Information Technology

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Information Technology is now fundamental in every aspect of our daily lives. IT systems are crucial for delivering every day services such as banking, web based services and information systems.

The MSc Information Technology is a full time, one year taught course, intended for students seeking a professional career in the IT industry. The course covers a range of topics including advanced programming, user-interface design, software engineering and management. The course has been specifically designed to suit the requirements of the IT industry, with graduates entering employment as computer programmers, technical authors and research associates. The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) allowing successful MSc graduates to obtain exemption (Certificate, Diploma and Diploma Project) from the BCS Professional Examination for five intakes (2004-8 inclusive).

Course Aims
* Programming: A thorough grounding of advanced programming concepts using Java including efficient data structures and algorithms
* User-Interfaces: Theory & Practice of human computer interaction (HCI) including web design and web programming using PHP / MySQL / CSS
* Software Engineering: Principles of software engineering and case studies using UML

Learning Outcomes
We expect our graduates to be capable of designing and implementing IT systems for a wide range organisations. A thorough understanding of the following subjects are expected:

* Designing user interfaces following sound principles of interface design
* Building web enabled databases especially using MySQL/CSS/PHP
* Designing and specifying software components and systems using UML
* Understanding computer architectures and networking

Graduates are expected to be capable of taking up technical or management positions in the IT industry.

Course Modules

The components of the course are listed below:

* Advanced Programming Concepts (Using Java)
* Computer Systems Architecture for IT
* Maths for Information Processing
* Human Computer Interaction
* Software Engineering
* Operating Systems for Information Processing
* Design of Information Systems
* Web Design
* Project Preperation
* Networks and Communications
* Management Systems and Organisations
* Project

Past Projects
Projects undertaken over the past few years include:

* Web Usage Mining: Development of Self-Optimising Navigational Structures
* Wiki Brainstorming and Problems with Wiki Based Collaboration
* Context-aware multi-modal weather forecast system
* Temporal Difference Learning in Shogi
* User-interface for an interactive compiler
* Garden design package
* Heat exchanger simulator
* Satellite communications feasibility study
* Mouth-controlled input device
* Analysis of the relationship between JSD and occam.

Personal Tutor & Tutorial Group
Each student is assigned to a tutorial group (usually containing no more than four or five students), and hence to a personal tutor. Tutorial groups meet on a weekly basis up until the start of the project. The purpose of these meetings is to reinforce the material taught in the formal course units, and also to provide an opportunity for informal discussion of related subjects.

Assessment
Assessment of students' performance in the course modules takes place in a variety of forms: practical exercises, reports, closed examinations and a dissertation for the project. Students are deliberately exposed to a variety of assessment methods so that they are not disadvantaged by background.

Assessment Dates: The assessments take place at various times during the year.

Closed examinations take place in:

* The 1st week of Term 2 (for those courses taught during Term 1) and
* Around the 8th week of Term 3 (for those courses taught during Terms 2 and 3).

Practical exercises, reports and other forms of open assessment are due either during the course module or just after its completion.

Timescales, Modules and Project Descriptions may be subject to change.

The MSc IT course is intended for students with minimal or no background in computing. However, we do require they have studied a basic programming course or have relevant basic programming skills through work experience.Applicants should usually have an upper second class degree (or international equivalent) in any discipline other than Computer Science and should possess a good knowledge of programming concepts. However, we are willing to consider applications from those who do not fit this profile.Selectors for the course are looking for four essential criteria to be satisfied: * Candidates should show high academic ability in their own field of study, normally indicated by a good honours degree. * Candidates should not already have studied the material covered in the course. * Candidates should show the intellectual robustness and liveliness necessary to make the transition from their previous field of study to a new one, and to cope with the intensive nature of the course. * Candidates should already possess a good working knowledge of programming concepts either through coursework or work experience.Criteria (1), (2) and (4) will be evaluated from application forms; interviews are carried out where possible to assess candidates against criterion (3).Because of the number of applicants and the high competition for places, you should have, or expect to get, at least an upper second class degree (or equivalent GPA for overseas candidates). However, if you have had significant work experience since graduating, we will take that into account if you have a lower-second 2ii or better. Please note: We will not be able to offer places to applicants with less than a 2ii.While there is no official closing date for applications, it is important to apply as early as possible.English Language Requirements The University's absolute minimum English language requirements are: * IELTS: 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component * TOEFL: paper-based 550/ computer-based (CBT): 213/ internet-based (iBT): 79 * Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: A, B, C * Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.