ITI42320 Computer Science in the Digital Society (Autumn 2023)

Third semester (autumn) in the full-time programme.

Fifth semester (autumn) in the part-time programme.

In this course, the students will apply their knowledge from their specialisations in the MA programme and use it in a larger context.

In the first part of the course, the department's four research groups in:

• Information Systems ans Software Engineering
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Interaction Design
• Machine Learning

will present topics and projects related to the digital society, as well as discuss technical and ethical challenges in their domains. Research projects where the department is involved will be presented as cases in the course (including ongoing PhD projects at the department). External partners in the projects will take part to clearly communicate the impact and importance of the research projects in today's digital society.

The second part of the course consists mainly of group sessions and supervision, where the students are tasked with reading and critical analysis of papers relevant to and largely based on the introductory part of the course.

In this part, the students will write:

• a systematic literature review (SLR) about computer science methods/methodologies/technologies (in the field of any of the four research groups) applied on a specific digital society problem/challenge. The SLR topic is chosen by the students and agreed with the course responsible.
• a project proposal, which addresses the specific digital society problem reviewed in the SLR and offers a computer science solution in the scope of any of the four research groups.

Knowledge

The student

• has a good overview of the field of applied computer science
• has an in-depth understanding of relevant scientific publication channels
• has deep knowledge of relevant scientific approaches and methodologies relevant to applied computer science
• is familiar with seminal papers relevant to the research group core areas
• understands the link between computer science and the domains in which it is applied
• understands cooperation between academic research and partners in public and private sectors

Skills

The student

• is able to read and review papers within the field of computer science
• is able to communicate the connection between computer technology and relevant application areas in society
• is able to discuss with peers and researchers about technological challenges, opportunities and applications in society
• is able to communicate research design, results and impact on society
• has the capacity to critically reflect on the role of technology in society

General competence

The student has

• gained experience in critical thinking and discussion
• a more mature view on digital technology and its role in society
• gained experience in oral presentations and plenary discussions
• a broader understanding of the field of applied computer science, relevant publication channels and research topics

The student must:

• Deliver a systematic literature review (SLR) report within 6 weeks after starting the semester.
• Deliver a project proposal (initial version - abstract) within 8 weeks after starting the semester.
• Attend a group session to present own proposal and get feedback from the course responsible and other students.
• Attend at least four group sessions to give feedback to other students’ projects.

Coursework requirements must be accepted to qualify for the exam.

Project proposal and individual oral exam

The assessment is based on the project proposal and an individual oral exam.

The proposal can be developed individually or in groups two students. The students are given an individual tentative grade on the proposal using the A - F grading scale. This grade can be adjusted up to 2 stages at the oral exam.

The project proposal must be passed before the oral exam can be carried out.

The individual oral exam consists of a presentation and discussion of the project proposal. Duration approx. 20-30 min. Except the presentation, no supporting materials are allowed.

If the student decides to challenge the assessment, the project proposal must be re-assessed. If the new assessment affects the tentative grading of the proposal, a new oral exam will be arranged.

This course is evaluated by a

• Mid-term evaluation (compulsory)

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is discussed by the study quality committee at the Department of Computer Science and Communication.