Modules
Level six consisted of six modules, one worth zero credits, four worth 20 credits each, and one 40 credit final year project (dissertation).
M21276 - Theoretical Computer Science
This is it. The crux of my degree, the reason it's Computer Science. Turing Machines, Finite State Automata, Pumping Lemma, and problems. The single hardest module I have faced, gruelling afternoons learning how everything fits together, but the elation of seeing my exam results were unparalleled.
Grade Achieved: 1st Class
Notes
M21279 - Advanced Networks
Covering the foundations of networking, ADNET taught useful context for modern environments. It also gave me a chance to get the phrase 'Smart Fridge' in the title of an essay!
Grade Achieved: 1st Class
Notes |
Coursework
M30225 - Distributed Systems & Security
A two-part module beginning with a deep dive on distributed systems, looking at their communications, storage, architecture and security requirements. Followed by a four-week tour of security at the Network, Transport and Application layers of the OSI model.
Grade Achieved: 1st Class
Notes
M33131 - IT & Internetworking Security
A cyber security focused module working through everything from threats, risk assessments, auditing, changing the default router WiFi password, and firewalls.
Grade Achieved: 1st Class
Notes |
Exam Note
M34704 - Engineering Project
There's too much to be said on my dissertation for this page. Read more on its dedicated page.
Side Quests
For the first time in my university journey, I got the balance of side quests to university life correct. Although my dissertation did consume my thoughts for many of my waking minutes.
For 12 hours a week, I would be found confined to the 'fish bowl' in the library. The one remaining IT Help Desk. I was very pleased to be able to return to this role after my Year in Industry. This job gave me more than some wallet padding, it gave me a sense of routine which was all-too-easy to use on mornings I wasn't working the 8am shift. This routine carried me through my final year of University and gave me the hours in the day I needed to get everything done.
Volunteering for Woodcraft Folk was still a regular fixture in my calendar. The hats I wore had condensed into two: Webmaster & Digital Volunteer; and 2030 International Camp Co-Coordinator. The later didn't really take up much time, but the former took lots. While trying to 'lock-in' on the last big push for my dissertation - we went live with five new websites for our four centres. This was no easy feat but gave me an escape from pesky Linux VMs, so I'll take that as a win!