Information Technology MSc

Course content

• Business Systems Design (20)

You will learn to understand the nature of business systems analysis and the impact of various stakeholders on the production of effective requirements and specification. You will also produce designs which meet the requirements of the client.

• IT Application Development (40)

You will gain a critical understanding of the technologies used in the production and deployment and maintenance of web-based applications, and learn expertise in the evaluation of these technologies. You will develop an understanding of data modelling and the design, implementation and use of relational database systems, as well as evaluate current trends in database technology.

• Software Project Management (20)

You will learn the methods and techniques of planning, monitoring and control of software production projects, as well as the management of human factors in software production projects. You will acquire a deep understanding of the critical factors involved in the application of project management principles to software production.

• Business Innovation and Enterprise (20)

You will learn how to identify and exploit a company’s strengths. You will evaluate external opportunities that exist, together with conceiving strategies to overcome internal weaknesses and the threats that might be imposed by the industry environment.

• Research Methods (20)

You will develop key research skills in areas such as literature reviews, critical analysis of research findings, project proposals, planning, experiment design and analysis, and dissemination. This unit will adequately prepare you for writing a project proposal and for conducting and disseminating the Masters project.

• Individual Masters Project

The individual project is designed to help you develop knowledge of the methodologies and techniques of research in your subject area. You will critically investigate, report and engage with complex issues. You will present an analytically rigorous and well argued case and gain problem solving skills by applying your knowledge across the discipline area. Finally, you will present a reflective, integrated discussion of the conclusion of the research, development and practice activity and its implications for the future. Projects that are worth 120 credits must be linked to an industrial research project.

The figures in brackets relate to the number of credits. Throughout this course units are taught intensively, usually over 4.5 days, with assessment normally taking place 5-6 weeks after the delivery of the unit.