| Qualification | Start dates | Entry requirements | Full- or Part-time | Assessment | |
| Master of Sciences (MSc) | January | First or Second class honours degree | Level of English required | Full-time or Part-time | Exam and written assessment |
Course outline
This programme of study aims to train first-degree holders in computing-related areas into specialists in selected areas of IT and computing. Based on the current expertise in the Department, the programme offers students opportunities for in-depth study in:
- Secure mobile and wireless communications
- Biometrics and authentication
- Data mining and knowledge discovery
- Imaging techniques and applications
The programme is carefully designed to suit the varied needs of different students from different backgrounds and with different career objectives.
Communications using mobile and wireless devices such as mobile phones, PDA s and laptops have become increasingly important in modern life and electronic commerce. Reliable, speedy and secure transmission of information over such devices is vital for the successful exploitation of the technologies.
Authentication, using biometric data as a sophisticated means to combat fraud, is increasingly accepted by both businesses and governments. Biometric authentication solutions require good use of imaging and data mining techniques in constructing and verifying customer profiles. Online organisations have accumulated large collections of online data that need speedy processing and analysis. If you are interested in finding out more about any of these technologies, then this programme is for you.
On graduating from this programme, you will be able to:
- Understand a range of modern computing technologies
- Apply these technologies in practice
- Describe the roles that modern computing technologies have in many areas of application
- Demonstrate the value of state-of-the-art development in one specific technology and its applications
Teaching methods
Our modules include a mixture of formal lectures, tutorial classes and practical classes. At the start of each module you will be given an up-to-date module outline and reading list. Most modules will provide two or three hours of lectures each week to introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques. These will be supported by lecture notes or handouts.
Lectures are supported by weekly tutorial classes, usually one hour in length, which are held in small groups so that all students can benefit from individual attention. You will be expected to prepare for these classes, for example by attempting a set of exercises or by reading a case study.
Many of our modules have supervised practical classes in the computer laboratories in which you can apply and practise the techniques you have learnt in the lectures. These practical sessions are usually two or three hours long.
You will also be expected to study on your own, using the library for reading research and the computer laboratories to improve your practical skills.
Course material is increasingly being made available on the University’s own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This allows students to download lecture notes, submit assignments and share resources in an electronic forum both within the University’s computer network and remotely.
Sandwich options
The MSc (Sandwich) may be studied full-time over a period of 15, 18 or 21 months and requires the student to have studied 180 units as outlined in the programme.
Students will be required to undertake a placement in industry for a period of 6, 9 or 12 months. The placement will commence in the Summer Term. Students must return to the University for 3 months at the end of their placements in order to complete their projects.
After your degree
The increasing specialisation which is frequently required in the employment market is no longer provided by just an undergraduate degree. A postgraduate degree provides these advanced skills and, in today’s competitive employment market, is becoming increasingly important in order to stand out from the crowd.
Any successful career choice in the market place will be dependent on a number of factors. Your academic qualification, while important, may not be the deciding factor. Your attitude, skills and experience matter too. Whatever your motivation in taking a postgraduate course, you should think about the transferable skills an employer is seeking, and taking advantage of every opportunity for self-development to improve your chances of success in your future career. The Careers Service has the resources to help you with this process.
