Course Award Faysal

COURSE SPECIFICATION: Core Award Data
COURSE SPECIFICATION:
Core Award Data
Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology
AWARDING INSTITUTION
Robert Gordon University
INSTITUTION OF DELIVERY
COURSE ACCREDITED BY
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
(https://www.bcs.org/accredited)
COURSE ACCREDITATION / RECOGNITION

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for
registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
AWARDS
Stage 1
Exit award on successful completion of four modules (60 SCQF credits);

PgCert Information Technology
PgCert Information Technology with Business Intelligence*
PgCert Information Technology with Cyber Security*
*Awarded subject to the 60 SCQF credits including successful completion of one relevant elective module.
Exit award on successful completion of eight modules (120 SCQF credits);

PgDip Information Technology
PgDip Information Technology with Business Intelligence**
PgDip Information Technology with Cyber Security**
**Awarded subject to the 120 SCQF credits including successful completion of two relevant elective modules.
Exit award on successful completion of eight modules and the two project modules (180 SCQF credits);
MSc Information Technology
MSc Information Technology with Business Intelligence**
MSc Information Technology with Cyber Security**
**Awarded subject to the 180 SCQF credits including successful completion of two relevant elective modules.
AWARD TYPE
Postgraduate - Masters
MODES OF STUDY
Full-Time
Part-Time
DURATION OF COURSE
The course will normally be delivered and assessed over the following duration(s). Please note the period from enrolment to
final assessment will depend on the point of intake and scheduled University breaks.
Full-time 12 months with a September intake with an optional short industrial placement (4-20 weeks).
Full-time 16 months with a January intake with an optional short industrial placement (4-20 weeks).
Part-time 28-32 months (dependent on whether the student works on the project over the summer or not) with a
September intake with an optional short industrial placement (4-20 weeks).
Part-time 32-36 months (dependent on whether the student works on the project over the summer or not) with a January
Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology 1
Part-time 32-36 months (dependent on whether the student works on the project over the summer or not) with a January
intake with an optional short industrial placement (4-20 weeks).
If a student goes on a placement, the course duration will be extended by the duration of the placement.
LANGUAGE OF STUDY
English
LANGUAGE OF ASSESSMENT
English
UCAS CODE
None.
JACS CODE
G610
RELEVANT QAA SUBJECT GROUP

Computing
DATE OF PRODUCTION / REVISION

30 June 2022
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

The course provides an opportunity for graduates of non-computing disciplines to develop specialist skills suitable for a
career in Computing. The course is designed for students who wish to apply their knowledge and expertise in a technical
environment and need to develop core computing skills in order to achieve this. Students will develop skills in software
development, database systems, web programming, data visualisation and analytics and IT service management as well as
the research and development skills required to undertake a sustained software development project. The Software Project
Engineering and MSc Project modules are of particular value to employers as evidence of the ability to produce high quality
work of an advanced technical standard to deadline and to a high standard of presentation.
In addition to providing a solid introduction to core IT skills the four course options allow students to select a specialism in
one of four key fields of IT: software development; networking; data analytics and business intelligence; or cyber security.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE COURSE

Course Aims
The aims of the course are to:

• foster knowledge and in-depth understanding of the capabilities of modern software development methods and tools;
• develop competence in the analysis and specification of the information storage and processing needs of industrial /
commercial applications;
• produce practitioners who can match and integrate appropriate software technologies, hence implementing effective
solutions to the requirements posed by a system specification;
• develop the skills to plan and monitor the conduct of the development process with a view to ensuring delivery of a quality
assured product;
• provide students with a sound basis on IT service management.
Aims of Each Stage of the Course
The specific aims for each stage of the course are:
Postgraduate Certificate
To produce practitioners who will be able to:
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current software development technologies;

• depending on the chosen specialism: configure and troubleshoot multi-router computer networks; incorporate legal and
ethical considerations into account in software design; design and manage data warehousing systems; or configure and
manage secure information systems.
• apply technical skills to the specification, design and implementation of moderately complex information systems.
Postgraduate Diploma
To produce practitioners who, in addition to the aims above, will be able to:
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current database development technologies;

• critically appraise characteristics and capabilities of underlying hardware and system software which can influence the
choice and performance of software technologies;
• depending on course: design and manage secure computer networks; design user-centred software to a high standard;
develop professional systems for data analytics; design and manage secure database systems;
• establish a project management framework and lay down effective procedures for monitoring progress and quality
assurance of a large scale development project;
• manage the delivery of computer services.
Master of Science

In addition to the above, MSc graduates will be able to:
• analyse the requirements of any unstructured and substantial problem discerning functional, human and performance
factors; critically appraise different design approaches and technical solutions;
• plan, manage and execute substantial software development projects within the framework of an appropriate software
lifecycle model or networking problem;
• integrate different software and information design technologies;
• effectively test and document complex software solutions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• current database technologies;
• the capabilities of modern software development methods and tools;
• the analysis and specification of the information storage and processing needs of industrial and commercial applications;
• how to match and integrate appropriate software technologies, and thus implement effective solutions to the requirements
posed by a system specification;
• how to plan and monitor the conduct of the development process with a view to ensuring delivery of a quality-assured
product;
• the frameworks and best practice in IT service delivery;
• depending on course specialisms: the management and maintenance of computer networks to a professional standard; the
design of user-centred software conforming to legal and ethical frameworks; the management and analysis of data to extract
actional information; securing and protecting data and computer systems.
• appropriate research methodologies and detailed understanding of the particular area in which the Masters project is
carried out.
Communication and Presentation Skills
The student is expected to demonstrate the skills required to:

• produce structured and coherent written reports to document the investigation and survey of a problem domain;
• document research strategy and design decisions and to record research or test strategies and results throughout the
various stages of a major research /information systems development project;
• produce a clear and coherent thesis which documents the process and end result of a major research/ information
systems development exercise;
• deliver a lucid and coherent oral defence of the work undertaken during the Masters project before a live audience of
peers and academics.
Practical Skills
The student is expected to demonstrate the skills required to:

• apply statistical methods to assess and evaluate research or experimental test results;
• make effective use of available IT tools and packages to undertake the practical work of the PgC/PgD modules;
• produce high quality technical documentation to accompany coursework submissions and to access online learning
resources;
• make effective use of available IT tools and packages to enhance the production and presentation of the Masters project
report and oral defence.
Intellectual Skills
The student has to demonstrate the ability to:

• work autonomously or with minimal guidance, where appropriate, direct and manage own learning using the full range of
resources and study techniques appropriate to the specialist area(s) covered by the course;
• demonstrate the various skills required to work effectively with a research supervisor and with any other support staff;
• analyse an information systems problem identifying key requirements;
• propose solutions to information systems requirements, using appropriate notations to express solution concepts and aid
reasoning about the efficacy of the proposed design;
• evaluate the efficacy of proposed solutions;
• apply critical judgment in the selection and application of analysis / test strategies for validating research outcomes /
testing software and compliance to initial requirements;
• formulate effective solutions to realistic problems related to the focus of the course;
• select and conduct the Masters project applying an analytic, rigorous and critical approach to identifying project goals,
proposing and evaluating different research/solution strategies and generating a useful and effective output.
Key Employability, Enterprise and Transferable Skills

• develop and critically evaluate effective solutions to complex information systems problems;
• apply advanced programming tools to analyse and develop efficient database designs;
• investigate the knowledge and skills required to operate within an IT service function;
• investigate and critically appraise specialist areas of research;
• use tools and techniques to analyse existing complex data;
• integrate critical reflection into work roles and responsibilities;
• adopt an analytical approach to tasks to identify problems, solutions and evaluation;
• collaborate with others to develop an IT solution to a problem;
• analyse the legal and ethical issues related to their work.
Personal Attributes and Understanding

• express complex technical information verbally and through written and visual work;
• show a willingness to learn from others and problem solve;
• self manage time and workload scheduling, flexibility, critical analysis, and objective evaluation;
• challenge, test, analyse and evaluate programming issues and work toward a realistic and workable solution.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF COURSE

The course provides an opportunity for graduates from non-computing disciplines to develop skills and knowledge that will
prepare and equip them for a career in the IT sector. It also provides a route for graduates currently working in IT but who
have no formal computing qualifications to update and refresh their skills whilst gaining a formal computing qualification.
As well as developing core IT skills, the four course options available allow students to develop specialist knowledge in one of
several key sectors of the IT industry.
Course choices allow students to specialise in software development or in business and data analytics or in the field of cyber
security.
WHAT THE COURSE INVOLVES

The general format of the first two Semesters comprises a two hour lecture and two hour lab sessions for each of 4
modules. The part-time students attend the same programmed sessions as the full-time students but typically undertake
only two modules per Semester rather than four modules on a full-time basis.
In Semester 3 the students are engaged on the project modules and have a structured timetable as well as regular weekly
meetings with their project supervisor to discuss progress and offer support.
Part-time September start students can start their project either in May of their second year and complete in December of
their third year or start their project in September of their third year and complete in May that year. Part-time January start
students will start their project in January of their third year and can either complete their project in August or December
that year depending on whether the student works on the project over the summer or not.
PLACEMENT / PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Students have the option of applying to undertake their project investigation in a work-based context via the CMM540
Workplace Project Investigation module in which students undertake a short work placement and propose and investigate a
related industrial or business problem requiring an IT solution that can form the basis for their MSc project.
Students may apply for a short placement in which the students develop their professional and technical skills in a business
environment. This type of placement may be undertaken after the student has completed at least 60 credits. Students can
do a short placement in parallel with their course studies or during a student break. Placements are not guaranteed.
The short placement will enable students to further develop their practical and professional skills in computing. Placements
vary considerably depending on the institution/team the student works in. Students are assigned a placement supervisor
who works for the company the students work for. Students are also assigned a university tutor. Students and company
supervisors may contact the student's university tutor at any time during their placement.
All students are given a student placement handbook which outlines key aspects of the placement including details of
assessment. While on placement, students will submit a brief weekly report where they detail the work carried out that week
as well as their future work plans. At the end of the placement, students submit a placement report containing an overview of
their placement as well as reflective analysis of the work conducted and lessons learnt. This report forms part of
the assessment.
All employers are given a supervisors guidelines document which outlines the roles and responsibilities of placement
providers. At the end of placements, supervisors submit reports in which they assess their placed students which forms the
remaining part of the assessment.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY

The course has a strong grounding in research techniques and enables students to advance into research and development
at doctoral level within this institution or other UK higher education institutions.
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL INDICATORS OF QUALITY AND STANDARDS

University Mission Statement
"To inspire and enable the transformation of individuals, economies and societies."
The course has been design following the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework credit value system.
The course team has followed the Quality Assurance Agency guidelines and the British Computer Society guidelines for
Masters-level course design.
The School recently undertook a review of all its existing courses under the University's Institutional-Led Subject Review. The
outcome of the review was very positive.
The School benefits from teaching-research linkages. A significant number of academic staff also undertake research, and a
vibrant research community exists within the School, providing a rich environment for advanced study and the training to
continue to PhD study or highly-skilled industrial posts. Projects are supported by our strong research groups in Machine
Learning and Data Visualisation, Artificial Intelligence, Usability and Accessibility, Security and Privacy and Computing
Education and by our excellent connections to industry.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
This course is governed by the provisions of the University's Academic Regulations, which are available at
www.rgu.ac.uk/academicregulations. In particular:
Regulation A1: Courses
Regulation A2: Admission and Enrolment
Regulation A3: Section 1: Student Appeals (Awards and Progression) Procedure
Regulation A3: Section 2: Student Conduct Procedure
Regulation A3: Section 3: Student Fitness to Practise Procedure
Regulation A3: Section 4: Student Fitness to Study Procedure
Regulation A4: Assessment and Recommendations of Assessment Boards
Entry Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University's general admission requirements to courses as contained in Academic Regulation A2:
Admission and Enrolment, including proficiency to a minimum standard in the English language. Specific entry requirements
for this course are detailed below.
The normal minimum entry requirements are an Honours Degree (2nd class or better) or equivalent in a non-Computing
discipline.
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an
equivalent.
These requirements may be relaxed for applicants holding a qualification or industrial experience of equivalent standard.
In general, an interview is not required for entry to the course.
Course Specific Academic Regulations
The project modules, including the 15-credit investigation (CMM512 Project Investigation or CMM540 Workplace Project
Investigation) and the 45-credit project (CMM513 MSc Project) cannot be condoned as they are key to demonstrating
essential skills in the course such as the ability to conduct a significant piece of independent work. BCS guidelines state that
the 60 credit project should not be compensated.
CMM538 Short Industrial Placement cannot be used to compensate for failed modules.
SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION

None.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The University has a strong commitment to the active promotion of equality across its functions, including its course
provision. To this end the University has developed an inclusivity statement which articulates the University's desire to strive
towards creating a working, learning and social atmosphere which is inclusive, harmonious and respectful of diversity. The
University has also developed an Equality and Diversity Policy and every two years publishes a mainstreaming report,
including equality outcomes, which explains how the university is developing and implementing its inclusivity statement. At a
course level, Course Leaders monitor and comment on equalities data through the Annual Appraisal process. Through this
process any significant trends in equalities data are highlighted. Further information can be found at:www.rgu.ac.uk/about/equality-and-d
www.rgu.ac.uk/about/equality-and-diversity.
All Schools have a nominated School Contact who can advise on the requirements of the course and the range of
course-specific reasonable adjustments that may be made.
The University's Inclusion Centre provides support for students, details of which may be found at: www.rgu.ac.uk/disability.
NOTE
This document constitutes one of two course documents that should be read together:
Course Specification: Core Award Data
Course Specification: Student Learning Experience
CONTACT DETAILS
Garthdee House
Aberdeen
AB10 7QB
Scotland, UK
A Scottish Charity, Registration No. SC013781
Telephone: +44 (0)1224 262000
Web: http://www.rgu.ac.uk
In compiling this information the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, though it must be read as
subject to change at any time and without notice. The University reserves the right to make variations to the contents or
methods of delivery of courses, to discontinue, merge or combine courses, and to introduce new courses.
Printed: 29 Jun 2023
Record Number: 0548
Version Number: 7

DETAILED COURSE STRUCTURE
Full-Time
Stage 1 Semester 1 CREDITS LEVEL
CM3134 Social and Human Factors in Cyber Security 15 SCQF 9 A
CMM022 Data Management 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM024 Object-oriented Programming 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM028 IT Infrastructure and Administration 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM517 Information Security Management 15 SCQF 11 C
CMM531 Data Warehousing 15 SCQF 11 B
Total for Semester: 60
Route A - Information Technology
Route B - Information Technology with Business Intelligence
Route C - Information Technology with Cyber Security
Full-Time
CM3114 User Centred Design 15 SCQF 9 A
CMM004 Software Project Engineering 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM007 Intranet Systems Development 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM010 Data Mining Techniques 15 SCQF 11 B
CMM011 Security Operations 15 SCQF 11 C
CMM020 Data Visualisation and Analysis 15 SCQF 11 ABC
Full-Time
CMM500 MSc Project 60 SCQF 11 AB
CMM538 Short Industrial Placement 15 SCQF 11 A

Route A: 75
Note: Route totals are not equal -> Totals for Semester: Route B: 60
Route A - Short placement route
Route B - Non-placement route
Total for Stage: 195
Part-Time
CMM022 Data Management 15 SCQF 11
CMM024 Object-oriented Programming 15 SCQF 11

Part-Time
CMM007 Intranet Systems Development 15 SCQF 11
CMM020 Data Visualisation and Analysis 15 SCQF 11
Part-Time
Part-Time
CM3134 Social and Human Factors in Cyber Security 15 SCQF 9 A
CMM028 IT Infrastructure and Administration 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM517 Information Security Management 15 SCQF 11 C
CMM531 Data Warehousing 15 SCQF 11 B
Part-Time
CM3114 User Centred Design 15 SCQF 9 A
CMM004 Software Project Engineering 15 SCQF 11 ABC
CMM523 Database and Web Security 15 SCQF 11 C
CMM535 Data Science Development 15 SCQF 11 B
Part-Time
CMM500 MSc Project -- SCQF 11 AB
CMM538 Short Industrial Placement 15 SCQF 11 B

Route A: 0
Note: Route totals are not equal -> Totals for Semester: Route B: 15
Route A - Non-placement route
Route B - Short placement route
Part-Time
CMM500 MSc Project 60 SCQF 11
Total for Stage: 180


COURSE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM
FULL TIME FULL TIME
September Intake
Year 1 Semester 1
Object-oriented Programming
Data Management
IT Infrastructure and Service Management

*Computer Ethics and Law (IT) or Data
Warehousing (ITBI) or Information Security
Management (ITCS)
January Intake (17 months)
Year 1 Semester 2 Year 1 Semester 2
Software Project Engineering Software Project Engineering
Intranet Systems Development Intranet Systems Development
Data Visualisation and Analysis Data Visualisation and Analysis

*User-centred Design (IT) or Data Science *User-centred Design (IT) or Data Science
Development (ITBI) or Database and Development (ITBI) or Database and
Web Security (ITCS) Web Security (ITCS)

MSc Project Investigation, or Workplace Project
No Summer Teaching
Investigation
MSc Project
Year 2 Semester 1
Data Management
IT Infrastructure and Service Management

Management (ITCS)
Year 2 Semester 2
MSc Project Investigation, or Workplace
Project Investigation
MSc Project
PART TIME PART TIME

September Intake January Intake
Year 1 Semester 1
Database Management

Intranet Systems Development Intranet Systems Development
Data Visualisation and Analysis Data Visualisation and Analysis
Year 1 semester 3 Year 1 semester 3

No summer teaching No summer teaching

IT Infrastructure and Service Management Object-oriented Programming
Warehousing (ITBI) or Information Security Database Management
Management (ITCS)

Software Project Engineering Software Project Engineering
*User-centred Design (IT) or Data Science *User-centred Design (IT) or Data Science
Development (ITBI), or Database and Web Development (ITBI) or Database and
Security (ITCS) Web Security (ITCS)

MSc Project Investigation, or Workplace Project
No summer teaching
Investigation
MSc Project
MSc Project IT Infrastructure and Service Management

Management (ITCS)
Year 3 semester 2
MSc Project Investigation, or Workplace
Project Investigation
MSc Project
Year 3 semester 3
MSc Project
*Abbreviations in brackets indicate award associated with each choice: IT = Information
Technology, ITBI = Information Technology with Business Intelligence, ITCS Information
Technology with Cyber Security.
Students can undertake a short industrial placement at any time after completing one semester of
studies, and they can do so in parallel with their course studies or during a summer break.

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COURSE SPECIFICATION: Core Award Data

Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology

COURSE ACCREDITATION / RECOGNITION

Exit award on successful completion of four modules (60 SCQF credits);

Exit award on successful completion of eight modules (120 SCQF credits);

RELEVANT QAA SUBJECT GROUP

DATE OF PRODUCTION / REVISION

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE COURSE

The aims of the course are to:

Aims of Each Stage of the Course

The specific aims for each stage of the course are:

To produce practitioners who will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current software development technologies;

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current database development technologies;

Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology 2

In addition to the above, MSc graduates will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Communication and Presentation Skills

The student is expected to demonstrate the skills required to:

The student is expected to demonstrate the skills required to:

The student has to demonstrate the ability to:

Key Employability, Enterprise and Transferable Skills

The student has to demonstrate the ability to:

Personal Attributes and Understanding

The student has to demonstrate the ability to:

Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology 3

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF COURSE

WHAT THE COURSE INVOLVES

PLACEMENT / PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL INDICATORS OF QUALITY AND STANDARDS

Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology 4

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Master of Science [MSc] Information Technology 5

DETAILED COURSE STRUCTURE

Stage 1 Semester 1 CREDITS LEVEL

CM3134 Social and Human Factors in Cyber Security 15 SCQF 9 A

CMM022 Data Management 15 SCQF 11 ABC

CMM024 Object-oriented Programming 15 SCQF 11 ABC

CMM028 IT Infrastructure and Administration 15 SCQF 11 ABC

CMM517 Information Security Management 15 SCQF 11 C

CMM531 Data Warehousing 15 SCQF 11 B

Total for Semester: 60

Route A - Information Technology

Route B - Information Technology with Business Intelligence

Route C - Information Technology with Cyber Security

Stage 1 Semester 2 CREDITS LEVEL

CM3114 User Centred Design 15 SCQF 9 A

CMM004 Software Project Engineering 15 SCQF 11 ABC

CMM007 Intranet Systems Development 15 SCQF 11 ABC

CMM010 Data Mining Techniques 15 SCQF 11 B

CMM011 Security Operations 15 SCQF 11 C

CMM020 Data Visualisation and Analysis 15 SCQF 11 ABC

Total for Semester: 60

Route A - Information Technology

Route B - Information Technology with Business Intelligence

Route C - Information Technology with Cyber Security

Stage 1 Semester 3 CREDITS LEVEL

CMM500 MSc Project 60 SCQF 11 AB

CMM538 Short Industrial Placement 15 SCQF 11 A

Route A - Short placement route