1. Bachelor's or engineering degree (at least 180 credits), in computer science or related subjects such as mathematics, informatics, telecommunications, electrical engineering, physics.
2. At least 15 credits in programming
3. At least 7.5 credits in mathematics
4. English 6 from Swedish upper secondary school or equivalent

The course is part of the Applied Data Science, Master's program, and can be included in the Master's degree in Computer Science (120 credits).

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire knowledge of research methodology in computer science. Furthermore, the aim is for the student to develop their ability to choose and critically reflect on different research designs in this field.

The course includes the following:

• Formulation of scientific problems and hypotheses
• The theoretical basis of computer science, including Turing machines, the Church-Turing hypothesis, the halting problem and complexity theory
• Selection and review of relevant literature
• Research methods relevant to computer science
• Approaches to selection and collection of data
• Data analysis, including statistical methods
• Oral and written presentation of research studies
• Research ethics

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. explain and demonstrate understanding of the theoretical basis

2. explain different scientific methods in computer science,

3. explain and demonstrate understanding of different approaches to selecting and collecting relevant data,

4. explain and demonstrate understanding of different approaches to analyzing data, and

5. explain and demonstrate understanding of ethical aspects related to research in computer science.

Skills and abilities

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

6. formulate scientific problems and hypotheses,

7. given a scientific problem, make a selection of and review literature that is relevant to the problem and present this literature,

8. design a research study, including the choice of scientific method and data, as well as the collection of data and data analysis, and

9. present a research study orally and in writing in a scientific manner.

Judgment and approach

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

10. Critically reflect on the choice of research methods, data, data collection and data analysis, in relation to alternative choices and with regard to ethical aspects.

Lectures, seminars and self-study.

Students are examined in two parts: Research Methodology (Part 1) and Computational Theoretical Foundations (Part 2).

A passing grade requires

Part 1:

• Approved written and oral assignments (2 credits, UG) (Learning Objectives 6-10)
• Written exam (3 credits, UA) (Learning Objectives 2-5,8,10)

Part 2:

• Approved written and oral assignments (1.5 credits, UG) (Learning Objectives 5, 6-10)
• Written exam (1 credit, UA) (Learning Objectives 1-5)

The final grade is based on the grade on the two written exams (Part 1 and Part 2)

Referenslitteratur

• Berndtsson, M., Hansson, J., Olsson, B., & Lundell, B. (2008). Thesis projects: A Guide for Students in Computer Science and Information Systems. London: Springer.
• Oates, B.J., (2022). Researching Information Systems and Computing. London: Sage Publications.
• Sipser, M. (2013) Introduction to the Theory of Computation. Cengage.
• Wohlin, C., Runeson, P., Höst, M., Ohlsson, M.C., Regnell, B., & Wesslén, A. (2012). Experimentation in Software Engineering. Berlin: Springer.
• Zobel, J. (2015). Writing for Computer Science - The Art of Effective Communication. London: Springer.

Scientific articles provided by the teacher during the course.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format.

The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.