MSc Computer Science

Program Overview

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Do you want to be at the forefront of solving tomorrow's real-world technology problems and aiding the need for better products and solutions? An MSc in Computer Science will equip you with the key skills and knowledge in order for you to impact the future of technological advances in computer-based systems.

This course helps you to further develop your knowledge and skills within the cutting-edge areas of computer science. The course has been designed to provide you with a blend of advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to emerging technologies deployed in industry and research.

The course is taught and delivered by leading researchers who are actively engaged in this rapidly changing field to ensure that you're up to date with the latest developments.

The flexible nature of the course will enable you to choose from a range of advanced modules that match your career ambitions. These include emerging areas such as Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Vision, Computer Security and Cloud Computing.

This course is also available as a two-year masters with an

industrial placement year

. The embedded industrial placement offers a unique opportunity to apply the skills learnt on real-life projects.

Program Outline

Knowledge

Demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of all the concepts and activities for large-scale software development.

Demonstrate expertise in artificial intelligence, computer vision and data analytics and their business and research applications.

Have a critical understanding of complex computing application areas and apply skills in advanced topics to find resolution through your dissertation.

Thinking skills

Critical thinking and evidential reasoning.

Exercise appropriate engineering judgement in the decision-making process.

Systematically analyse problems and implement effective solutions.

Reflect on your professional and research practice.

Subject-Based Practical skills

Design & develop large-scale software systems by managing their entire Software Development Lifecycle.

Use diverse artificial intelligence, computer vision and data analytics resources and advanced tools and techniques to solve a defined problem.

Identify, critically analyse and execute a solution for a cutting-edge research/industrial computing problem.

Industrial placements, as appropriate.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

Demonstrate an ability to study independently and effectively; and to be able to present and convey complex technical information to other professionals and the public.

Develop interpersonal skills and be able to contribute and work effectively in a team

Integrate research, and articulate research results into professional practice.

In addition, the industrial placement will provide opportunities to apply key technical knowledge and skills learn in the taught modules, enhance their communication and interpersonal skills and improve their employment potential.

Our specialist laboratories have everything you will need to develop a thorough, critical understanding and gain hands-on experience in a wide range of emerging technologies. These range from the cyber forensic lab, our OpenStack cloud platform to virtual reality and robotics lab.

Our dedicated and specialist staff will be around to support you, and you will have a personal tutor, a course tutor and module tutors to oversee your progress.

There are formal lectures, tutorials, workshops, practical classes and lab sessions as you develop your knowledge. Leading industry experts often present guest lectures and there is a virtual learning environment to enhance connections between teacher and student.

As a key element of this course, you will be asked to complete a dissertation on an aspect of one of the cutting-edge computer science areas of your choice. Whatever topic you choose, your dissertation needs to make a contribution to the field, and you will be supervised by a leading academic spearheading research in that particular domain. Throughout, you will be encouraged to focus on the real practical needs of the industry and forming solutions around those.

About the industrial placement year

This course is also available as a two year master's with an industrial placement year. The industrial placement is designed to address the demands of the profession and give students a competitive edge when it comes to their career. The industrial placement component is for a duration of an academic year, i.e., normally 30 weeks including minimum 24 weeks of delivery time. It starts after students have successfully completed the 1st year of study, i.e., all the taught modules and the dissertation component of the MSc course which together form 180 credits. Please refer to the course specification for the summary of the course structure and further information.

Students on the MSc with Placement courses must pass all taught modules of their respective course plus dissertation to gain 180 credits, before they become eligible to progress to the next stage and undertake industrial placement. Students on the MSc course with placement will also normally be required to fulfil the 80% attendance requirement (on all modules) to be eligible to progress to the industrial placement. Students unable to meet the above requirements to progress successfully will normally be moved to the one-year full-time version of the course and their student visa, if any, will be curtailed accordingly.

It is ultimately the student's responsibility to secure their placement and the University cannot guarantee placements. The University will offer guidance and support and recommend students to many of our industrial partners that have expressed strong support and interest in the programme.

During the industrial placement period, you will undertake an internship within a partner organisation  (or by means of alternative arrangements such as projects led by industry and carried out on campus) and complete a zero-credit Industrial Placement Module.

There are additional fees for the placement module (in the second year of the course), in addition to the fees for the taught modules and dissertation paid in the first year.

You will be assessed using a mixture of practical coursework and a theory exam. Coursework can take a variety of forms, including laboratory work, data analysis and oral presentations. The research dissertation is assessed on a final written report, a poster presentation and a practical component. You will receive detailed feedback on all assessment outlining strengths and areas of improvement.