UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
1. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Preston city campus
2. University School/Centre
Physical Sciences and Computing
3. External Accreditation
None
4. Title of Final Award
MSc in Database Systems
PGDip in Database Systems
5. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time and Part-time with optional professional
placement
2. UCAS Code
N/A
3. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Computing;
4. Other external influences
QAA (NQF for HE); British Computer Society;
5. Date of production/revision of this
form
May 2014
Aims of the Programme
PgDip Aims

To develop the practical skills and understanding of theory necessary for students to be able to
design, implement, evaluate, administrate and manage database projects
 To encourage students to adopt a professional approach to their work and to take responsibility
for the legal and ethical implications of their work
 To foster awareness of current trends and research activities in the database community
 To develop the students' critical evaluation, communication and self-management skills to a level
appropriate for post-graduate students
MSc Aims (including the above aims)


To provide an opportunity for students to plan, undertake and evaluate a substantial database
systems project
To encourage and enable the students to become reflective and research-aware practitioners.
6. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
The successful student will be able to
A1. Describe and evaluate principles, practices, techniques and frameworks for database system
design, development and management
A2. Describe and evaluate tools and techniques for monitoring and tuning database systems
A3. Find and critically evaluate database and information systems research literature
A4. Evaluate and compare techniques relevant to database and information systems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, directed reading, tutorial exercises, visiting speakers, case studies, supervised and
unsupervised practical work. Project and literature-based research.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods are specified in each module syllabus. All learning outcomes in a module are
assessed with the mode of assessment specified for each outcome of the assignment. Assessment
methods include written reports, portfolios, practical assessment and presentations.
B. Subject-specific skills
The successful student will be able to
B1. Select and use appropriate tools and techniques to design, build, maintain and evaluate database
solutions
B2. Apply principles, practices and techniques to solve complex problems in specific domains
(through optional modules)
B3. Demonstrate a professional approach to ethical and legal issues relevant to a database
professional and understand the implications of their actions
B4. Apply skills, techniques and knowledge to plan, perform and evaluate a substantial database
project
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lecture, tutorial (e.g. problem analysis, extracting information from documentation, presentations),
practical work, project preparation and supervisory advice, including peer review
Assessment methods
Written coursework, project work, practical exercises and report
C. Thinking Skills
The successful student will be able to
C1. Evaluate ideas, methods and systems in a coherent manner
C2. Analyse and evaluate appropriateness of methods and techniques from a specialist area for the
development of database systems in a given situation
C3. Locate and integrate information from multiple sources
C4. Analyse and apply abstract concepts to solve problems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Practical work, directed research, on-line discussion groups, student-led seminars, supervisions
Assessment methods
Written coursework, project report, essays and presentations
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
The successful student will be able to
D1. Communicate complex ideas to a diverse audience
D2. Reflect critically on professional experience, devising and evaluating new approaches
D3. Develop individual self-management and independent learning skills
D4. Work as part of a team, identifying issues and devising responses
Teaching and Learning Methods
Team-work, project preparation and supervision, preparation of and participation in student-led
seminars, critical reflection.
Assessment methods
Presentations, project interview, project and project report, team assessment
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 7
Module
Code
CO4804
Module Title
CO4757
Advanced Topics in Database
Systems
Database Administration &
Management
User-centred System Design &
Evaluation
Critical Analysis
CO4705
CO4754
CO4820
Masters Project
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
60
20
20
20
Masters Degree in Database
Systems
Requires 180 credits at Level 7
Optional professional placement
route requires successful
completion of CO4822 which has
a notional credit value of 60
20
CO4512
CO4509
CO4608
CO4752
CO4817
CO4830
Two modules from:
Information Security Management
Computer Security
Agile Systems Development
Web Application Development
Student initiated module
IT Project Management
20
20
20
20
20
20
CO4822
Optional module:
Professional Placement
60
notional
credits
Post-Graduate Diploma is
normally a target award for
students who do not wish to
carry out a project.
PGDip in Database Systems
Requires 120 credits at level 7
including CO4757 and CO4705
PGDip in Computing
Requires 120 credits at level 7
PGCert in Computing
Requires 60 credits at level 7.
15. Personal Development Planning
Professional skills cannot be developed through dedicated course modules, but are fostered through the
adaptation of teaching methods such as seminars, project work and oral and written coursework to make
these qualities an explicit element of the content and context of all work. This will be reflected in the
criteria by which you are assessed.
Technical competence alone is not enough for the good computing professional and so is not sufficient
for the award of any Masters within the School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences. The
Programme aims identify the need to develop interpersonal skills and generic transferable skills as well
as subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills. The course team believe that this combination
is needed to ensure the employability of the graduate.
The following transferable skills are developed:

critical evaluation

presentation skills

report-writing skills

investigative (information finding) skills

problem solving

independent learning

team work

time-management.
The design of the course has been directed to the development of these practitioner skills alongside
technical competence. The skills will be developed and assessed throughout the programme as a
whole.
The process begins from the first day of the programme with an induction scheme aimed at developing
reflective learning skills and is continued seamlessly through the delivery of the course modules. Your
personal tutor, allocated at enrolment, will help you to determine your personal development plan and
use will be made of the Skills Learning Resource available from the Learning Development Unit (LDU)
www.uclan.ac.uk/skills . There are opportunities throughout the course for you to reflect on your learning
and revise your personal development plan. You will have a minimum of 2 tutorials with your personal
tutor to discuss your personal development
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been
made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the
most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
You should have one of the following:
 Honours degree of 2.ii or above, in a computing or closely-related discipline
 Degree and substantial relevant industrial experience
 BCS postgraduate diploma plus PGD project
 Qualifications deemed by the University to be equivalent to the above
Students will be expected to display communication skills appropriate to an Honours graduate. In
particular, students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate competence in
the language. The normal minimum standard required is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
17. Key sources of information about the programme

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/courses/msc_pgdip_database_systems.php



student handbook
fact sheet
postgraduate prospectus
LEVEL 7
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core,
Compulsory
Module
(Comp) or
Knowledge and
Subject-specific
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding
Skills
Thinking Skills
Note:
CO4804 Masters Project
CO4757 Advanced Topics in Database
Systems
CO4705 Database Administration &
Management
CO4754 User-centred System Design
&Evaluation
CO4820 Critical Analysis
CO4512 Information Security Management
CO4509 Computer Security
CO4608 Agile Systems Development
CO4752 Web Application Development
CO4817 Student initiated module
CO4830 IT Project Management
CO4822 Professional Placement
A1
A2
A3
A4
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Comp
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
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B1
B2
C2
Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal
development
B3
B4
C1
C3
C4
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
D4
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