UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Computing Informatics and Media
Department of Computing
Programme/course title: Multidisciplinary Computing
Awarding and
teaching institution:
Final award:
University of Bradford
MSc [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Level
M]
Programme titles:
 Multidisciplinary Computing
 Multidisciplinary Computing (Creative Technologies)
 Multidisciplinary Computing (Public Policy and
Programme Management)
 Multidisciplinary Computing (Biomedical Sciences)
Programme accredited n/a
by:
Duration:
1 year full time, 2 years part time
Date produced:
May 2007
Last updated:
July 2011
Programme aims
Today’s information technology market is increasingly demanding employees with a
knowledge and understanding of both specialised computer software industry skills
and particular fields in which these can be applied. For example, companies and/or
government bodies specialising in digital media, bio-pharma and/or public policy are
looking for computer specialists to develop, adapt and propose in-house solutions for
their current needs.
To answer this need, the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will enable applicants with
a computing background to specialize in some of the more current directions in the
field including software development and management, advanced database
techniques, human computer interaction or Internet or data fusion security alongside
a combination of modules drawn from the fields of either electronic imaging and
media communications, biomedical sciences and/or public policy and programme
management. The programme of study culminates in a dissertation, enabling you to
bring your multidisciplinary studies together in a significant piece of work. In sum, the
MSc Multidisciplinary Computing offers you the opportunity to build your own path of
study—from the advanced computing modules, the extended list of optional modules
available, as well as the dissertation—so as to match your specific career
aspirations.
The MSc Multidisciplinary Computing is located in the Department of Computing of
the School of Computing, Informatics and Media (SCIM). As one of the oldest
computing departments in the country, it offers a vibrant postgraduate atmosphere of
study that currently includes eight separate MSc degree programmes courses and
over 200 postgraduate and research students. Depending on their selection of
modules, students on the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will also benefit from
studying in the equally vibrant Department of Creative Technology in the School of
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Computing, Informatics and Media or Department of Development & Economic
Studies (DDES) in the School of Social and International Studies (SSIS) or Division
of Biomedical Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SLS).
Learning outcomes
A career in software system development requires knowledge of the application,
development, design and implementation of these systems, as well as a welldeveloped set of creative, problem-solving and teamwork skills. As such, students on
the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will develop the following:
 Knowledge and Understanding. You will develop mastery of the practical and
theoretical concepts of computer science, current and emerging trends in
technology, and how these will be applied in the context of your chosen field of
study.
 Discipline Specific Skills in the use of advance software development or project
management for the design of specialized real-life systems, and the identification
and evaluation of research methodologies in the chosen field of electronic
imaging and media communications, biomedical sciences or public policy and
programme management. Depending on the mix of core and optional modules
selected, additional discipline specific skills in the field of electronic imaging and
media communications will include the use and application of computer animation
for film and video post-production, Wireless Markup language and introductory
level J2ME or above, the capture, creation and embedding of audio and video
material in computer software, the ability to explain, apply, justify and recommend
methods and guidelines for interface evaluation creation, and to create animated
characters, and a critical awareness of the operation of motion-capture
equipment. Similarly, additional discipline specific skills in the field of public policy
and programme management studies will include systematic understanding of the
policy process and its application to sustained economic and social development,
whilst at the same time equipping you with the skills that are essential for
analysis, design and development of software projects for programmes with
defined outcomes. Additional discipline specific skills in the field of biomedical
sciences will include the ability to critically analyse organisational structure,
evaluate and interpret information in biomedical sciences from primary sources,
perform and respond to peer review, conduct and report on laboratory
investigations, including electron microscopy, cell culture and molecular biology,
particularly gene cloning and PCR.
 Personal and Transferable Skills, developed as a core thread throughout the
proposed modules, requiring written and oral presentation, analysis, problemsolving, flexible specialisation, team-working and time management in a
multidisciplinary environment. In addition, the need to balance and integrate the
requirements of applied computing to different disciplines will enable students to
develop initiative and flexibility to a broader range of approaches and
environments.
The Curriculum
Typically for a taught Masters programme, the course lasts for 12 months of full-time
study (two semesters of instruction through a series of modules all of which are
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integrated to form a complete and coherent course of study, followed by completion
of a major dissertation project in the summer) or 24 months of part-time study
following a similar pattern.
The MSc Multidisciplinary Computing covers a range of specialist topics, leading to
the qualification of a Master's degree. Typically, a taught full-time Master's course
lasts for twelve months of full-time study. The course has two stages: the taught
courses stage which takes place during the first two semesters (or four semesters for
the part-time route), and the project/dissertation stage. The taught courses stage is
organised on a modular basis. Students who successfully complete the taught
modules are eligible for the PGDip Multidisciplinary Computing. Students proceeding
onto the Masters level undertake a project which the student has to agree with the
Department during the first taught semesters.
The MSc Multidisciplinary Computing enables you to “personalise” the degree to fit
the individual career aspirations within the following parameters; for example, for the
full-time route, in semester 1, you will take 20 core credits drawn from the
Department of Computing plus an additional 40 credits drawn from the fields of
“creative technologies” or “public policy and programme management” or “biomedical
sciences”. In semester 2, you will take 20 core credits and 20 optional credits drawn
from the Department of Computing plus an additional 20 credits drawn from the three
above fields. In semester 3, you will take a core 60-credit dissertation in
Multidisciplinary Computing.
Semester 1
20 core credits from Computing
40 credits from the fields:
 Creative Technologies, and/or
 Public Policy and Programme
Management, and/or
 Biomedical Sciences
Semester 2
20 core credits from Computing
20 optional credits from Computing
20 credits from the fields:
 Creative Technologies, and/or
 Public Policy and Programme
Management, and/or
 Biomedical Sciences
Semester 3
60 core
credits from
Computing
NOTE that, prior to admission, students will be advised as to which field best
suits their previous qualifications and/or experience, as well as career
aspirations. As all modules in the fields are currently offered, all the modules
contained within fields as core modules will be timetabled. However, not all
combinations of modules to be chosen as options may be possible. For particular
options (i.e. in Biomedical Sciences), any additional health and safety training that
may be required will be provided during the module delivery.
Computing (School of Computing, Informatics and Media)
unit code
unit title
sem
CM1003D
or
CM1013D
CM1014D
Software Development (PG)
Or
Software Project Management
Group Project (MSc Multidisciplinary
Computing)
3
1
or
1
2
credits
level
20
or
20
20
M
or
M
M
Core /
option
Alt*
or
Core
Core
CM1064M
CM1033D
CM1054D
CM1034D
CM1044D
CM0423D
CM0424Z
Internet Security and Protocols
Advanced Software Development
Advanced Simulation Modelling (PG)
Human Computer Interaction (Design
and Development)
Artificial Intelligence with Applications
Advanced Database Techniques
Dissertation
2
2
2
2
20
20
20
20
M
M
M
M
O
C/O
O
O
2
2
3
20
20
60
M
M
M
O
O
Core
* CM1003D is offered as an alternative to core module CM1013D for students who have
less experience in Software Development (OOA/OOD/OOP). They will then be required to
cover project management by taking ID7022D and CM1033D will be core for them in
semester 2.
Field of Creative Technologies (Department of Creative Technology, School of
Computing, Informatics and Media)
unit code
unit title
sem credits level Core /
option
EM4021D Computer Animation and Special
1
20
M
Core
Effects
CM1067D Mobile Applications
1
20
M
O
EM4044D Computer Graphics and Systems
2
20
M
O
EM4025D Advanced Character Animation (PG)
2
20
M
O
Field of Public Policy and Programme Management (DDES, School of Social &
International Studies)
Unit code
unit title
sem credits level Core /
option
ID7022D
Project and Programme Management
1
20
M
Core
ID7065D
Project Planning Design and Appraisal
1
20
M
O
ID7092D
Statistical Analysis for Development
2
20
M
O
ID7040D
Public Policy Analysis and
2
20
M
O
Management
ID7072D
Human Resource Management and
2
20
M
O
Development
Field of Biomedical Sciences (School of Life Sciences)
unit code
unit title
sem
credits
level
BM9119L
1+2
10+10
M
Core /
option
O
1+2
1
1
10+10
10
10
M
M
M
O
O
O
1
20
M
O
2
20
M
O
BM9132L
BM3009M
BM9134M
BM9124D
BM9121D
Critical Appraisal of a Current Topic in
the Biomedical Sciences
Research and Analytical Methods
Principles of Management
Communication in Biomedical
Sciences
Diagnostic and Public Health
Microbiology (PG)
Toxicology and Oncology
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The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring
and review procedures.
Assessment regulations: a summary
To be eligible for a Masters Degree, you must achieve at least 40.0% in 160 credits
and 35.0% in the other 20 credits. If you achieve an overall weighted average of at
least 60.0% but less than 70.0% you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of
Master with Merit. If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the
initial attempt in your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of
Master with Distinction.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, you must achieve at least
40% in 100 credits and at least 35.0% in the other 20 credits. Additionally, students
who attain an overall average of at least 60.0% but less than 70.0% and those who
achieve an overall average of over 70.0% at the first attempt will be eligible for the
award of Postgraduate Diploma with Merit and Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction
respectively.
The full text of the University of Bradford’s Assessment Regulations is located at
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Students on the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will experience a range of teaching
and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored
in formal lectures, demonstrated in laboratory classes, and practised in associated
tutorials and seminars. Practical skills are developed in labs. Professional and
personal skills are developed through discussion, presentations and small-scale
project work which involve problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by
working in small groups. A particular strength of this course is the contribution made
to the teaching programme by successful research active members of staff.
Each 20-credit module on the course requires 200 hours of study. Some of these
hours will be formally timetabled lectures, laboratories, seminars, tutorials and
workshops, while others will involve carrying out private study by students.
Methods of assessment are similarly varied and students’ progress will be assessed
using a mix of formal examinations, presentations and seminar papers, reports,
laboratory tests, coursework assignments, and projects. The appropriate method is
chosen to reflect the particular learning outcomes of each module.
Admission requirements
Generally, applicants are expected to possess a good Honours degree (normally 2:2
or above) in
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
computer science, computer engineering, informatics or other computer-related
subjects from an approved degree-awarding body
OR
 any subject from area relevant to the field(s) of the proposed multidisciplinary
programme of study, together with skills and relevant experience in a computerrelated area such as computer programming or information systems.
Candidates applying to the course with non-standard qualifications will be judged on
an individual basis using the University’s APEL procedures. In addition, a test of
written and spoken English normally needs to have been passed at grade 6.0 for
IELTS or 550 for TOEFL (or 250 for the computer-based test) or above.
Note that a candidates’ suitability for the degree course and field will be
assessed by a team from participating Schools prior to any offer of admission
being made to the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing.
Student support and guidance
Students admitted to the MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will have the Department
of Computing within the School of Computing, Informatics and Media as their “home”
department. As such, you will go through a process of induction within Computing
and SCIM. Afterwards, ongoing support for is provided in the form of one-stop
facilities located at the School of Computing, Informatics and Media Student Support
Office (SSO) in Horton Building, open throughout the day during term, and in the
mornings and afternoons outside term. Support for registered students also is
provided 24/7 via the intranets of the School of Computing, Informatics and Media,
Department of Computing and the School’s Technical Support. The School also uses
the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support students via their
individual modules.
All students on our MSc Multidisciplinary Computing will be allocated a Personal
Tutor who provides support and guidance on matters relating to learning, teaching,
and academic progress. There are tutors in the School who have specialist
responsibilities, and are able to deal with specific issues relating to factors such as
disability, equal opportunities and gender.
Further Information
More details about our MSc Multidisciplinary Computing may be obtained from the
School of Computing, Informatics and Media Admissions Office via telephone on +44
(0)1274 235963, email pgadmissions@bradford.ac.uk, or our website at
www.scim.brad.ac.uk/courses/pg/ If you require further information about the
University of Bradford, please refer to its Postgraduate Prospectus.
Disclaimer
The details of this Programme Specification and information contained therein are
subject to change in accordance with the University of Bradford’s course approval,
monitoring and review procedures.
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