Masters Degrees in Software Engineering

We are placing ever greater demands on the Internet, and traditional telecommunication infrastructures are migrating to Internet-based architectures and protocols.

This programme benefits from the research that experts in our 5G Innovation Centre are undertaking to lead the world in the race to the next generation of communications networks.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Our MSc in Communications, Networks and Software covers the key aspects of the changing Internet environment, in particular the convergence of computing and communications underpinned by software-based solutions.

Some of our students undertaking their project are able to work on one of our wide range of testbeds, such as internet technologies, wireless networking, network management and control, and internet-of-things (IoT) applications.

We also have specialist software tools for assignments and project work, including OPNET, NS2/3, and various system simulators.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

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.
-Object Oriented Design and C++ (+Lab)
-Fundamentals of Mobile Communications
-Principles of Telecommunications and Packet Networks
-Speech and Audio Processing and Recognition
-Internet of Things
-Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems
-Data and Internet Networking Compulsory
-Advanced Signal Processing
-Mobile Communications B
-Network and Service Management and Control
-Operating Systems for Mobile Systems Programming
-Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies
-Standard Project

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The taught postgraduate degree programmes of the Department are intended both to assist with professional career development within the relevant industry and, for a small number of students, to serve as a precursor to academic research.

Our philosophy is to integrate the acquisition of core engineering and scientific knowledge with the development of key practical skills (where relevant).

To fulfil these objectives, the programme aims to:
-Attract well-qualified entrants, with a background in Electronic Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Computing and Communications, from the UK, Europe and overseas
-Provide participants with advanced knowledge, practical skills and understanding applicable to the MSc degree
-Develop participants' understanding of the underlying science, engineering, and technology, and enhance their ability to relate this to industrial practice
-Develop participants' critical and analytical powers so that they can effectively plan and execute individual research/design/development projects
-Provide a high level of flexibility in programme pattern and exit point
-Provide students with an extensive choice of taught modules, in subjects for which the Department has an international and UK research reputation

A graduate from this MSc Programme should:
-Know, understand and be able to apply the fundamental mathematical, scientific and engineering facts and principles that underpin communications, networks and software
-Be able to analyse problems within the field of communications, networks and software and more broadly in electronic engineering and find solutions
-Be able to use relevant workshop and laboratory tools and equipment, and have experience of using relevant task-specific software packages to perform engineering tasks
-Know, understand and be able to use the basic mathematical, scientific and engineering facts and principles associated with the topics within communications, networks and software
-Be aware of the societal and environmental context of his/her engineering activities
-Be aware of commercial, industrial and employment-related practices and issues likely to affect his/her engineering activities
-Be able to carry out research-and-development investigations
-Be able to design electronic circuits and electronic/software products and systems

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Department's taught postgraduate programmes are designed to enhance the student's technical knowledge in the topics within electronic and electrical engineering that he/she has chosen to study, and to contribute to the Specific Learning Outcomes set down by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (which is the Professional Engineering body for electronic and electrical engineering) and to the General Learning Outcomes applicable to all university graduates.

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

General transferable skills
-Be able to use computers and basic IT tools effectively
-Be able to retrieve information from written and electronic sources
-Be able to apply critical but constructive thinking to received information
-Be able to study and learn effectively
-Be able to communicate effectively in writing and by oral presentations
-Be able to present quantitative data effectively, using appropriate methods
-Be able to manage own time and resources
-Be able to develop, monitor and update a plan, in the light of changing circumstances
-Be able to reflect on own learning and performance, and plan its development/improvement, as a foundation for life-long learning

Underpinning learning
-Know and understand scientific principles necessary to underpin their education in electronic and electrical engineering, to enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering content, and to support their understanding of historical, current and future developments
-Know and understand the mathematical principles necessary to underpin their education in electronic and electrical engineering and to enable them to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems
-Be able to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of electronic and electrical engineering

Engineering problem-solving
-Understand electronic and electrical engineering principles and be able to apply them to analyse key engineering processes
-Be able to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques
-Be able to apply mathematical and computer-based models to solve problems in electronic and electrical engineering, and be able to assess the limitations of particular cases
-Be able to apply quantitative methods relevant to electronic and electrical engineering, in order to solve engineering problems
-Understand and be able to apply a systems approach to electronic and electrical engineering problems

Engineering tools
-Workshop and laboratory skills. Have relevant workshop and laboratory skills
-Be able to write simple computer programs, be aware of the nature of microprocessor programming, and be aware of the nature of software design
-Be able to apply computer software packages relevant to electronic and electrical engineering, in order to solve engineering problems

Technical expertise
-Know and understand the facts, concepts, conventions, principles, mathematics and applications of the range of electronic and electrical engineering topics he/she has chosen to study
-Know the characteristics of particular materials, equipment, processes or products
-Have thorough understanding of current practice and limitations, and some appreciation of likely future developments
-Be aware of developing technologies related to electronic and electrical engineering
-Have comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of electronic engineering and related disciplines
-Have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to electronic and electrical engineering, and an appreciation of their limitations
-Know and understand, at Master's level, the facts, concepts, conventions, principles, mathematics and applications of a range of engineering topics that he/she has chosen to study
-Have extensive knowledge of a wide range of engineering materials and components
-Understand concepts from a range of areas including some from outside engineering, and be able to apply them effectively in engineering projects

Societal and environmental context
-Understand the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development
-Relevant part of: Be aware of the framework of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health, safety and risk (including environmental risk issues
-Understand the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering

Employment context
-Know and understand the commercial and economic context of electronic and electrical engineering processes
-Understand the contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology development, etc.)
-Be aware of the nature of intellectual property
-Understand appropriate codes of practice and industry standards
-Be aware of quality issues
-Be able to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints
-Understand the basics of financial accounting procedures relevant to engineering project work
-Be able to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks
-Be aware of the framework of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health, safety and risk (including environmental risk) issues

Research and development
-Understand the use of technical literature and other information sources
-Be aware of the need, in appropriate cases, for experimentation during scientific investigations and during engineering development
-Be able to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies
-Be able to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and employ this data in solving the problem, using computer-based engineering tools when appropriate
-Be able to work with technical uncertainty

Design
-Understand the nature of the engineering design process
-Investigate and define a problem and identify constraints, including environmental and sustainability limitations, and health and safety and risk assessment issues
-Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics
-Identify and manage cost drivers
-Use creativity to establish innovative solutions
-Ensure fitness for purpose and all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
-Manage the design process and evaluate outcomes
-Have wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and be able to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations
-Be able to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes, to fulfil new needs

Project management
-Be able to work as a member of a team
-Be able to exercise leadership in a team
-Be able to work in a multidisciplinary environment
-Know about management techniques that may be used to achieve engineering objectives within the commercial and economic context of engineering processes
-Have extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately

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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This industry-focused course is for Computer Science graduates and experienced professional programmers interested in developing high-quality, complex software systems.

Who is it for?

This industry-focused course is for Computer Science graduates and experienced professional programmers interested in developing high-quality, complex software systems and aiming at a high-quality career in the industry, e.g. software houses, consultancies, and major software users across different sectors.

Students will have a keen interest in designing complex software systems, coding them in a programming language using the latest technologies (SOA, cloud, etc.), and ensuring that they are of high quality and that they actually meet the needs of their stakeholders.

Objectives

You will develop skills in analysing requirements and designing appropriate software solutions; designing and creating complex software systems to solve real-world problems, evaluating and using advanced software engineering environments, design methods and programming languages, and evaluating and responding to recent trends in interoperability and software development.

The course focuses on advanced engineering concepts and methods, as well as design issues for the systematic development of high-quality complex software systems. These are explored using industrial strength technologies, like the C++ and Java programming languages and the UML modelling language.

The course covers significant trends in systems development, including service-oriented architecture, cloud computing, and big data. The course is delivered by acknowledged experts and draws on City's world-class research in Systems and Software Engineering, which has one of the largest groups of academics working in this area in London, covering almost all aspects - from requirements, to designing reliable systems for the nuclear industry.

Placements

Postgraduate students on a Computing and Information Systems course are offered the opportunity to complete up to six months of professional experience as part of their degree.

Our longstanding internship scheme gives students the chance to apply the knowledge and skills gained from their taught modules within a real business environment. An internship also provides students with professional development opportunities that enhance their technical skills and business knowledge.

Internships delivered by City, University of London offer an exceptional opportunity to help students stand out in the competitive IT industry job market. The structure of the course extends the period for dissertation submission to January, allowing students to work full-time for up to six months. Students will be supported by our outstanding Professional Liaison Unit (PLU) should they wish to consider undertaking this route.

Teaching and learning

Software Engineering MSc is available full-time (12 months) as well as part-time (up to 28 months).

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

Assessment

Each module is assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.

Modules

You will develop skills in analysing requirements and designing appropriate software solutions; designing and creating complex software systems to solve real-world problems, evaluating and using advanced software engineering environments, design methods and programming languages and evaluating and responding to recent trends in interoperability and software development.

The focus of the course is on advanced engineering concepts and methods, as well as design issues for the systematic development of high-quality complex software systems. These are explored using industrial strength technologies, such as the C++ and Java object-oriented programming languages and the UML modelling language.

The course covers significant trends in systems development, including service-oriented architecture, mobile and pervasive computing, cloud computing, big data, and XML-enabled interoperable services. The course is delivered by acknowledged experts and draws on City's world-class research in Systems and Software Engineering. City has one of the largest groups of academics working in the area in London, working on almost all aspects of the area - from requirements, to designing reliable systems for the nuclear industry.

Core modules - there are five core modules:
-Advanced Database Technologies (15 credits)
-Research Methods and Professional Issues (15 credits)
-Service Oriented Architectures (15 credits)
-Software Systems Design (15 credits)
-Advanced Programming: Concurrency (15 credits)

Elective modules - you will be required to take three elective modules, choosing from the following:
-Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
-Big Data (15 credits)
-Programming in C++ (15 credits)
-Business Engineering with ERP Solutions (15 credits)
-Mobile and Pervasive Computing (15 credits)
-Data Visualization (15 credits)
-Cloud Computing (15 credits)

Career prospects

The MSc in Software Engineering aims to meet the significant demand for graduates with a good knowledge of computing. This demand arises from consultancies, software houses, major software users such as banks, large manufacturers, retailers, and the public services, defence, aerospace and telecommunications companies.

Typical entrants to the course have a degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, and wish to either move into the software engineering field or to the development of software for their current field. Entrants must have previous exposure to computing, especially to programming (particularly in Java or C#) and relational databases (from either academic or professional experience).

From this base, the course provides solid technical coverage of advanced software development, including such widely used languages as C++, Java, UML and XML for which demand is particularly high. The course is therefore quite demanding; its success in providing advanced academic education along these lines is evident from the fact that recent graduates of the course are currently employed in a wide spectrum of organisations.

Of course, the employment value of a master's degree is not just short term. Although on-the-job training and experience as well as technology specific skills are valuable, they can be rather narrow and difficult to validate, and to transfer. The structure of this course ensures that there is a strong balance between the development of particular skills and a solid education in the enduring principles and concepts that underlie complex software system development.

SAP Certification - in parallel to your degree you will be able to register for a SAP TERP10 Certification course at a substantial discount, thus obtaining an additional, much sought-after qualification

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Software Development (conversion)

The MSc in Software Development provides a year of intensive education in software engineering and is ideal for graduates of disciplines other than computing.

This course is designed to develop the technical, analytical and professional skills required to take on software development roles within the IT industry.

Software development skills, such as programming, are essential to the technological evolution and advancement of most sectors within the economy. As a result, there is a very strong demand for software professionals.

Aims

The programme aims to:
◦provide a solid understanding of software engineering principles and techniques
◦develop the ability to analyse software problems, create and evaluate software designs and develop and appropriately test software solutions
◦foster critical analysis and evaluative skills pertaining to software engineering

What way is Software Development being taught

The programme is separated into three parts; a foundational element covering the basics of software development and programming; an advanced element where you can tailor your area of specialism; and finally a substantial individual project.

Foundational Element
Most foundational modules are studied in the first semester and cover introductory programming using the Java programming language alongside the foundations of software engineering and databases. Coverage of more advanced algorithmic and object-oriented programming continues into the second semester. The foundation modules are intended to provide students with an essential grounding in software engineering in a manner that is consistent with Level M requirements.

Advanced Element
The second semester provides a number of advanced software engineering modules which permit specialism within key areas of software development. The advanced modules currently encompass aspects such as Requirements Engineering, Software Quality, Software Design Principles and Patterns, and Software Testing and Verification. Alongside these there is an opportunity to take an introductory module in Capital Markets which would help to prime students for software development roles within the financial sector.

The combination of lectures, laboratory work, tutorials and group-based projects employed throughout the foundational and advanced elements equips students with the skills needed to both design and implement complex software systems.

Project Element
Three month summer projects are taken individually with supervision from a member of the School's teaching staff. The projects permit students to combine and apply the skills gained within individual modules towards the creation of a significant software artefact. Projects can be selected by students from a list put forward by the local software industry and the School. Where appropriate an industrial co-supervisor will be assigned.

Modules

Semester 1
Programming I
Databases
Software Engineering

Semester 2
Programming II
Web and Mobile Applications
Software Testing and Verification
Software Design Principles and Patterns

Assessment

The MSc in Software Development is, by its nature, an intensive and practical programme of study. Students build strong software development skills by putting theory into practice and this is reflected within the assessment. A mixture of individual and group based projects, assignments and practical examinations provide the primary means of assessment within modules, with written examinations also employed for some modules. The summer project is assessed through a written dissertation alongside the presentation and demonstration of the created software artefact.

Career Opportunities

The School has strong links with the local, national and international software companies situated around the University. Students have ample opportunity to meet and engage with employers through hosted careers fairs, guest lectures and industrial facing demonstrations. Where possible, MSc dissertations will be set and co-supervised by an industrial partner and may involve an on-site placement.

Employment opportunities in software engineering are excellent as evidenced through the consistent and continued growth of the software sector. A career within the profession is not only well remunerated but also rewarding, with software professionals able to select between a range of career progression paths. Given the diversity of career paths, the communicative, business-related, client-facing, analytical and evaluative skills gained from a primary degree are strongly valued by IT employers and will help augment the employment opportunities of graduates from this MSc.

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You will take eight Assessed Modules plus an Individual Project carried out in the department. Six of the modules cover core Software Engineering methods, practices and tools, and are compulsory. For the remaining two modules, you will be able to choose from Natural Language Processing, Topics in Privacy & Security, Evolutionary Computation, Concurrent & Real-Time Programming, and Functional Programming Technology.

Software Engineering has become a crucial discipline in the functioning of the modern world. Information systems, communications, transport, manufacturing and services all require well-engineered and reliable software. The focus of our MSc in Software Engineering is automated and large-scale software engineering, so the course will equip you to deal with the types of systems widely found in industry.

The MSc is a full-time, one-year course for those with some experience or background in Software Engineering. You will learn up-to-date theory and practice in the core areas of Software Engineering, and the main methods and tools used in industry. The course also covers model-driven engineering, service-oriented architectures, software architectures and user-centred design. You will gain a thorough understanding of techniques and practices of software management, including measurement and testing. This in-depth understanding of the role of software in commercial organisations will enable you to develop and maintain large-scale software systems.

You will gain a thorough understanding of techniques and practices of software management, including measurement and testing. These techniques will allow you to understand the role of software in commercial organisations and you will be able to develop and maintain these large scale systems.

Course Aims
When you graduate, you will be able to apply advanced Software Engineering techniques to analyse systems and design solutions, particularly in a commercial context. You will have experience of using state-of-the-art Software Engineering tool suites (e.g., Eclipse and Epsilon). You will also understand the human factors in Software Engineering, and will be able to design systems taking into account the needs of users.

Your individual project gives you the chance to specialise in a specific area of Software Engineering, as you will undertake independent research and apply your results to develop a real solution – an application, tool or technique.

On graduation, you will be equipped to design and maintain large systems in a wide range of industries, or to pursue an academic research career in Software Engineering.

Learning Outcomes
A thorough grounding and practical experience in the use of state-of-the-art techniques for developing software-based systems.
An in-depth understanding of the principles underpinning these techniques, so as to make sound judgements throughout the systems and software engineering life cycle.

Project

Team Project
You are taught a broad range of project management skills, which you will directly apply to a medium-sized software project that is conducted in small student teams.

Individual Project
The course concludes with your individual project. You may choose a topic among the many offered by the academic staff, or you may propose your own topic. Some recent topics were:
-Air Traffic Control application using PostgreSQL
-Automated Development of Graphical Editors built atop Graphiti
-Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning: Conquest of Mars
-Natural Disaster Planning - A System of Systems Analysis
-Reinforcement Learning for Mobile Cognitive Radio Agents
-Simulation-based Hazard Analysis for Autonomous Robots
-Study of Business Processes in a Complex Enterprise System
-Using heuristics for Monte Carlo Tree Search

Careers

Here at York, we're really proud of the fact that more than 97% of our postgraduate students go on to employment or further study within six months of graduating from York. We think the reason for this is that our courses prepare our students for life in the workplace through our collaboration with industry to ensure that what we are teaching is useful for employers.

Our postgraduate taught courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of industry, and the thorough grounding we provide, alongside the skills you learn from undertaking a Masters degree, will stand you in good stead in the workplace.

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Software engineers are in high demand, and Bristol is home to many high-tech companies seeking suitable graduates. The MSc Software Engineering gives you the latest knowledge and skills and guides you in applying them to develop different kinds of large, complex software systems. The faculty's Software Engineering Research Group (SERG) reviews the course each year to ensure it provides what students and employees need. Students can link to SERG research and development activities and attend monthly research seminars from senior academics and key industrial professionals.

UWE Bristol's links with industrial partners encourage research and studies, and support the next step into PhD studies and further research. You will be taught by academics and professionals at the cutting edge of research and in collaboration with key partners such as Airbus, P3 Germany, SogeClair France, have the chance to develop advanced knowledge in the engineering of complex software systems, 'systems of systems' and critical aspects of the software development process. The course develops your knowledge and understanding of fundamental and advanced concepts of software engineering, using state-of-the-art techniques and research findings.

Key benefits

This course is accredited by the British Computer society (BCS) and fulfils the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. It also partially meets the academic requirements for CEng status.

Course detail

You'll learn the ethical issues involved in the engineering of software systems and undertake in-depth research in particular areas of software engineering. You'll also acquire the technical skills necessary for requirements engineering, architectural modelling of enterprise systems, implementation, configuration management, quality management, and effective project management applied in a group-based context.

You'll take a reflective and critical approach to your work and develop key transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem management and research skills and methods underpinned by key emerging topics in software engineering and the MSc dissertation by research and development.

Modules

• Lifecycle Models and Project Management (15 credits)
• Requirements engineering (15 credits)
• Object-oriented analysis, design and programming (15 credits)
• Quality and Configuration Management (15 credits)
• Enterprise and System Architecture Modelling and Development (15 credits)
• Group Software Development Project (30 credits)
• Emerging Topics in Software Engineering (15 credits)
• Dissertation by Research and Development (60 credits)

Format

All modules are classroom-based, with extensive use of UWE Bristol's virtual learning environment, Blackboard. You also attend the campus to sit your exams.

Assessment

Most taught modules have written coursework and exam components. Coursework includes, but is not limited to, critical problem-solving components, advanced programming tasks, critical essays in relation to particular software engineering aspects, and group projects.

Careers / Further study

Graduates have a range of options for starting their software engineering careers, or for further advanced programmes of study. Possible industrial careers include senior roles as software engineers, requirements engineers, enterprise and software architects, configuration and quality managers, and software project managers.

This course paves the way for PhD research studies in software engineering at UWE Bristol, or elsewhere. If you take the PhD route at UWE Bristol, you will have opportunities to work with senior SERG researchers and use some of your MSc Software Engineering modules for some of the 60-credit requirements for the PhD degree.

How to apply

Information on applications can be found at the following link: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/study/applyingtouwebristol/postgraduateapplications.aspx

Funding

- New Postgraduate Master's loans for 2016/17 academic year –

The government are introducing a master’s loan scheme, whereby master’s students under 60 can access a loan of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the cost of their study. This is part of the government’s long-term commitment to enhance support for postgraduate study.

Scholarships and other sources of funding are also available.

More information can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/postgraduatefunding.aspx

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Applicants to this programme are numerate and logically-minded, and it is likely that they will have previously studied software engineering, programming, computer science, maths or physics. Such students will seek more specialised, technical programming and software engineering skills. They would learn in-depth, a range of programming concepts, languages and software development techniques to develop sophisticated and complex programs. Graduates will seek positions as software developers, systems engineers, software testers, programmers, etc.

Course Overview

The main themes of the programme are:
-Current and emerging Software Engineering principles and practices
-Current and emerging programming practices
-Large scale software project management

This programme will equip students with those skills at a high academic level and also crucially enable them to practically implement their knowledge because of the ‘hands-on’ emphasis of the programme.

The Current and emerging Software Engineering principles and practices includes aspects of generic programming.

The Current and emerging programming practices theme covers advanced topics in modules such as Generic Programming and aspects of Scientific Computing and Virtualisation

The Large scale project management theme will concentrate on management and systems analysis skills to be developed by the students both of which are in great demand by employers.

Modules

Part 1
-Agile Software Development (20 credits)
-Generic Programming (20 credits)
-Leadership and Management (20 credits)
-Managing Information Systems and Projects (20 credits)
-Research Methods and Data Analysis (20 credits)
-Scientific Computing & Virtualisation (20 credits)

Part 2
-Major Project (60 credits)

Key Features

Software Engineering as a subject evolved from a desire to incorporate engineering practices including, analysis, design, testing and project management to the process of creating computer programs. As a discipline, software engineering is as broad as the software created, with applications as diverse as plant control (real-time critical systems) to commercial trading software (database driven software) to image processing applications for mobile phones (computer graphics based mobile applications).

Assessment

The School of Applied Computing aims to produce graduates that help shape the future of computing and information systems development. The course content is contemporary and shaped for employability through close links with local and national employers.

Students are assessed through a combination of worksheets, practicals, presentations, projects and examinations. Module assessment is often by assignment, or assignment and examination. The final mark for some modules may include one or more pieces of course work set and completed during the module. Project work is assessed by written report and presentation.

Students are encouraged to use our links with Software Alliance Wales and Go Wales to work on commercial schemes for their Major Project module. Go Wales provides the opportunity of paid work placements with local businesses.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme will be skilled and knowledgeable in the technical aspects of software development, and are likely to find employment either within specialist software organisations, or within organisations which commit resources to developing highly technical software systems. They are likely to have to work as a member of a team, conceiving, designing, developing and implementing complex software systems. Graduates from this programme would expect to be initially employed as software engineers. Those employed by SMEs are likely to work in smaller teams or perhaps as sole developers. Students finding employment with larger companies are most likely to work in larger teams building a variety of large-scale applications.

It is expected that graduates would seek positions such as:
-Software Engineers
-Senior software Engineers
-Software Developers
-Application Developers
-System Engineers
-Software Technical Lead
-System Analyst
-Version control manager
-Project lead/manager

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Our BCS accredited MSc in Software Engineering is designed to produce successful software engineers who will have an understanding of software engineering principles (and their application), design skills, knowledge of good management practice, computing science and mathematical formalism. This course will equip you to begin a career, or to undertake further study in this important and exciting area.

The most complex engineering artifacts in existence are now software systems, and the effects of such systems are felt by almost everyone. It is vitally important that software should be of high quality; it should be built on schedule and without error and it should be safe. Software Engineering MSc combines scientific and engineering principles with sound practice to ensure the production of high-quality, reliable software that does what it is designed to do.

Why choose this course?

You will have the opportunity to put the skills you have gained into practice if you choose to undertake our 1 year optional placement
Professional experts contribute to the range of subjects on offer. Teaching is informed by state-of-the-art research being undertaken in the department and you will have the opportunity to work alongside members of our Dependable Systems Research Centre and internationally renowned academics.

Real word problems and current issues in Software Engineering are used to illustrate the theoretical concepts. You have the option to undertake an intensive course on compiler construction from one of Europe’s leading authorities in the field. The universal nature of the technical skills developed in our programmes means our courses are of equal relevance to both new graduates and those with many years of industrial experience.

Professional accreditation

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. The MSc in Software Engineering is Accredited as meeting the requirements for CITP Further Learning and partially meeting the requirements for CEng and has been awarded the EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education) label.

This course in detail

The MSc in Software Engineering has a modular design providing you with maximum flexibility and choice. See Semester 1 and Semester 2 for information about each module.

To qualify for a master’s degree, you must pass modules amounting to 180 credits. This comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (60 credits).

The MSc in Software Engineering with placement enables you to work in industry for a year in the middle of your course to give valuable workplace experience. Placements are not guaranteed, but the departments dedicated placement team will help with the process of finding and applying for placements. To qualify for a master’s degree with placement, you must pass modules amounting to 180 credits plus the zero credit placement module. This comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (60 credits).

The Postgraduate Diploma in Software Engineering allows you to concentrate on the taught part of the degree and is ideal for people working in the computing industry who wish to brush up their skills. To qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma, you must pass modules amounting to 120 credits. This comprises six taught modules (20 credits each). In some cases, it may be possible for a student on a Postgraduate Diploma to do 3 taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (60 credits).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Software Engineering allows you to concentrate on the taught part of the degree and is ideal for people working in the computing industry who wish to learn a specific area in this rapidly changing discipline. To qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate, you must pass modules amounting to 60 credits. This comprises three taught modules (20 credits each).

We also offer a Postgraduate Certificate Software Engineering Research Project.

Part-time students normally distribute the work evenly over a two-year period.

Semester 1 - You can choose from the following modules:
-Research and Scholarship Methods (compulsory for MSc and PGDip)
-Formal Software Engineering (compulsory for MSc and PGDip)
-Secure Systems Architecture (compulsory for MSc)

Semester 2 - You can choose from the following modules:
-Software Production (compulsory for MSc and PGDip)
-Paradigms of Programming (alternative compulsory for MSc)
-Compiler Construction (alternative compulsory for MSc)
-Machine Learning (optional)
-Operating Systems Development (optional)
-Secure Programming (optional)
-Low Level Tools and Techniques (optional)

As courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, modules offered may differ from those listed.

Students undertaking an MSc with placement will do a 1 year placement in industry. The placement will be undertaken after the taught component and before doing the dissertation.

Students studying for an MSc will also take:
MSc Dissertation (completed over summer)

Teaching and learning

Teaching methods include lectures, which provide a theoretical basis, and practicals, which are used to strengthen your understanding by active involvement. On some occasions, lectures are held in the computer labs so that you can apply the knowledge learned immediately. Many of the modules are enriched by the teaching staff's research expertise. Visiting lecturers are also invited from research organisations and industry.

Careers and professional development

Our MSc students come from all over the world and graduate to follow careers in technical, business-related and creative roles, for example as software developers, engineers, managers or consultants. Whatever their interest, our graduates tell us that the relevance of our courses, and the skills they've learnt, enable them to achieve their goals and build their careers.

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Our Software Systems Engineering (SSE) MSc provides an ideal foundation for PhD study. The UCL SSE group is regularly ranked in the top three groups in the world (Microsoft Academic Search), you will be taught by those who are setting the international agenda, and our research has been repeatedly rated as world-class. Fully-funded PhD scholarships are available for high-performing students.

Degree information

Students are trained in the principles and techniques of engineering large, complex software systems and gain the opportunity to apply these techniques in a realistic group project setting. The programme analyses current practice in software systems engineering, looking at the most significant trends, problems and results in complex software systems.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a group project (60 credits).

Core modules
-Requirements Engineering and Software Architecture
-Software Abstractions and Systems Integration
-Validation and Verification
-Tools and Environments
-Professional Practice

Optional modules
-People and Security
-Networked Systems
-Language Based Security
-Distributed Systems and Security
-Supervised Learning
-Research Seminar in Software Engineering

Dissertation/report
Most students participate in a group industrial project, generally in close collaboration with one of our industsrial partners.

Other students undertake either an individual or small-group research project, under the supervision of academics in UCL Software Systems Engineering group.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, written and laboratory exercises, and group project supervision. Student performance is assessed through written exercises with modelling notations, laboratory exercises with tools and environments, unseen examination papers, and a significant, comprehensive group project.

Careers

This professionally oriented programme provides an ideal foundation for graduates who wish to pursue a career as a software architect or leader of software development organisations. It also provides an excellent introduction for those who want to pursue research in software systems engineering.

Graduates from UCL are keenly sought by the world's leading organisations, and many progress in their careers to secure senior and influential positions. UCL Computer Science (UCL-CS) graduates are particularly valued as a result of the department's strong international reputation, strong links with industry, and ideal location close to the City of London.

Graduates have found positions at global companies such as Barclays and RBS.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-IT Consultant, OnTrack
-Software Analyst and Designer, Nok Technology
-Software Engineer, Accenture
-Software Engineer, Orange
-Security Science, UCL

Employability
There is, throughout the world, a strong demand for software engineers with solid foundations covering not only the programming aspects of software development, but also aspects related to requirements engineering, software architectures, system integration, and testing. Many surveys rank software engineering positions as among the best jobs in the world.

Following graduation, our students are generally hired as software engineers or software architects, sometimes by companies they have engaged with in the context of their MSc project.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world-leader in teaching and research, and was one of the top-rated departments in the country according to the UK government's recent research assessment exercise.

Our Master's programmes have some of the highest employment rates and starting salaries, with graduates entering a wide variety of industries from entertainment to finance.

We take an experimental approach to our subject and place a high value on our extensive range of industrial collaborations. In the recent past, students have worked on projects and coursework in collaboration with Microsoft, IBM, JP Morgan, Citigroup and BNP Paribas.

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About the course

You will study in an innovative department with an international reputation for research, training and education in software engineering, with access to facilities and expertise from the Software Technology Research Laboratory (STRL). Taught by acknowledged experts from the STRL, Software Engineering will equip you with skills you need for industry.

Accredited by the European-wide accreditation system for Informatics curricula, the course is committed to excellence in European-wide software education and training of engineers to deliver high-quality and trustworthy software systems that meet industrial needs. The taught element of the course lasts for the first two semesters, while the third semester is devoted to the project. The total length of study depends on the mode of delivery. .

Reasons to Study

• Gain an industry-recognised accreditation
the course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) to Chartered Engineering (CEng) level

• Taught by expert academic staff
taught by experienced experts within the Software Technology Research Laboratory (STRL) with international reputation for research, training and education in software engineering, with access to specialist facilities

• Specialise your learning to your area of interest
combine modules from across Cyber Security, Cyber Technology, Digital Forensics and Software Engineering, allowing you to tailor the course to your areas of interest

• Flexible study options
full-time, part time or distance learning study options available; making the course suitable for recent graduates and professionals in work

• Benefit from our Research Expertise
our internationally recognised Software Technology Research Laboratory (STRL) will have input into the course and will explore and allow you to understand the current research issues

• Excellent career prospects
graduates have gone on to work in both public and private sector organisations, and have been employed in positions in consultancies and worked for companies including IBM, Deloitte, Airbus and BT

Course Structure

First semester:

• Research Methods
• Advanced Requirements Engineering
• Software Project Management and Testing
• Pervasive Systems

Second Semester:

• Software Evolution
• Formal Methods Engineering
• Software Engineering for Dependable Systems
• Advanced Topics in Software Engineering

Project:
Your project will be chosen to explore an issue from a wide range of applications such as:

• Electronic Purse
• Electronic Patient Records
• Personal Insulin Pump Systems
• London Ambulance System
• System of Human Resources
• E-voting System
• Arion 5 Launcher
• Flight Control System

Optional Placement

We offer a great opportunity to boost your career prospects through an optional one year placement as part of your postgraduate studies. We have a dedicated Placement Unit which will help you obtain this. Once on your placement you will be supported by your Visiting Tutor to ensure that you gain maximum benefit from the experience. Placements begin after the taught component of the course has been completed - usually around June - and last for one year. When you return from your work placement you will begin your dissertation.

Teaching and assessment

There are provisions for a traditional classroom-based delivery, either part-time or full-time, as well as distance learning. Teaching will include formal lectures, tutorials and labs. You will also be expected to undertake independent study and research to support your assignments and dissertation. Assessment will be 100 per cent coursework. It will involve various group and individual methods, including oral exams, projects, presentations, written essays and reports.

Contact and learning hours

The time allocated to study is around 30 hours per week, carried out in block teaching. The taught element of the course lasts for the first two semesters, while the third semester is devoted to the project.

Academic expertise

he Software Technology Research Laboratory is one of the largest software engineering research groups in the UK and its research activities are acknowledged as being at the highest level of international excellence. In the last UK HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), 85 per cent of the research produced by the group was considered to be world-leading, internationally excellent or international.

The major themes within the lab include computer security and trust, software evolution, theory and computational paradigms and semantic web and service oriented computing. The staff working in these areas bring to the course their academic excellence and their experience of applying their work to various industrial sectors.

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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For graduates with a computer science background, Advanced Software Engineering with Management MSc will enable you to gain a thorough understanding of the role of IT in enterprise and how information systems impact on business and organisational processes. Delivered by of the Department of Informatics, which has an enviable reputation for research-led teaching and project supervision from leading experts in their field.

Key benefits

•Unrivalled location in the heart of London giving access to major libraries and leading scientific societies, including the BCS Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

• Equips students with advanced software engineering skills so that they are prepared to play a creative and leading role in the professional and research community.

• Develops critical awareness and appreciation of the changing role of computing in society, motivating graduates to pursue continuing professional development and further research.

• Access to speakers of international repute through seminars and external lectures, enabling students to keep abreast of emerging knowledge in advanced computing and related fields.

• One of the few one-year MSc programmes offered by Russell Group institutions that combines specialist education in Software Engineering with specialist Management education.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/advanced-software-engineering-with-management-msc.aspx

Course detail

- Description

This programme focuses on advanced techniques for the development of software systems, with an emphasis on the construction and management of internet-oriented, agent-oriented and large software systems. It is built around taught core modules such as software design and architecture and a group project that provides experience of working in a syndicate to design, implement and document a substantial software product. The programme also prepares students to take on certain, more senior roles in industry that require specialist management knowledge and problem solving skills related to Software Engineering.

These modules are complemented by a range of optional modules that relate to various aspects of computing. The final part of the programme is an individual project, which is closely linked with the Department's research activities.

- Course purpose

For graduates with substantial experience of computer science, this programme will develop your expertise and skills in software engineering, preparing you for a career in software engineering, software maintenance and software testing. Research for your individual project will provide valuable preparation for a career in research or industry.

- Course format and assessment

Lectures; tutorials; seminars; laboratory sessions; optional career planning workshops. Assessed through: coursework; written examinations; final project report.

Career prospects

Via the Department’s Careers Programme, students are able to network with top employers and obtain advice on how to enhance career prospects. Our graduates have gone on to have very successful careers in industry and research. Our graduates work for software consultancy companies, specialised software development companies and the IT departments of large institutions (financial, telecommunications and public sector). Recent employers include, Ernst & Young, Accenture and M-Netics. Other graduates have entered into the field of academic and industrial research in areas such as software engineering, algorithms and computer networks.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/index.aspx

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For graduates with a computer science background, an MSc in Advanced Software Engineering will enable you to gain a thorough understanding of the role of IT in enterprise and how information systems impact on business and organisational processes. Delivered by of the Department of Informatics, which has an enviable reputation for research-led teaching and project supervision from leading experts in their field.

Key benefits

- Unrivalled location in the heart of London giving access to major libraries and leading scientific societies, including the BCS Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

- Equips students with advanced software engineering skills so that they are prepared to play a creative and leading role in the professional and research community.

- Develops critical awareness and appreciation of the changing role of computing in society, motivating graduates to pursue continuing professional development and further research.

- Access to speakers of international repute through seminars and external lectures, enabling students to keep abreast of emerging knowledge in advanced computing and related fields.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/advanced-software-engineering-msc.aspx

Course detail

- Description

This programme focuses on advanced techniques for the development of software systems, with an emphasis on the construction and management of internet-oriented, agent-oriented and large software systems. It is built around taught core modules such as software design and architecture and a group project that provides experience of working in a syndicate to design, implement and document a substantial software product.

These modules are complemented by a range of optional modules that relate to various aspects of computing. The final part of the programme is an individual project which is closely linked with the Department's research activities.

- Course purpose

For graduates with substantial experience of computer science, this programme will develop your expertise and skills in software engineering, preparing you for a career in software engineering, software maintenance and software testing. Research for your individual project will provide valuable preparation for a career in research or industry.

- Course format and assessment

Lectures; tutorials; seminars; laboratory sessions; optional career planning workshops. Assessed through: coursework; written examinations; final project report.

- Required Modules

- Individual Project
- Advanced Software Engineering: Software Measurement & Testing
- Group Project
- Software Design & Architecture

Career prospects

Via the Department’s Careers Programme, students are able to network with top employers and obtain advice on how to enhance career prospects. Our graduates have gone on to have very successful careers in industry and research. Our graduates work for software consultancy companies, specialised software development companies and the IT departments of large institutions (financial, telecommunications and public sector). Recent employers include, Ernst & Young, Accenture and M-Netics. Other graduates have entered into the field of academic and industrial research in areas such as software engineering, algorithms and computer networks.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/index.aspx

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This course aims to equip students for professional careers in this important field of software systems. It provides a practical understanding of the issues relating to the design, analysis and implementation of modern software systems.

With the IT sector expanding rapidly around the world, there has never been a better time to develop specialist software engineering skills. This course will give you an understanding of the latest software engineering technologies used to address today's challenges in software development.

You will become familiar with a broad range of current scholarship work in software engineering, learning how to research and review published work. Your studies will also give you a practical understanding of the issues relating to the design, analysis and implementation of modern software systems, and you will have opportunities to meet speakers from the industry, including potential employers. In short, this course prepares you for a professional career or research in this important field.

The Internship Course seeks to provide the same rigorous and challenging programme of professional practice as the MSc Software Engineering but has the added advantage of including a 6 months internship incorporated into the period of study. This makes it ideal for students seeking to add a practical dimension to their studies and understand the demands of workplace supervision and management. Internship opportunities exist throughout the computing industry within the UK.

Course detail

This course is suitable for you if you have a background in IT and want to specialise in software engineering. It helps you build the skills needed to work with modern software systems in an industrial context, and to develop an appreciation of all features of commercial software engineering. You will use industry-standard technologies, and have the opportunity to specialise in topics ranging from software project management to implementation techniques. The internship will come at the end of the course following the successful completion of all taught modules.

During the Internship you will work for 6 months with an employer. The internship allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge to a practical work-based situation. It will allow you to improve existing skills and acquire new ones, explore various career opportunities, network and be part of a team. This will improve your understanding of the world of work and professional practice in the workplace. It will also enhance your career prospects, allowing you to focus on your potential career path.

Modules

This is an indicative listing of modules for the course:

• Advanced Topics in Software Engineering
• UML Component Modelling
• Data architecture
• Knowledge Management
• Research Methods
• Dissertation
• Distributed Application Development (optional)
• Human-Computer Interaction for Information Systems (optional)
• Mobile application Development (optional)
• Enterprise Architecture (optional)
• Security Management (optional)
• Advance Rich Media (optional)

Assessment

course assessed work is a significant part of the total assessment. There is practical work, report writing, critical academic writing and the skills and knowledge gained in these contribute to a capacity to deliver a high quality dissertation.

There are a number of end of module exams. Course tutors provide appropriate support throughout the module to ensure candidates are well prepared.

Jobs and placements

The School of Computing and Engineering has several links with industry, creating opportunities for work placements and internships for our best students. We have set up a number of successful knowledge transfer partnerships, where we provide our expertise to real-world projects.

Career and study progression

This course aims to help you towards a rewarding position in the software industry, such as software architect, solution architect, project manager or senior software developer.

You can go on to further study at the level of MPhil / PhD. We actively encourage students with potential for research to make their interest known early on in their course.

How to apply

Click the following link for information on how to apply to this course: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/how-apply

Scholarships and bursaries

Information about scholarships and bursaries can be found here: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/scholarships-and-bursaries

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Overview

Software development is one of the most rapidly evolving industries in the world, presenting an ever-greater number of creative opportunities and exciting challenges. Software developers therefore need a special set of skills to keep pace with technology and innovation. Our course gives you the knowledge and confidence to do just that. We focus on large-scale development of advanced software, teaching you how to make use of the latest frameworks, methodologies and technology to produce professional-quality applications. Crucially, you will also learn how to be an effective member of a development team. With close links to software giants like Microsoft, Sony, and IBM, we work hard to ensure that our course is always up to date and that our graduates leave with the cutting-edge skills highly sought-after by industry. Therefore, this MSc is appropriate not just for fresh Computer Science graduates, but also for those with existing commercial experience who wish to update their skills and knowledge.

The course begins in September each year and lasts twelve months. There are two trimesters of taught modules, followed by an individual dissertation project during the third trimester. An optional extra trimester – either immediately before or after the dissertation – gives you significant industrial experience through a module based in our software development unit, working with commercial clients and software. This is unique to Hull.

The Department of Computer Science creates an excellent experience for students, with a supportive student community. We have an international reputation for our research activities, with a strong record of industrial and public grant funding. We are also affiliated with Microsoft’s DreamSpark programme, which allows you to access the latest Microsoft operating systems and development software for home use. Once registered with the department, you can download the software free of charge.

Industrial Experience

There is the option to take an Industrial Experience variant, with the opportunity to extend the period of study by a trimester, to gain experience of working alongside commercial software developers within a commercial software development facility on site (SEED), promoting real-world applications of the advanced concepts met in the course.

Study

The MSc Computer Science (Software Engineering) programme is designed to support students with various levels of computing and programming practice experience. There is suitable content on professional skills and the importance of ethics for practising computer scientists. Material on software engineering, referencing and unfair means supports the transition into the postgraduate environment.
As a route into research, the programme supports the development of postgraduate technical skills, alongside critical research, analysis and planning activities.
In lectures you’ll benefit from a range of techniques, from interpreting complex ideas through interactive discussions, to live programming or other problem-solving demonstrations.

Core modules

• Oriented Design and Development Using C++
• Component-based Architecture
• Maintaining Large Software Systems
• Development Project
• Distributed Applications
• Trustworthy Computing
Optional modules
• Computer Science Software Development Practice – pass/fail module
• Dissertation (There is the option of taking this module either in trimester 3 or trimester 4, depending on whether you take the Industrial Experience module.)

Teaching and learning

We place a strong emphasis on practical laboratory sessions. This will significantly develop your core computer science skills, and enhance your employability through exposure to commercial projects.
As teamwork plays a key role in commercial software development and has great value as an employable skill, group work is used in a number of modules.

Assessment

Practical coursework is the main form of assessment, and you will design, build and test software solutions to a variety of problems. This is complemented by written coursework.
The largest assessment is the dissertation, which is based on the work done in the third trimester and documented in a report of up to 20,000 words.

Careers

The MSc Computer Science (Software Engineering) is designed to open up pathways to postgraduate research, as well as careers in a wide range of areas within your discipline. The industrial placement option will enable you to practise your skills and knowledge of computer science ‘in situ’, giving you a useful insight and advantage when it comes to starting your career.
We have a range of inspirational extra-curricular activities including the Three Thing Game, Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Development Challenge, Really Useful Seminars and Global Game Jam. They are designed to boost your CV and employability, and taking part costs very little.

Our graduates gain a wide range of roles including: Applications Developer, Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Operations Manager, Data Management Analyst, Database Assistant, Developer Support Engineer, Games Programmer, Games Programmer (Engine design), Information Manager, IT Design, IT Systems Manager, IT Technician, IT user Support, Mobile Developer, Operations Director, Software Designer, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Solutions Developer, Systems Engineer, Technical Sales, Technical Specialist, Web Developer.

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Study for this Masters in Software Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University and gain advanced postgraduate skills in the theory, practice and design of contemporary software technologies.

•Course available to study full time (1 year)
•Delivered by academics active in research
•Curriculum informed by ongoing research and links with employers
•High-quality teaching and excellent learning resources
•£6million state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities
•Excellent career prospects in areas such as Systems Design

This Masters degree in Software Engineering will equip you with advanced skills in the theory, practice, tools and applications necessary for the design, management and deployment of computing systems.

The course aims to provide you with a fuller, systematic understanding of current and developing software engineering and help you to:
•be critically aware of current and developing principles and practices within software engineering
•develop widened and deepened conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in the areas of software engineering
•apply a range of advanced tools and techniques used in the development of complex computer based systems
•critically analyse a range of development domains
•gain a clear understanding of how to effectively and creatively manage software development
•use knowledge with originality and be innovative in Software Engineering
•develop a critical understanding of current research issues in the relevant aspects of software engineering
•be able to study independently at an advanced level and have developed effective methodology skills for original research

The course will also provide you with a strong foundation from which you can develop and maintain effective software systems and adapt to future software development technologies.

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Level 7
Research methods
Software engineering concepts
Usability engineering
Software engineering development workshop
Real time systems
Project
Advanced data structures and algorithms
Advanced topics in computer science
Information and social networks
Computation theory
Computer security
Computer forensics
Network forensics
Computer networks
Database design and technology
Computer systems technology
Management of e-business
A major component of the course is the project module. This is an extensive piece of research work in an applications domain relevant to your academic or professional interests. It is intended to provide you with an opportunity to undertake a major investigation and produce a dissertation on the outcome of the work.

Assessment of the project will be based on this dissertation and presentations of the work. The work carried out during the project is expected to have a strong research component and will, in many cases, be appropriate in forming the basis of further academic research, such as a PhD programme.


Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Academic Framework reviews are conducted by LJMU from time to time to ensure that academic standards continue to be maintained. A review is currently in progress and will be operational for the academic year 2016/2017. Final details of this programme’s designated core and option modules will be made available on LJMU’s website as soon as possible and prior to formal enrolment for the academic year 2016/2017.

Please email [email protected] if you require further guidance or clarification.

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The Advanced Software Engineering MSc is a newly redesigned course that enables graduates enable students to extend their knowledge of, and gain valuable experience in, software engineering as it applies to a number of new and important areas of IT and computing.

Graduates will be able to follow a flexible program of study designed to lead to, and enhance, a career in software engineering with a focus on new technologies and areas of application, such as cybersecurity, big data, or mobile application development.

The rapid pace of technical change in software development is notorious and this has been accompanied and compounded by an increase in the complexity of the systems that are developed. Recently this has been most noticeable in the increase in mobile computing and the use of sophisticated hardware that require developer knowledge of new paradigms.

Many applications that run on these systems whether mobile or stationary are distributed in nature and will consume web services provided by service-oriented architectures and cloud-based platforms. There has also been an increase in the use of virtualisation techniques for providing flexible and maintainable systems. Businesses are now regularly using virtualised systems and techniques to lower cost and complexity and increase availability in computing environments.

The surge in cybersecurity issues and threats facing businesses and organisations that depend on IT systems has meant that software engineers need a thorough understanding of security when building and maintaining software applications and systems.

There is an acknowledged national shortage of IT and computing skills in the workforce. In the specific area of software development, a number of factors contribute to this. Most obviously, the rate of technological change means that an individual's specific knowledge frequently becomes out of date. Secondly, many significant technological developments originate in industry rather than academia, and are not yet firmly embedded in undergraduate curricula. Finally, many people enter the software industry without a specific educational background in computer science and acquire much vital knowledge in the workplace in relatively ad hoc ways.

In response to this, for many years the Department of Computer Science has been running courses that combine an emphasis on methodical approaches to the development of software applications and information systems with a determination to equip graduates with a portfolio of relevant research-oriented and practical skills and knowledge to compliment and expand their own knowledge.

The rationale behind the MSc in Advanced Software Engineering is to draw on this experience to provide an education that will cover in-depth specific skills and best current practice in software development where there is currently a significant skills shortage, whilst at the same time instilling important research-based skills that will equip students for independent lifelong learning in fast-changing and technically challenging environment.

Course content

The Masters of Science in Advanced Software Engineering takes into account the emerging needs of industry underpinned by theory and software engineering practices. As a consequence the modules emphasise both the critical conceptual underpinnings as well as the practical skills for each subject.

Modules

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Core modules
-ADVANCED SOFTWARE DESIGN
-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
-CONCURRENCY AND PARALLELISM
-RESEARCH METHODS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
-ADVANCED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PROJECT

Option modules - In addition you will pursue a pathway of your choice, selected with the guidance and advice of our academic staff. You can chose up to five of the following pathways modules:
-BIG DATA THEORY AND PRACTICE
-ADVANCED BIG DATA ANALYTICS
-CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATIONS
-DATA MINING & MACHINE LEARNING
-DATA VISUALISATION AND DASHBOARDING
-CYBERSECURITY THREATS AND COUNTERMEASURES
-INTERNET SECURITY
-MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
-MOBILE AND UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING
-USABILITY AND USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
-FREE CHOICE MODULE

Associated careers

Graduates will typically be part of a team working on sophisticated n-tier applications, as a designer, programmer, systems administrator or systems analyst (among others). Graduates will also find positions within new and established businesses that specialise in mobile applications. Other roles are possible in computer science research for either a commercial enterprise or academic institution. Further PhD study opportunities within the University of Westminster are also an option.

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