Masters Degrees (Sql)

This course is your opportunity to specialise in the development of web-based software systems that use databases. During your time with us, you will gain a critical awareness of the methodologies, tools and techniques used for the development of web-based computer systems and an advanced understanding of the techniques used for the development, evaluation and testing of databases.

The course also develops an awareness of the latest developments in the field of advanced databases, data mining and data warehousing. You will also gain substantial knowledge and skills in the deployment of SAS business intelligence software leading towards SAS data miner accreditation, and learn what the Semantic Web and Linked Data are, together with what these technologies enable.

Key benefits:

• The course gives you hands-on experience in design and implementation of databases in both Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server DBMS and prepares you to obtain DBA certification
• You learn how to design and implement a web application using ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Server, and PHP with My SQL
• You learn the data mining techniques to mine data in different application domains using most popular data mining tools.

Visit the website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/pgt-courses/databases-and-web-based-systems

Suitable for

This course is for students who want to become trained professionals:

• In designing and implementing database systems in Oracle Micro Soft SQL Server DBMS and who want to be prepared to obtain DBA certification
• In designing and implementing a web application using ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Server, and PHP with My SQL
• With hands-on experience in data mining techniques to mine data in different application domains using the most popular data mining tools.

Programme details

This course covers a very comprehensive range of topics split in to four large modules worth 30 credits each plus the MSc Project. External speakers from blue-chip and local companies will give seminars to complement your learning, that will be real-world case studies related to the subjects you are studying in your modules. These are designed to improve the breadth of your learning and often lead to ideas that you can develop for your MSc Project.

Format

Teaching on this course takes the form of lectures, individual and group class work, topical class discussions and critical case study evaluation.

You will gain hands-on lab experience of using and setting up databases and web-based systems. What’s more, tutorials will give you practice in solving the theoretical and design problems associated with these systems.

Module titles

• Advanced Databases
• Web-Based Software Development
• Semantic Web and Information Extraction
• Business Intelligence
• MSc Project

Assessment

• Coursework 60%
• Examinations 40%

Career potential

With this qualification, you’ll be equipped as web/database designer and programmer, data analytics and miner among other roles. Your experience will be in high demand across all industrial and commercial sectors.

Previous students have gone on to work with companies including British Airways, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle and other IT firms.

How to apply: http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying

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Effective information management is key to the success of any organisation. The MBA Information Management develops knowledgeable and capable executives who will become managers in the IT / computing industry, or in companies in other sectors. The aim of the programme is to provide graduates with a range of management knowledge and skills, together with a thorough foundation in information management, information technology, and its commercial applications. The programme includes topical case studies, and reflects contemporary developments within the sector. The course is suitable for graduates in a wide range of disciplines, including Engineering, Finance, Social Sciences and other subjects.

Compulsory Modules:

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts. Specific topics include:

The nature of organisations
Organisation structures: strategy, design and function, job design
Organisation cultures: values, ethics, norms of behaviour
Theories and models of management: classical and contemporary
Individual differences: perception, learning, motivation, equality and diversity
Groups and teams in the organisation
Managing relationships: power, conflict, communication, engagement
Managers as leaders, people developers, coaches
Managing job satisfaction and performance

International Strategic Management: This module analyses strategic decision-making within business. You will develop a critical understanding of the strategic processes of business management, the interconnections with the functional domains of marketing, human resource management and corporate finance, and the management of knowledge systems. Specific topics include:

Concepts of strategic management applicable to business
Prescriptive and emergent strategies
Strategy implementation through capacity building and resource allocation
Managing, monitoring and reviewing strategic change
Organisational designs for strategic advantage
Human resources strategy, marketing and corporate financial strategy
Organisational learning and knowledge management

Management Research: This module analyses the philosophical basis for research in the management sciences, and examines a number of key methodological issues and approaches. Research designs for both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are developed, including interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys and experiments. Specific topics include:

Research methodologies and philosophy: positivism and interpretivism
Qualitative research methods and the search for meaning
Selecting a research strategy and design
Data gathering, documentary records, triangulation and mixed methods
Content analysis, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, grounded theory
Quantitative research design and methodologies
Univariate and multivariate analysis, factor, cluster and discriminant analysis

Web Technologies: This module provides an understanding of the basic technologies and structures for developing web applications, including internet resource creation, search techniques and programming languages for creating web content. You will create and use multimedia content in web applications, and gain familiarity with technologies for creating secure web applications. Specific topics include:

Internet concepts; networks; ISO 7 layer model; basic network architecture; routing; domain names; email; ftp; telnet; HTTP
WWW concepts; Internet resources; URI, and URI resolution, URL, URN; relation to XML namespaces; search engines; search algorithms; search engine optimisation
JavaScript; PHP; CSS; programming tools and environments
Multimedia; WWW support for multimedia; file compression
Internet Security; Cryptography; standards for the Internet; public key systems; signatures; authentication; trust management; electronic cash; security issues; firewalls
Web programming; HTML; XML; form input; CGI scripting; Perl programming

Finance for Managers: This module is designed for those who aim to achieve a basic understanding of financial management and control, and who require an understanding of finance in order to manage an organisation effectively. Financial planning and control are central themes, as well as the appraisal techniques of investment projects. Specific topics include:

Principles underlying the preparation of accounting information
Recording business transactions
Preparation and analysis of financial statements
Preparation of budgets, financial planning and control
Costing methods, uses and interpretation of cost data
Investment appraisal techniques

Databases: This module shows how to design a database and intelligently query a database using SQL; and provides an introductory level of understanding in database systems. A mini project is carried out towards the end of the module. This project allows you to complete the entire development process, from informal user requirements, to ER/EER modelling, transformation into relations, normalisation, and finally to the SQL commands to create and query the database. Specific topics include:

Characteristics of a relational database
ER/EER modelling of simple applications
Relational model and relational algebra
Transformation of an ER/EER model into a relational database
Normalisation techniques
Uses of SQL language to create and query a database

Technologies for Internet Systems: This module introduces technologies and tools for Internet Systems and e-commerce systems. Technologies and structures for developing web applications are examined. Technical issues for implementing an e-system, and commonly-available technology components, are covered. You will implement a practical web based e-commerce system using relevant technologies, taking into account current market implementation. Specific topics include:

e-commerce ideas and concepts
Internet concepts; networks; basic network architecture; routing; domain names; email; telnet; HTTP
Architectures and technologies, e-payment, e-commerce software and hardware, e-security, auctions
Design and implementation: HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, DOM, SVG
Research awareness: agent-based e-commerce; web services; grid computing; virtual organisations

Information Systems: This module examines the major types and components of Information Systems, their functions, benefits and limitations. The theoretical underpinnings of Information Systems are analysed. You will study the main business and personal uses of Information Systems, and how such systems are developed, procured and deployed. Specific topics include:

Understanding the nature of organisations and the people within them, and their use of information for strategic business purposes
The influence of human and organisational factors on the successful introduction of information systems
Methods and techniques involved in project and programme management
The importance of business processes and techniques for process modelling

Part 2:

For MBA Information Management, you MUST:

Complete two of the following Applied Business Projects: Business Planning; e-Business and Chain Value; Human Resource Management; International Business; Operations Management; Investment and Private Banking.
Write a Computing project, Software Hut. Software Hut is a project in which students (in groups) analyse, design and implement a software product for an organisation.

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Recognised by the British Computer Society, this Masters programme is designed for students with an Ordinary degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline who wish to upgrade their development skills and qualifications with new technologies and trends.

About the programme

The programme is designed with significant industrial input to represent the latest developments in computer systems analysis, design and implementation – the main areas of employment in the computing/IT sector. It uses various development tools and environments such as UML, Oracle, IBM Websphere, MS BizTalk, MS ASP.NET, NetBeans, Java MultiPlatform and Android SDK, data management/BI software such as MS Business Intelligence Development Studio, MS Project, and Security Architecture.

You will develop practical skills relevant to modern technologies for various software systems development and management with different devices, enabling you to make an immediate contribution to an organisation’s IT functions.

Your learning

Core modules include:
• Ethics for the IT Professional
• Managing Projects and Security
• Research Design and Methods
• Service Oriented Development

Optional modules (offered subject to demand) include:
• Business Database Applications
• Data Governance and Analytics
• Decision Support Systems
• Enterprise Systems Development
• Interactive Design for Smart Devices
• Mobile Business Technology and Design
• Mobile Networks and Smartphone Applications
• Oracle Database Development – covers Oracle server concepts, Oracle server client applications, (SQL*Plus and Form Developer) environments and concepts, advanced features of SQL and Oracle extensions, and PL/SQL programming language concepts

Full-time students undertake three or four modules and part-time students undertake two or three modules in each trimester. 60 credits are required for a Postgraduate Certificate award and 120 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma award. You will complete an individual MSc project (60 credits) to obtain 180 credits for a Masters award.

Our Careers Adviser says

Graduates are equipped to make an immediate contribution to IT functions within organisations or undertake further research towards a PhD. UWS graduates enjoy careers with IBM, Oracle, J P Morgan, and Bank of Scotland. Their roles include website manager, database developer, software developer, and doctoral (PhD) researcher.

Professional recognition

This MSc is recognised by the British Computer Society (BCS) as partially meeting the educational requirement for chartered IT professional recognition.

Financial support

In session 2015/16 the Postgraduate Diploma element of this programme carried SAAS postgraduate loan funding for eligible students. Check http://www.saas.gov.uk for 2016/17 loan info.

Cutting-edge facilities

As you would expect, we offer access to high-quality computing and state-of-the-art software systems as well as tried and tested in demand technologies such as Oracle, CIW, Adobe, CISCO, SAP and Microsoft.

Research and collaboration

We have a proven track record in knowledge and technology transfer in the form of applied research, training and consultancy. More than 65% of our research outputs were rated as world-leading and internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2014. We are proud that our research expertise informs teaching and our students are taught by academic staff who are at the forefront of their profession.

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This postgraduate Masters course is uniquely designed for both computing and non-computing graduates wishing to pursue a career in data science community.

Data science is at the intersection of the fields of computer science, statistics, and design. In a rapidly evolving world, new types of big data are emerging from mobile devices, sensors, instruments, transactional systems, web logs, social media, the cloud and other sources. Businesses are accumulating big data at a rate that often exceeds their capacity to extract value from it.

MSc Data Science is ideally placed to provide you with technical knowledge and employer-focused skills required in a data scientist role. The course will develop your specialist knowledge of data acquisition, data cleansing, data analysis, information extraction, prediction, visualization, story-telling and explanation.

You'll gain hands-on experience using industry standard tools for data science, business intelligence and analytics including SAS, Tableau MS SQL Server, Oracle Database, and R Programming.

Modules

Research methods and professional issues
Future internet technologies
Statistical analysis and modelling
Business intelligence
Data management
Machine learning
Data mining and analysis
MSc thesis

All modules are assessed by a mix of coursework and examinations.

Teaching and learning

You'll make use of our e-learning suite and learn in a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and private study. You'll have access to specialist software including Microsoft SQL Server 2012, Netbeans 7.x with Java 7, Oracle, Python, SAS and Visual Paradigm.

Placements

You are encouraged to actively seek placements, work experience and voluntary work during your studies to improve your CV and to give you the opportunity to put theory into practice. Many opportunities are offered through the University's central Employability team, who can support you in finding a placement.

Accreditation

In order to ensure the course runs in accordance with industry recognised standards we are seeking accreditation for both Chartered Engineer (CEng) status as well as Chartered IT Professional (CITP) accreditation by the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for Information Technology.

We are also seeking Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with both the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Engineering Council.

Employability

Career opportunities range from IT services to business consultancy, and this course will prepare you for a career in the business intelligence community working actively with a range of resources including tools from major commercial vendors such as Microsoft and SAS.

As a graduate of this course you should to be able to work within the areas of business intelligence or business and data analytics, in roles such as a business intelligence specialist, data or business analyst or business intelligence developer.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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Humber’s Information Technology Solutions graduate certificate program is carefully designed to support students without an information technology (IT) background. Our program offers an introductory first semester with an introduction to software development, database concepts and web development preparing students to engage in advanced study following their own selection of options in areas including database development, database administration, enterprise software development (.NET/Java), web development, and mobile application development (Android and/or iOS) in subsequent semesters of study.

This program provides the concepts, skills and knowledge required to work as a mobile (Android or iOS) application developer, Java/.NET application developer, DBAs for Oracle/SQL Server, as well as back-end or front-end web developers.

Working on team projects and individually, you will create commercial applications that apply theories to the creation, administration and development of databases as well as database-driven mobile, web and desktop applications. Project management and presentation skills are a key component of the program.

Professional Accreditations

Upon completion of the certificate, graduates may have the skills necessary to quality them to write industry certification examinations in their area of specialization.

Course detail

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Install, configure, program and maintain IT applications (including operating systems, database management systems).
• Create customized software.
• Debug, document and repair bugs in applications.
• Identify, analyze and document the client’s business and system requirements.
• Interpret, create, and present work-related documents and information effectively and accurately.
• Create and manage normalized and relational data tables including constraints.
• Write programs that communicate with other computers over a network.
• Develop and implement dynamic web applications using appropriate programming language, databases and data sources.
• Identify, analyze and apply object oriented (O-O) model and concepts including objects, classes, encapsulation, inheritance, abstraction, polymorphism, behaviour, and interfaces.
• Plan and execute successful IT and project development activities utilizing project management skills and software.
• Design, develop and implement authentication and secure applications.
• Identify ethical issues in Information Technology projects and propose strategies to address these issues.
• Implement personal and professional development strategies to improve job performance and promote professional growth.
• Identify the underlying architectural system structures and components for a given enterprise software application.
• Describe current trends and challenges in Information Technology projects.

Modules

Semester 1
• ITC 5101: Operating Systems
• ITC 5102: Java Programing 1
• ITC 5103: Web Programming and Design
• ITC 5104: Introduction to Database and SQL
• ITC 5105: Requirement Analysis and Process Modelling

Semester 2
• ITC 5201: Database Programming using Java
• ITC 5202: XML and Java Script

Semester 3
• ITC 5301: Career Connections
• ITC 5302: Project Management

Semester 4
• ITC 5401: Employee Engagement
• ITC 5402: Capstone Project

Work Placement

This program does not have a work placement component. However, in conjunction with the Career Connections course, we provide graduates with job search assistance at the end of the program. Students are encouraged to market themselves to prospective employers.

Your Career

Graduates will qualify for full-time and freelance employment as enterprise software developers; junior and intermediate software developers; enterprise programmers for e-commerce; web programmers; intranet, extranet and database developers; or database administrators in corporate, small- and medium-sized businesses, government, entertainment, education, healthcare and the not-for-profit sectors.

How to apply

Click here to apply: http://humber.ca/admissions/how-apply.html

Funding

For information on funding, please use the following link: http://humber.ca/admissions/financial-aid.html

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This MSc Computing offers students from diverse career and subject areas a balance of software engineering skills and technical abilities required for a career in Software Development.

Through this one-year programme you will get a first-hand understanding of the vital problem-solving role of software, the interdisciplinary opportunities available, and what computational systems can achieve.

Through a gentle introduction and intensive support, you will be introduced to programming skills using important languages such as Java and Python. Emphasis is placed on handling data and you will develop essential skills in SQL (Structured Query Language) for advanced database functionality using industry standard products such as Oracle™.

A choice of taught optional modules allows you to further develop skills in areas of your choice.

Graduates from these programmes will be ideally placed for employment in the computing industry or for careers requiring a combination of their graduate discipline with computing expertise.

Distinctive features:

• An opportunity to take a conversion course which is also an accredited course recognised by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

• The opportunity to complement the discipline in which you graduated with the discipline of Computing.

• The facility to tailor the course to your interests by the selection of advanced option modules.

• Flexible choice of project topic, for example: associated with the research activity of the School fulfilling a business need reflecting your own interest.

Structure

You will study core modules to a total of 80 credits, with two optional modules worth a total of 40 credits. Students will also undertake an individual project and dissertation (worth 60 credits).

This course is a full-time programme undertaken over one calendar year. It is also available as a part-time programme over three years, and with placement.

Core modules:

Information Processing in Python
Web Application Development
Object-Oriented Development with Java
Software Engineering
Dissertation

Optional modules:

Computational Systems
Computer Science Topic 1: Web and Social Computing
Distributed and Cloud Computing
Human Centric Computing
Information Modelling & Database Systems
Visual Communication and Information Design
E-Commerce and Innovation

Teaching

The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard and received an excellent report in the most recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review.

A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc in Computing and the MSc in Computing with Placement. Students will attend lectures, participate in seminars, workshops and tutorials, and carry out practical and laboratory work.

Students obtain support materials either via Learning Central (Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment) or from study packs specially developed for selected modules.

Students will also undertake a project and independent study to enable them to complete their dissertation. Dissertation topics may be suggested by the student or chosen from a list of options proposed by academic staff reflecting their current interest.

Support

As a School, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning. You will see your Personal Tutor at least once each semester.

Outside of scheduled tutor sessions, our Senior Personal Tutor runs an open door policy, being on hand to advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise.

The School has a formal student-staff panel to discuss topics or issues of mutual interest, in addition we schedule fortnightly informal gatherings over coffee for all students and staff associated with MSc Programmes.

Feedback:

Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.

Assessment

The taught modules within the programmes are assessed through examinations and a wide range of in-course assessments, such as written reports, extended essays, practical assignments and oral presentations.

The individual project and dissertation will enable students to demonstrate their ability to build upon and exploit knowledge and skills gained to exhibit critical and original thinking based on a period of independent study and learning.

Career prospects

Recent graduates have gained employment in roles such as software developers, systems analysts, business analysts, IT consultants, and support engineers.

MSc Computing graduates are employed by organisations of all sizes locally, nationally, and internationally. For example, recent graduates have taken up positions with local NHS Trusts, Logica, Sun Microsystems, BT, and the National Library of Medicine in the USA, as well as undertaking further doctoral study.

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This specialist postgraduate degree provides you with high-quality postgraduate training in bioinformatics. It provides a foundation for the development of essential bioinformatics knowledge and skills, as well as an introduction to the emerging field of systems biology. The course is run in parallel with an MRes course that includes a larger research component.

The programme is designed for students from a range of scientific backgrounds, who want to pursue research training in the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics and systems biology. It is relevant to those seeking a future career in both academia and industry.

On successful completion of this programme, students from all backgrounds should be able to:

- Understand the core concepts and statistical fundamentals that underpin the field of bioinformatics, most notably in the area of sequence analysis.
- Program in Python, and design and query databases using SQL. Experience of more advanced programming practices (such as software testing and application development) will also be gained.
- Explain core biological concepts (such as genes and genomes, protein structure and function) and growth areas such as Next Generation Sequencing and (at least at an introductory level) systems modelling.

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With City’s MSc in Information systems and technology you will develop the skills to manage an organisation's IT infrastructure.

Who is it for?

This postgraduate Information Systems and Technology course is for students who have a keen interest in both information system development and information management. Students are either in the early stages of their career or have significant work experience in the area and wish to formalise their knowledge.

Students will have curiosity about information and knowledge and will want to learn about managing them in organisations, together with the requisite design and technical skills to meet business requirements.

Objectives

Information systems are a key part of an organisation's IT infrastructure. IT professionals who can manage a business's information resources, and understand the technologies and systems that enable this are key to a modern enterprise's success.

Our postgraduate Information Systems and Technology degree will equip you with the skills to develop and maintain information systems that align with the strategic needs of any organisation.

Rather than focusing on technical issues only, the course combines technological fundamentals with a systematic understanding of IT's broader business contexts, including human and organisational factors. The course exploits City's research expertise in both computing and information management to produce effective professionals with a broad understanding of IT underpinned by a firm grasp of key technical concerns.

Placements

The School of Mathematics, Computer Science& Engineering has been delivering placements in the IT industry for over 20 years.

Academic facilities

The School's computer science laboratories are equipped with the latest up-to-date hardware and software. From Oracle’s leading commercial object-relational database server to PCs with state-of-the-art NVidia GPUs for computer graphics, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP etc you will have access to an array of tools to support your learning.

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning methods we use mean that your specialist knowledge and autonomy increase as you progress through each module. Active researchers and professionals guide your progress in the areas of information systems and management, project management and business processes.

Taught modules are delivered through a series of lectures together with either tutorials or laboratory sessions. Tutorials help you develop the skills to apply the concepts we have covered in the lectures. We normally achieve this through practical problem solving contexts or case studies. Laboratory sessions give you the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques using state-of-the-art software, environments and development tools.

City’s online learning environment Moodle contains resources for each of the modules from lecture notes and lab materials, to coursework feedback, model answers, and an interactive discussion forum.

Assessment

We expect you to study independently and complete coursework for each module. Modules are assessed through a combination of written examinations, coursework, group work and presentations.

The individual project is a substantial task. It is your opportunity to develop an autonomous research-related topic under the supervision of an academic member of staff. This is the moment when you can apply your learning to solve a real-world information system or information management problem. At the end of the project you submit a substantial MSc project report, which becomes the mode of assessment for this part of the programme.

Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded 180 credits and a masters level qualification. Alternatively, students who do not complete the dissertation but have successfully completed eight modules will be awarded 120 credits and a postgraduate diploma. Successful completion of four modules (60 credits) will lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate.

Modules

The postgraduate Information Systems and Technology programme is made up of five core modules, three elective modules and a final project. All the electives are studied in the second term. You will take core and elective modules in three main streams: information, systems and technology. The third term is reserved for the project.

Modules include hands-on lab-based tutorials, group work seminars and presentations. We teach technical skills in SQL, JavaScript and PhP, as well as design skills using UML. You can pursue a practical MSc project in an application area of your choice.

With respect to hours please consult the SMCSE programmes office.

Core Modules
-Systems Specification INM312 (15 credits)
-Databases INM343 (15 credits)
-Information and Knowledge Management INM351 (15 credits)
-Research Methods and Professional Issues INM373 (15 credits)
-Information Architecture INM401 (15 credits)

Elective Modules - you may choose three elective modules from the following:
-Information Retrieval INM305 (15 credits)
-Web Applications Development INM316 (15 credits)
-Business Engineering with ERP Solutions INM342 (15 credits)
-Information Law and Policy INM361 (15 credits)
-Project Management INM372 (15 credits)
-Data Visualization INM402 (15 credits) *
-Libraries and publishing in the information society INM380 (15 credits)
-Information Organisation INM303 (15 credits) +
-Business Intelligence and Analytics INM451 (15 credits)

+ Students who take INM303 must also take INM305 as an option.
* Students may only take one of INM402 or INM451 as an option.

Career prospects

City’s Information Systems and Technology MSc graduates are prepared for employment in information systems management roles within large and small organisations including banks, consultancies, the pharmaceutical and IT industries, central and local government and the education and health sectors.

Previous graduates have secured employment in some of the most prestigious companies in the world including Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, Virgin Atlantic, Barclays Capital and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

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Why take this course?

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has grown rapidly to become a major component of information technology, creating distinctive methods of data analysis, algorithms and software tools.

This course emphasises the acquisition of practical GIS skills. We use a wide range of industry-standard software tools and a structured approach to the analysis of spatial data through project work.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Get hands-on experience of using instruments such as GPS, Total Stations and 3D laser scanners
Be taught by experts, who have extensive industrial and consultancy experience and strong research portfolios
Practise your GIS data collection skills in a range of environments

What opportunities might it lead to?

The wide range of career opportunities across public and private sectors and in university-based research, coupled with the rapid rate of technological change, mean that major organisations and industrial firms are finding it essential to update their skills through advanced study. We therefore aim to meet this demand by tailoring our course to the needs of both regional and national markets.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Environmental consultancies
Geographical information science specialists
Working for the Environmental Agency
Working for the Ordnance Survey

Module Details

The academic year is divided into two parts. The first part comprises the lecture, workshop, practical and field work elements of the course, followed by a dissertation which will take approximately five months to complete.

Here are the units you will study:

Principles of Geographic Information Science: Beginning with an overview of the development of GIS, the first part of this unit examines data sources and data capture, as well as hardware and software tools. The second part deals with vector-based data structures and data management, followed by vector GIS operations, such as overlay and buffering. You will undertake a project to create a GIS of your own, which may be presented as a seminar session. Practical exercises are undertaken using MapInfo. You will then go on to develop an understanding of raster-based approaches to GIS, cartographic modelling and related areas of image processing which are often applied in remote sensing. Topics include raster data models and data compression techniques, raster GIS and cartographic modelling, imaging systems and image processing, geometric correction techniques and GIS/remote sensing integration in the raster domain. Practical work uses MapInfo, ArcGIS - ArcMap and ERDAS Imagine.

GIS and Database Management Systems: Your major focus on this unit will be the use of industry-standard methods and tools to develop competence in the successive stages of database design, development and implementation. You will have an introduction to data analysis techniques, followed by an examination of alternative types of database system and the rules of relational database design. There is extensive treatment of the SQL query language in standard databases and for attribute query within a GIS. You will be introduced to advanced topics including database programming and computer-aided database design. You will also consider the Object-Relational databases and spatial data types, explore the use of spatial queries using the ORACLE relational database management system and examine procedural database programming and web database connectivity. Practical work for this unit uses the ORACLE relational database management system, running in full client-server mode.

Applied Geographic Information Systems: On this unit you will develop a general, inferential, model-based approach to the analysis of quantitative data within a geographical framework. You will examine a range of underlying concepts including model specification, bias, linearity, robustness and spatial autocorrelation. You will subsequently develop these in the context of a unified framework for analysis. Practical work is based on ArcGIS - ArcMap.

Research Methods and Design: This unit will introduce you to the basic principles of research design and methodology, enabling you to develop a critical approach to the selection and evaluation of appropriate methods for different types of research problem.

Modelling and Analysis and the Web: This unit gives you the chance to consider the use of GIS technology for creating terrain models and explore the basics of photogrammetry, as well as analytical and digital techniques for photogrammetric data capture. You will also look at Orthophotography, LiDAR and RADAR systems. ArcGIS is used for spatial analysis, such as buffering and overlay techniques. You will also explore and exemplify data transfer between GIS software systems and technologies for internet-based GIS.

Dissertation: This provides an opportunity for you to pursue a particular topic to a greater depth than is possible within the taught syllabus. It can take a variety of forms, for example GIS-based analysis of original data sources and digital datasets, case studies of GIS adoption in public or private sector organisations, the development of new software tools/applications or the design of GIS algorithms. The final submission takes the form of an extended written report or dissertation of a maximum of 15,000 words.

Programme Assessment

The course provides a balanced structure of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. You will learn through hands-on practical sessions designed to give you the skills in laboratory, computer and field techniques. The course also includes extensive field work designed to provide field mapping and data collection skills.

The majority of assessment takes the form of practical exercises and project-based activity. This enables you to become familiar with industry-standard software systems and develop your skills by applying your newfound expertise in areas that particularly interest you.

Student Destinations

GIS technology is now very widely deployed in many organisations ranging from utility companies, telecommunications networks, civil engineering, retailing, local and national government, international charities and NGOs, the National Health Service, environmental organisations, banking and finance, and insurance. GIS has become an essential part of the world's information infrastructure.

You can expect to go on to find work in organisations such as local authorities, health authorities, conservation organisations, banks and insurance companies, amongst others. Many of our previous graduates are now employed all over the world, working on a whole variety of GIS-related projects in a very wide range of different organisations and industries.

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The GIS (Geographical Information Science) MSc provides an education in the theoretical, scientific and practical aspects of GIS. It prepares students for technical and analytical GIS roles and is in high demand; we have very close links with industry and the majority of our students find employment prior to contemplating their degree.

Degree information

Students gain a solid grounding in the scientific principles underpinning the computational and analytical foundations of GISc. Our staff are world-leading experts in the areas of programming location-enabled Apps, spatial and 3D databases, big spatio-temporal analytics, citizen science and and human computer interaction, and the MSc therefore is able to offer a wide range of options and specialisations.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a research project (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma, four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits), full-time nine months is offered.

Core modules - core modules introduce the theory underpinning GIS, along with programming skills (python) and the basics of spatial analysis and statistcs. You'll learn to critically engage with GIS rather than just pushing buttons - how does the way data is captured and modelled influence the results of your analysis? Do you get the same results from two different GIS packages? Knowing what is inside the 'black box' means you understand analytical results and their limitations.
-GIS Principles and Technology
-Principles of Spatial Analysis
-Mapping Science
-Representations, Structures and Algorithms

Optional modules - term two is where you start to specialise, chosing modules that fit your interests, intended career choice and/or prepare you for your dissertation. At this point you can chose a heavilty technical route (e.g. databases, programming, human computer interaction) a more analytical route (spatio-temporal data mining, network and locational analysis, databases) or a mixture of the two routes. You will need to chose four modules in total. At least 30 credits of optional modules selected from :
-Geographical Information System Design
-Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Data Mining
-Web and Mobile GIS – Apps and Programming
-Spatial Databases and Data Management

Plus no more than 30 credits of optional modules (all term two) selected from :
-Airborne Data Acquisition
-Applied Building Information Modelling
-Network and Locational Analysis
-Image Understanding
-Ocean and Coastal Zone Management
-Positioning
-Research Methods
-Terrestrial Data Acquisition

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–15,000 words. Where appropriate, this may be undertaken in conjunction with one of our many industrial partners, including Arup, Joint Research Centre, British Red Cross, Transport for London.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through lectures, practical classes, demonstrations and tutorials, and is supported by a series of external speakers from industry and visits to industrial who give weekly seminars describing how GIS is used in their field as well as what they are looking for when recruiting graduate GIS students. Assessment is through unseen examinations, group and individual coursework, formal and oral presentations, and the dissertation.

Careers

There are excellent employment prospects for our graduates, with starting salaries of around £25,000. Recent GIS graduates have found openings with large engineering design firms (such as Arup or WSP), specialist consultancy firms such as Deloitte or Informed Solutions, in leading professional software companies (such as ESRI or Google), with local authorities, for organisations such as Shell, Tesco, the Environment Agency, Transport for London, NHS and the Ordnance Survey.

Employability
Students will develop specific skills including a fundamental understanding of GIS and its application to real-world problems, through theoretical lectures covering the foundations of the science – how data is captured, map creation, generalisation, spatial data management, spatial analysis, data quality and error, and spatial algorithms. Students will develop strong technical (python, R, Java, HTML, Javascript, SQL) and analytical skills (data mining, human computer interaction and usability), and in order to fully understand the principles behind GIS will make use of multiple GIS packages, both proprietary and free/open source (ArcGIS, QGIS).

Why study this degree at UCL?

This highly regarded MSc has been running for nearly 30 years and is taught by internationally recognised academics. Our specialist GIS laboratory offers the latest open source and proprietary software and our unique dual focus on the computer science and analytical aspects of GIS means that you will be able to develop your skills in multiple directions.

Our close links with industry (a strong alumni group and weekly industrial seminars) mean that you will be able to directly link your classroom learning with your future career as a GIS professional; you can also undertake your dissertation with an industrial partner.

As well as weekly industrial seminars, you will have the option to do an industry-linked project, and you will be able to attend our annual GIS careers event, which is co-organized with the UK Assocation of Geographic Infrormation.

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This MSc Computing offers students from diverse career and subject areas a balance of software engineering skills and technical abilities required for a career in Software Development.

Through this two-year programme you will get a first-hand understanding of the vital problem-solving role of software, the interdisciplinary opportunities available, and what computational systems can achieve.

Through a gentle introduction and intensive support, you will be introduced to programming skills using important languages such as Java and Python. Emphasis is placed on handling data and you will develop essential skills in SQL (Structured Query Language) for advanced database functionality using industry standard products such as Oracle™.

A choice of taught optional modules allows you to further develop skills in areas of your choice.

Students may choose to apply for a paid 7-12 month professional work placement to be undertaken on completion of Spring semester and before completing the MSc course with a 60-credit dissertation. This provides valuable work experience to develop your IT Professional skills.

Graduates from these programmes will be ideally placed for employment in the computing industry or for careers requiring a combination of their graduate discipline with computing expertise.

Distinctive features

• A conversion course as well as an accredited course recognised by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

• The opportunity to complement the discipline in which you graduated with the discipline of Computing.

• The facility to tailor the course to your interests by the selection of advanced option modules.

• Flexible choice of project topic, for example: associated with the research activity of the School; fulfilling a business need; reflecting your own interest.

• 7-12 month experience as an IT Professional for students who successfully find a suitable placement.

Structure

You will undertake a placement following the taught stage of the course and prior to undertaking your individual project and dissertation. Most students start their placement in the summer of Year 1. The breakdown is as follows:

Year 1: 80 credits core modules, 40 credit optional modules.

Year 2: 120 credits placement, dissertation.
This is a full-time course undertaken over two calendar years. It is also available as a full-time course over one year or a part-time course over three years, both without placement.

Year ONE core modules:

Information Processing in Python
Web Application Development
Object-Oriented Development with Java
Software Engineering

Year ONE optional modules:

Computational Systems
Computer Science Topic 1: Web and Social Computing
Distributed and Cloud Computing
Human Centric Computing
Information Modelling & Database Systems
Visual Communication and Information Design
E-Commerce and Innovation

Year TWO core modules:

Placement
Dissertation

Teaching

The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard and received an excellent report in the most recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review.

A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc in Computing and the MSc in Computing with Placement. Students will attend lectures, participate in seminars, workshops and tutorials, and carry out practical and laboratory work.

Students obtain support materials either via Learning Central (Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment) or from study packs specially developed for selected modules.

You will also undertake a project and independent study to enable you to complete a dissertation. Dissertation topics may be suggested by you or chosen from a list of options proposed by academic staff reflecting their current interest.

Support

As a School, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning. You will see your Personal Tutor at least once each semester.

Outside of scheduled tutor sessions, our Senior Personal Tutor runs an open door policy, being on hand to advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise.

The School has a formal student-staff panel to discuss topics or issues of mutual interest, in addition we schedule fortnightly informal gatherings over coffee for all students and staff associated with MSc Programmes.

Students are responsible for obtaining their placement. The School actively assists students on “with Placement” courses in finding a suitable placement.

Feedback:

Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.

Assessment

The taught modules within the programmes are assessed through examinations and a wide range of in-course assessments, such as written reports, extended essays, practical assignments and oral presentations.

The placement is assessed through a reflective report that demonstrates that the student has developed skills as an IT Professional.

The individual project and dissertation will enable you to demonstrate your ability to build upon and exploit knowledge and skills gained to exhibit critical and original thinking based on a period of independent study and learning.

Career prospects

Recent graduates have gained employment in roles such as software developers, systems analysts, business analysts, IT consultants, and support engineers.

MSc Computing graduates are employed by organisations of all sizes locally, nationally, and internationally. For example, recent graduates have taken up positions with local NHS Trusts, Logica, Sun Microsystems, BT, and the National Library of Medicine in the USA, as well as undertaking further doctoral study.

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About the course

This MSc provides you with the knowledge and skills to effectively develop, apply and research business intelligence systems. These are computerised information systems that enable organisations to gain business intelligence information and typically include some form of data mining functionality.

This course emphasises the concepts and techniques of business intelligence systems and their application and development, which are underpinned and exemplified via the learning of one or more contemporary ‘best of breed’ business intelligence software tools.

Reasons to study:

• Taught by SAS accredited teaching staff
you will be taught by experienced SAS accredited teaching staff providing you with expert knowledge and skills allowing you to work toward your SAS accreditation

• SAS endorsed course
enhance your employability and gain substantial knowledge and skills in SAS business intelligence software leading towards SAS data miner accreditation

• 50 years history of research and teaching in computing technology
benefit from our well established academic expertise and advance your skills in, and knowledge of, developing business intelligence systems and data mining solutions to business problems

• Gain an insight into real world solutions
attend guest lectures and seminars, which will give you a real understanding of the impact of their work

• Excellent graduate prospects
graduates have gone into roles such as BI/SQL developers, logistics data modeller’s and insight analysts at organisations including Cognisco, LLamasoft and Occam DM

Course Structure

Modules

First semester (September to January)

• Fundamentals of Business Intelligence Systems
• Analytics Programming
• Data Warehouse Design and OLAP
• Research Methods

Second semester (February to May)

• Data Mining
• Business Intelligence Systems Application and Development

Plus two from the following list:
• Management of Information Systems
• Human Factors in Systems Design
• Applied Computational Intelligence
• Artificial Neural Networks

Third semester (June to September)

•The individual project module.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching will normally be delivered through formal lectures, informal seminars, tutorials, workshops, discussions and e-learning packages. Assessment will usually be carried out through a combination of individual and group work, presentations, reports, projects and exams.

Compulsory taught modules give you the opportunity to gain the fundamental knowledge and practices required to apply, develop and research business intelligence systems, while optional modules provide you with chances to study particular aspects of system application and development in more depth.

The individual project module allows you to undertake research into an aspect of business intelligence systems that interests you, and/or to perform appropriate business intelligence development tasks in response to a given practical problem.

Contact and learning hours

Full-time students will normally attend around 16 hours of timetabled taught sessions per week, and can expect to undertake around 24 further hours of self-directed independent study and research to support your assignments and dissertation.

Industry Association

This course was developed and is run in conjunction with SAS. SAS is the world's largest independent business analytics company. It provides an integrated set of software products and services to more than 45,000 customer sites in 118 countries. Across the globe, both the public and private sector use SAS software to assist in their efforts to compete and excel in a climate of unprecedented economic uncertainty and globalization.

To find out more

To learn more about this course and DMU, visit our website:
Postgraduate open days: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/open-evenings/postgraduate-open-days.aspx

Applying for a postgraduate course:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply.aspx

Funding for postgraduate students:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-funding-2017-18/postgraduate-funding-2017-18.aspx

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Surrey Business School’s Business Analytics programme is dedicated to producing creative and knowledgeable Business Analysts with the ability to convert Big Data to actionable insight in business.

Whether it’s using Artificial Intelligence to improve a chess programme, or understanding the power of visualisation from a simple graph.

With input from industry experts in class and on-site, you will engage with real-world business problems.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Big Data. New technologies and ways of working are changing the way we make decisions.

This programme will take your career to the next level and develop your ability to confidently make high impact businesses decisions that are driven by data.

The programme focuses on two key areas: analysing business data, and solving business challenges analytically. Optional modules allow you to further specialise in areas such as the economic, managerial or finance or aspects of the subject.

Furthermore, you will benefit from hands-on experience of a wide range of analytics software such as simulators and mathematical tools.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme is studied full-time over one academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation. The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
-Data Analytics
-Supply Chain Analytics
-Econometrics I
-Machine Learning and Visualisations
-Principles of Accounting
-Foundations of Finance: Finance and Investments
-Supply Chain and Logistics Management
-Information for Decision Making
-Managing Decisions Implementation
-Introduction to Marketing Analytics
-Econometrics II
-Business Process Management
-Innovation Management
-Investment Analysis
-Dissertation

CAREER PROSPECTS

Business analytics students often pursue careers as consultants, researchers, managers, and analysts.

SOFTWARE

You will get hands-on experience using a wide range of tools in the course. An indicative list of the software tools is as follows:
-Excel (using the Solver and Data Analysis Add-Ins) and Tableau for decision making and visual analytics
-COGNOS and SQL Server for Business Intelligence for analytical processing
-Apache Hadoop (Map Reduce) with Amazon’s Elastic Cloud or IBM’s Smart Cloud for distributed Big Data analytics
-SAP for Enterprise Resource Planning
-R, SPSS and EViews for coding, statistics and forecasting
-ILOG’s Optimisation Studio (Cplex) for optimisations
-Matlab for algorithms and programming and Simulink (SimEvents) for simulations
-Arena (or Simul8) for Discrete Event Simulations

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme’s aim is to provide a high quality education that is both intellectually rigorous and at the forefront of management science research, relevant for problem solving and decision making by managers.

It will respond to the emergent needs of corporations and academia for professionals who are able to work with analytical tools to generate value from available Information depots and take advantage of the vast amounts of data now provided by the modern ICT and ERP systems, which underlie the operations of modern corporations.

The program will implant understanding of the theoretical base around knowledge management and knowledge work, practical skills and experience in using analytical software tools.

It will allow future professional managers and consultants to cope with an increasingly complex and global operational environment of the modern corporation.

Completion of the programme will provide a sound foundation for those considering continuing their academic development towards a PhD degree in the management disciplines.

The programme is structured in a way that would provide students with a choice between a more quantitative intensive track of modules or a qualitative analytic (business development track) which would reflect students’ personal strengths and preferences and match future career aspirations.

The compulsory modules provide a sound foundation which builds an analytical skillset using relevant statistical and management theories, and supports the development of practical hands-on experience applying the theoretical aspects using real-world data to address corporate challenges and find solutions to actual problems.

The readings in the module will build a sound basis which would allow students to access and understand the academic literature and undertake empirical investigations in the areas of decision modelling and business development.

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding
-A systematic, in-depth understanding of the development; issues and influences relevant to discipline of Management Decision Making, Management Science, and Data Science.
-Deep and thorough understanding of quantitative analytical methodologies and hands-on experience with decision-making software and data management tools.
-Knowledge about issues, application and analysis of Big Data
-An understanding of the academic research process.

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Demonstrate deep learning, understanding of the material and ability to apply the knowledge and demonstrate skills in problem solving in the topic space of the modules studied
-Carry out assessments of data in a repository, select the appropriate analysis tools, design and execute an analytical methodology (not required for PG Certificate), apply adequate visualization methodologies to present the results and interpret the findings and finally to communicate the results effectively to a select audience

Professional practical skills
-Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate critical approaches and techniques relevant to Business Analytics
-Know and apply a range of techniques and tools to analyse data related to business operations
-Capability of selecting the right methodology and software to solve management and operational business issues
-Relate existing knowledge structures and methodologies to analytical business challenges

Key / transferable skills
-Conduct critical literature review; to select, define and focus upon an issue at an appropriate level
-Develop and apply relevant and sound methodology
-Apply the methodology to analyse the issue
-Develop logical conclusions and recommendations
-Be aware of the limitations of the research
-Identify modifications to existing knowledge structures and theoretical frameworks and therefore to prose new areas for investigation, new problems, new or alternative applications or methodological applications

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

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The world is awash with data and much more is on the way, creating a tidal wave of Big Data. Data Engineers develop the infrastructure to store, manage, analyse this wave of data, to bridge the gap between Data and Computer Science. This unique course will give you the skills you’ll need to succeed as a Data Engineer.

Why study Data Engineering at Dundee?

The role of “Data Scientist” has been described as the “sexiest job of the 21st Century. However, there is a emerging a new role, that of Data Engineer as more companies are realising they need employees with specific skills to handle the amount of data that is being generated and the coming tidal wave from the Internet of Things.

This MSc has been created with industry input to prepare its students with the skills to handle this wave of data and to be at the forefront of its exploitation. Students on the sister programmes (“Data Science” and “Business Intelligence”) have gone on to work for some of the biggest companies in the industry and we are confident that graduates from this MSc will have the same success.

The School of Computing at the University of Dundee has been successfully offering related MSc programmes such as Business Intelligence and Data Science since 2010. These innovative programmes attract around 40 students per year, drawn from across Europe and Overseas.

What's so good about Data Engineering at Dundee?

Our facilities:
You will have 24-hour access to our award winning and purpose-built Queen Mother Building. It has an unusual mixture of lab space and breakout areas, with a range of conventional and special equipment for you to use. It's also easy to work on your own laptop as there is wireless access throughout the building. Our close ties to industry allows us access to facilities such as Windows Azure and Teradata, and university and industry standard software such as Tableau for you to evaluate and use.

Special features

The University of Dundee has close ties with the Big Data industry, including Teradata, Datastax and Microsoft. We have worked with SAS, Outplay, Tag, GFI Max, BrightSolid and BIPB, and our students have enjoyed guest lectures from Big Data users such as O2, Sainsbury’s, M&S and IBM.

You will be able to work with a range of leading researchers and tutors, including top vision and imaging researchers and BI experts. Our honorary staff include legal experts, entrepreneurs and renowned industry experts such as John Richards of the newly formed IBM Watson Group.

How you will be taught

The course will be taught by staff of the School of Computing. Depending on the modules you take this will include Andy Cobley, Professor Mark Whitehorn, and Professor Stephen McKenna.

What you will study

The course will be taught in 20 credit modules with a 60 credit dissertation. Students will require to complete 180 credits for the award of the MSc (including 60 credits for the dissertation). Students completing 120 credits (without the dissertation) will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma.

Course content

Each module on the course is designed to give the student the skills and understanding they need to succeed in the Data Engineering/ Science field. Content on the course includes (but is not limited to):

CAP theorem
Lamda Architecture
Cassandra, Neo4j and other nosql databases
The Storm distributed real time computation system
Hadoop, HDFS, MapReduce, and other Hadoop/SQL technologies
Spark and Shark frameworks
Data Engineering languages such as Python, erlang, R, Matlab
Vision systems, which are becoming increasingly important in data engineering for extracting features from large quantities of images such as from traffic, medical and industrial
RDBMS systems which will continue to play an important role in data handing and storage. You will be expected to research the history of RDMBS and delve in to the internals of modern systems
OLAP cubes and Business Intelligence systems, which can be the best and quickest way to extract information from data stores
Goals of machine learning and data mining
Clustering: K-means, mixture models, hierarchical
Dimensionality reduction and visualisation
Inference: Bayes, MCMC
Perceptrons, logistic regression, neural networks
Max-margin methods (SVMs)
Mining association rules
Bayesian networks

How you will be assessed

The course is assessed through a combination of examinations, coursework, presentations and interviews. Each module is different: for instance the Big data module has 40% coursework, consisting of Erlang programming and a presentation on nosql databases, along with an examination worth 60%.

Careers

Our experience suggests that graduates of this course will have most impact in the following areas:

Cloud and web based industries that handle large volumes of fast moving data that need to be stored, analysed and maintained. Examples include the publishing industry (paper, TV and internet), messaging services, data aggregators and advertising services

Internet of Things. A large amount of data is being generated by devices (robotic assembly lines, home power management, sensors etc.) all of which needs to be stored and analysed.

Health. The NHS (and others) are starting to store and analyse patient data on an unprecedented scale. The healthcare industry is also combining data sources from a large number of databases to improve patient well-being and health outcomes

Games industry. The games industry records an extraordinary amount of data about its customers' play activities, all of which needs to be stored and analysed. This course will equip students with the knowledge and skill to engage with the industry.

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Gartner defines Big data as high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing for enhanced insight and decision making. A recent IDC forecast shows that the market for Big Data technology and services will grow at a 26.4% compound annual growth rate through 2018, or about six times the growth rate of the overall information technology market.

Saint Mary’s new Master of Science in Computing & Data Analytics (MSc CDA) is a graduate-level, 16-month professional program designed to meet the complex challenges associated with Big Data. It combines two essential aspects of computing and data analytics:

- Software design, development, customization, and management
- Analytics and Business intelligence: the acquisition, storage, management, and analysis of huge amounts of data to improve efficiency, innovation, and decision making

The primary focus of the MSc CDA program is to develop highly qualified computing and data analytics professionals who will drive innovation and organizational success. MSc CDA prepares students for rewarding and lucrative careers in the data science industry through experiential learning opportunities and industry interaction.

Program Structure

In the first two semesters of the MSc CDA program, students are introduced to big data challenges and solutions through eight foundation courses:
- Software Development in Business Environment
- Statistics and its Applications in Business
- Human Computer Interaction
- Managing and Programming Databases
- Business Intelligence
- Managing Information Technology and Systems
- Data Mining
- Web, Mobile, and Cloud Application Development


The second half of the program features three applied learning choices:

- Applied Master Project - System and Functional Analysis / Implementation and Analysis of Results
- Internship
- Research Thesis


Visit smu.ca/academics/msccda-courses.html for course outlines

Benefits of the MSc CDA

- Develop in-demand skills and knowledge that lead to exceptional career opportunities
- Study with award winning instructors from Saint Mary’s Faculty of Science and the Sobey School of Business
- Interact with industry professionals through core courses, paid internships, sponsored projects, industry workshops, expert guest speakers, hackathons, and special events
- MSc CDA studnets create a rich portfolio of apps and software solutions from a wide variety of in-demand platforms (Java/J2EE, C#/.Net, JavaScript/jQuery/jQuery Mobile/node.js, HTML5, PHP, iOS, Android, IBM Bluemix, Azure, SAS, Cognos, SQL/MySQL, NoSQL/Mongo DB, R, Python, IBM Watson)

Why Saint Mary's University

Saint Mary’s approach to learning will uniquely nurture the promise you possess. With one-on-one access to award winning professors, who care about your academic performance and your future, you will have the kind of personal support that makes a difference. Saint Mary’s is located in the historic city of Halifax, the bustling economic and cultural centre of Nova Scotia on Canada's east coast.

Halifax is Atlantic Canada’s Innovation Hub - a leader in the information technology sector with a growing concentration of companies and research organizations focused on analytics innovation.

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