Advanced Computing: MSc / Postgraduate Diploma

Advanced Computing Masters Degree

www.cs.stir.ac.uk/entrants/ac

Computers and the Internet are part of our daily routine, encountered everywhere in today’s technical world. A highly skilled workforce is needed to support this technology. The MSc in Advanced Computing is designed to complement and build on your previous education and experience in computing. It provides up-to-date knowledge and practical experience of computing technologies such as enterprise database systems, web services, telecommunications systems, computer games, multimedia and decision support systems.

Programme Objectives

The MSc in Advanced Computing is a one-year advanced programme for those who wish to obtain an up-to-date knowledge on computing technologies, including computer networking and telecommunications, object-oriented design and programming, databases, and multimedia and computer game programming. It is designed to complement and extend a student’s previous education, training and experience in computing. Appropriate module choices facilitate adjusting the programme of study to your skill set.

Graduates from the programme will be well placed to enter the IT departments of commercial organisations. You will have specific vocational skills in the design and development of computer applications and networks. You will have gained experience in specific technologies such as enterprise database systems, web services, telecommunications systems, computer games, and decision support systems.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants normally require a first or second class Honours Degree in Computing, or a closely related subject, from an institution recognised by the University.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5 in each skill), or TOEFL 550/213/79 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Support for the Diploma element of the programme is available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scottish and EU students on a quota basis. Details are available from www.saas.gov.uk

To be eligible for SAAS awards, applicants must be normally resident in Scotland or be non-British European Community residents.

For further information on possible sources of funding: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time
MSc: 1 year

Diploma: 9 months

Programme Start Date

Full-time (MSc and Diploma): September

Programme Director

Dr Mario Kohlberg

Department of Computing Science & Mathematics

Structure and Content

The programme comprises two elements: two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation period. Semester 1 concentrates on fundamental techniques. Semester 2 integrates, develops and applies these skills. In the Autumn semester you will take a selection from the following modules:

• Web Scripting with PHP and XML: In this module you will study web scripting using PHP and XML. You will study the significance of XML for data storage and transfer.
• Database Principles and Applications: This module provides a critical understanding of the role of database management systems and the ability to creatively design and implement practical databases.
• Concurrent and Distributed Systems: Here you will learn how concurrent & distributed systems may be constructed using a variety of tools and approaches.
• Technologies for Ecommerce: This module provides a detailed knowledge of the how to use Java servlets and JSP to implement an e-commerce website server.
• Computer Forensics and Security: This module covers the principles of computer security and their application to forensic analysis, in particular confidentiality, integrity, availability, and forensics.
• Artificial Intelligence: This module covers methods for allowing computer-based systems to sense their environment, learn from experience, plan future actions and infer new facts.

During the winter break there is an extended programming assignment using Java or PHP and XML. Then, in the Spring semester you will study a selection of modules from:

• Object-oriented Software Design: This module focuses on how to analyse and model requirements and develop object-oriented software, through the use of UML and CASE tools.
• Networking: This module investigates the principles of data communications, including layered network architecture, services and protocols.
• Decision Support Systems: This module covers the nature and use modelling, simulation and intelligent support systems in organisations.
• Computer Games Technology and Advanced Computer Games Technology: These modules introduce technologies for game programming, including graphics, animation and sound components for 2D and 3D games.
• Web Services: This module covers the principles of web service provision and its role in industrial applications.
• Telecommunications Systems: This module covers the underlying concepts of new, internet-based, telecommunications architectures and networks, such as the Advanced Intelligent Network.
• Computing and the Brain: This introduces you to the brain, what we know of its operation and devices known as artificial neural networks that are based on brain architecture and function.

You may graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma after two taught semesters, or you may continue with a three-month project and dissertation to qualify for the award of the MSc degree. The subject of the dissertation usually covers the application of computers to a field of special interest to you.

Timetable

Contact the Department for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

The MSc in Advanced Computing will enhance the employment prospects of students who already have a degree in Computer Science. Career prospects for computing postgraduates are excellent and are likely to remain so in the future. Stirling computing graduates have a good track record in finding well-paid jobs.

Graduates have been very successful in obtaining suitable employment – some with small companies, others with major international organisations such as Hewlett-Packard, Reuters, Xerox, IBM, Microsoft, and British Telecom, as well as with local authority and government bodies.

Research Opportunities

Our main strands of research are:

• Applied Formal Methods: Practical techniques; tools for supporting the development of correct systems (hardware and software); theoretical aspects; application to biological and medical systems
• Computational Intelligence:New techniques based on biology and naturally-occurring systems are applied to problems in a wide range of disciplines, from neural systems to control systems to dementia diagnosis
• Communications and Service Engineering: Creation and deployment of software-based communications services; traditional telephony and new developments in internet telephony; home networks; care delivery; web services; grid computing; presence and availability; policy-based control
• Care Technology:a multi-disciplinary research group spanning Computing Science, Mathematics, Management, Nursing and Midwifery, and Psychology, with research interests including medical, home monitoring, decision making, safety-critical medical systems and interfaces for computer users with impairments
• Mathematical Biology:Applied mathematics research at Stirling is centred on the Mathematical Biology Research Group. We work on: the dynamics and control of infectious diseases in animals and plants; scaling from individuals up to population-level behaviour; Bayesian parameter estimation techniques for stochastic models; models of contact networks; evolution of populations and age/stage structured population dynamics

More detailed information about the research interests of the Department is available at: www.cs.stir.ac.uk/research

Research Centres

The Department has informal links with centres in a number of Departments, e.g. Applied Social Science (Centre for Ageing Research), Nursing and Midwifery (Cancer Care Centre), and Psychology.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

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If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.