS is to ensure that the University delivers an excellent student experience.
Keeping in contact with its members is one of the Guild’s top priorities, and it does this in a variety of different ways – face to face, on Facebook and twitter, within lecture theatres and online at www.lgos.org. LGoS exists to support and represent you, as well as ensuring that you make the most of your time in Liverpool. In short, the Guild supports student life at Liverpool through representation, encouraging participation and ensuring a positive experience.
8.8.1 Representation LGoS is student-led and student-focused and there are many opportunities for you to take an active role in its leadership and development. Four students are elected each year to take on the full-time roles of Student Representative Officer; these are student representatives to the University. They plan and implement lobbying activity, attend and chair meetings, develop policy, encourage engagement and ensure that they are accountable to students. The Guild also has a staff team to support the elected students, including those elected onto Student Council. They also facilitate the forums that give you the opportunity to put your ideas forward and enhance your University experience.
The Guild supports the system of course reps - students elected by their peers to attend staff- student liaison meetings and work with staff to improve students’ academic experience. So if there are insufficient books in the library, deadlines are too close to exams, there are not enough resources on VITAL, or anything else is adversely affecting your academic experience, you should talk to your course rep. If you are interested in becoming a course rep then you should ask a member of staff in your Department or contact the Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator Emily Spurrell, at [email protected] within the first few weeks of term.
8.8.2 Advice We hope that your time at the University of Liverpool will be completely positive and trouble free, but when things do go wrong the Guild is available to help. They offer free, confidential, non- judgemental advice or representation regarding academic issues, University procedures such as discipline, and University accommodation. For more information visit www.lgos.org/advice
You can book an appointment with the Guild’s Academic Advisor by calling 0151 794 6868 or by going to the reception in the Guild Building. The Advisor is able to offer guidance and support in the event that you: wish to submit an academic appeal to challenge a grade or mark;
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have been accused of a breach of academic integrity, such as plagiarism, collusion or fabrication of data; have been withdrawn from your course and wish to know your options; wish to complain about some aspect of University life, such as halls of residence, teaching, or the level of support offered by your Department; or have been affected by illness, unexpected circumstances in your personal life or other mitigation which you feel has affected your studies.
8.8.3 Activity Groups There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in through LGoS, whether to volunteer time to work on a community-based project or to join one of the many activity groups. The Guild has over 160 groups representing a range of interests and activities, from darts to theatre. If your interests are not met you can start up your own activity group. More details can be found on the website www.lgos.org/activities.
Remember, many graduate employers will ask about the extra-curricular activities you were involved in at University, so apart from being a fantastic opportunity to make friends with people with shared interests, becoming involved in an activity group is also a chance to gain valuable experience.
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Appendix A - Details of Programmes and Modules This appendix gives details of the specific content and pathways of the Department of Computer Science’s full-time on-campus MSc programmes:
MSc Computer Science (CSMS) MSc Advanced Computer Science (CSAD) MSc Advanced Science with Internet Economics (CSCI)
The Department’s MSc programmes are divided into three, equally weighted semesters. The first two, which are run concurrently with the normal undergraduate semesters, comprise taught modules, weighted at 7.5 or 15 credits each, to a total of 60 credits per semester. An extended research based project, culminating in a dissertation, is undertaken full time over the summer period. This counts for a further 60 credits, making a total of 180.
Please note, therefore, that students are expected to attend full time from the beginning of the programme until the end of September. It is essential that students ensure they have made suitable arrangements for their accommodation to cover the full year.
At least 90 of the 120 taught credits available in the first two semesters must be level ‘M’ modules (i.e. meeting the national standards for a postgraduate taught programme). The remaining 30 may include selected level 3 modules (i.e. meeting the national standards for the final year of an undergraduate programme), taken from the Department’s third year module list; with the proviso that a graduate of the University of Liverpool cannot elect to take a level three module if they have already passed that module as part of their undergraduate study.
The modules available are summarised in Appendix A.2 and on the Departmental web-pages at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching/modules/newmscmodules.html.
Note that all students will take COMP516 (Research Methods in Computer Science).
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A.1 Structure of Programmes The tables below list required and optional modules for each of the MSc programmes in the Department of Computer Science.
A.1.1 CSMS – MSc Computer Science
COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science
COMP517 Object Oriented Software Development Semester 1 Required COMP518 Database and Information Systems
COMP519 Web Programming
COMP524 Safety and Dependability
COMP525 Reasoning about Action & Change
COMP526 Applied Algorithmics
COMP527 Data Mining Choice of four Semester 2 of the COMP528 Multi-Core Programming following: ELEC475 Computational Intelligence
COMP310* Multi-Agent Systems (Level 3)
COMP315* Technologies for e-Commerce (Level 3)
COMP317* Semantics of Programming Languages (Level 3)
COMP318* Advanced Web Technologies (Level 3)
Summer Required COMP702 Research Project
*No more than 2 level 3 modules may be selected
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A.1.2 CSAD – MSc Advanced Computer Science
Required COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science
COMP521 Knowledge Representation
COMP522 Privacy and Security Semester 1 Choice of three out of the COMP523 Advanced Algorithmic Techniques following: Offered as a pair: ELEC415 Information Theory and Coding ELEC419 Image Processing
COMP305 Biocomputation (Level 3)
COMP524 Safety and Dependability
COMP525 Reasoning about Action & Change
COMP526 Applied Algorithmics
COMP527 Data Mining Choice of four Semester 2 of the COMP528 Multi-Core Programming following: ELEC475 Computational Intelligence
COMP310* Multi-Agent Systems (Level 3)
COMP315* Technologies for e-Commerce (Level 3)
COMP317* Semantics of Programming Languages (Level 3)
COMP318* Advanced Web Technologies (Level 3)
Summer Required COMP702 Research Project
*No more than 2 level 3 modules may be selected
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A.1.3 CSCI – MSc Advanced Computer Science with Internet Economics
COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science
COMP557 Optimisation Required ECON915 Microeconomic Theory Semester 1 Introduction to Computational Game COMP3231 Theory 1Students who have already Advanced Algorithmic Techniques COMP5231 taken COMP323:
COMP526 Applied Algorithmics
Required COMP558 Network Games
Computational Auctions and Mechanism COMP559 Design Semester 2
COMP3102 Multi-Agent Systems (Level 3)
One from the COMP3152 Technologies for E-Commerce (Level 3) following: COMP524 Safety and Dependability
COMP527 Data Mining
Summer Required COMP702 Research Project
2 No more than 2 level 3 modules may be selected
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A.1.4 CSGT – MSc Computation and Game Theory with first degree in Economics
COMP323 Introduction to Computational Game Theory
COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science Semester 1 Required COMP517 Object Oriented Software Development
COMP557 Optimisation
COMP526 Applied Algorithmics
Required COMP558 Network Games
Computational Auctions and Mechanism COMP559 Design Semester 2
COMP310 Multi-Agent Systems (Level 3) Students can select one COMP315 Technologies for E-Commerce (Level 3) optional module: COMP524 Safety and Dependability
COMP527 Data Mining
Summer Required COMP702 Research Project
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A.2 Description of Modules This section gives a list of all the modules available to MSc students in the Department of Computer Science. A brief description of each of the modules is given below the table. Module Module Title Semester Level Credits % % Lecturer Code CA Exam COMP305 Biocomputation 1 3 15 20 80 Dr Irina Biktasheva COMP310 Multi-Agent Systems 2 3 15 0 100 Dr Terry Payne COMP315 Technologies for e- 2 3 15 0 100 Dr Mingyu Guo Commerce COMP317 Semantics of 2 3 15 20 80 Dr Grant Malcolm Programming Languages COMP318 Advanced Web 2 3 15 20 80 Dr V Tamma Technologies COMP323 Introduction to 1 3 15 20 80 Dr P Krysta Computational Game Theory COMP516 Research Methods in 1 M 15 100 0 Dr Dominik Computer Science Wojtczak COMP517 Object Oriented 1 M 15 75 25 Dr David Jackson Software Development COMP518 Database and 1 M 15 75 25 Dr Giorgos Information Systems Christodoulou COMP519 Web Programming 1 M 15 75 25 Dr Russell Martin COMP521 Knowledge 1 M 15 25 75 Prof Wiebe van der Representation Hoek COMP522 Privacy and Security 1 M 15 25 75 Dr Alexei Lisitsa COMP523 Advanced Algorithmic 1 M 15 25 75 Dr Darek Kowalski Techniques COMP524 Safety and 2 M 15 25 75 Dr Sven Schewe Dependability COMP525 Reasoning about 2 M 15 25 75 Dr Davide Grossi Action & Change COMP526 Applied Algorithmics 2 M 15 25 75 Prof Leszek Gasieniec COMP527 Data Mining 2 M 15 25 75 Dr Irina Biktasheva COMP528 Multi-Core 2 M 15 60 40 Dr Alexei Lisitsa Programming
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Module Module Title Semester Level Credits % % Lecturer Code CA Exam COMP557 Optimisation 1 M 15 25 75 Dr Piotr Krysta COMP558 Network Games 2 M 15 25 75 Dr Martin Gairing COMP559 Computational 2 M 15 25 75 Dr Giorgios Auctions and Christodoulou Mechanism Design ECON915 Microeconomic 1 M 15 20 80 Dr RR Routledge Theory ELEC415 Information Theory 1 M 7.5 0 100 Dr X Zhu and Coding ELEC419 Image Processing 1 M 7.5 15 85 Dr JF Ralph ELEC475 Computational 2 M 15 15 85 Dr JY Goulermas Intelligence ENLU101 Science and 1 - - - - English Language Engineering – Unit Insessional English
A.2.1 Semester 1 COMP516 Research Methods in Computer Science The research methods module includes various "high order transferable skills" such as: searching for information on the WWW and libraries, reading and understanding research papers, writing papers (including referencing), a review of professional ethics and legal issues, problem solving, and the development and conduct of research programmes. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 hours of practical work.
COMP517 Object Oriented Software Development The software development module provides a comprehensive review of object oriented software development using the Java programming language. The module is designed to equip students without a CS first degree with the appropriate software development capabilities required for the second semester research based modules and when they go on to seek employment within the IT industry. This module consists of 22 lectures and 22 tutorials.
COMP518 Database and Information Systems The database and information systems module provides a comprehensive review of database and information system techniques. The module is intended for MSc students who do not have a computer science (or related) first degree to provide those students with the appropriate information systems capabilities required for the second semester research based modules, their final individual project and when they go on to seek employment within the IT industry. This module consists of 22 lectures and 22 tutorials.
COMP519 Web Programming
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The web programming module covers topics such as: distributed systems, WWW and HTML, Applets and the WWW, introduction to Java script, programming in Pearl, CGI scripting and protocols. The module is intended for MSc students who do not have a Computer Science (or related first degree) to provide those students with the appropriate WWW programming capabilities that they may require to complete their individual project and when they go on to seek employment. This module consists of 26 lectures and 18 tutorials.
COMP521 Knowledge Representation The knowledge representation module covers topics such as introduction to knowledge representation (KR) and logic for KR, introduction to modal and description logics, applications of modal logic, and handling uncertain information through probability and decision theory. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP522 Privacy and Security The privacy and security module covers topics such as: identification and authentication, monitoring, protocols, attacks and defences, legal and ethical issues and future directions. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP523 Advanced Algorithmic Techniques The advanced algorithmic techniques module covers topics such as: the study of algorithmic problems and techniques on the boundary of current research, dealing with non-standard computational models, graph algorithms, randomised algorithms, on-line algorithms, string algorithms and elements of probabilistic and number theory. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP557 Optimisation This module provides a foundation for modelling various continuous and discrete optimisation problems, related to real-world production and economics motivated applications. The tools and paradigms for the design and analysis of algorithms for such optimisation problems are introduced. Topics include linear programming, local search, algorithms and their complexity, algorithms for hard optimisation problems. Additionally, existing commercial optimisation software is introduced that allows to treat such problems. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP305 Biocomputation (Level 3 module) The biocomputation module aims to introduce students to some of the established work in the field of neural computation; to highlight some contemporary issues within the domain of neural computation with regard to biologically-motivated computing particularly in relation to multidisciplinary research; to equip students with a broad overview of the field of evolutionary computation, placing it in a historical and scientific context; to emphasise the need to keep up-to- date in developing areas of science and technology and provide some skills necessary to achieve this; and to enable students to make reasoned decisions about the engineering of evolutionary ("selectionist") systems. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 seminars.
COMP323 Introduction to Computational Game Theory
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(Level 3 module) The module aims to introduce students to the main subareas of algorithmic game theory, which is a novel academic field in the intersection of economics and computer science. This new field provides mathematical tools and models used for the analysis and implementation of the existing Internet systems, mostly related to electronic commerce applications where emphasis is put on their algorithmic side. The module covers an introduction to basic economic game theory and applications like Google’s sponsored search auctions, combinatorial auctions, Internet recommendation systems, mechanism design, price of anarchy. This module consists of 30 lectures and 5 tutorials.
ECON915 Microeconomic Theory This module, offered by the Management School, introduces students to the fundamental aspects of decision making under uncertainty, allowing for the presence of risk. It covers mostly microeconomic models related to non-cooperative game theory, which will serve as the economics related background for the students. Specific topics include the theory of production, choice under uncertainty, credit markets. This module consists of 24 lectures and a series of seminars.
ELEC415 Information Theory and Coding (7.5 credit module offered as a pair with ELEC419 and taught by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics) The module aims to introduce students to the techniques used in source coding and error correcting codes, including the use of information as a measure. Topics covered includes: Source coding (measuring information entropy of a zero memory source, variable-length codes, buffer management, vector coding and Shannon's noiseless coding theorem); channels (binary symmetric channels, equivocation, channel capacity, continuous channels, and the Shannon-Hartley law); and block codes (ideas of n-tuples, Hamming distance, least distance decoding, possibility of error-free messages, the Hamming bound, linear codes, generator and parity-check matrices, algebraic codes, cyclic codes, output error rates and coding gain). This module consists of 12 lectures and 6 problem classes.
ELEC419 Image Processing (7.5 credit module offered as a pair with ELEC415 and taught by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics) The module aims to provide students with an understanding of basic principles of digital image processing, pattern recognition and its relation to artificial intelligence, and an appreciation of the areas of applications for various image enhancement techniques. Topics covered include: image acquisition, human vision, image representation, image geometry and motion, frequency domains, image enhancement. image compression, spatial filtering, segmentation, shapes and morphology and examples from object tracking and machine vision Please note that the pre-requisites for this module are a knowledge of Mathematics (complex numbers and algebra, matrix algebra, Fourier series, partial differentiation, probability) and Engineering (time and frequency domain response, concept of filtering). This module consists of 12 lectures and 6 problem classes.
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A.2.2 Semester 2 In the second semester the two streams come together into a single sub-programme where students select four out of the following 9 modules.
COMP524 Safety and Dependability The safety and dependability module covers topics such as: safety critical systems, security, trusted systems, dependability and reliability, formal requirements engineering, design and development techniques and verification techniques. This module consists of 22 lectures and 20 hours of practical work.
COMP525 Reasoning about Action and Change The reasoning about action and change module covers topics such as: temporal logic, dynamic logic, alternating-time temporal logic, dynamic epistemic logics and belief revision. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 hours of practical work.
COMP526 Applied Algorithmics The applied algorithmics module covers topics such as: the study of problems with strong algorithmic components, specialised data structures, engineering of algorithms data structures with applications to large data sets. data compression and network algorithms. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 hours of practical work.
COMP527 Data Mining The module on data mining gives a comprehensive overview of all aspects of data mining within the context of Knowledge Discovery in Data (KDD). The module will explore many of the “cutting edge” issues at the forefront of the discipline of KDD, and critically assess strategies to deal with these issues. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 hours of practical work.
COMP528 Multi-Core Programming This module provides students with an understanding of key issues and effective solutions for parallel programming for systems with multi-core processors. Students will develop an appreciation of a variety of approaches to parallel programming, including using a low level raw thread and a high level task-based programming. This module consists of 24 lectures, 6 tutorials and 12 hours of practical work.
COMP558 Network Games This module aims at providing a systematic and in-depth understanding of game theoretic solution concepts as applied to non-cooperative usage of shared communication networks. This is done by introducing a host of fundamental network games together with their analysis which model different phenomena occurring both in Internet applications and real communication networks such as road systems. It provides an understanding of the inefficiency arising from uncontrolled, decentralized usage of such networks, usually termed as the price of anarchy. This consists module of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP559 Computational Auctions and Mechanism Design This module presents an in-depth understanding of the research area of mechanism design which is widely present in the form of dedicated auction protocols used in the existing electronic 70
University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science commerce systems. Such systems are implemented and used over the Internet, for instance various banking systems, or many kinds of Internet auctions. The emphasis is put on the algorithmic aspects of these systems where part of the input data (such as customers’ preferences) are private data of selfish agents (customers) and the goal of the protocol, called a mechanism, is to efficiently elicit this information from the agents. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 tutorials.
COMP310 Multi-Agent Systems (Level 3 module) Multi-agent systems have emerged as one of the most important areas of research and development in information technology. A multi-agent system is one composed of multiple interacting software components known as agents, which are typically capable of co-operating to solve problems that are beyond the abilities of any individual member. Multi-agent systems are important primarily because they have been found to have very wide applicability, in areas as diverse as industrial process control and electronic commerce. This module will begin by introducing the student to the notion of an agent, and will lead them to an understanding of what an agent is, how they can be constructed, and how agents can be made to co-operate effectively with one another to solve problems. The practical component of the module will be based on the many Java agent frameworks currently available (e.g. the Java-based based "Jack" programming language). This module consists of 30 lectures.
COMP315 Technologies for E-Commerce (Level 3 module) With the explosion in the use of the internet in the last few years, there is an increasing interest in e-commerce: The use of the Internet as a means of exchanging goods and services for money. This has, in turn, led to a whole host of new problems for which software solutions are required. This module introduces students to some of these, in particular those which relate to security, privacy and cryptography. This module consists of 30 lectures.
COMP317 Semantics of Programming Languages (Level 3 module) The module aims to present the major ideas from the area of formal semantics of programming languages; to demonstrate their importance to language design and implementation, and to program verification, specification and refinement; to develop simple mathematical techniques for describing the semantics of programs and reasoning about their denotations; to give an overview of the relationships between program semantics and logics of computation. This module consists of 30 lectures.
COMP318 Advanced Web Technologies (Level 3 module) This module aims to provide students with guidelines, concepts and models for designing and evaluating applications utilising advanced web technologies. The module will also introduce students to Artificial Intelligence and Semantic Web techniques that can be applied to the application of advanced web technologies and the notion of semantic web applications intended to be used by software. This module consists of 30 lectures and 10 hours of practical work.
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ELEC475 Computational Intelligence (taught by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics) This module is divided into two parts: (i) Neural Networks and (ii) Evolutionary Computation and Fuzzy Systems. The Neural Network material covered includes the structure of such networks, the learning process (supervised and unsupervised) and applications. Part 2 covers Evolutionary Methods and Optimisation, Evolutionary Optimisation and Genetic Algorithms, Evolutionary Programming, Particle Swarm Intelligence, Applications and Fuzzy Logic Systems. This module consists of 24 lectures, 12 tutorials and 11 problem classes.
NOTE: No more than two level 3 modules may be included in any individual student’s programme over the two semesters. Also graduates of the University of Liverpool cannot elect to take a level three module if they have already passed that module as part of their undergraduate study.
A.2.3 Project stage COMP702 MSc Project The MSc project is undertaken over the summer period, starting immediately after the announcement of the examination results, and leads to the submission of a written dissertation at the end of September, when the programme finishes. The project will investigate some real application of computing with the object of producing an agreed deliverable, in addition to the dissertation. The project work is usually associated with material covered in the taught research modules making up the programme. Alternatively, students can propose their own projects, or undertake projects based on the needs of local industries, provided that the proposed project meets with the academic criteria for an MSc (level M) project.
Members of staff within the Department will manage the project, and students will be required to give regular progress reports and presentations on their work. This is extremely valuable experience in presenting work, as it is likely to be required in a future career.
Further details of project management, together with details of the projects on offer, will be provided closer to the project start date. There will also be information available on-line nearer the time.
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Appendix B - Other Useful Information: Department and University Departmental Computer registration is essential and would normally be done as part of the initial academic registration and orientation. Following registration, students should aim to familiarise themselves with the departmental system – email, finding the lecture timetable on the web pages etc. by the end of the first week.
The Departmental web pages contain comprehensive information on the programme and module specifications at http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/teaching.html and details on undergraduate staff- student liaison committee, on-line undergraduate student handbook, past examination papers etc. Please see: http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/student.html.
Computer Science Student Noticeboards The main student noticeboards can be found adjacent to laboratory 1 on the first floor of the George Holt Building. There is also a noticeboard where students are welcome to display their own messages; students should contact the Student Office if they wish to use this facility. Other key items, such as examination schedules will be posted on the noticeboard on the 2nd floor of the George Holt Building.
Webmail will give access to University email accounts from any computer via http://webmail.liv.ac.uk/.
The University student intranet contains links to Spider and VITAL. Further information is available on http://www.liv.ac.uk/students/.
VITAL (Virtual Interactive Teaching at Liverpool) is the University’s virtual learning environment. A virtual learning environment, sometimes called a learning management system, is essentially a coherent collection of software tools and facilities that allow tutors to present learning materials; communicate with students; track student activity; manage assignments and assessments online through the Internet. Further information is available on http://vital.liv.ac.uk/.
Student Administration Centre The University’s central administration is based in the Foundation Building on the corner of Brownlow Hill and Mount Pleasant. This includes the Student Administration Centre (SAC) where there is an enquiry counter open from 9:00-17:00 each working day. The SAC can help with matters such as fees, loans, letters for banks, letters confirming student status and council tax exemption certificates.
Sport and Recreation The University has excellent sporting facilities both on and off campus. Further information is available at http://www.liv.ac.uk/sports/.
Liverpool Student Homes To help students find private accommodation the University funds Liverpool Student Homes (LSH) in partnership with other institutions. LSH co-ordinates the advertising of private halls of residence and shared houses/flats. Although accommodation is not inspected by LSH there is a voluntary
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Code of Practice which owners can choose to sign up to, and registration requires landlords to adopt standards relating to safety and security. Further information is available at http://www.lsh.liv.ac.uk/.
Blackwell’s University Bookshop (Tel: (0151) 709 8146) The University bookshop receives booklists from all departments and normally has the listed books in stock before the beginning of each semester. As well as being one of the largest academic bookshops in the area, they will order books from anywhere in the world at no extra cost. They are developing a large section for second-hand academic texts. Further information is available at http://www.blackwell.co.uk/.
Contact Details for the Department
Address: Ashton Building Ashton Street Liverpool L69 3BX
Tel: 0151 795 4275 Fax: 0151 795 4235
B.1 About this Handbook If you would like a hard copy of this handbook or require a special format, please contact Miss Judith Lewa, (email [email protected], (0151) 795 4275).
We would also welcome any suggestions and comments you may have on this handbook.
B.2 Disclaimer We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this Handbook. However, it should be noted that the matters covered are subject to change from time to time. Where changes occur, we will endeavour to update this version as soon as possible.
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B.3 Glossary of Terms See also the comprehensive Glossary given in the University Code of Practice on Assessment at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/index.htm.
CATS: The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme
A quantitative measure of learning effort. Credit is normally awarded for the achievement of a set of specified learning outcomes and is Credit: related to the amount of learning needed to achieve the learning outcomes.
A mark in the range of 40-49 which may be considered as a pass mark Compensatable Fail: if set criteria are met
Non-discipline specific essential skills on which employers of graduates place strong emphasis: written and oral communication, IT, Key/Transferable Skills: team working, etc.
A component of a programme of study, e.g. COMP516, which has stated learning outcomes, teaching and learning opportunities to Module: achieve those outcomes and assessment tasks to enable students to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes. Modules are normally allocated credit values and have a defined level.
A module which must be taken and on which a satisfactory performance must be achieved, before a subsequent module can be Pre-requisite: studied.
A module that must be taken as part of a particular programme of Required: study.
Structured teaching and learning provision leading to one or more Programme of Study awards. For example, CSAD.
Semester A 12-week teaching period followed by a period of assessment
Year of Study A collection of modules taken within an academic year
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