MSc Computer Science

This module develops advanced knowledge and practical skills in the design, development, and management of software systems using modern software engineering principles and professional practices. Students will explore advanced software development practices, such as software architecture and design patterns, development methodologies (e.g., agile and DevOps), test-driven development, and software quality assurance. Student will explore advanced software engineering through the lens of mobile computing. Through practical coursework, students will design and implement a complex mobile application using industry-standard tools, applying advanced software engineering principles to solve real-world problems. The module prepares students for professional roles in mobile and software development by developing their ability to engineer high-quality mobile systems and justify technical decisions.

In this module, you will learn how to design, build, and manage database systems that support modern data-driven applications in areas such as data science and artificial intelligence. You will develop practical skills in structuring data, creating databases, and using tools such as SQL to store, query, and manipulate data effectively. You will explore how to design databases using appropriate data models, including relational models, and understand how different database systems are used in real-world scenarios. You will also learn how to select suitable database technologies based on the needs of different applications. Through hands-on activities, you will gain experience in implementing databases, writing queries, and optimising data access for performance and efficiency. By the end of the module, you will be confident in applying database concepts to solve practical problems and support data-driven decision-making.

This module examines modern cloud computing, focusing on designing and managing scalable applications. Students explore virtualization, containers, microservices, and service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). Combining theory and practice, it covers automation, CI/CD, security, and performance. Learners develop skills to design resilient, efficient, and secure cloud-native systems for real-world applications.

This module develops advanced knowledge and practical skills in data mining and analytics for extracting meaningful patterns, trends, and insights from complex datasets. You will study key topics such as data preparation, exploratory data analysis, feature construction, clustering, association analysis, visual analytics, and the critical interpretation of results. You will learn how to select and apply appropriate analytical techniques to different forms of data and how to justify your choices in relation to real-world problem contexts. The module places strong emphasis on applied learning through practical workshops and case-study-based coursework. You will work with realistic datasets to investigate data quality, uncover patterns, and communicate analytical findings effectively. The module is designed to be delivered alongside the companion Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning module, allowing you to reuse datasets and selected outputs across the block while maintaining a clear focus here on data understanding, mining, analysis, and insight generation. The module prepares you for professional and research roles requiring strong analytical thinking, data literacy, and evidence-based decision-making.

This module prepares you to design, plan, and justify a substantial Masters level project in a computing related discipline. It introduces the principles of research design, academic and professional enquiry, and project planning in areas such as Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security. You will learn how to identify and refine a suitable research or development problem, review and evaluate relevant literature, formulate research questions or project aims, and select appropriate methods for investigation. The module will also help you develop the professional skills needed to manage a project effectively, including planning, risk awareness, ethical consideration, communication, and reflective practice. Alongside research methods, the module explores professionalism in computing, including ethical and responsible practice, legal and regulatory awareness, data and AI ethics, cyber responsibility, and professional standards expected in industry and research environments. You will consider how computing professionals design and conduct work in ways that are rigorous, responsible, and aligned with the needs of stakeholders. The assessment for the module is a research proposal in which you will define and justify a project idea, demonstrate awareness of relevant literature and methods, and present a realistic project plan. This will help prepare you for your final MSc project and for professional practice in technical and research led roles.

This module explores modern approaches and technologies for building dynamic, secure web applications. Students will design, implement, and test responsive web systems, applying best practices in coding, security, and performance. Hands-on labs and projects ensure practical experience while reinforcing secure, scalable, and maintainable web development skills.

This module provides you with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the design and development of immersive applications using extended reality (XR) technologies, with a focus on virtual reality (VR). It explores the principles, tools, and techniques required to create interactive 3D environments and immersive user experiences for real-world applications, such as education, healthcare, digital twins and industry 4.0 applications. Through practical coursework, students will design and implement VR applications using industry-standard platforms such as Unity, applying advanced software engineering principles and critically evaluating design decisions. The module emphasises collaborative development practices, where students work in teams to design, build, and evaluate immersive applications. Students will apply professional workflows such as version control, project planning, and team-based software development practices. They will gain experience in communication, coordination, and shared problem-solving within a professional development setting.