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MEng Software Engineering

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MEng Software Engineering

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Engineering

Programme Code

SOE-MENG

UCAS Code

G602

JACS Code

I300 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

A-level: AAB including Computing, Mathematics or Software Systems Development + GCSE Mathematics OR AAA including Chemistry, GCE A-level ICT (not Single Award Applied ICT), Physics, Technology or Double Award Applied ICT + GCSE Mathematics.

BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant computing, engineering or scientific BTEC Extended Diploma with 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits + GCSE Mathematics.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Mathematics OR AAB2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Chemistry or Physics + Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics

ATAS Clearance Required

Health Check Required

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Master

Length of Programme

4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

480

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Sci

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Computing (2016)

Accreditations (PSRB)

British Computer Society (BCS)

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 17-10-13

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The programme is subject to the University General Regulations which can be found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/

Progression from Stage 1 to Stage 2:

At the end of Stage 1, students enrolled on a Computer Science, Software Engineering or Computing and Information Technology programme may choose to swap programme and transfer into Stage 2 of any of these listed programmes subject to meeting the normal Stage 1 to Stage 2 progression requirements of the chosen programme. Students will not normally be permitted to swap from a Bachelors to Masters programme or from a programme with Professional Experience to a programme without Professional Experience.

Progression from Stage 2 to Stage 3:

In order to proceed to Stage 3, Stage 2 students must normally have passed a minimum of 6 Level 2 modules, to include any prerequisite modules for core Level 3 modules, and have passed 6 modules at Level 1 and aggregate an overall mark of at least 55% based on the marks achieved in the 6 Level 2 modules of equal weight = 75% of overall mark and the 6 Level 1 modules of equal weight = 25% of the overall mark.

Students achieving an overall mark at the end of Stage 2 less than 55% will normally be required to transfer to the equivalent BEng programme.

Progression from Stage 3 to Stage 4:

To proceed to an MEng degree, students, at the end of Stage 3, must normally have passed 18 modules and aggregate an overall mark of at least 55% based on the marks achieved in the best 6 modules at Level 3 of equal weight = 60% of overall mark, best 6 modules at Level 2 of equal weight = 30% of the overall mark and 6 other modules at Level 1 of equal weight = 10% of the overall mark.

Students who do not achieve an overall mark of at least 55% will normally be required to graduate with the equivalent BEng degree.

Award of Degrees:

For the award of an MEng Honours Degree students must normally have passed at least 24 modules to include their final year project module and have achieved a weighted average mark of at least 50%.

The classification of the MEng degree is determined by a straight aggregate of the weighted marks for the individual modules which contribute to the classification. The classification is based on those 6 modules taken in Stage 4, of equal weight = 50% of the final mark, the modules taken in Stage 3, of equal weight = 30% of the final mark, the modules taken in Stage 2 of equal weight = 15% of the final mark, and the modules taken in Stage 1 of equal weight = 5% of the final mark.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The overall aim of the programme is to provide a broadly-based education in Software Engineering, supported by fundamental topics in Computing Science, which will produce graduates equipped to apply best practice in software engineering to the design and development of a wide range of software systems in organisations. As an integrated Masters programme, students will have the opportunity to undertake advanced study within Software Engineering.

• Embark on careers as professional Software Engineers or undertake research in Software Engineering.

• Understand the fundamental principles of Software Engineering and Computer Science.

• Understand and able to use a range of current, emerging, novel and exciting developments in Software Engineering theory and practice.

• Apply the skills necessary to critically evaluate new developments in technology and take advantage of them where appropriate.

• Maintain a rigorous approach to the design and development of software systems and the analysis of their correctness and complexity, which will remain applicable through changes in technology.

• Exercise high levels of professionalism and an awareness of the wider business and legal environment in which software engineers operate.

• Possess strong interpersonal skills, encompassing team-working skills and effective oral, written, presentation and listening skills.

• Uphold the values, attitudes and competencies needed to undertake CPD and self-directed learning throughout their careers.

• Understand and be able to use a range of specialised and advanced topics in Software Engineering.

Consistent with the general Educational Aims of the Programme and the specific requirements of the Benchmarking Statement for Computing, this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme, and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Specifically, students graduating from the programme will have achieved the following learning outcomes, commensurate with degree classification, relating to subject specific knowledge and understanding; intellectual, practical and key transferable skills: