Program Overview

Computer Science MSc

Overview

This course offers you the opportunity to study two major themes; programming and artificial intelligence (AI). You also study project management and research methods to provide the academic rigour required for postgraduate study and the practical skills for entry to industry.

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Artificial Intelligence Foundations
  • You gain the foundational knowledge to study a wide range of AI applications and solutions, and are introduced to logic-based knowledge representation, reasoning, problem solving and algorithms, planning and AI applications.
• Big Data and Business Intelligence
  • You develop your ability to design and implement database, big data and analytics applications to meet business needs. A case study is used to follow the system development lifecycle. You develop a plausible application from inception to implementation for a real-world scenario.
• Computing Masters Project
  • You undertake a major, in-depth, individual study in an aspect of your course. Normally computing master’s projects are drawn from commercial, industrial or research-based problem areas. The project involves you in researching and investigating aspects of your area of study and then producing a major deliverable, for example software package or tool, design, web-site and research findings. You also critically evaluate your major deliverable, including obtaining third party evaluation where appropriate.
• Machine Learning
  • Machine learning is a subfield of computer science concerned with computational techniques rather than performing explicit programmed instructions. You build a model from a task based on observations in order to make predictions about unseen data. Such techniques are useful when the desired output is known but an algorithm is unknown, or when a system needs to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
• Mobile App Development
  • You develop android apps for smartphone and tablet devices to a professional standard. You explore the industry-standard development processes and tools used to build today’s mobile apps. You are also informed by current industry practice, to plan and execute a successful software development project.
• Object Oriented Programming
  • You are given an intensive introduction to programming assuming little, if any, previous experience. You cover the principles of object oriented programming and event driven GUI (graphical user interfaces) systems using the Java Language. You are introduced to the fundamental skills required for mobile app and pattern driven development.
• Research Methods
  • You develop the knowledge and skills to understand the research process in the field of computing and gain the necessary skills to undertake your masters project. You learn how to evaluate previous academic research and generate evidence material to justify your research.

Advanced Practice (2 year full-time MSc only)

• Internship
  • The internship options are:
    • Vocational: spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University.
    • Research: develop your research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University.

How You Learn

You learn about concepts and methods through keynote lectures and tutorials using case studies and examples. Lectures include presentations from guest speakers in industry. Critical reflection is key to successful problem solving and essential to the creative process. You develop your own reflective practice at an advanced level, then test and assess your solutions against criteria that you develop in the light of your research.

Entry Requirements

You will normally have a first degree in related discipline (2.2 minimum) or relevant experience or equivalent qualifications. Acceptable subjects include artificial intelligence, computer forensics, computer science, computing, information technology, artificial intelligence, data science, computer forensics and digital forensics.

In addition, international students will require IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Employability

We prepare you for a career in industry. In addition to your taught classes, we create opportunities for you to meet and network with our industry partners through events such as our ExpoSeries, which showcases student work to industry.

Graduates can expect to find employment in one of the increasing number of sectors needing data science specialists, such as the defence industry, financial industry, telecommunications, and health sector.

Information for International Applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country.

Professional Accreditation

This degree is accredited by British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. An accredited degree entitles you to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional status through the Institute. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised internationally.

Fees

Full-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £8,365 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year

Part-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £930 for each 20 credits

Length and Start Date

Full-time

• Length: 1 to 2 years
• Start date: January, May or September

Part-time

• Length: Up to 3 years (can be completed in 2 years if preferred)
• Start date: January or September

Why Choose Teesside?

• Stand out from other job applicants with your higher level qualification, specialist knowledge and expanded networks.
• Improve your project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork.
• The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022.
• Study in our friendly town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment.
• Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills.