MSc Information Technology
Annual Intake
Up to 50
Lecture Hours
120
Course Outline
The Department of Computing has been offering the MSc in Information Technology since 1988, and over that period it has been revised on several occasions to keep it up-to-date in this rapidly changing area. It was devised in recognition of the fact that information technology is now pervasive in all organisations, and the demand for IT specialists outstrips supply. It therefore provides an opportunity for students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds to acquire valuable skills which they can use in their future career development.
Course Information
Aims of the Course
The MSc in Information Technology takes students who do not have a background in IT, and provides them with a broad IT education that will equip them with the technical and professional skills necessary to play a role in the development and management of information systems within an organisation.
Entry Requirements
MSc applicants are expected to hold at least a second class honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject other than information technology, or to have gained appropriate professional qualifications and work experience.
Course Structure and Content
Details correct at the time of printing.
The MSc programme comprises eight 15-credit taught modules (120 credits) plus a project (60 credits). Alternatively, students may complete their studies after obtaining 60 credits (Postgraduate Certificate) or 120 credits (Postgraduate Diploma) from the taught programme.
The course starts in late September and lasts 12 months. During the first semester (September to January) students take four core modules, followed in the second semester (January to May) by one core and three option modules. The project, usually industrially-based, runs from the end of May.
Assessment
The taught modules are mainly assessed by coursework, with examinations in some of the modules. Project assessment is based largely on a substantial final report.
Core Modules
Information Systems
Object-based Application Development
Website Development
Professional Practice
Conceptual Modelling
Option Modules
Networks and Communications
Object-oriented Programming
Web Technologies
Managing Information Systems and Projects
Career Destination
At the end of the course the majority of graduates progress into directly related employment. This could be in a role applying information technology to business problems, perhaps working alongside information systems professionals.
Alternatively it might be a role in system development (such as web/multimedia development), or system administration. Course graduates have been employed in, for example, large and small commercial companies, local government, defence agencies, universities, health authorities, software development companies, transportation and environmental agencies, and utility companies (e.g. electricity). Some students gain offers of employment from the organisation which hosted their project. A number of graduates have gone on to become teachers of IT, or to continue study for a higher degree.