School of Design, Engineering and
Computing
The Royal School of Signals
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information
Systems Management (CISM)
July 2009
v3
CONTENTS
Basic Programme Data
1 Academic and Professional Contexts, and Aims of the Programme
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Aims of the Programme
1.3
Course Structure
1
2
2
2
3
2. Computing Benchmarks
3 Programme outcomes
3.1
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
3.2
Units Mapped to Learning Outcomes
4
6
6
10
4 Programme Structure
4.1
Overview
4.2
Programme Diagram
12
12
12
5
6
7
8
13
14
15
16
Admission Regulations
Assessment Regulations
Points of Reference for Programme Design
Programme Profile
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
ii
MSc Communications and Information Systems
Management
BASIC PROGRAMME DATA
Originating institution
Place of delivery
Royal School of Signals /
Bournemouth University
MSc Communication & Information
Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
Mode of delivery
Full-Time
Credit structure
Level M – 180 credits (90 ECTS)
Duration of programme
1 Academic Year
Date of original approval
December 1998
Date of first intake
September 1999
Initial target intake
16 max
N/A
Awards and programme title
Placements
Professional, statutory and/or
statutory body links
Partner Institution
None
Royal School of Signals
Version 3.0
This Programme Specification was approved in June 2009 following revalidation
by Academic Standards Committee. It takes effect from September 2009 and
applies to all new enrolments.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
1
1
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS, AND AIMS
OF THE PROGRAMME
1.1
Introduction
The aim of the programme is to provide the Field Army in general and Royal
Signals in particular with appropriately skilled Communications Officers. The
course provides a systems view, embracing the necessary breadth of material
while ensuring adequate depth in a range of key topics. It provides a
comprehensive coverage of the diversity of telecommunications systems and the
information necessary to analyse, evaluate and advise on these systems. The
management issues relate to the management and control of complex
communication networks and the increasingly important task of managing and
controlling mission critical complex data. It also addresses Command & Control
Warfare as an accepted part of NATO military doctrine. Rapid technological
developments necessitate that Royal Signals are constantly vigilant of new and
innovative ways of attacking military CIS systems in a Command & Control
environment. Royal Signals Officers will need to be fully aware of both the
environment and the potential electronic threats in order that they can take
preventative measures to protect the CIS systems for which they are responsible.
The demands of today's networks to support more users, integrate more
technologies and deliver more mission critical data necessitates a carefully
orchestrated design and management policy to be adhered to. The need to
provide network performance, resilience and ease of expansion are of paramount
importance. The explosion of Internet technologies, to enable both internal and
external communication, also demands a management policy, which can assess
risks and sustain a minimum acceptable security policy.
.
1.2
Aims of the Programme
The aim of the course is to educate and assess selected Royal Signals officers in
the application of technology and management to the delivery of the CIS
capability in order to fit them for selected SO2(W) or equivalent posts.
The course should also be suitable for similar officers of other technical arms or
foreign defence forces and for some civilians employed in either the public or
private sectors of the defence industry.
This course provides the student with a systems oriented view of
communications and Information Systems and addresses many issues that could
only be comprehensively covered on a course specialising in telecommunications
or Information Systems. Graduates of the course will be expected to be able to:
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
2
(a) Evaluate, analyse and advise on the use of a diversity of
telecommunications systems.
(b) Identify the management issues which relate to the control of complex
communications networks and mission critical complex data.
(c) Be aware of new and innovative ways of attacking military CIS systems in
a command and control environment.
(d) Evaluate potential electronic threats, in specific environments, in order to
devise preventative measures to protect vulnerable CIS systems.
(e) Devise network design and management policies to support users and
integrate technologies in order to guarantee the integrity and delivery of
mission critical data.
(f) Analyse problems associated with Communications and Information
Systems and advise on solutions.
(g) Assess security risks associated with external and internal communication
and advise on a solution that will provide an acceptable security
framework.
(h) Analyse and apply appropriate techniques and methodologies to strategic
planning & the management of technical projects throughout their
lifecycle.
(i) Critically evaluate techniques used in the presentation of stored data as
information.
(j) Research Information and provide Technical Advice
1.3
Course Structure
The framework consists of a portfolio of compulsory units with no provision for
elective units. This reflects the highly vocational nature of the course and
precludes any units being excluded from the course.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
3
2.
COMPUTING BENCHMARKS
The following is a mapping of knowledge areas given in Annex B of the QAA
Computing Benchmark 2007 document to the units in the programme that give
coverage of that area. (The benchmark statement refers to the bachelor’s
degree with honours, but the list of topics is considered to be a useful
classification of relevant subject material.) The project has few topics which will
always be present: these are indicated with a cross as usual; the whole column is
shaded, to indicate that other topics will certainly be present, but the balance will
vary from student to student.
Programme Specification
X
X
X
Project
Defence Management
Network technology
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission
Architecture
Artificial Intelligence
Comparative programming languages
Compilers and syntax directed tools
Computational science
Computer-based systems
Computer communications
Computer hardware engineering
Computer networks
Computer vision and image processing
Concurrency and parallelism
Databases
Data structures and algorithms
Distributed computer systems
Document processing
e-Business
Empirical approaches
Games computing
Graphics and sound
Human-computer interaction (HCI)
Computer Systems
Software Engineering and
Databases
TABLE 1. The Relationship between Units and QAA Computing Benchmark
2007
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
4
Programme Specification
Project
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission
Network technology
X
X
Defence Management
X
X
X
X
Computer Systems
Software Engineering and
Databases
Information retrieval
Information systems
Management issues
Middleware
Multimedia
Natural language computing
Operating systems
Professionalism
Programming fundamentals
Security and privacy
Simulation and modelling
Software engineering
Systems analysis & design
Web-based computing
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
X
X
5
3
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
3.1
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
This programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate
their knowledge and understanding, and various skills as follows:
A - Subject Knowledge & Understanding
A1
Mathematics relevant to Communications Engineering.
A2
Telecommunications Systems and Networks.
A3
Data Communications Protocols & Secure Networks.
A4
Computer Architectures & Operating Systems.
A5
Information Operations & Electronic Warfare.
A6
Software Engineering & Software Design.
A7
Military Doctrine & Battlespace Digitisation Systems.
A8
Defence Acquisition.
Learning and Teaching Methods and Strategies
The learning material is delivered using a variety of techniques including lectures,
seminars, tutorials and laboratory sessions. Traditional lectures are supported by
on-line learning resources and extensive use is made of software tools in order to
model and analyse communication and Information Systems.
The Balancing Studies unit (delivered in part at the commencement of the course
and in part interspersed with other units), ensures that all students reach the
same level of conceptual understanding before progressing to more demanding
concepts. The tight time schedule precludes much real hands-on practical
activity, though the theoretical concepts will be fully supported with
demonstrations and simulations. Indeed, much of the early work will be heavily
dependent on simulation to enable rapid coverage and enhance understanding of
theoretical concepts.
This is a vocational course, and these concepts are particularly important for
Royal Signals personnel. The IS and Management oriented units provide much
more opportunity for hands-on practical activity. Throughout this phase of the
course, students will be expected to challenge and argue rather than accept
material presented to them. The course is designed for mature, well motivated
students who already have considerable work experience. The IS and
Management units have a strong practical element with assignments and
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
6
projects designed to simulate problems the students will meet in future
employment.
Assessment
The knowledge and understanding is assessed through appropriate structured
coursework reports and examinations (A1 - A8). Laboratory coursework and the
Individual Masters Project will also assess all aspects of knowledge and
understanding outcomes.
.
B - Intellectual Skills
B1
Apply independent critical evaluation of alternative communication
systems.
B2
Analyse and synthesise information relevant to Communications &
Information Systems.
B3
Use specialised technical and academic skills across the area of study.
B4
Conduct effective research and critical evaluation of different
methodologies and implementations.
B5
Integrate and evaluate critical data from a variety of sources.
B6
Plan, execute and report on a project involving original design.
Learning and Teaching Methods and Strategies
Guided reading and development involve the student in the critical appraisal of
academic papers in addition to service papers. They are also required to critically
appraise specific Communication and Information Systems and evaluate their
functionality, ease of management, survivability and deployment ease in
operational arenas. Each unit of the programme involves extensive in-class
discussion and debate. In addition, in some units students are be required to
deploy communications assets in simulated environments, analyse project
specifications and assess the feasibility of procurement proposals, evaluate
alternatives and give justified conclusions.
Assessment
Learning Outcomes are assessed by a combination of coursework or
examination. However, the focus of the assessment of learning outcomes B1-B6,
will be on the analysis of general and military communication and information
systems from a management, deployment, robustness and passage of critical
data perspective. In addition, other coursework and extensive in-class
discussions enable the evaluation of project and procurement specifications.
Outcomes B1-B6 are also be assessed through the individual Masters project.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
7
C - Practical Skills
C1
Select appropriate communications components to successfully plan and
implement a military communication deployment.
C2
Analyse the characteristics of communications systems and evaluate
appropriate use and limitations.
C3
Implement relevant strategic planning and project management
techniques used within the MOD.
C4
Make effective use of relevant academic literature and other sources of
information.
C5
Present research findings in a range of effective and appropriate formats
and prepare technical reports and specifications.
C6
Make effective use of IT and simulation software to enable communication
systems representations.
Learning and Teaching Methods and Strategies
The learning material is delivered using a variety of lectures, seminars, tutorials
laboratory sessions, class assessments and simulation exercises. Each taught
unit of the programme involves extensive in-class discussion and the opportunity
in some units to perform simulated exercises in communication assets
deployment and the evaluation of actual and simulated project and procurement
specifications. Students are issued with laptops and a variety of software to
enable simulation exercises to be performed in class and as coursework.
Students are given as much hands-on exposure to appropriate software
packages as is possible.
Assessment
Coursework assessments to assess learning outcomes C1-C6 includes
structured coursework, course reports; critical appraisal and recommendations of
a solution associated with communications assets and deployments; appraisal of
project and procurement proposals; critical appraisal of a proposed Battlespace
Communication System; a written report and presentation of a solution
associated with the individual Masters project
.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
8
D - Transferable Skills
D1
Design and application of appropriate research methods and
communication of results.
D2
Use IT packages effectively, including office automation, simulation and
analytic software.
D3
Demonstrate problem solving skills and the application of knowledge
across the discipline areas.
D4
Learn independently, with a critical viewpoint, in familiar and unfamiliar
situations
D5
Plan, conduct and report on a programme of work within set deadlines.
D6
Solve numerical problems using appropriate analytic techniques.
D7
Be independent and reflective learners.
D8
Communicate effectively by oral, written and visual means using a variety
of visual media.
Learning and Teaching Methods and Strategies
The programme aims to provide students with a wide range of relevant
transferable skills. The emphasis is on specific military requirements and must
include problem analysis, research methods, report writing, presentation skills
and independent research. Transferable skills are acquired through a variety of
activities, which include lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory sessions, guided
reading and development, and self-managed study. Students are encouraged to
share their academic and military expertise with their peers, to enrich the learning
process. Regular feedback on assignments allows the students to refine and
develop their understanding. The independent learning element is partly directed
by the unit lecturer with regard to recommended reading (text books, articles and
research papers) and tutorial problems to be tackled.
Assessment
Learning outcomes D1-D8 are assessed through coursework and class work
assessments and examinations throughout. These outcomes will also be
assessed in the individual Masters project
.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
9
3.2
Units Mapped to Learning Outcomes
Note:
 Balancing Studies (Unit 0) is not shown in this table since it contains
preparatory material for other units, and has no summative assessment.
 Although many of the outcomes A1-A8 and C1-C3 may be part of
individual projects, because there is wide variation in project focus, these
are shown in grey in the table.
Core Skills Matrix for Communications & Information Systems
Management
A1
Mathematics relevant to Communications Engineering
A2
Telecommunications Systems and Networks
A3
Data Communications Protocols & Secure Networks
X
A4
Computer Architectures & Operating Systems
X
A5
Information Operations & Electronic Warfare
X
A6
Software Engineering & Software Design
A7
Military Doctrine & Battlespace Digitisation Systems
X
A8
Defence Acquisition
X
B1
B2
Apply independent critical evaluation of alternative communication
systems
Analyse and synthesise information relevant to Communications &
Information Systems
Project
Defence Management
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission
Network Technology
Computer Systems
Software Engineering and
Databases
Common outcomes mapped to core units:
Core at Level M
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
B3
Use specialised technical and academic skills across the area of study
X
X
X
X
X
X
B4
Conduct effective research and critical evaluation of different
methodologies and implementations
X
X
X
X
X
X
B5
Integrate and evaluate critical data from a variety of sources
X
X
X
X
X
X
B6
Plan, execute and report on a project involving original design
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
Select appropriate communications components to successfully plan and
implement a military communication deployment
Analyse the characteristics of communications systems and evaluate
appropriate use and limitations
Implement relevant strategic planning and project management
techniques used within the MOD
Make effective use of relevant academic literature and other sources of
information
Present research findings in a range of effective and appropriate formats
and prepare technical reports and specifications
Make effective use of IT and simulation software to enable
communication systems representations
Programme Specification
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
X
10
Core Skills Matrix for Management of Military Information Systems
Courses
D2
D3
D4
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission
Network Technology
Computer Systems
Project
Design and application of appropriate research methods and
communication of results
Use IT packages effectively, including office automation, simulation and
analytic software
Demonstrate problem solving skills and the application of knowledge
across the discipline areas
Learn independently, with a critical viewpoint, in familiar and unfamiliar
situations
Defence Management
D1
Software Engineering and
Databases
Common outcomes mapped to core units:
Core at Level M
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
D5
Plan, conduct and report on a programme of work within set deadlines
X
X
X
X
X
X
D6
Solve numerical problems using appropriate analytic techniques
X
X
X
X
X
X
D7
Be independent and reflective learners
X
X
X
X
X
X
D8
Communicate effectively by oral, written and visual means using a
variety of visual media
X
X
X
X
X
X
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
11
4
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
4.1
Overview
The programme is offered in full-time study mode only.
All units are compulsory. There are no pathway options.
There are six units at Level M with a total credit value of 180. This is evaluated
on the basis that 1 credit is equivalent to10 hours of study.
4.2
Programme Diagram
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
Core Units (Compulsory)
Credit level M
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Software Engineering and
Databases (20 credits)
Computer Systems
(20 credits)
Network Technology (20 credits)
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission (20 credits)
Defence Management (40 credits)
Project (60 credits)
MSc Communication & Information
Systems Management
Requires 180 credits at Level M
Outcomes developed and assessed:
Knowledge as indicated by programme unit
titles & skills A1-8, B1-6, C1-6, D1-8.
PGDip Communication & Information
Systems Management
Requires 120 credits at Level M
Unassessed
Outcomes developed and assessed:
Knowledge as indicated by programme unit
titles & skills A1-8, B1-6, C1-6, D1-8.
Core Units (Compulsory)
0.
Induction (Balancing Studies)
(No credit)
PGCert Communication & Information
Systems Management
Requires 60 credits at Level M
Outcomes developed and assessed:
Knowledge as indicated by programme unit
titles & skills A1-8, B1-6, C1-6, D1-8.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
12
5
ADMISSION REGULATIONS
This programme operates under standard Bournemouth University admission
regulations.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
13
6
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
The programme operates under the standard Bournemouth University
regulations for this level of programme.
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
14
7
POINTS OF REFERENCE FOR PROGRAMME DESIGN
There are a number of points of reference for this document and its production:






School Strategic Plan
University Mission Statement
National Qualifications Descriptors (Academic Procedures Guidance Note
21)
QAA framework for higher education qualifications 2001.
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education - Computing 2007
Taught Master Programmes: Academic Frameworks (Academic
Procedures Guidance Note 24)
Programme Specification
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
15
8
PROGRAMME PROFILE
School
DEC
Partner institution (where applicable)
Programme
Mode(s) of study
Royal School of Signals, Blandford
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
Full-time
Cost Centre(s)
Unit identification
Unit no. (given
by School)
GEN1029M-1
GEN1030M-1
GEN1031M-1
GEN1032M-1
GEN1019M-3
GEN1020M-2
Unit name
Software Engineering and Databases
Computer Systems
Network Technology
Digital Communication and Signal
Transmission
Defence Management
Project
Programme Specification
Prog
year *
Core /
option
HESA
Subject
Code
CC 1
1
1
1
1
C
C
C
C
G5
G5
H6
H6
1
1
C
C
N1
H6
%
No of
credits
**
Level
39
39
20
20
20
20
20
20
M
M
M
M
27
20
40
60
M
M
MSc Communications and Information Systems Management
The Royal School of Signals
CC2
Assessment ***
%
Element Weightings
Exams
C/Work
50%
50%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40%
100%
100%
16