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Postgraduate study
Computer Science

Computer Science MSc

This course offers you the opportunity to study two major themes; programming and artificial intelligence (AI). You also study project management and research methods to provide the academic rigour required for postgraduate study and the practical skills for entry to industry.

 

Course overview

The School has a proven record of successful research, consultancy and enterprise projects in the field of computer science, giving our staff the relevant real-world case studies to draw upon in their teaching. Having worked in the sector, many of our academic staff have forged strong working relationships with colleagues in industry.

The programming strand gives you the expertise and transferable skills in event-driven programming, patterns, design, development and deployment using industry-standard tools. The AI strand investigates computer models, simulations and techniques for observing and predicting behaviours in large-scale systems. The project management module underpins the practical and theoretical skills with techniques for strategic management of projects so that you are prepared for the full project life cycle. The individual computer science project and Advanced Practice (Internship) module provides you with the opportunity to apply both your practical and theoretical skills in your chosen specialism and to gain real-world experience in industry or research.There are three routes you can choose from to gain an MSc Computer Science:

  • full-time - 2 years with advanced practice (September and January start)
  • full-time - 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start)
  • part-time - up to 3 years (can be completed in 2 years if preferred).

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Course details

Course structure

Core modules

Artificial Intelligence Foundations

You gain the foundational knowledge to study a wide range of AI applications and solutions, and are introduced to logic-based knowledge representation, reasoning, problem solving and algorithms, planning and AI applications.

Big Data and Business Intelligence

You develop your ability to design and implement database, big data and analytics applications to meet business needs. A case study is used to follow the system development lifecycle. You develop a plausible application from inception to implementation for a real-world scenario.

You investigate the issues and technologies associated with implementing and supporting large scale databases and the services that are needed to maintain and access a repository of data. Investigations are undertaken in a number of areas including big data, data warehouses, integrating legacy data, data management and approaches that support the modelling and visualisation of data for a range of use views.

Computing Masters Project

You undertake a major, in-depth, individual study in an aspect of your course. Normally computing master’s projects are drawn from commercial, industrial or research-based problem areas. The project involves you in researching and investigating aspects of your area of study and then producing a major deliverable, for example software package or tool, design, web-site and research findings. You also critically evaluate your major deliverable, including obtaining third party evaluation where appropriate.

The major deliverable(s) are presented via a poster display, and also via a product demonstration or a conference-type presentation of the research and findings. The research, project process and evaluation is reported via a paper in the style of a specified academic conference or journal paper. The written report, the major deliverable and your presentation of the product are assessed.

The project management process affords supported opportunities for goal setting, reflection and critical evaluation of achievement.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subfield of computer science concerned with computational techniques rather than performing explicit programmed instructions. You build a model from a task based on observations in order to make predictions about unseen data. Such techniques are useful when the desired output is known but an algorithm is unknown, or when a system needs to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

You explore statistics and probability theory as the fundamental task is to make inferences from data samples. The contribution from other areas of computer science is also essential for efficient task representation, learning algorithms, and inferences procedures. You gain exposure to a breadth of tasks and techniques in machine learning.

Assessment is an in course assessment (100%).

Mobile App Development

You develop android apps for smartphone and tablet devices to a professional standard. You explore the industry-standard development processes and tools used to build today’s mobile apps. You are also informed by current industry practice, to plan and execute a successful software development project.

Assessment is an in-course assignment. You design, plan and build a mobile app for a smartphone or tablet device using industry approaches. Your artefacts and decisions are assessed by a presentation with supporting materials.

Object Oriented Programming

You are given an intensive introduction to programming assuming little, if any, previous experience. You cover the principles of object oriented programming and event driven GUI (graphical user interfaces) systems using the Java Language. You are introduced to the fundamental skills required for mobile app and pattern driven development. Topics covered include:
• Object oriented concepts: classes, objects, methods, inheritance, polymorphism.
• Event handling and elements of the Swing GUI API.
• Software development using a source code editor and an IDE.
• Software design techniques, problem solving and algorithm development.
• Software documentation.
• Software testing and evaluation techniques.

You are assessed by individual course work that requires you to produce a portfolio of practical and reflective work.

Research Methods

You develop the knowledge and skills to understand the research process in the field of computing and gain the necessary skills to undertake your masters project. You learn how to evaluate previous academic research and generate evidence material to justify your research. You learn different methods of data generation and develop an understanding of how these methods fit into your primary research, development lifecycle, evaluation of the end user experience, use of academic research literature and research ethics.

 

Advanced practice (2 year full-time MSc only)

Internship

The internship options are:

Vocational: spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University. We have close links with a range of national and international companies who could offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and professional skills in the workplace through an internship. Although we cannot guarantee internships, we will provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own internship position. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge.

Research: develop your research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University. Experience working as part of a research team in an academic setting. Ideal for those who are interested in a career in research or academia.


 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You learn about concepts and methods through keynote lectures and tutorials using case studies and examples. Lectures include presentations from guest speakers in industry. Critical reflection is key to successful problem solving and essential to the creative process. You develop your own reflective practice at an advanced level, then test and assess your solutions against criteria that you develop in the light of your research.

 

Entry requirements

You will normally have a first degree in related discipline (2.2 minimum) or relevant experience or equivalent qualifications. Acceptable subjects include artificial intelligence, computer forensics, computer science, computing, information technology, artificial intelligence, data science, computer forensics and digital forensics.

In addition, international students will require IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

 

Employability

Career opportunities

We prepare you for a career in industry. In addition to your taught classes, we create opportunities for you to meet and network with our industry partners through events such as our ExpoSeries, which showcases student work to industry. ExpoTees is the pinnacle of the ExpoSeries with over 100 businesses from across the UK coming to the campus to meet our exceptional students, with a view to recruitment.

Graduates can expect to find employment in one of the increasing number of sectors needing data science specialists, such as the defence industry, financial industry, telecommunications, and health sector.

 

Information for international applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

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Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

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Full-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£7,365 a year

£4,770 a year with advanced practice

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

£10,000 a year with advanced practice

More details about our fees for international applicants

  • Length: within 1 year (September start), 16 months (January start) or 2 years with advanced practice (September or January start)
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

Apply now (full-time)

 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£820 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: Up to 3 years (can be completed in 2 years if preferred)
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

Apply now (part-time)

Apply now (part-time)

 

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Get in touch

UK students

Email: scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


More international contacts

 

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