MSc Electronic Commercet: University of Westminster

Introduction

The Harrow School of Computer Science in London’s University of Westminster is in an unique position of possessing expertise in the fields of Internet Development, Networking, IT Security and Information Systems – the very fields involved in the technical undertaking of any Internet or E-Commerce activity. This course brings together this expertise to provide the industry with the skilled workforce required for implementing, maintaining and advancing Electronic Services.

The MSc in Electronic Commerce has accreditation by the British Computer Society.

Course Content

Depending on the modules taken, a student successfully completing this course will know how to:

• advise on existing and emerging Internet and E-Commerce technology;
• deal with security risks within an E-Commerce environment;
• advise on the technical aspects of the E-Commerce strategy of a company and solve E-Commerce problems;
• build interactive and data-driven Websites;
• write Java applets and servlets, develop multimedia environments with Flash, implement XML databases, etc.

The course is also offered with a specialist pathway: MSc E-Commerce with Online Databases. On this pathway students additionally design and develop Oracle databases, build SQL statements, manage a web-server, and implement server-side applications.

Core modules:

• Issues in Electronic Commerce
• Internet Information Management
• Research Methods and Transferable Skills
• Project

Options, choose four from:

• Commercial Website Design
• Internet Programming with Java
• Web Application Development
• Internet Networking
• E-Commerce Support Tools
• Multimedia Technologies
• Database Systems
• Free choice modules

Block-mode

This course is timetabled in block-mode with each module lasting five weeks. All the formal teaching is concentrated into the first week, followed by four weeks of self-managed academic activity. Providing a programme of one-week modules allows students who are combining an MSc course with a career to attend on a week-release basis, rather than on the same days every week.

Part-time block mode students follow the same pattern of study as full-time students but typically take three or four modules per year, spreading their study over two years. Full-time block mode students take seven modules and their project over twelve months.

Entry Requirements

• The Course is open to graduates with a good Honours degree in a computer science or related degree.
• It is also open to candidates with a good honours degree in a non-computing subject but with industrial experience in computer science in the fields of Internet, IT management, computer networking, computer programming, and business computing.
• In exceptional cases, the formal educational requirements may be relaxed for those
  with extensive experience of working in a computing related environment, business or industry.
• You will need fluent writtenand spoken English to study at postgraduate level. If your first language is not English, an attainment of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent must be demonstrated.