The course offers you the opportunity to study advanced aspects of the subject within a research-based environment.
Based on existing research groupings in Information Systems Security, Human Computer Interaction and Data Mining, the course provides dedicated modules that will show how each of these areas impacts on the practices of Software Engineering. This will provide you with an overview of the research themes within each area along with detailed knowledge of a selected subject. This enables coverage of methodological and management issues and to look at how these issues are applied in real-life projects. Alongside the research focus, the course also provides you with an opportunity to develop advanced programming skills.
Semester 1
All modules are 30 credits
Advanced Programming
This module builds on your knowledge of programming by introducing diverse programming paradigms and by developing detailed knowledge and understanding of issues and approaches to concurrency.
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Systems Engineering
This module provides you with a thorough coverage of constructing, managing and maintaining systems in which user perspectives, system infrastructures, software etc, need to be brought together to deliver usable solutions to complex problems.
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Semester 2
Research Methods, Development and Project
This module provides you with the necessary skills to develop and undertake a research and development project.
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Software Architecture and Application Security
This module provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of software architecture and it's key role in the development of good quality software with characteristics such as correctness (against a defined requirement), flexibility, extendability, maintainability, reusability, portability and security.
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Semester 3
60 credits from:
Project for MSc (60 credits)
Working under the direction of an academic supervisor, you will integrate learning from the previous modules, to carry out high-level coordinated academic and practical work. You will identify a suitable problem and then design, develop and evaluate a software-based solution, critically evaluate the outcome and reflect on the process.
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Year two
Professional Placement (60 credits)
Working under the supervision of both the host organisation and the School, you will complete a work-based equivalent to a traditional, academically-supervised project. Your placement can be in a commercial, industrial or non-profit organisation of any size (from a very small enterprise to a multinational company). Note that this option is dependent on your academic performance and the university cannot guarantee securing you a Professional Placement but would be active in trying to do so.
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Part-time Study
If you take the part time route you will study Systems Engineering and Software Architecture and Application Security modules in the first year. In the second year you will take Advanced Programming and Research Methods, Development and Project Management. The Project for MSc or Professional Placement will be taken in the third year.