Welcome to Warwick
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science at Warwick, and to the
MSc in Computer Science (CS)/Data Analytics (DA)
Welcome to Computer Science at Warwick
Lectures start tomorrow, the aim of this session is to give a brief
introduction to:
MSc Computer Science
MSc Data Analytics
The Department
Course structure
Modules
Personal tutors and SSLC
Administration
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The Department of Computer Science
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MSc Staff
People:
Prof Stephen Jarvis — Head of Department
30+ academic staff
12 technical and administrative staff
60+ research associates and research postgraduates
Dr Ranko Lazić — Head of Postgraduate Teaching
300 undergraduate students
and 30+ MSc students.
Dr Mike Joy — Senior Tutor
Sharon Hayes — MSc Taught Coordinator
+ your lecturers, personal tutors and dissertation supervisors
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Course Introduction
Course Structure
The MSc in Computer Science aims to provide a flexible interdisciplinary
course that covers a wide range of advanced research-led topics. Topics
range from core Computer Science to the application of advanced
techniques in areas such as mathematics, science, computational biology,
and scientific computing.
The period of study is 12 months (October to September):
October–March: taught component
January–September: dissertation project (note the overlap!)
Teaching year is divided into three 10-week terms. The taught
component is concentrated into the first two terms, with exams
(mostly) in the third. The dissertation is not term-based but runs
from January to September.
Data Analytics covers core tools, techniques and applications in Data
Analytics. Topics include foundations of data analytics, optimisation,
machine learning, and sensors and wireless networks; encompassing data
acquisition, integration and analysis.
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CS: modules
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DA: modules
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Optional Modules
Non CS Optional Modules
You must take 180 CATS (credits) in total
(A small overload of credits is permitted, if you select modules that
differ from 15 CATS)
Look at the module details, and select according to your previous
experience, current interests, and future plans
For DA there are a few modules offered by other departments that are
available to you. For these modules it is particularly important that you
make sure your academic background is suitable — you should discuss this
with the lecturer or your personal tutor.
Consult with your personal tutor
Some module descriptions have prerequisites — these do not directly
apply to MSc students but use them as guidance. You may have to
do additional reading or self-study.
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Optional Modules
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Module Registration
So, what to take?
Module Fair — Today 3pm-5:30pm in CS0.01: 10 min introduction
to each (DCS) module.
You are expected to come to the module fair!
Attend lectures starting tomorrow while you make your choice.
Module selection must be completed within the first 2-3 weeks of
term 1
The e:Vision Module Registration System (eMR) system is accessed
from My.Warwick (login to insite — the University intranet)
eMR is also accessible for the first 2 weeks of term two to enable you
to finalise your module choice.
You are able to register for more modules than you need, and then
revise your registration in term 2 — this is especially recommended if
you take modules from other departments.
Note that you are not permitted to deregister from a module if
coursework has been submitted or any other form of assessment has
taken place (≥ 10%).
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Research Methods Module (Core)
Dissertation Project (Core)
This module provides the foundation for your dissertation
A dissertation project of 60 CATS is undertaken individually on a
topic related to Computer Science/Data Analytics
Taught in term 1 (i.e. it starts this week)
Topics covered:
choosing a research topic
finding a supervisor
writing a research proposal
narrowing the scope of the research
planning, researching, writing and finally submitting the dissertation
Topics may be related to the taught component of the course, or may
be based on your wider interests
There is significant flexibility in choosing a dissertation topic — you
should think about it early, and discuss your ideas with potential
supervisors
The dissertation work is undertaken from January to September
Assessment is through an oral presentation during the summer and a
dissertation submitted early in September
More details at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/dcs/teaching/material/cs907/
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Academic Support — Personal Tutors
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Academic Support — Senior Tutor and SSLC
You have been assigned a member of academic staff as a personal
tutor (see your induction pack)
The Senior Tutor (Mike Joy) can provide support, for example by
acting as a back-up tutor if another member of staff is away.
Your tutor can provide general academic advice and discuss any
personal matters that affect you and your studies
The Senior Tutor can also liaise with the University Senior Tutor’s
office if necessary.
They will represent your interests at Examination Boards, and so if
there is ever any circumstance, such as illness or unusual stress, which
might affect your work, it is essential that you let your tutor know as
soon as possible
The Staff-Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) is the official forum for
discussion between students and staff in the Department, which meets
at least once a term. It consists of elected student representatives and
staff representatives and enables views to be exchanged, suggestions
made for improvements and complaints discussed
Hopefully you will not have problems, but it is still important to
maintain contact with your tutor — they will monitor your academic
progress, and can provide references for you when the time comes.
We need 2–3 of you as SSLC reps, you will gain leadership and
management experience and help us shape the MSc programme.
You should meet your tutor on the first day of each term, or as near
as possible (this is a Departmental requirement).
All tutors have drop-in office hours.
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Some Administrative Issues (1)
Some Administrative Issues (2)
Personal tutor: recorded meeting with your tutor later today
Address contact form: please complete this and return it to the MSc
Taught Coordinator
Building access: there is 24 hour access to the building (see DCS
Reception for instructions on getting your university card enabled),
and lockers are available (again, see DCS Reception)
You can use any of the computer labs
Computer systems: Computer Science (DCS) and IT services (ITS)
are separate systems — you will have the same usercode, and the
same email address, but they are separate filesystems. The DCS
systems are (mostly) Linux, and since these are used for coursework
you should familiarise yourself with them. Help is on the Intranet.
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Students’ Union
The DCS Intranet: systems guides, laptop and wireless registration,
study skills, etc. See:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/dcs/intranet/
Holidays: you can take a maximum of 8 weeks holiday during the
course, 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 weeks at Easter, the remainder
outside of the lecture and exam period. Please inform your Tutor and
dissertation supervisor.
Timetable: see your induction pack; lectures start tomorrow.
Handbook: contains much more detailed information on the course,
and a map of how to find the lecture rooms for tomorrow!
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Questions?
Life is not all work, and the Students’ Union has numerous sports and
cultural societies along with countless events to keep you occupied.
The freshers fair, sports fair, societies fair and volunteers fair can give
you plenty of opportunities for things to do and ways to meet new
people.
We wish you all a successful and enjoyable year. If you have any questions
over the coming weeks then please do not hesitate to ask myself, your
tutor, or another member of staff. It can be hard to settle in somewhere
new, so please do not be shy about asking for help!
Any questions?
See http://www.warwicksu.com — or go to the SU! — for more
details.
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