Course Catalogue

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This course develops technical communication skills that are important across the degree programme (including the MSc dissertation project) and for a career in computing. It focuses on writing and speaking skills needed to critically engage with relevant technical content and to describe technical work clearly, appropriately and confidently to diverse audiences.

One two-hour lecture per week over 10 weeks for on-campus live teaching as scheduled on MyCampus.

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COMPSCI5018P MSc Project for Information Technology

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Integrated Written Task (ILOs 1, 2, 3, 5): substantial writing activity based on a provided technical scenario that involves researching appropriate subject material - 70%

■ Oral Task (ILO 4): recorded response to viva-style questions about a provided scenario, which students are given time to research and prepare for - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There is no alternative to the Integrated Written Task but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ Oral task: recorded response

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Develop the ability to access and critically engage with technical source information, selecting and reading relevant content, and using it as a basis for collaborative discussion and feedback with peers.

■ Equip students with the skills to produce academically appropriate writing, including describing methods and software systems, presenting data, using a citation system and articulating their own voice.

■ Prepare students to communicate about their work orally in a clear, structured, and academically appropriate way, including responding to viva-style questions.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically engage with technical source information, selecting and reading relevant content for academic communication.

2. Write short, structured descriptions of technical information using appropriate academic conventions, including accurate citation.

3. Apply principles of clarity, organisation, and academic style when writing about technical information for different audiences.

4. Explain technical information orally in a clear and structured way, including responding to questions that challenge understanding of a subject.

5. Engage effectively in peer discussions on technical topics by articulating ideas confidently, offering constructive feedback, and using reflection and self‑evaluation to enhance both communicative clarity and collaborative practice.