Overview of Two MSc Research Specialisms in Computer Science

Part 1: First Research Specialism

As part of this assignment you are required to produce an overview of two MSc research specialisms ( AI / Networking / Cyber Security / Software  Engineering / Data Science) which are NOT the specialism you discussed in Assignment 1.

The first research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%).

You are required to discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this research specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on the existing research. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

The second research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%).

You are required to discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this research specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on the existing research. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

The word lengths are provided as guidance only, and no marks will be deducted  specifically on the grounds of word length of each section.

1. Introduction of research specialism (approx. 150 words)

Provide a brief description of the first research specialism (Part 1) or second research specialism (Part 2) you have selected for this assignment. This should be accessible to someone with a broad knowledge of computer science, but without any specific knowledge of this specialism.

2. Open research question (approx. 300 words)

Identify the research question discussed in the relevant subject specialist lecture for this specialism. Describe this research question or problem in detail. Ensure that you describe why this question this is scientifically interesting and / or applicable to a real-world problem.

3. Existing and related work (approx. 400 words)

Provide a brief literature review of existing other work – i.e. not the research specialist paper – that has been done on this problem and on similar problems. Why does this existing other work not fully answer or solve these problems? What are some related open problems? You must make reference to existing work beyond that presented in the paper discussed by the subject specialist.

4. Research approach (approx. 400 words)

Describe the research methods which have been used in the research specialist paper to investigate this question. Evaluate the effectiveness of this research, considering both its advantages and disadvantages. Describe an approach you might take to build on this research to answer related open questions. Remember to draw on the principles of experimental design and theoretical / practical research as introduced in the lectures.

5. Personal investment (approx. 150 words)

Identify how you might gain the necessary strengths and experiences which would help fit you for research in this area.

6. References

You will need to include at least 10 references for Part 1 and at least 10 references for Part 2 (the lecture material may count as one reference, and you may repeat a reference in both Part 1 and Part 2 provided this is relevant to both). You should use Harvard-style referencing, and your  references do not count towards your word count.