Final Year Computing @ Coleraine

Tutor: Dr Therese Charles

This module is concerned with the goals, activities, techniques and tools associated with the management of software projects to meet client requirements, within defined cost and time constraints. The syllabus material is covered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials, reinforced through an individual exercise.

Credit value: 10 points

Coursework: 50%
Examination: 50% Click here for previous exam papers

Preparation tip: Reflect on your placement and the largest projects undertaken by that organisation. How important was careful planning in ensuring a timely delivery? Were there regulr checkpoints and reviews? How can these be applied to your final year project to ensure the best outcome?

Tutor: Dr Adrian Moore

In recent years, XML and associated technologies have played an increasingly central role in leading-edge Web development. This module introduces XML as the basis for advanced development techniques using AJAX, Python and Web services. In addition, an introduction to agile Web development is presented, with implementation using Ruby On Rails.

Credit value: 20 points

Coursework: 100%

Preparation tip: This is a software development module that will use 3 main languages - PHP, Python and Ruby on Rails. We will cover the latter two from scratch with no prior experience assumed, but it would be useful to re-familiarise yourself with PHP. All of the software used in the module is available for free download.

Tutor: Prof Bryan Scotney

The module describes the theory and practice of Data Analytics and Performance Modelling. It covers computational approaches such as Neural Networks, Bayesian Networks and Genetic Algorithms and probabilistic methods such as Queuing theory and Simulation. The use of Performance Modelling to analyse and evaluate Computer Systems is emphasised.

Credit value: 20 points

Coursework: 25%
Examination: 75% Click here for previous exam papers

Preparation tip: The module describes the theory and practice of Data Analytics and Performance Modelling. It covers computational approaches for clustering and classification such as Neural Networks and Bayesian Networks, and probabilistic methods such as Queuing Theory and Simulation. The use of Performance Modelling to analyse and evaluate Computer Systems is also emphasised. This module introduces students to the ideas and techniques of Data Analytics and Performance Modelling and their applications in computing, business and industry. The course is not highly mathematical but instead concentrates on the ideas, algorithms and applications.

Tutor: Dr Darryl Charles

This module aims to provide students with an opportunlty to learn about and create games, software and gamified Apps using contemporary software and hardware technologies. Games and game technologies have had an impact not only on game development but also in improving the design of software and Apps in areas such as learning, health and business. Techniques such as gamification - have had an impact on improving motivation, engagement and traction in the use of games, Apps, and websites. Technologies such as the Oculus VR, Leap Controller, Kinect, and Omni treadmill have also had a significant impact on interactive entertainment software such as games and movies, as well as in the design of novel health and games for health software for use in the home. In this module students will investigate contemporary game technologies and techniques and put their knowledge and skill into practice by designing and building prototypes that demonstrate the core principles.

Credit value: 20 points

Coursework: 50%
Examination: 50% Click here for previous exam papers

Preparation tip: COM569 lectures considers recent developments in game development theory and practice. However, the module will be mainly lab based and you may wish to look at some of the topics in the following links. One lab session will be devoted to learning about Unity game development http://unity3d.com/learn/tutorials. A second lab session focuses on cross-platform mobile development with Xamarin Studio https://developer.xamarin.com/guides/cross-platform/xamarin-studio/ - with the idea that this platform might be used to create casual games or gamified Apps. In both labs the common programming language will be C#.

Tutor: Prof Philip Morrow

This module provides a foundation in the concepts and techniques used in Digital Image Processing systems. This subject is a rapidly expanding field and as such has applications in areas such as medicine, biomedical sciences, factory automation and manufacturing. The module provides students with the opportunity of studying a subject area which is at the forefront of exploiting state-of-the-art advances in technology.

Credit value: 20 points

Coursework: 25%
Examination: 75% Click here for previous exam papers

Preparation tip: The module will have an emphasis on presenting techniques and algorithms to process and analyze images. The lab classes will provide an opportunity to implement these algorithms and observe results when applied to a range of image data. The labs class exercises and coursework will be developed in Java. Although we will not be using advanced Java concepts it would be useful to re-familiarise yourself with the basics of the language.