This module addresses the following indicative topics:

Emerging and Contemporary Technologies in Computer Science:
Identification and classification of emerging computing technologies
Technology maturity, adoption, and impact

Research-Led Investigation:
Research methods appropriate to computer science
Critical analysis of academic, industrial, and technical literature

Technical and Non-Technical Evaluation:
Evaluation of technical capabilities and limitations
Legal, ethical, social, and professional considerations
Commercial viability and sustainability, entrepreneurship opportunity
Address and fit to careers in computing
Consideration as to fit with professional practice

Innovation and Future Directions:
Identification of research gaps and unresolved challenges
Proposal and justification of future developments or solutions

Sustainability:
Consideration of sustainability in relation to the choose computing area/discipline

Professional and Academic Communication:
Writing research-informed technical papers
Presenting complex ideas to specialist audiences

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements:
Career consideration and development.
Legal, social, ethical and professional issues (central theme).
Consideration of entrepreneurial opportunities related to the chosen topic.
Address of sustainability issues in relation to topic chosen.

REPORT - Research Paper

You will undertake independent, guided research into a selected emerging or contemporary computer science technology. The research paper will demonstrate a systematic understanding of the topic, critical engagement with current literature, and evaluation of technical and non-technical challenges, including ethical, legal, societal, and commercial considerations.

You must identify research gaps or limitations and propose informed recommendations or future directions, supported by appropriate evidence and academic referencing. Part of the work must address employability within the area, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities.

PRESENTATION - Poster Presentation

You will prepare and deliver a seminar / poster presentation based on your research paper. The presentation will communicate key findings, critical insights, and proposed recommendations to a specialist audience, demonstrating clarity, structure, and professional communication skills. Marks will be allocated for the clear mapping of the presentation to the research paper. It is recommended the format follows a focus on topic, introduction, student exploration, key findings, salient research sources, and conclusions from completing the research.

Teaching and learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and supervised research sessions. Early sessions will introduce key themes and potential topic areas, followed by guided independent research supported by specialist supervision.

Students will receive formative feedback through research discussions, draft reviews, and presentation rehearsals. Independent study will form a significant component of the module, requiring critical reading, synthesis of literature, and reflective evaluation of emerging technologies.

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of selected emerging and contemporary computer science technologies.

Knowledge and Understanding
Research Skills

2. Critically evaluate the technical, social, legal, ethical, employment, and commercial implications of an emerging computing technology.

Reflection
Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

3. Identify research gaps, challenges, or limitations within an emerging technology domain and propose informed directions or solutions.

Application and Problem Solving
Digital Literacy

4. Communicate complex technical and research-based arguments effectively to specialist audiences.

Communication
Critical Reasoning and Collaboration

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment
Academic databases (e.g. IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect)
Referencing and research management tools (e.g. Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks)
Presentation and visualisation software
University library and online research resources

European Commission (2024), Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, Publications Office of the European Union.

Bostrom, N. (2023), Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press.

Snyder, L. (2022), Computer Science: The Hardware, Software and Heart of It, 2nd ed., CRC Press.

Johnson, A. (2025), Qualitative Research: How and Why, 2025 (General Management), Independently Published.

Stallings, W. (2021), Computer Organization and Architecture, 11th ed., Pearson.

(Texts are indicative; students are expected to engage with current journals, conference proceedings, and professional publications relevant to their chosen topic.)

In this module, you will explore advanced and emerging areas of computer science through independent, research-led investigation. You will critically examine contemporary technologies, evaluate their technical and societal impact, and identify future challenges and opportunities. The module develops advanced research, analysis, and communication skills, preparing you for postgraduate study or professional roles in rapidly evolving areas of computing.