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Prepare for a future-focused career and develop skills and knowledge in high demand by employers
Aberystwyth University’s 100% online MSc Computer Science and Technology equips you with the foundational knowledge and technical skills required to solve complex computing problems and deliver effective solutions to businesses. This comprehensive programme explores topics such as software development, database management, networking, and system architecture, enabling you to build both practical and theoretical expertise in the field of computer science.
You will apply your knowledge to real-world applications, refining your decision-making and critical thinking skills to understand how technology and innovation contribute to business success. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to customise your programme by choosing from four specialisations based on your career goals, including cyber security, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and software engineering.
The programme’s flexible structure means you can fit your studies around professional and personal commitments, studying for advanced roles in computer science and technology across various industries alongside your life.
What will you study?
As a student, you’ll learn to tackle complex computing challenges by identifying effective business solutions. You’ll explore system architecture trade-offs, refine leadership skills for successful implementations, and develop innovative solutions that meet quality standards. Gain the expertise to design technical strategies that drive business growth, ensuring efficiency and sustainability in evolving environments.
Key knowledge and skills taught on this course:
Identify computing solutions for business challenges
Analyse architecture trade-offs and development constraints
Develop leadership skills for successful implementations
Create innovative solutions to meet quality standards
Design technical strategies to support business growth
Admission requirements
Entry requirements
To study Aberystwyth’s 100% online MSc Computer Science and Technology you will need to have completed:
A recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) from an accredited college, institution, or university, equivalent to or higher than a UK bachelor’s degree with honours.
OR
2 years’ minimum relevant work experience
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, or who haven’t recently studied or undertaken work experience in English, will need to demonstrate proficiency by completing an approved English language test such as IELTS (6.0 overall with no individual sub-scores under 5.5), or equivalent.
Modules
Principles of Programming Languages
Examine the origins and evolution of programming languages, studying how different languages like Java and Lisp implement abstractions, including data types and control structures. This module also covers advanced programming features such as exceptions and polymorphism, and the role these features play in creating robust, flexible applications. Additionally, you will explore various programming paradigms and their core concepts.
Operating Systems
Gain insight into the core aspects of operating system design and implementation. Topics include system concepts such as process and memory management, coordination, device drivers, and file systems. You will examine how different operating system types - batch, multitask, distributed, and mobile - affect coding decisions and how their design influences system functionality. Case studies will help you understand the real-world applications of various operating systems and their impact on software development.
Algorithms & Data Structures
Learn how to analyse and design computer algorithms and data structures. The focus is on evaluating algorithm efficiency and implementing data objects, programming styles, and performance expectations. Key topics include understanding algorithmic design patterns, such as data concepts, arrays, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. You will explore how these concepts contribute to effective programming and problem-solving in coding design. Additionally, you’ll study methods for optimising software performance to ensure solutions are scalable and reusable for growth.
Computer Architecture
Explore how to evaluate technological solutions and select the appropriate computer architecture to support organisational needs. By understanding both hardware and software components, you’ll learn how to design solutions that meet usability and performance requirements. You will also study how to make architecture decisions for successful implementations, focusing on building systems that integrate seamlessly with organisational objectives.
Data Warehousing and Data Mining
Explore the fundamentals of data warehousing and data mining, focusing on techniques like big data analysis, prediction, classification, and clustering. You will understand how data mining integrates with databases to uncover patterns and insights. By working with tools and techniques for querying and manipulating databases, you’ll learn how to apply these methods to real-world business applications and decision-making.
Machine Learning
Learn the fundamentals of machine learning, exploring key algorithms and how they apply to real-world data. The module covers essential techniques like regression, classification, neural networks, and deep learning. You will gain practical experience structuring data into models and using machine learning tools to solve business challenges, with a focus on creating systems that can learn from data and make informed predictions.
Software Engineering
Examine software engineering principles and the stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC). The focus is on understanding the tasks and models required to deliver successful software projects. You will enhance your skills in writing requirements documentation, functional specifications, and technical documentation. Additionally, you will explore project management methodologies like Agile and Waterfall, and learn about software project management, release planning, and software engineering ethics.
Data Visualisation
Delve into the world of data visualisation, focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of effectively communicating insights through visual representation. You will learn to design clear, compelling visualisations using tools like Tableau, D3.js, and matplotlib, while considering ethical implications such as bias and transparency. The module also covers advanced techniques, including storytelling with data, enabling students to create impactful narratives. On completion, you will be equipped to tackle data-driven challenges across various domains.
Advanced Database Management Systems
Develop the data analysis skills needed to transform raw data into useful business information and knowledge for decision-making and problem-solving and learn about important database concepts including: query optimisation, distributed databases, Big Data/knowledge management, data modelling, database design and data extraction. You will gain hands-on project experience using SQL, learn tuning and performance techniques, and evaluate different types of software technologies that can be used such as Oracle.
Network Security
Study key security concepts in computer and mobile networks, exploring issues such as LAN and WAN security, encryption, authentication, and risk mitigation. You will examine the infrastructure designs and security flaws that can impact networks and learn how to assess and strengthen network security. With a focus on troubleshooting and implementing security protocols, you will develop a deep understanding of how to protect and maintain network systems.
Research Project
Engage in an independent research project, applying the skills and knowledge gained throughout your studies. This module provides the opportunity to explore a specific area of interest in depth, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to design, analyse, and implement a solution to a real-world problem.
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