MSc Advanced and Specialism

This is the homepage for students currently studying on the MSc Advanced Computing and MSc Computing (Specialism) programmes. It includes links to relevant information needed throughout the year.

Induction

College Welcome

The college has information for new postgraduate students to help you get started.

Success Guide

The college success guide for Master's students has useful advice as you embark on studies at the postgraduate level.

Department Welcome Talks

• MSc Director Welcome Talk
• MAC MCSS Welcome

Course Abbreviations

On the department literature and websites, you will come across various abbreviations for the different MSc courses which it will be useful to be familiar with.

• MCSS: MSc Computing Science (Specialisms)
• MAC: MSc Advanced Computing

Other MSc degrees in the department:

• MCS: MSc Computing
• MAI: MSc in Artificial Intelligence

Degree Regulations

The rules determining the outcome of each student's degree are called "regulations". It is very important to be familiar with the regulations, so that you understand exactly what you need to achieve in your modules and projects. They are quite short, so do not take much time to read. They available here: Degree Regulations.

Course Structure and Timetables

• Timetables for each degree course are located here.
• Information on the structure of all the degree courses can be found here.

Enrolling on Modules

A small number of modules are compulsory on each MSc programme (for MAC, only the individual project). To take other modules, and satisfy your degree requirements, you should enrol using the department's module registration system (also sometimes called "module subscription").

Scientia

Scientia is our department's own VLE, developed as a partnership between our Educational Technology group (DoC EdTech) and students. The platform is used to host teaching materials (lecture notes etc.) and coursework assignments, including submission of work. DoC EdTech have provided a user guide to help you learn about using Scientia. 

Course Materials

Access to materials for each module is controlled by the module registration system. Students must enrol on a module before they will be able to access these resources.

• Lecture slides and notes are issued on Scientia. 
• Recordings of lectures and other live sessions are issued on Panopto.
• Each module has a discussion forum on EdStem for students to ask and answer questions. 

Coursework

Coursework Publication and Submission

Coursework, both assessed and unassessed exercises, will be issued on Scientia. Students must enrol on a module using the module registration system before they will be able to access the exercises. The module subscription level must be at least Level 2 in order to submit work.

Assessed Coursework Contribution

The assessed coursework component of each taught module contributes between 20% and 100% of the final mark. The default is 20%. You can see the full list here: module data (see CA Cont column). 

Coursework Deadlines and Late Submission

Coursework deadlines are strict. Work submitted late without mitigating circumstances will be subject to mark capping, according to the Department's undefined. Work submitted more than 24 hours after the deadline will be marked 0.

Mitigating Circumstances and Extensions

If your academic performance has been affected by mitigating circumstances, you can submit a request for a coursework extension, or if the problem is more serious you can make a mitigating circumstances claim. Please see Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances for details. Course lecturers are not able to approve late submissions, grant deadline extensions etc.

Plagiarism

The college and the department take the issue of plagiarism very seriously. Please do not engage in this practice. The college has policies on plagiarism and exam offences.  There is also a departmental FAQ on plagiarism.

Examinations

There is a dedicated website providing information about the operation of examinations in the department. This is where to find exam timetables, past examination questions for all subjects, etc.

Individual Projects

All MSc courses contain an individual project which runs from the beginning of summer term, through to the end of the year. The MSc Individual Projects Wiki has more information. Projects are usually proposed by academics in the department, however you have the option of proposing your own. Projects in collaboration with industry are also possible, but such projects can sometimes be tricky to manage - please read the Industry-based MSc Projects Wiki page for more information.

Independent Study Option

All MCSS and MAC students have the option of replacing one of the lecture courses in the spring term with an Independent Study Option (ISO). This is a short course of directed reading and personal research carried out under the guidance of a supervisor, and is assessed by a dissertation and an oral presentation (viva). More information can be found on the ISO Page on the Project Wiki.

Student Welfare

Studying should be fun, but it can also be stressful and you will undoubtedly have to deal with non-academic challenges during your time at Imperial. The College offers a range of services to support the welfare and well-being of its students ranging from healthcare to financial advice and support. We also have support for you within the department, with your personal tutor as your first point of call. See Student Support for more information about support for MSc students in our department.

Results

Provisional Results: July

The department's Board of Examiners meets to approve taught module results in July, after all examinations have taken place and been marked. Following the meeting you will be able to see your results and your average so far in your personal examination results page.

Overall Results: November

The Board of Examiners meets again in October to approve the marks for the individual projects. Your final degree result will be the minimum of your overall total for the programme and your project result. So, for example, if you have an overall total of 60% (Merit) and a Pass mark for the individual project your degree will be a Pass. Project marks and overall degree results are issued by the college Registry department following approval by the college. This happens in early November.

Transcripts and Degree Certificates

All transcripts and degree certificates are issued by the college Registry department, not the Department of Computing. Transcripts are issued after the completion of the degree and final approval by the Board of Examiners and the College in early November.