Advanced Computing

The MSc in Advanced Computing offers in-depth knowledge on advanced topics in Computing Science to existing graduates in Computing or a closely-related discipline. This course has been designed to extend undergraduate computing skills with up-to-date and in-depth expertise in specialist areas of Computing including internet telephony systems, mobile phone applications, web services, computer games technologies, and computer security and forensics approaches.

Course objectives

This course has been designed to provide up-to-date and in-depth expertise in specialist areas of computing, such as:

• Telecommunication Systems
• Mobile Phone Applications
• Computer Games Technologies
• Enterprise Database Systems
• Computer Security and Forensics Approaches

You can follow the general course towards the MSc Advanced Computing, or specialise in one of the four named variants:

• Software Engineering
• Computer Network Systems and Application
• Computer Games Technologies
• Computing for eBusiness

Entrance requirements

Applicants normally require a first or second class Honours degree in computing, or a closely related subject, from a British university, or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognised by the University.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your  proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or  TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.

Funding

This course is currently approved for PTFL (Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan) funding from SAAS, full details of how to apply for PTFL can be found here: http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information/scholarships/#PTFL

Full details of the PTFL fund and how to apply online can be found here: www.saas.gov.uk

For further information on possible sources of funding, visit:  http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information/

Modes of study

Full-time
MSc: one year;
Diploma: nine months

Course start date

September

Structure and content

This course comprises two 15-week semesters of taught modules, a winter programming assignment over three weeks in January, and the MSc dissertation project over three months at the end.

Practical work is a key component in this course. It builds from self contained tasks in the first semester, over the larger Winter programming assignment, to a group project in Semester 2. Finally, the dissertation project (possibly with a company) is the largest piece of work leading to your MSc dissertation.

Autumn semester core modules:

• Database Principles and Applications: Provides a critical understanding of the role of database management systems and the ability to design and implement practical databases.
• Concurrent and Distributed Systems: Discusses how concurrent and distributed systems may be constructed and parallelism in applications is handled.
• Computer Forensics and Security: Covers the principles of computer security and their application to forensic analysis, in particular confidentiality, integrity, and availability

Plus one elective from:

• Technologies for Ecommerce: Provides an in-depth understanding of the how to use Java servlets and JSP to implement an ecommerce website server
• Artificial Intelligence: Covers methods for allowing computer-based systems to sense their environment, learn from experience, plan future actions and infer new facts 

During the winter break there is an extended Distributed Systems assignment using Java.

Spring semester core modules:

• Object-oriented Software Design: Focuses on how to analyse and model requirements and develop object-oriented software, through the use of UML and CASE tools
• Project Management: The evaluation, selection and management of projects through case studies

Plus two electives from:

• Networking^2,3: Investigates computer networks, their layered architecture, services and protocols
• Decision Support Systems⁴: Covers modelling, simulation and intelligent support systems in organisations
• Advanced Computer Games Technology^1,3: Technologies for game programming, including graphics, animation and sound components for 2D and 3D games 
• Communication Systems and Services^1,2,4: Covers the underlying concepts of Voice over IP communications architectures, web service provision and its role in commercial applications, as well as the principles of applications for mobile phones
• Computing and the Brain: Introduces you to the brain, its operation and devices known as artificial neural networks that are based on brain architecture and function

1, 2, 3, 4: core for the following variants: Software Engineering; Computer Network Systems; Computer Games; eBusiness with (the choice of electives is linked to the degree variant: 1: Software Engineering; 2: Computer Network Systems; 3: Computer Games; 4: eBusiness)

You may graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma after two semesters, or you may continue with a three-month project and dissertation to qualify for the award of the MSc degree.

Delivery and assessment

Students will learn about advanced topics in computing through lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Lectures involve the whole class, while tutorials and practicals are for small groups. Practical work is a key component in our degrees, and provides the opportunity for hands-on experience. It builds from self contained tasks in the first semester, over a larger programming assignment in the winter break to a group project in Semester 2. Finally, the dissertation project is your largest single piece of work leading to your MSc dissertation.

After two semesters of classes you will embark on a three-month project working on your dissertation topic. At the end of the project you will write up your findings as your MSc dissertation. For the MSc projects, we will make a number of industrial placements (usually unpaid) available through the Making the Most of Masters scheme (www.mastersprojects.ac.uk). These will be offered to the best students in the class. Other project suggestions both from external bodies and from within the University are also offered. Furthermore, students' own ideas for projects are encouraged and welcomed.
 

Course Director

Dr Mario Kolberg

RAE rating

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 90 percent of research in Computing Science and Mathematics at Stirling was graded as ‘Internationally Excellent’, with the top five percent of that judged to be ‘World-leading’.

Our students

Career opportunities

The MSc Advanced Computing will greatly enhance the employment prospects of students. As a graduate of Advanced Computing, you will be in demand in a range of sectors including health, IT software organisations, service enterprises, engineering and construction firms as well as in the retail sector.

Stirling computing graduates have a good track record in finding well-paid jobs. Previous students have been very successful in obtaining suitable employment in a considerable diversity of posts – with small companies, with major international organisations including Accenture, IBM, HP, Microsoft, Reuters and major financial institutions such as HBOS, as well as with Local Authority and Government bodies. A number of graduates of the MSc Advanced Computing have continued their studies towards a PhD.

Job profiles include Software Architect, Software Developer, IT Consultant, Application Developer, Systems Analyst, and Web Developer. Some graduates have continued their studies towards a PhD.