UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

1Awarding institution/body University of Salford
2Taught at University of Salford
3Faculty and School(s) responsible for the programme Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment: School of Computing, Science and Engineering
4Links with partner institutions None
5Programme accredited by British Computer Society. Accreditation will also be sought from the IEE.
6Final award BSc (Hons)
7The FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education) level of the Qualification Level H
8Programme Title Mobile Computing
Mobile Computing with Professional Experience
9Length of programme (in each mode) 3 Years full-time
4 Years with Professional Experience
6 years part-time
10Mode(s) of attendance/delivery Full-Time/Part-Time
11Year of commencement 2004
12Funded by HEFCE, fee-paying students
13JACS (Joint Academic Coding System) Code and any other relevant code G420
BANNER Code: S/MC/F S/MC/S
14Relevant subject benchmarking statements (and other external and internal reference points) "Computing" subject benchmark. BCS Guidelines on Course Exemption and Accreditation 2004.
15Aims of programme
The Mobile Computing programme aims to provide students with the knowledge, techniques and practical skills necessary to pursue a career or research studies in the Mobile Computing field.

The programme develops understanding of networking and computing for mobile platforms that can be employed to develop mobile computing systems and provides knowledge of the functionalities and applications in mobile computing environments. It also aims to promote an apprecisation of professional issues and develop key transferrable skills.

The programme will provide a sequence of environments in which students can apply their knowledge to solve problems, receive feedback and critically evaluate and reflect on their own performance.

16Entrance requirements
GCSE
Passes required (at grade "C") in English Language and Mathematics.

A-level (Curriculum 2000)
Typically in the range CCC-BCC (240-260 points). Three A2s (or equivalents) or a combination of A2 and AS levels is acceptable. A computer related subject is preferred, but not essential. However Mathematics is not required. General Studies is normally accepted as an A-level for this purpose.

Vocational A-level (Curriculum 2000)
Typically 240 points, preferably to include a computer-related subject, for example Information Technology.

BTEC National Diploma or National Certificate
Distinctions and Merits in second year modules, in an appropriate subject, for example Computer Studies.

Access
An appropriate number of credits in level 2 and level 3 modules in a suitable kitemarked course which includes a substantial amount of computer programming.

Irish Leaving Certificates
BBBBB (420 points)

Scottish Highers
BBBBC

International Baccalaureate
A total of 30 points, with 14 in Higher Level (HL) subjects.

Mature applicants and applicants with qualifications other than those listed here are considered on an individual basis.

Direct entry into the second year (level 2), is possible with qualifications such as an HND, a Foundation Degree, an overseas Certificate or Diploma in an appropriate subject to a suitable standard, provided that appropriate prerequisite subjects have been previously studied.

17For programmes not wholly 'owned' by one School the allocation of responsibilty for the administration of the programme
N/A
18Programme Structure
Grid for BSc (Hons) Mobile Computing (S/MC/F)
First Year
S1 Foundations of Computing (20) Introduction to Programming (10) O/S Procedures (10) Study Skills (10) Web Page Design (10)
S2 Data Communications (10) Databases (10) Java Programming (20) Software Development Techniques (20)
Second Year
S1 Object-Oriented Programming (20) Advanced Database Systems (10) Data Structures (10) Human-Computer Interaction (10) Operating Systems Management (10) Professional Issues (10)
S2 Client/Server Computing (10) Internetworking (10) Introduction to AI (10) Mobile Networking (10) Multimedia Technologies (10)
Optional Placement Year for "...with Professional Experience"
IPY Industrial Placement Year (60)
Final Year
S1 Project for MC (40) Communication Systems (10) Internet Security (10) Visualisation Techniques (10) Windows Programming (10)
S2 Ad Hoc Networking (10) Global Systems Architecture (10) Programming for Mobile Platforms (10) 10 credits from:
  • Data Mining (10)
  • Natural Language Processing (10)
  • Neuro-Fuzzy Computing (10)
  • Software Agents (10)
  • 19Programme content
    Programme content for BSc (Hons) Mobile Computing (S/MC/F)
    First Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    25445G400 100371201Foundations of Computing
    25193G400 100311101Introduction to Programming
    13809G400 100151101O/S Procedures
    25448G400 100401101Study Skills
    15731H600 100551101Web Page Design
    First Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    13791G400 100101102Data Communications
    16398G400 100061102Databases
    25194G400 100321202Java Programming
    25447G400 100391202Software Development Techniques
    Second Year, Semesters 1 and 2, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    13871G400 200152201 & 2Object-Oriented Programming
    Second Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    20507G400 200302101Advanced Database Systems
    25196G400 200492101Data Structures
    13866G400 200102101Human-Computer Interaction
    13850G400 200162101Operating Systems Management
    20514G400 200322101Professional Issues
    Second Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    13842G400 200022102Client/Server Computing
    13846G400 200132102Internetworking
    20518G400 200422102Introduction to AI
    25615G400 200552102Mobile Networking
    25197G400 200502102Multimedia Technologies
    Optional Placement Year for "...with Professional Experience"
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    23917G400 200482601 & 2Industrial Placement Year
    Final Year, Semesters 1 and 2, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    25439G400 300423401 & 2Project for MC
    Final Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    13880G400 300023101Communication Systems
    15930G400 300153101Internet Security
    20346G400 300213101Visualisation Techniques
    13888G400 300083101Windows Programming
    Final Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    25618G400 300523102Ad Hoc Networking
    25616G400 300503102Global Systems Architecture
    25617G400 300513102Programming for Mobile Platforms
    Final Year, Semester 2, Optional modules
    CRNModule CodeLevelCreditsSemesterName
    22972G400 300243102Data Mining
    15587G400 300163102Natural Language Processing
    22973G400 300253102Neuro-Fuzzy Computing
    20515G400 300263102Software Agents

    Prerequisites for BSc (Hons) Mobile Computing (S/MC/F)
    First Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
  • "Foundations of Computing" is a standalone module
  • "Introduction to Programming" is a standalone module
  • "O/S Procedures" depends on corequisite "Foundations of Computing"
  • "Study Skills" is a standalone module
  • "Web Page Design" is a standalone module
  • First Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Data Communications" depends on "Foundations of Computing"
  • "Databases" depends on "Foundations of Computing"
  • "Java Programming" depends on "Introduction to Programming"
  • "Software Development Techniques" is a standalone module
  • Second Year, Semesters 1 and 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Object-Oriented Programming" depends on "Software Development Techniques" or "Basic Software Development Techniques" or "Object-Oriented Design" or "Basic Object-Oriented Design" with "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Developing Java Software 3" or "Java Programming" and corequisite "Structures" or "Data Structures"
  • Second Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
  • "Advanced Database Systems" depends on "Basic Databases" or "Databases" with "Software Development Techniques" or "Basic Software Development Techniques" or "Object-Oriented Design" or "Basic Object-Oriented Design"
  • "Data Structures" depends on "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Developing Java Software 3" or "Java Programming"
  • "Human-Computer Interaction" depends on "Foundations of Computing" or "Computer and IS Fundamentals" with "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing"
  • "Operating Systems Management" depends on "O/S Procedures" with "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing"
  • "Professional Issues" depends on "Developing Java Software 1" or "Introduction to Programming" or "Introductory Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for MIT" with "Foundations of Computing" or "Computer and IS Fundamentals" with "Software Development Techniques" or "Basic Software Development Techniques" or "Systems Analysis"
  • Second Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Client/Server Computing" depends on "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing" with "Databases" with "Data Communications"
  • "Internetworking" depends on "Data Communications" with "O/S Procedures"
  • "Introduction to AI" depends on "Foundations of Computing" or "Computational Basics" with "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing"
  • "Mobile Networking" depends on "Data Communications" and corequisite "Internetworking"
  • "Multimedia Technologies" depends on "Data Communications" and corequisite "Internetworking"
  • Optional Placement Year for "...with Professional Experience", Semesters 1 and 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Industrial Placement Year" is a standalone module
  • Final Year, Semesters 1 and 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Project for MC" depends on "Mobile Networking" with "Client/Server Computing" with "Object-Oriented Programming" with "Professional Issues"
  • Final Year, Semester 1, Compulsory modules
  • "Communication Systems" depends on "Basic Data Communications" or "Data Communications"
  • "Internet Security" depends on "Basic Data Communications" or "Data Communications"
  • "Visualisation Techniques" depends on "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing"
  • "Windows Programming" depends on "Developing Java Software 3" or "Structures" or "Data Structures"
  • Final Year, Semester 2, Compulsory modules
  • "Ad Hoc Networking" depends on "Internetworking" with "Mobile Networking"
  • "Global Systems Architecture" is a standalone module
  • "Programming for Mobile Platforms" depends on "Object-Oriented Programming"
  • Final Year, Semester 2, Optional modules
  • "Data Mining" depends on "Basic Databases" or "Databases"
  • "Natural Language Processing" is a standalone module
  • "Neuro-Fuzzy Computing" depends on "Introduction to AI"
  • "Software Agents" depends on "Developing Java Software 2" or "Object-Based Java Programming" or "Java Programming" or "Multimedia Programming for Computing" with "Human-Computer Interaction"
  • 20Intended learning outcomes for the programme
    Upon successful completion of the programme, students will:

    Knowledge and Understanding

    • have detailed knowledge of mobile networking technologies including network connectivity, operating systems, environments and applications
    • show a critical awareness of current communications and networking technologies and systems and their principles
    • understand and apply appropriate programming languages and techniques to mobile platforms
    • gain knowledge of internet and mobile networks security issues, techniques and measures
    • appreciation of real-world issues that impact on the implementation and operation of mobile computing systems
    • have broad knowledge and understanding of related areas of computing, including: computer architectures, object-oriented design and programming, computer networks, databases, operating systems and internet computing
    • acquire a knowledge of state-of-the-art programming including design methodologies and implementation strategies
    • understand and appreciate the importance of professional and ethical issues.
    Intellectual skills

    • be able to consider alternative approaches and select appropriate solutions
    • have the ability to apply appropriate mathematical skills
    • have abstraction, reasoning and conceptualisation skills
    Professional skills

    • develop and use knowledge elecitation and representation skills
    • develop and use software testing, maintaining and debugging skills
    • communicate effectively with users and practitioners
    • exercise initiative and personal responsibility through the completion of an individual project
    Key Skills

    • develop and use key skills: Communication, Information Technology, Application of Number, Managing own Learning, Working with others, and Problem Solving
    21Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
    A variety of delivery methods are adopted to acheive the intended learning outcomes:
    • Practical modules include supervised laboratories as well as lectures;
    • Case studies are used to develop students' ability to apply their knowledge and develop skills;
    • Group work is used to develop team working and professional skills;
    • Projects enable students to apply what they have larnt to a realistic problem;
    • Professional issues are integrated in the curriculum and a seminar-based module emphasises their importance; and
    • Key skills (for example students giving presentations) throughout the programme.
    Varied formative and summative assessment strategies are used and based on a module's learning outcomes:
    • Modules whose learning outcomes are introductory, develop knowledge or are of a theoretical nature are assessed primarily by examination;
    • Modules whose learning outcomes are mainly to develop practical or professional skills are assessed by project work, case studies or group work.

    The volume of assessment is approximately 28% by examination and 72% by coursework and practical assignments, which reflects the practical nature of the programme. The examinations contribute 27% to the final degree classification.

    22Assessed Professional Experience
    The programme includes an optional year-long industrial placement
    23Special features of programme
    Seminars delivered by industrial guests to present real world issues
    24Requirements for progression at each level, plus the criteria on which the final award is based
    This programme is governed by the "University Credit Framework".

    Final awards are made according to the overall weighted average mark, using the boundaries and weightings defined in the "University Degree Classification Scheme"

    25Arrangements for student support
    The University has a wide range of student support services, including a Health Service, nursery, Chaplaincy, counsellors, Student Advice Centre, Student Assistance Office, Tutor Advisor scheme, and study skills support.

    In line with the University's Code of Practice on Personal Tutoring, all students have access to a member of staff who can provide personal guidance and suggest other sources of help