MSc Information Technology

Course description

This MSc Information Technology Degree has been designed to give you the tools and understanding to forge a successful career in IT. You will expand your theoretical knowledge with the practical application of research, analysis and decision making.

The purpose of this qualification and the defined pathways are:

• To provide an opportunity for you to acquire and evaluate specialist knowledge about emerging techniques, methodologies and software tools in the area of IT technology systems and solutions;
• To develop your ability to apply the acquired skills and knowledge to current commercial, industrial and scientific situations in the development, deployment and management of information technology systems;
• To provide an opportunity for you to understand the methodologies, technologies and database configurations to implement internet-based service-oriented applications;
• To develop an understanding of the infrastructure management issues relating to IT systems and related technologies;
• To use the Independent Scholarship or Learning from Professional Engagement on Placement (WBL) module to develop your abilities to work independently and to plan and execute a substantial research project in the area of IT systems, thus preparing you for academic and industrial research careers.
• To encourage the development of independence and critical self-awareness, so as to increase the potential for lifelong learning.
• To adopt an internationalised approach to learning, teaching and assessment strategies, which encourages an awareness and participation with a number of international cultural contexts

What you will study

You will study modules such as:

• Database Development
• Enterprise Networking and Security
• IT Project Management
• Object-Oriented Analysis, Design and Implementation
• Studying at Masters Level and Research Methods
• Web Technologies
• Independent Study

How you will learn

Students may choose to place greater emphasis upon engagement with asynchronous rather than synchronous learning activities, though in all cases there will be minimum expectations of ‘real time’ engagement. OLDL students will still be actively engaging in group interaction even if they choose to engage less with synchronous activity. Many modules, for example, use Wikis, Blogs, or discussion boards to capture student interaction in an asynchronous way.

The nature of OLDL study is such that technology is employed to enhance and enrich the potential learning experience. Materials are available that both present content and also promote learner engagement, with the material itself and with other OLDL learners.

When guest speakers present at UoD (subject to their approval), recordings will be made so that OLDL students can benefit from these experiences. From the commencement of the programmes, participative approaches to teaching will be used to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience. In the case of some students, this may be a gradual process, sometimes due to cultural adjustments that will need to be addressed, or through logistical difficulties of different time zones, but it is recognised that the development will be ongoing.

Where any additional support needs have been identified, the Programme Leader will coordinate responses required by individual students’ care plans. The teaching and learning strategy will be adapted to ensure that the student is provided with the same level of opportunity for teaching, learning and personal development no matter what their previous experience or method of study.

Method of Assessment

A range of assessments, commensurate with level 7 requirements, have been devised and the programmes operate within the University’s Regulatory Framework, conforming to its regulations on assessment. A flexible approach has been taken in developing the assessment strategy, to allow for the diverse nature of the student cohorts as well as the different learning styles of individual students. Additionally, requirements of the British Computer Society (BCS) have been taken into consideration so that students’ employability is enhanced, and those who wish to gain relevant affiliation/recognition both for career entry and career development are assisted in doing so. Programme team members have been encouraged to share good practice and create and develop relevant assessments. Assessments for all modules have been designed to be inclusive of students on any delivery route, whether face to face or OLDL.

Formative assessment will be provided across the breadth of modules to assist you in both a structured learning approach but also to provide feedback opportunities. This is particularly important to you in the early stages of the programme, as this gives you clear benchmarks with regard to your progress on the programme. The process may include self-assessment, peer review, as well as feedback from the tutors following class (and other synchronous) exercises, for enquiry based learning and problem based learning activities etc. Summative assessment will take different forms to ensure congruence with the programme aims and learning outcomes identified, and the master’s levels in knowledge, skills and personal development.

Over the course of a programme you will experience different assessment methods which may include computer aided tests, research projects, work based reports, case study analysis, patchwork assessment, and reflective reports. In all cases, assessment is directly related to either students’ personal development or in diagnosing and applying solutions to their organisations (or comparable case studies).

A typical twenty credit module has an associated assessment workload of 6000 words (or equivalent). In this programme the final assessment at master’s level will be a major piece of independent study (either Independent Scholarship or Learning from Professional Engagement on Placement (WBL)), demanding the demonstration of a wide range of knowledge and skills.

Entry requirements

• An Honours degree (at least 2.2) or equivalent qualifications/experience in a computing discipline; AND
• A minimum of 2-3 years of broad computer experience;
• If English is not your first language, you will need IELTS 6.0 or equivalent

Students should produce copies of certificates, full CV in EuroFormat and passport-size photo.