Celebrating SIXTY YEARS University of Hertfordshire Postgraduate Computer Science courses 2013/14

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1 Celebrating SIXTY YEARS University of Hertfordshire Postgraduate Computer Science courses 2013/14 1

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3 Contents About the courses 4 Courses for computer science graduates - overview 5 Courses for computer science graduates - modules 6 9 Courses for all graduates - overview 9 Courses for all graduates - modules Start dates and entry requirements 11 3

4 Computer Science courses About the courses We offer a range of taught Master s courses in Computer Science suitable for many different backgrounds and career aspirations. To qualify you should have a good honours degree from the UK or an equivalent international qualification. We offer a range of taught Master s courses in Computer Science suitable for many different backgrounds and career aspirations. To qualify you should have a good honours degree from the UK or an equivalent international qualification. There are two distinct routes. If your first degree is in Computer Science or a very closely-related subject, please refer to courses for Computer Science graduates (pages 5 9). These are advanced courses for professional development to enhance your career prospects in technically demanding environments or as a sound preparation for industrial or academic research. There are three specialist courses you can choose from. Alternatively you can opt for the broader based MSc Advanced Computer Science, which enables you to study a wider choice of modules, including those offered on the specialist courses. If your degree is in a non Computer Science discipline, please refer to our course for all graduates, MSc Computer Science (pages 9 10). This course is to complement your existing qualifications, for example to change career direction or to apply advanced computing techniques to your existing discipline. For more information please visit go.herts.ac.uk/cs 4

5 Courses for Computer Science graduates Overview MSc Artificial Intelligence with Robotics Taking advantage of the international reputation of the School s research in the area, this course explores current research and practice in artificial intelligence and robotics. It can lead to a career such as a designer of intelligent systems or in research. The core modules are: artificial life with robotics, neural computation and machine learning, theory and practice of artificial intelligence. MSc Computer Networking Principles and Practice This course considers current research and practice in computer networking, distributed systems and security. You will develop technical expertise and practical skills in the design, management and evaluation of networks, and in the use of tools and techniques for system security. It can lead to a career such as a network system designer or administrator, or as a security consultant. The core modules are: distributed systems security, multicast and multimedia networking, network system administration, secure systems programming, wireless, mobile and ad-hoc networking. MSc Advanced Computer Science This course allows you to study two or more areas of computing that relate to your interests along with key core areas of computer science. Depending on the modules chosen, it can lead to a career in areas such as software development, systems design, user interface design, or database design and administration. The core modules are: advanced databases, human computer interaction: principles and practice, multicast and multimedia networking, software engineering practice and experience, theory and practice of artificial intelligence, web services, wireless, mobile and ad-hoc networking. MSc Software Engineering This course examines current research and practice in software engineering. You will develop knowledge and skills in the models, methodologies, measures and tools that can be employed in software development considered as an engineering discipline. It can lead to a career such as a project manager, software engineer or developer of large-scale systems. The core modules are: measures and models for software engineering, programming for software engineers, software engineering practice and experience. 5

6 Courses for Computer Science graduates Modules You will study a range of taught modules and a project. Some modules are core to your chosen course title whilst others are elective and can be chosen from the full list below (pages 6-8). Advanced databases The aim of this module is to enhance your understanding and knowledge through the study of selected current and emerging issues in the database field. This study is grounded in sound understanding of the appropriate theory, practice and principles and you will acquire a practical understanding and critical awareness of the relevant issues, typically using Oracle and other modern software. This module is primarily designed for those with existing knowledge and experience of database design and implementation. 6

7 Courses for Computer Science graduates Modules Artificial life with robotics You will study techniques including: the modelling of real-life biological systems, the application of ideas and principles from biology and evolution to computer science in the areas of optimization, intelligent agents, and engineering. There is a practical element to the module and you will gain experience in developing artificial life models. Data mining This covers the discovery of hidden knowledge, unexpected patterns and new rules from large databases. It views data as a strategic source of opportunity for the organisation, and includes: descriptive data mining, association analysis, classification and prediction, cluster analysis, mining complex types of data, applications and trends in data mining, and ethical issues. Distributed systems security This module covers the theoretical and practical techniques used to provide security and protection to networked and distributed systems. You will examine how the issues and concerns of operating systems design are modified when extended in this context, using recent case studies. Themes include: models, design, standards, protocols, and performance. Human computer interaction: principles and practice This module explores the concepts, tools, techniques, standards and guidelines that are needed to design and evaluate interactive systems. You will undertake practical design projects and evaluate systems in a variety of contemporary domains. Topics covered typically include usability of interactive systems, eliciting user requirements, interaction design, universal design, standards and recommendations, and evaluation techniques. Investigative methods for computer science At postgraduate level you are expected to understand a range of investigative methods for research in computer science and to apply them to your own work. Topics covered on this module include: conducting a literature review, identifying a research question, choosing appropriate research methods, collecting and analysing data, presenting results, and evaluating your own work. The module is designed to enable you to plan, manage, and write up your Master s dissertation (project). Measures and models for software engineering You will explore state-of-the-art examples for both research and practice in software engineering. The range of software engineering products (for user requirements, design documents, code etc) and processes (testing, de-bugging etc) which make up a software project are measured and modelled. This module shows you how the modelling and measuring of such products and processes enable quantified decision-making to be carried out during software development. Mobile standards, interfaces and applications Mobile and pervasive computing is rapidly evolving, and include: pervasive computing, mobile HCI, privacy and security, location and context awareness, mobile development platforms, networking and data standards. You will follow a practical course in programming for mobile devices based on an industry-standard development platform and will work in a group to create a substantial mobile application. Multicast, and multimedia networking This module addresses the issues that must be solved to integrate diverse network applications onto a single network infrastructure; how to deal efficiently with applications that have to send the same data to many different destinations and how to mix applications with very different quality of service requirements. Topics include: multicast applications, real-time media, new service models, multimedia protocols, and video compression. 7

8 Courses for Computer Science graduates Modules Network system administration The module is designed for those with an existing knowledge of fundamental computer networking concepts, protocols and architectures who wish to build on that knowledge by developing high-level practical networking administration skills. You will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of computer networks and the internet by gaining hands-on experience with real networks. Neural computation and machine learning Here you will study a selection of research topics such as evolutionary neural networks, neural network design and interesting applications of these techniques. Applications could include data mining, bio-computation, evolutionary algorithms, neural networks as models of human cognition, and data visualisation. Professional issues The module examines information systems (IS) project management, development methodologies and project control techniques. These include: estimation of development resources, risk management, systems quality assurance, and human resource management. It covers the relationship between technological change, society and the law, as relevant to IS management. This provides you with the opportunity to understand social, legal and ethical issues and hence the standards expected of you as a professional in the IT industry or on related career paths. Programming for software engineers Modern software engineering depends upon the use and re-use of components that are tightly specified and thoroughly tested, an approach supported by software frameworks and APIs implemented as libraries. In the module you will learn to develop such libraries, selecting appropriate data structures and algorithms, then producing test suites to establish their quality. Topics also covered include virtual machines; design tradeoffs, modularity, coding for re-use, component level design, clean-room techniques, coupling, dependency, cohesion, and refactoring. Programming paradigms This module explores the extent to which different programming paradigms, such as imperative, functional, concurrent and object-oriented programming can be applied. Laboratory sessions will help you acquire practical skills in representative programming languages, such as LISP for functional programming, Ruby for objectoriented programming, and Erlang for concurrent programming. Project The project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to extend and to apply the knowledge you have gained on the course. You will make critical use of the literature and develop an understanding of the design, management and realisation of a programme of investigative and/or practical work. The project is carried out independently under the guidance of an individual project tutor. You will write a report (dissertation), present, and justify your findings. If you are studying one of the specialist courses the topic must be in that area. If you are studying for the generalist degree then it must extend and apply knowledge gained in taught modules. Secure systems programming The variety and proliferation of malicious attacks against users of networks and distributed systems has led to a need for proactive defence mechanisms. For individuals and enterprises, the impact ranges from extreme frustration to significant cost and damage to their reputation. This module is both theoretical and practical, and will cover concepts and applications of computer systems and their security weaknesses. 8

9 Courses for Computer Science graduates Modules Software engineering practice and experience You will develop advanced knowledge and skills in software engineering that are readily transferable to industrial practice. The module covers each element of the software engineering process and explores the use of overarching development approaches such as extreme programming and component-based software engineering. Leading edge practices are also introduced, for example using program slicing to find code faults. Specialised software development approaches are investigated. Theory and practice of artificial intelligence This module provides an in-depth study of a range of ideas, theories and techniques used in the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in application areas such as intelligent modelling, problem-solving, learning, decision-making, reasoning, and robot control. There is a large practical element. Topics typically covered include history and paradigms of AI, expert systems, logic and resolution proof, temporal reasoning, case-based reasoning, agents, knowledge representation, Bayesian learning, natural language processing, and tools for AI research and applications. Web services The term web services is used to define protocols, technologies and standards that allow communication of information between applications distributed over a decentralised network environment. In this module you will learn about the fundamental architectures of web services and their underlying protocols and standards, from a brief introduction to the basic technologies through to architectural issues and evaluation. You will study real world examples such as e-commerce, information retrieval and knowledge management. Wireless mobile and ad-hoc networking Addresses issues such as how to handle users and computers that move from place to place and yet wish to remain in contact with the net. Covers topics such as Mobile IP, Wireless LANs, Bluetooth, Cellular Systems, CDMA. Courses for all graduates Overview MSc Computer Science Our course is especially designed for graduates of numerate subjects other than computer science. It is mostly taught separately from the other courses. It intensively covers a broad range of the key principles and techniques of computer science. There is an emphasis on software development, in particular when applied to solving problems in other disciplines. Depending on the modules chosen, it can lead to a career in areas such as systems development, IT management, or the deployment of advanced applications in specific disciplines. 9

10 Courses for all graduates Modules Computer architectures Designed from the perspective of a programmer rather than an engineer, the module starts with fundamentals such as number systems, digital logic, and data representation. It then covers the main architectural components of modern computers: the processor, memory, and I/O sub-systems, including an introduction to lowlevel programming languages. It concludes with advanced topics such as performance improvement through multi-processor systems, parallelism and pipelining. Operating systems and networks This module explores the main concepts and functionalities of a modern operating system including processes, memory management, and filing systems. It provides an overview of general networking principles, with examples drawn mainly from the TCP/IP protocols of the Internet. Key topics covered include network switching, encapsulation, inter-networking, reliable transfer, network performance, Inter-process communication, and security threats. Professional issues The module examines information systems (IS) project management, development methodologies and project control techniques. These include: estimation of development resources, risk management, systems quality assurance, and human resource management. It covers the relationship between technological change, society and the law, as relevant to IS management. This provides you with the opportunity to understand social, legal and ethical issues and hence the standards expected of you as a professional in the IT industry or on related career paths. Programming and program design Here you will explore the basic facilities found in procedural and object-oriented programming languages and develop the skills needed to use them. The module assumes no previous programming experience and adopts a practical approach with up-to-date tools based on modern approaches to program development. You will learn how to write simple procedural programs, to use library classes, and to deploy object-oriented tools and techniques to design, implement and test more complex programs. Project The project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to extend and apply the knowledge you have gained on the course. You will make critical use of the literature and develop an understanding of the design, management and realisation of a programme of investigative and/or practical work. The project is carried out independently, under the guidance of an individual project tutor. You will write a report (dissertation), present, and justify your findings. The topic should be based on your study in the taught modules. It is expected to be applied to the subject of your first degree, or to your recent work experience, or to your chosen career path. Software development exercise In this module you have an opportunity to work in a small team through the complete development cycle of a software application, thus experience at first hand the challenges involved. Lectures will focus on software development methodologies, tools, notations and languages. These methodologies typically include plandriven approaches like Waterfall, Prototyping, Rapid Application Development and some Agile approaches like XP, Scrum and DSDM. The laboratory sessions will introduce the tools used and provide you with practical support. 10

11 Courses for all graduates Modules Systems modelling Here you will study a range of best practice, industry-standard techniques and notations for the requirements capture, analysis and early design phases of a project. The module will develop your awareness of the need for good software engineering practices. There are three strands: (1) formal languages such as EBNF and Z; (2) structured analysis and design techniques using notations such as entity-relationship models and data-flow diagrams; (3) object-oriented concepts using, for example, ObjectZ and UML. Start dates and entry requirements These courses start in September and are oneyear full-time. Certain courses also have a January start and are sixteen months full-time (which includes a four month vacation from June until September). Please see go.herts.ac.uk/international for details. You should have the equivalent to a UK second class honours degree in computer science or closely related subject for courses for computer science graduates; or in any subject for courses for all graduates. Important note The Modular Master s in Computer Science Programme is undergoing periodic review, with revised courses due to start in September This publication describes the revised courses, which are subject to validation. Please visit our website at go.herts.ac.uk/cs for the latest information. You must also satisfy the University s English language requirement for these courses, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL

12 University of Hertfordshire Hatfield Hertfordshire AL10 9AB +44 (0) go.herts.ac.uk/international uherts.mobi M1 Nottingham Leicester Peterborough Birmingham facebook.com/uniofhertsinternational M6 A1(M) Northampton Cambridge M1 Bedford Ipswich Milton Keynes M1 A1 M11 M40 Stevenage video: Luton A1 Stansted Oxford Watford M10 St. Albans University of Hertfordshire M4 Reading M4 M25 Kings M1 Cross Euston M4 Heathrow LONDON M25 Liverpool St. M25 M26 M20 M3 Gatwick M23 Dover Southampton Brighton 12 GA12665_CSB/DC/7_12