MSc Advanced Computer Science: University of Westminster

Introduction

Today's challenges in Computer Science (CS) are met in a variety of interesting subject areas in terms of both theoretical and pragmatical issues.  This M.Sc. is meant to advance your current knowledge in CS by meeting these challenges and keeping up with current developments as major contribution of CS to society and other disciplines for the next decade.

Students admitted to the course will be expected to hold a good honours degree in computer science or related discipline. They will be expected to identify, at the time of entry, a specific computer science topic within which they would like to extend their knowledge. The taught component of the course will focus on this particular specialisation. The second half of their study will involve the completion and presentation of a project within the domain of their specialised study and topic.

On completion of a computer science degree, many students are not certain whether they may wish to pursue a career in research or to move to a more practical post within industry. Even those who have already decided that they wish to proceed to a PhD may not yet feel sufficiently confident to make the transition from taught study to research. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge of students in a specific domain but also to provide a sound introduction to the research environment. It will offer students the chance to experience a research environment before they decide if they wish to commit themselves to a PhD programme. It would also be a valuable preparation for those students to intend to pursue a career in industrial research and development. The course is offered in full-time (12 calendar months) and part-time mode (2 years).

Course Content

Each student will pursue an individual programme of study selected at the time of admission. The taught component of the course would consist of three modules which will be identified at the initial interview. The choice of modules will be based on the student's proposed research domain. These modules will be drawn up from the portfolio of Masters level modules within the School.

Research Methodology

All students will also be required to study a compulsory module on research methodology. This module will serve a dual function of preparing students for effective research and also allowing them, as part of the assessed component of the module, to produce a detailed programme for their research project.

Advanced Research Project

The students will also undertake a research project within their chosen subject domain. The project module, which is twice the size of equivalent modules on other Masters courses, has been chosen to allow students to tackle a project of significant size. The extended period of study compared to that offered on other Masters level project modules will also allow this module to focus more strongly on the evaluation of the work produced both in terms of the soundness of the research and in the context of published research in related areas.

Entry Requirements

The course is open to graduates with a good Honours degree in computer science or related discipline with a strong computing background. Where necessary the relevance of the applicant's first degree will be determined at interview. In exceptional cases, for those with extensive experience of working in a computing related environment, business and industry, the formal educational requirements may be relaxed.