Aims and Fit of Module

The aim of this module is to present the basic and advanced techniques for text-based information systems: efficient text indexing; Boolean and vector space retrieval models; evaluation and interface issues; text/Web clustering, classification; text mining.


The module also covers the fundamentals of multimedia, including image, audio and digital video. The module covers content-based operations such as indexing, retrieval, filtering, summarization, and information extraction and is applied to text, image, spoken audio and digital video information.


Students learn modern methods for the capture, encoding, storage, transmission and presentation of digital multimedia information including both the underlying information theory and media specific techniques for perceptual coding.

Learning outcomes

A. Gain the knowledge of principles underlying information retrieval systems and the information theory.

B. Apply information retrieval techniques to a range of applied problems and evaluate the performance of an information retrieval system.

C. Interpret requirements of an information retrieval system, and design a suitable solution for practical applications.

D. Theoretically analyse the coding problems and apply compression techniques to a range of applied problems.

E. Design appropriate coding algorithms to a variety of coding problems.

Method of teaching and learning

This module will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures and tutorials.