Computing* MSc

You undertake a major, in-depth, individual study in an aspect of computing, IT, computer science or digital technology. The project is drawn from commercial, industrial or research-based problem areas. You research and investigate aspects of your specific computing discipline and then produce a major deliverable (such as a software package or tool, design, prototype, website, model, research findings, results of an experiment or dataset). You carry out a critical evaluation of your deliverable, including obtaining third party evaluation where appropriate.

You develop the knowledge and practical understanding of the main statistical techniques for data analytics and machine learning. You cover quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques, reflecting scientific and social science methods with a focus on correlation testing, regression, data categories and normalisation.

Machine learning is about teaching computers to learn from data, rather than just following fixed instructions. Instead of telling a computer exactly what to do, you give it examples, and it learns how to make predictions or decisions on its own.

You explore how machine learning is used to solve real problems – like recognising patterns, adapting to new situations, or analysing big data. Along the way, you discover how it connects with areas like statistics, probability, and wider computer science.

You get hands-on experience with a range of machine learning techniques, from classic approaches to the latest developments in neural networks and deep learning – skills that are shaping the future of technology and the world of work.

You explore the concepts and technologies used in modern wireless network such as wireless sensor networks and cellular systems. You learn about the hardware used by such networks, but also the networking technologies that allow them to communicate with each other and the outside world. Related topics such as communication protocols and security are also covered.

Contemporary project management is an evolving and extensive discipline that has grown substantially to meet the needs of modern project management demands. You are introduced to the expanding discipline of project management and contemporary project management modalities and the importance of effective project management to organisational functioning, enterprise growth and development.

You develop the knowledge and skills to understand the research process in computing. You learn how to use and critically evaluate previous academic research and to generate good evidence material to justify their professional practice. This involves learning about different research strategies and data generation methods and how they fit into primary research, the development lifecycle and the evaluation of the user experience, the use of the academic research literature and research ethics.

You study concepts such as cryptography and cybersecurity models as well as practical issues of cybersecurity attacks along with countermeasures in system administration. You explore topics in access control, symmetric and public key cryptography protocols, digital signatures, authentication protocols, wireless network and security, firewall, network forensics, network security attacks, penetration testing, Intrusion detection, access control lists and firewalls.