1. MSc programmes in computing Welcome Introduction to MSc Programmes 2011 1

2. Build a house Follow instructions as given using tools provided Introduction to MSc Programmes 2011 2

3. Use Incremental & Iterative development Focus on agile software development processes during the year – be adaptive Build smallest possible thing that will work with least necessary features to get feedback and grow from there. Introduction to MSc Programmes 2011 3

4. 4 Introduction Department Registration Computing Science this session when talk is done Graduate School Induction Wednesday 1 st February, 9:30am, Linklater Rooms Should also be other details from your introductory letter/email

5. Introduction to MSc Programmes 20115 Introduction Department Registration Computing Science – Tuesday 20 th September, 3.00pm - 5.00pm, MT209 and Thursday 22 nd September, 3.00pm – 5.00pm, MT209 Graduate School Induction Wednesday 21 st September, 2.00pm - 3.30pm, New Kings 6 Information Skills (Lecture) Computing Science – Monday 3 rd October, 12.00pm – 1.00pm, New Library, Floor 2, Seminar Room Information Skills (Workshop) Computing Science - Tuesday 4 th October, 12.00pm – 13.00pm, New Library, Floor 2, PC classroom 1 and 2 (Rooms 226 and 227) Academic Writing Computing Science - Friday 14 th October, 12.00pm – 1.00pm, New Library, Floor 2, Seminar Room Avoiding Plagiarism Computing Science – Friday 21 st October, 12.00pm – 1.00 pm, New Library, Floor 2, Seminar Room

6. Introduction to MSc Programmes 20116 E-Registration Make sure that you e-Register, if you have not already done so Need your application number and D.O.B. Advanced MSc students should determine which courses they intend to take e-advising

7. Introduction to MSc Programmes 20117 MSc Programme Structures Christmas Vacation Revision Week Examinations Introductory week Revision Week Examinations Taught modules 1 (60 Credits) Taught modules 2 (60 Credits) Individual & Group Project (60 Credits) September MayJanuary

8. Introduction to MSc Programmes 20118 Variety of Programmes Advanced MSc variants (CS first degree) Electronic Commerce Technology (vanilla) Artificial Intelligence – more algorithms Cloud Computing – more business Advanced Information Systems – more IT MSc IT – non-computing first degree

9. Introduction to MSc Programmes 20119 Switching Programmes Easy: switch between Advanced MSc variants Just tell Bruce or Nigel Not normally possible: switch from Advanced MSc to IT Switch from IT to Advanced MSc

10. Group projects with clients Opportunity for all to work on projects with real clients Advanced programmes in second-half session (Feb->May) IT students group project in summer (June->Aug) Introduction to MSc Programmes 2011 10

11. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201111 Software installation All students are expected to be able to install the needed software on their laptops during first week of classes The sooner you do this, and sort it out, the easier life will be. 11

12. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201112 Assessment (1) Continuous assessment submission rules: Unless instructed otherwise by the Course Organiser, you should submit two copies of each written assessment. Place in marked box on ground floor by stairwell One copy is returned (within four teaching weeks of its receipt) with comments from the marker(s) and a mark on the Common Assessment Scale (CAS). For several deadlines may be scheduled at the same time, you must manage your time

13. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201113 Assessment (2) Penalties for late submission: Up to 24 hours: 10% penalty. (or over weekend if deadline is Friday) Up to 1 week: 25% penalty. After 1 week work is marked and returned, but is recorded as no paper: 100% penalty. All deadline extensions due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness) are subject to approval by the exam board.

14. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201114 The Common Assessment Scale 18-20 – distinction mark (70-100%) excellent understanding of materials and application 15-17 – commendation mark (60-69%) very good understanding of materials and application 12-14 – masters level (50-59%) Solid and confident understanding of materials and application 9-11 – masters level (40-49%) Competent understanding of materials and application 6-8 – fail (30-39%) 1-5 – poor fail

15. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201115 Cheating & Plagiarism (1) Plagiarism is the substantial use, without acknowledgement and with intent to deceive the examiners or knowing that the examiners might be deceived, of the intellectual work of other people by representing, whether by copying or paraphrase, the ideas or discoveries of another or of others as ones own in work submitted for assessment. The mere inclusion of the source in a bibliography shall not be considered sufficient acknowledgement. Keyword: Acknowledgement

16. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201116 Cheating & Plagiarism (2) Given that it is very easy to copy software, the potential exists for plagiarism in the submission of coursework. Work submitted for assessment should normally be individual work. Do not agree to requests from other students to copy your work.

17. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201117 Cheating & Plagiarism (3) If you copy without acknowledgement, then this is plagiarism. You should assume that your coursework will be checked for plagiarism, whether you are submitting a report, or software. The department will report the matter to the Universitys Investigating Officer. If found guilty, penalties include the awarding of zero marks for the individual assessment, the entire course, or, if serious, the award of no degree at all.

18. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201118 Cheating: Final Note In my experience, plagiarism makes it less likely that you will pass the programme Because you will have a harder time learning material, and hence passing the exam, if you dont do the assessments If you feel you cannot do an assessment, please tell the course lecturer, or one of us (Bruce, Nigel, Advaith)!

19. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201119 Regulations http://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/quality/appendix7x7.pdf Award of a Postgraduate Diploma: Normally a pass (CAS 9) is required for all taught modules. Award of an MSc: Normally a pass (CAS 9) in all elements, inclusive of the project. The exam board determines when to apply discretion when a student is short a CAS 9 for a module.

20. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201120 Progression You can leave with 60 credits for a Postgraduate Certificate, or You can leave with 120 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma To proceed to the MSc (project) stage, you need: Normally marks at 9 or better in all elements of the Postgraduate Diploma. All decisions on progression and award are subject to examiners discretion.

21. There are also commendation and distinction awards Postraduate Diploma results With commendation when marks for half of elements CAS 15 or better, and others are CAS 12 or better With distinction when marks for half of elements are CAS 18 or better, and at least three-quarters of total assessment are CAS 15 or better, and others are CAS 12 or better. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201121

22. There are also commendation and distinction awards MSc results With commendation when marks for half of elements CAS 15 or better including the project, and others are CAS 12 or better With distinction when marks for half of elements are CAS 18 or better, including the project, and at least three-quarters of total assessment are CAS 15 or better, and others are CAS 12 or better. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201122

23. You can appeal procedural decisions If you feel you have a case for an appeal after seeing your exam results, then you can appeal within 2 weeks of the exam results being posted in your portal See more at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/appeals http://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/appeals You can not appeal on academic judgment, only procedure, competency, or prejudice Introduction to MSc Programmes 201123

24. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201124 Student Feedback Class representative: Class Members Elected from across both advanced and IT streams, at least one from each. Staff-student liaison committee: Two or three meetings each year. Informal feedback to Course Organisers. Course Evaluation Forms.

25. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201125 Illness/Absence Illness / Bereavement: Must let Programme Tutor (Nigel and Advaith) know ASAP. Medical certificate - submit to secretary via online form: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ncs/current/absence-reporting/ Holidays are Christmas (Dec), Easter (April). http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ncs/current/absence-reporting/ Absences (outside holiday periods): Must seek permission from Programme Tutor in advance. Let us know of special requirements for examinations. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/disability/

26. Register with a GP (doctor) You need to do this before you need one The closest one to the University is Old Aberdeen Medical Practice Introduction to MSc Programmes 201126

27. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201127 Contacts General administration: School office – Meston G01 (27)2295 Individual modules: Course Organisers. Programme Directors: Nigel Beacham (Adv. MSc Tutor) Advaith Suddarthin (MSc IT) Director Postgraduate Teaching: Bruce Scharlau Head of Discipline: George M. Coghill By appointment only.

28. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201128 Communication Email: Must check your @abdn e-mail regularly Course announcements, lecture changes, snow closures, etc. We assume that an e-mail message is received - so make sure you read them DAILY.

29. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201129 Other labs University has many computer labs scattered around campus Desktop PCs Used for IT practicals Wireless access in many halls of residence, libraries, most of Meston building

30. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201130 Conditions for the Use of Computer Systems Facilities are provided solely for University purposes; i.e., work directly associated with courses/project activity. Facilities must not be used for recreational purposes. Accessing, holding or distributing pornographic or offensive material will be treated as a serious breach of these conditions.

31. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201131 Printing You are provided with an initial printer quota that should be sufficient for your courses. BE CAREFUL when printing; i.e., check the number of pages before printing. You may purchase additional quota (see School Office for advice) Printers in university computer labs

32. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201132 Access to Department Normal hours: 09:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday Evenings (18:00-23:00) and weekends: Access by key. We will let you know when keys are available (deposit required). Sign in and out at porters desk. Carry student ID card. Late night (23:00 onwards) Not possible. Can access your network space from non-departmental DIT labs, some of which have 24 hour access. See http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/compserv/class/classrooms.hti

33. Secretarial Office – Meston G01 Opening hours: 10:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday-Friday See them about documentation for medical certificates, handing in assessments that dont fit in boxes, Adding to your print quota Introduction to MSc Programmes 201133

34. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201134 Language Resources Language Centre offers in-term EFL support see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/languagecentre/index.php?id=18&top=3 for details about: Report writing Seminar skills, etc. These may be useful and should be taken now while the workload is low.

35. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201135 Programme Resources Programme pages http://www.abdn.ac.uk/myaberdeen (handbook, etc)http://www.abdn.ac.uk/myaberdeen Department pages underhttp://www.abdn.ac.uk/ncs/computing/http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ncs/computing/ Library Queen Mother Library http://www.abdn.ac.uk/library/http://www.abdn.ac.uk/library/

36. Introduction to MSc Programmes 201136 Questions Anything else?