The Masters in Science in Computing programme is designed for IT graduates, or IT professionals, seeking to strengthen their discipline knowledge and skills to enhance their employability and support career progression. The programme assumes prior learning in core computing subjects and seeks to build upon this with 60 ECTS of taught modules addressing subject matter pertinent to the current computing landscape, including programming, computer architecture and networking, blockchain, databases and embedded systems. On completion of the taught component, subject to meeting the academic standard required, students will then complete an applied computing project of 30 ECTS.
It is designed for graduates of level 8 honours degree or Higher Diploma in IT (or cognate discipline) and IT professionals who wish to develop advanced knowledge and skills in computing, including developing their research capacity with the opportunity to complete a research development project as a core part of their studies.
The programme has been designed to produce graduates with the attributes required of computing today and the ability to continue to develop knowledge, skill and competence to remain competitive and employable in an ever-advancing discipline. On successful completion of the MSc in Computing, graduates will be well placed to progress to further study, including level 10 doctoral studies, subject to the requirements of the institution to which they apply. They also will be equipped to secure employment opportunities in a range of IT roles, including leadership positions, and will have a firm appreciation of the need to maintain currency in their discipline as well commit to continuous professional development.
The masters in Computing programme is available full-time on-campus and part-time via blended learning mode of delivery. Contact hours for the programme are a combination of traditional face-to-face classroom learning and virtual classroom also incorporating face to face and virtual lab sessions / workshops. Full time learners are required to attend 15 hours per week. Part time learners attend 8 hours per week, spread over 2 evenings and some weekend attendance would be required for campus based / virtual practical labs/workshops.
The programme leads to an award by QQI at Level 9 of the NFQ and consists of 60 credits of taught module work + 30 credits of an applied project. Learners who decide to leave the programme, after completing the taught elements only, may be entitled to receive the embedded exit award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Computing.
