Teaching & Learning

Bachelor of Science in Computing offers education on computing fundamentals such as software engineering, computer programming, computer science principles, engineering constraints in design and applicable mathematics. Core subjects cover foundational and practical knowledge of computer systems, data management, gaming and multimedia, Information System planning, design and control, mathematics, programming and information system development. The programme offers three streams of specialisation: Enterprise Information Systems, Gaming Technology and Computer Education. The foundation modules equip students with a breadth of inter-disciplinary knowledge and the dvanced modules are designed to enhance students' skills of critical thinking and problem-solving.

The programme aims at cultivating professionals who possess knowledge and skills in analysis, design, and planning in Computing. Students should be able to elect and apply proven methods, tools and techniques to the effective and efficient implementation of information systems, evaluate computer systems in a local or wide area network, and work independently to design and implement relational databases. The specialisation in the Enterprise Information Systems enables students with in-depth understanding of the information technology application in enterprise information systems. The Gaming Technology specialisation equips students with general and advanced knowledge of the current operating environment in the gaming industry. The Computer Education specialisation cultivates educatiors with intensive knowledge and skills of computer education in secondary education system. In general, gradutes shall be equipped with strong knowledge and skills to compete in the job market in computing practices or education, or to pursue postgraduate study.

Upon completion of the programme, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes in terms of academic contents, disciplinary skills and attributes. The ultimate goal of this programme is to cultivate professionals with theoretical and practical knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills, and the spirit of creativity and life-long learning.

Academic contents 學術內容

Disciplinary skills‐ able to 學科技能

Attributes 特質

Mapping of Graduate Attributes to Programme Intended Learning Outcomes & Learning Modules 
畢業生理想特質與課程預期學習成效及學科單元之關聯表

The Computing Programme promotes active learning within a context of clear learning outcomes. Students are cultivated to be independent learners. Most modules have a weekly contact hours and in some this will require collaborative group work. We expect informal work groups to emerge particularly in the more problem-solving programming modules. Clear guidance on references for a particular subject is provided. We also expect our students to be able to perform laboratory work and analyse its results through laboratory hours associated with some particular modules. We recognise the value of independent work at final year level for undergraduates. For example, our Final Year Project module is an individual project module. We consider it important to develop the ability of students to undertake basic research and development through both practical and theoretical means and to develop the ability to write accurate and concise technical report. In order to enable students to develop their skills we offer extensive modules requiring independent work using written and presentational skills.

The Computing Programme schedules an annual BSc. in Computing Examination Board (at the end of the 2nd semester) which considers all student academic profiles and agrees all final marks. modules are assessed by a combination of coursework, laboratory/workshops, software designs/programme listing (& output), independent project, team-working, presentation and written examinations. Clear guidance on coursework requirement for each module is given, emphasising approaches to coursework of various types and how to avoid plagiarism, together with rules and procedures. Final Examinations are typically of a three hour paper undertaken at the end of each semester. Examination papers will be reviewed by Internal Moderators and then by External Examiners. All exam papers go through a moderation marking procedure. All first class and lowest passing scripts together with a representative sample of intermediate scripts are sent to the External Examiners for quality control. Re-sit exam will be given for qualified students who fail their first attempt at the end of each semester. Re-sit marks are capped at 50%. Normally, students who fail again in the re-sit exam or those fail to meet attendance requirement will be required to repeat the failed modules.

The programme is delivered over eight semesters spanning four years. The first year of the 4-year bachelor program with a total of 149 credits is the fundamental year for the students to learn the fundamental knowledge in the area of problem solving and programming skills, as well as in the relevant supporting disciplines, such as mathematics, business and English. The second year is the broadening year, in which students will accumulate more knowledge in computing, at an intermediate level. The third year is designed to strengthen students’ skills in system development on a larger scale and on more advanced technology. The final year is designed to enhance students’ theoretical thinking and to cover more advanced computing topics. The students are required to complete an individual final year project during their 4th year of study. During their third and fourth year, students will be able to choose electives that they like most that will give them more in-depth knowledge in specialization in Enterprise Information Systems, in the Gaming Technology or in the Computer Education.

According to Article 3 of Academic Regulations Governing Bachelor's Degree Programmes of MPU,

1. An applicant shall be considered for admission to a bachelor’s degree programme of the University if s/he 
   a) holds a qualification not lower than Grade 12 or the equivalent, and
   b) fulfils other admission criteria prescribed by the programme of study concerned.
    
2. An applicant of age 23 or above, proven to possess relevant capabilities (especially in the entrance examination(s) of MPU), shall be considered for admission to a bachelor’s degree programme with a waiver on the requirement in item a) of above point.

All students have access to the MPI Counseling Services, Students' Union, Careers Service and Student Support Services through the Student Affairs Office. All students are allocated year tutors. The role of the year tutor is to provide general academic and personal support and encouragement, and advice on pastoral issues. Year tutors are full-time members of staff and are the initial point of contact on the above matters. Students may make their complaints through different channels; for instance the Year Tutors, the Programme level Student Dialogue Meeting, the School Dialogue Meeting, and the Institute Dialogue Meeting. Both the Student Dialogue Meeting and School Dialogue Meeting are composed of elected student representatives from each year of the degree, Programme Coordinator / Assistant Coordinators, and School Director. The Student Dialog Meeting involves only the students of the Computing Programme whereas the School Dialog Meeting involves the students of the different programmes of the School. These meetings provide a forum for consultation and discussion between staff and students and are convened at least once a year. Other channels of feedback include Graduate and Employer Surveys and Student Surveys conducted annually. Normally, the School Director will act on the students' feedback accordingly, based on the recommendations of the Programme.

An orientation programme for first year students is held at the beginning of semester 1 of each academic year. All students receive a copy of the handbook for the relevant stage and have access to the MPI's Intranet system which offers: (1) Student’s e-services; (2) E-mail communication with staff and other students; (3) Access to learning and teaching materials; (4) Access to all MPI libraries and to the Institute’s computer labs or other computer facilities including the Project Lab dedicated for students in the Final Year Project. All students are allocated year tutors. The Student Advisor, who is also the Student Affairs Leader, is responsible for 'students at risk' (i.e. those considered to be at risk of failing examinations or who have failed examinations; students with inadequate class attendance; and students with serious personal, academic or health problems). The Student Advisor will also deal with cases referred by Year tutors. Student Advisor monitors those students who have their GPA below 1.5 and also have failed 3 or more modules from the previous semester. Year tutors will be advised to speak to these students personally to determine the cause underlying poor performance or absence and to facilitate the student's successful passage through the degree programme. Progress records are kept for these students.

Students with an overall score of less than 35 in the coursework must take the re-sit examination even if the overall score for the module is 50 or above. Students with a score of less than 35 in the final examination must take the re-sit examination even if the overall score for the module is 50 or above.

Macao Polytechnic Institute has in place an institution-wide policy to ensure that all student needs are taken care of and a supportive and accessible learning environment is maintained. When cases of special needs are notified or identified, special arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis with the joint effort of the programme and various student support services of the Institute, such as the Registry, the Student Affairs Office, the Information Technology Department and the Campus Management and Development Department, etc. to provide the necessary support.

Graduates from the Computing Programme will have developed a range of cognitive and practical skills together which will be applicable to different context beyond academia. To broaden the participation of students in their communication with the global Computing community, the Programme promotes internship, joint student projects with organisations, student activities, and overseas exchanges. Throughout the academic year, the Computing Programme also invites external speakers to share their experience with our students, by giving seminars or teaching practical modules. Moreover, the Computing Programme also organises short training modules, provided by leading local companies, for our students. Industrial Advisory Meeting organised by the Computing Programme is held at least annually to provide the Computing Programme with valuable industrial advices and feedbacks on the performance of our graduates.