Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Computer Science with placement (MSc)

Course Aims

Designed for computing graduates who wish to differentiate themselves further through an advanced mastery of the discipline, this flagship programme offers exposure to state-of-the-art topics that are driving key technological developments and trends.

Special Features

• Full-time students can opt for a two-year programme and apply for a paid 7-10 month professional work placement.

Course Description

Computer Science is one of the fastest moving academic disciplines and the outcomes of research and innovation in this field have a massive social impact. The subject spans all aspects of modern life, and this programme offers you the opportunity to apply new skills and advanced techniques to the area of your choice, whilst allowing you to demonstrate that you are at the forefront of your discipline.

Core to this programme is the opportunity to further develop the scope of your problem solving skills by studying advanced programming languages and new programming paradigms. A module in e-commerce and innovation will enhance your transferable skills and employment prospects. You will choose to study optional, research-led modules that allow the freedom to build a distinctive personal portfolio of skills and knowledge. In 2012-13 optional topics will include Web and Social Computing and Forensics, Trust and Identity (which includes the opportunity to gain external accreditation for use of forensic tools including the market-leading Micro Systemation XRY forensic software).

During the summer months you will undertake an individual research project and complete a dissertation under the supervision of a member of academic research staff. The topic for this will be driven by your own interests.

Successful graduates will be able to demonstrate to employers both a deep understanding and broad knowledge concerning state-of-the-art computer science from a research and development perspective. 60 credits of the 180 credit programme concern the dissertation and individual supervision.

Full time students may choose to apply for a paid 7-10 month professional work placement to be undertaken on completion of Spring semester and before completing the MSc programme with a 60 credit dissertation. Subject to satisfactory progress we will support you with our professional and experienced work placement consultants who aim to satisfy your individual preferences. You will gain professional recognition of your placement through our accredited internship programme.

Available Modules

• Computational Operational Research
• Dissertation
• Distributed and Cloud Computing
• E-Commerce and Innovation
• Forensics, Trust and Identity
• High Performance Computing
• Human Centric Computing
• Informatics
• Information, Network and Cyber Security
• Pattern Recognition & Data Mining
• Programming Paradigms
• Visual Computing
• Web and Social Computing

Course Structure

Full time students will take two compulsory modules per term with an additional two optional modules. Part-time students take one compulsory module per term with an additional optional module. Further information is available on our website

Skills Acquired

Successful graduates will be able to demonstrate to employers both a deep understanding and broad knowledge concerning state-of-the-art computer science from a research and development perspective.

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course will be ideally placed to pursue a number of careers, such as systems architects, programmers and software developers, and could also pursue a research career via doctoral studies.

Testimonials

"The world needs the next generation of leaders in the field of computer science. Innovation depends upon people who have the knowledge and skills to make a difference; the opportunities out there for qualified and talented people are enormous. Our ethos on this programme is for research-led teaching so students are exposed to the state-of-the-art from our internationally recognised subject specialists." Professor Roger Whitaker, Head of the School of Computer Science and Informatics.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will normally possess a good (2.1 or above) honours degree in computer science, computing or a cognate subject.

Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. 6.5 IELTS, with at least 6.0 in each area).

Next intake: September 2013

More information

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