Computer Science (online) MSc

About the course

This online or blended learning programme is for students who wish to fit in study with other commitments and not to have to attend the University for timetabled classes or examinations.

Visit the UH Online website for more information about online study including details of these online Computer Science Master's courses, course dates, fees, and the application process.

Why choose this course?

For full details of this course including module details, start dates, fees and how to apply, please visit the University's distance learning microsite: UH Online

• Gain a master's degree in one year full-time or at a pace that suits you through online study
• Chose from two different routes depending on your qualifications: an advanced programme for Computer Science graduates with a range of specialist degree titles and modules - or a route for other graduates that combines foundation modules in software development with options from these advanced modules.
• Flexible online learning allows you to fit study around your other commitments, without travel and accommodation costs.
• Gain an internationally-recognised master's degree from the UK's University of Hertfordshire.
• Benefit from the same academic standards and quality control procedures as our equivalent on campus course
• We have an excellent track record in research, with over half of our outputs rated at world-leading or internationally excellent in RAE 2008, the most recent national assessment.

Fees

The online courses offered by the School of Computer Science have a different (non-standard) fee.

For further information please visit the Computer Science Online Degrees Fees & Payments web page.

Study routes

• Online - Full Time,
• Online - Part Time, 5 Years
• Online - Part Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Our online masters programme is designed to give graduates the up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

These courses will prepare you for a career in many areas including research, IT or software development. If your first degree was not in computer science, it will enable you to apply advanced computing techniques to your original discipline or to change career direction into the IT industry.

Teaching methods

Our online degree programmes are taught 100% online when studied independently, or supplemented by tutorial support when studied at a local study centre run by one of our online partners. Find out more about Tutored eLearning. Assessment is coursework and online tests.

You will participate in the learning experience through the University's online learning environment, StudyNet. You will receive learning materials, take part in discussions and submit your assignments online. Additionally, you will receive study resources such as key textbooks and any specialist software. You will have access to the University's extensive online library facilities, or be able to visit in person if you so choose.

The amount of study time required is no different from that needed for an on campus programme. You should expect to spend at least 30 hours per week if studying full-time, and in proportion if part-time.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

Optional

• Advanced Database (COM)

  This module is primarily designed for students with existing knowledge and experience of database design and implementation, and with an understanding of the underlying theory and practice. The aim of the module is to enhance the students' existing understanding and knowledge through focussed study of selected current and emerging issues in the database field. The study will be grounded in sound understanding of relevant theory, practice and principles and promote a practical understanding and critical awareness of the selected issues. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Computer Science MSc Project (COM)

  The project is a showpiece opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills to the design and development of a computerised solution to a particular problem within the domain of computer science, and in doing so demonstrating what they know about current research and practices in computer science. The project is a self-directed piece of work, conducted with minimum online supervision that demonstrates the student’s ability to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, and steer their own efforts. Students are expected to be thorough in their work, and, particularly, identify and tackle any difficult or challenging aspects of the problems they are trying to solve. It is not just the quantity, or even the quality of work that is considered when grading the project, but the level of difficulty and the scope of the problem being addressed.

• Contemporary Practices in Information Technology (COM)

  This module complements the technical content of the degree programme by introducing you to the legal, ethical and professional landscape in which computing professionals must work. We will present ways of addressing ethical issues you may encounter, and promote a professional approach at a societal level on issues such as sustainable computing. You will also be able to develop and present your own informed opinions on the use of computing and data in society. Legal aspects of the module are based on English Law, and include privacy (data protection), intellectual property and the Computer Misuse Act. However, we do not assume any prior legal knowledge. You will also learn about relevant professional bodies and the support they can provide to computing professionals such as their codes of conduct, and start your journey on the necessarily continuous updating of your knowledge as a professional software practitioner.

• Distributed Systems Security (COM)

  A range of topics will be covered in this module relating to security issues and distributed systems. The detailed content will vary according to current research interests and directions. Case studies will be used. Issues will be considered in relation to each topic as appropriate. The pervasive issues are: models, design, standards, protocols, and performance. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• E-Learning Applications Development (COM)

  E-learning applications development is a specific form of technological development activity; we can derive techniques from other development approaches, but educational requirements place particular demands on our work. Developmental techniques for different educational interactions and the selection of appropriate technologies are a central part of the work of this module. We are interested in developmental techniques that can support the creation of e-learning applications that elicit, or are at least more likely to elicit, educationally effective interactions. Examples of e-learning applications include e-assessment applications, intelligent tutoring systems, as well as groupware for facilitating co-operative and collaborative learning activities. This module considers these kinds of applications and how they may be developed.

• Interaction Design (COM)

  Interaction Design is fundamental to the design of a positive user experience of computing systems in all their diversity. It encompasses the types of interaction we may design and the types of interfaces that may be used in these interactions. This module is principally concerned with how we can enhance and support the user experience with our interaction design work; what factors influence the user experience and how can we take these into account in our design work? Equally, how can we evaluate the final design to ensure it provides effective interaction? In order to answer these questions, the module will consider existing standards and methodologies that may guide us in our work. Students are expected to engage fully with the module activities in order to develop a critical approach to effective interaction design.

• Learner Centred Design (COM)

  Learners are faced with an information ecosystem that is complex, in constant flux and of varying validity and reliability. This places particular demands on how learning technologies may be designed to support learners in their studies. This module is concerned with the particular challenges of producing educationally effective learning designs and draws on a wide range of techniques for supporting this work.

• Measures and Models for Software Engineering (COM)

  In this module we will examine advanced issues of software engineering theory and practice. We will show you how to measure and model a range of software engineering products and processes making up a software project. The software engineering products we will explore in the module will include user requirements, design documents and code. The software engineering processes we will consider in the module will include testing and debugging. The aim of the module is to enable you to use the modelling and measuring of products and processes such as these to make quantified decisions during software development. We will provide a more detailed description of the module content in the module delivery information for students.

• Mobile Standards, Interfaces and Applications (COM)

  Mobile and pervasive computing is a rapidly evolving area and so the main body of knowledge will be taught through the close reading of the most up-to-date research in the area. Themes covered could include pervasive computing, mobile HCI, privacy and security, location and context awareness, technological transparency vs proactivity, mobile development platforms, networking and data standards. Ensuring deep and broad background in these ideas constitutes the seminal part of the course. Alongside this runs a practical course in programming for mobile devices based on one of the popular development platforms. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Multicast and Multimedia Networking (COM)

  How do we deal efficiently with applications that have to send the same data to many different destinations? How can a network mix applications with very different quality of service requirements? This module addresses these and other problems that must be solved if we are to integrate the gamut of diverse network applications onto a single network infrastructure. It exposes students to some of the most important developments in computer networking. By the end of the module, you will be familiar with most of the important issues and ideas in applying high-speed network technology to applications with diverse quality of service requirements. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Multimedia Specification, Design and Production (COM)

  This module is intended to develop an advanced and reflective understanding of the main stages in the development of multimedia computer applications. This will include the analysis, design and prototyping of interactive multimedia software. The module will also expose students to well-known methodologies for the development of interactive multimedia content. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Programming and Program Design (COM)

  This module introduces the basic facilities found in procedural and object-oriented programming languages. It develops the skills needed to use such languages to build and verify high quality programs to solve clearly-specified problems. It assumes no previous programming experience and uses a practical approach and up-to-date tools to explore the basic principles underlying modern approaches to program development.

• Secure Systems Programming (COM)

  The variety and proliferation of passive and active malicious attacks made against users of networks and distributed systems has led to a need for pro-active defence mechanisms against such attackers. For an individual, the inconvenience of being attacked can range from being extremely frustrating to downright expensive with slow to no service at all on their computer. For a company it too can be frustrating and costly both financially and to their reputation. This module will be both theoretical and practical, exploring concepts and applications from the fields of computer systems and their security weaknesses. Content will vary according to current research directions. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Software Development Tools and Methods (COM)

  This module introduces students to industry standard and current best practice via exploring and using tools and techniques used in the process of developing software systems. The module encourages a critical approach by looking at the suitability of different methods, tools and techniques for different systems. The module blends theory and practise with practical activity based around Unified Modelling Language (UML). A lot of time will be spent using tools to develop models of computer based solutions to various problems. The emphasis of the module is on analysis and design, but Java will be used where we need to show how design decisions affect implementation. This is used to produce models of the system at various stages in a software project, and to illustrate how these models can be elaborated from analysis through to design, implementation and deployment.

• Software Engineering Practice and Experience (COM)

  This module gives students the opportunity to extend their understanding and experience of software engineering practice. It offers students exposure to the development and evolution of software. The module is very practical and is based around a substantial piece of software. The aim of the module is to enable students to develop software engineering knowledge and skills that are transferable to software companies. The module covers each element of the software engineering process. It explores the use of overarching development approaches such as eXtreme Programming and Component Based Software Engineering. Students are usually requested to refer, assess and adopt leading edge practices, which could include program slicing to find code faults, and technologies (such as bug tracking systems). Specialised software development approaches are also investigated, such as those required for application areas such as safety critical systems. Process models popular with industry, which could include one of the SEI models, are also used and evaluated during this module. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Web Scripting and Application Development (COM)

  Making a successful community web application requires a synthesis of varied skills. Firstly you need to identify a niche community and then produce a site with features which will satisfy that community. However, those features will be the result of a lot of careful consideration at the level of database design, user interface design and the establishment of a clear business logic in the application. This course therefore is about how to bring these things together in a site that users will wish to use.

• Web Services (COM)

  The term "web services" is used to define a number of protocols and technologies used to implement a service-oriented architecture. These standards are designed to support the notion of using "standardised" interfaces to allow communication, integration and co-ordination of information between applications distributed over and accessible through a decentralised network environment. This module develops students' understanding of the fundamental architectures of web services and the protocols and standards that underpin them. The module provides only a brief introduction to the basic technologies and associated practical skills before moving on to focus on architectural issues and evaluation of different technologies and their developments. This will be done in the context of specific applications and/or enterprises. Examples could include applications within e-commerce, information retrieval and knowledge management. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Wireless, Mobile and Ad-hoc Networking (COM)

  How can we cope with users and computers that move from place to place, and yet wish to remain in contact with the net? This module looks at a range of wireless communications technologies, and addresses some of the problems of mobile ad-hoc and wireless networks. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

Fees & funding

Additional course costs

Visit the UH Online fees page for more information about this course.

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

How to apply