Computer Science - 2012 entry
MSc
Overview
The MSc in Computer Science allows you to build an individual course that incorporates knowledge from several areas of computing. It aims to provide you with a diverse range of skills so that you will be able to produce optimal solutions in hybrid projects which are increasingly widespread in industry.
Computing solutions often combine different disciplines. For example, web technology combines networking, human-computer interface and intelligent systems, whereas high-speed networks may use concepts from artificial intelligence and have intelligent front ends. If you have substantial experience in the computing industry and would like to gain a qualification that reflects your expertise, this course could be for you.
Why Brookes?
Our computing courses are rooted in real-world and industry-relevant experiences. They give students the opportunity to develop the advanced skills and knowledge needed to pursue successful careers in their chosen fields.
You will be joining a department with a diverse and truly international postgraduate community. Students from many countries around the world study with us. Their contribution helps ensure our courses reflects the global reach of modern computing and communication technologies. The universal nature of the technical skills developed in our programmes means our courses are of equal relevance to both new graduates and those with many years of industrial experience.
In detail
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Course content
The MSc in Computer Science has a modular course-unit design providing you with maximum flexibility and choice. To qualify for a master’s degree, you must pass modules amounting to 180 credits. This comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (50 credits) and a module on research and study methods (10 credits).
For the taught part of your course, you will take three modules in Semester 1 (September to December) and three more in Semester 2 (January to May). This makes up two-thirds of your studies. Part-time students normally take four modules in their first year and two in their second year.
Semester 1
In Semester 1 you take two compulsory modules and one optional module.
- Paradigms of Programming (compulsory) teaches universal programming concepts such as programming paradigms, design strategies, development environments and testing. This will enable you to adapt to the use of different programming languages needed on your course.
- Structured Data (compulsory) covers the principles and practice of structured data, including how it is represented, managed and transformed.
- Formal Software Engineering introduces the techniques used in keeping programs error-free at every stage of the software lifecycle. It focuses on the process of reasoning about the properties of programs and on machine-assisted refinement from specification to implementation.
- Network Principles introduces the principles and practice of computer networking, with an emphasis on data communications and local area network technologies and design.
- Middleware introduces the concept of middleware and how it supports interoperability across heterogeneous programming, operating system and network platforms. The module covers a variety of middleware platforms, with a particular focus on those used for web-based and pervasive systems.
Semester 2
In Semester 2 you take one compulsory modules and two optional modules.
- Software Project Management (compulsory) studies the latest practices, skill and techniques that are used in the project management and quality assurance of computing software projects.
- Language Specification and Compiler Construction studies the principles, methods and techniques of compiler construction imperative for programming languages. It also covers the role of language tools in the broad context of software development.
- Programming Mobile Devices covers the current and emerging mobile technologies, giving you experience of developing software applications for mobile devices using appropriate programming languages and tools.
- Multiservice Networks covers the principles of multiservice network design and technology, illustrating these with case studies including state-of-the-art practice.
- Computer and Network Security covers the technological and human issues involved in securing and assessing the security level of modern networked computer systems, as well as looking at digital forensics.
- Pervasive Applications looks at the understanding and application of pervasive computing technologies, including the use of appropriate middleware and other development environments.
- Semantic Web covers the key current technologies associated with the semantic web and introduces you to current research directions in this rapidly evolving field.
- Web Interfaces and Media looks at the challenges of designing and constructing interfaces using a variety of media (eg text, speech, graphics) that are accessible to users in a wide variety of situations. It covers the physical, technical and psychological aspects of web interfaces design.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the list of taught modules you choose from may vary from the list here.
You also take:
- Research and Study Methods covers the research skills, planning and management techniques and guidance on analysis and technical presentation that you will need for your dissertation. This is taken in Semester 1.
- MSc Dissertation is an individual research and development project that allows you to study a topic of your choice in depth, guided by your supervisor. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation. You start your dissertation in Semester 2, continuing over the summer period.
Part-time students normally take these modules in their second year.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The teaching methods employed reflect the subject’s content, its character and, of course, each lecturer’s personality and expertise. Lectures provide a theoretical basis, while the practical sessions are used to strengthen your understanding by active involvement. Coursework and projects form the basis for continuous assessment. These methods have been developed to provide the varied experience that our students require, including the opportunity to discuss your work directly with the lecturers.
Many of the modules are enriched by the teaching staff's research expertise. There are also visiting lecturers from research organisations and industry.
The methods of assessment include examination and coursework, reflecting the development of academic content from the more practical aspects to the more conceptual.
Quality
The course benefits from the rigorous validation and review processes at the university, and the external examiners are very positive about it.
Career prospects
Our MSc students come from all over the world and graduate to follow careers in technical, business-related and creative roles, for example as developers, engineers, managers or consultants. Whatever their interest, our graduates tell us that the relevance of our courses and the skills they've learnt enable them to achieve their goals and build their careers.
Specialist facilities
Based at Brookes' Wheatley Campus, the Department of Computing and Communication Technologies has all the general computing and IT resources you would expect to find in a modern technology department.
Our labs are equipped with industry-standard equipment and software tools. This enables students to develop skills of immediate relevance to industry needs while also providing a sound practical basis that enhances their understanding of theoretical concepts. Networking laboratories are equipped with modern Cisco routers, switches and security devices to enable design construction and testing of complete high bandwidth secure, wired and wireless networks.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Faculty
Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment
Department
Department of Computing and Communication Technologies
Course length
Full-time: 1 year (12 months)
Part-time: 2 years
Teaching location
Wheatley Campus
Start date
September 2012
UKPASS code
P008075
Apply / Entry reqs
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Entry requirements
You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second class bachelor's degree in a computer-related subject. If your first degree is not in computing but you have worked in the computing industry you can also be considered.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you must satisfy our English language requirement by providing us with evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based), or IELTS score of 6.0.
Please also see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Preparation courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for this course and also familiarise you with university life. You may also be able to apply for one student visa to cover both courses.
- Take our Pre-Master's course to help you to meet both the English language and academic entry requirements for your master's course
- Take our University English course to help you to meet the English language requirements of your master's course
How to apply
You apply for this course through UKPASS.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All postgraduate single modules are equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, double modules to 20 ECTS credits, and treble modules to 30 ECTS credits. A full master's course will carry 90 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Fees / funding
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TUITION FEES
UK/EU
Full-time: £4,770
Part-time: £2,430
International
Full-time: £11,960
Fees (part-time and full-time) are for the academic year starting in 2012 only, unless otherwise stated. Fees increase annually by approximately 4%.
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Scholarships and funding
For general sources of financial support, see:
Oxford
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Computer Science
Oxford has an international reputation as one of the world’s leading academic cities. The environment makes it a great place to enhance your technical skills as well as providing an opportunity to enjoy the lively social and sporting life in this student-oriented city.
Oxford also lies close to the heart of the UK’s high-tech business community in the Thames Valley. We have excellent and extensive links with companies operating in the computing and communications fields which has led to the establishment of world-leading research activities that subsequently feed into our taught programmes and provide opportunities for student project work.
Support
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How Brookes supports postgraduate students
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Research
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Departmental research highlights
The Department of Computing and Communication Technologies is home to world-leading and award-winning research. Our focus is on user-inspired original research with real-world applications. We have a vibrant and growing research community, with a wide range of activities from model driven system design and empirical software engineering through to digital forensics and computer vision. Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies.
Research excellence
85% of the department's research is internationally recognised, with 15% world-leading.
