Computer Science, MSc

University of Greenwich

Research into high performance computing has been driven by the need to solve large-scale, increasingly complex problems for scientific applications. This technology has matured into the use of grids to manage loosely coupled, heterogeneous resources and provide virtual supercomputer facilities capable of supporting large scale applications. The applications of grid computing for business and casual users did not begin to emerge until advances in virtualisation and high speed networks led to the development of cloud computing. High performance computing is no longer perceived to be a discipline for academics, researchers and niche hardware manufacturers. With the introduction of affordable multi-core processors, high performance computing has become a mainstream activity. This technology now underpins applications in a variety of sectors, including machine learning, financial modelling, meteorogloy, aerospace and automotive engineering.

All prospective computing professionals need to understand the diverse and rich environment in which modern enterprise computer-based systems are built. The process of software engineering is a complex one which involves a wide range of skills in analysis, design, programming, testing and implementation, as well as selection of appropriate tools, techniques and development products. This development process is managed in the context of the systems life cycle to ensure quality, effectiveness and efficiency of both the process and the product. This course addresses these software engineering issues, focusing on the building of enterprise systems using modern object-oriented component-based enterprise/distributed computing technologies and architectures using UML based methods and tools. It is integrated with the programming courses such Software Tools and Techniques, which focus on related implementation tools and together aim to provide an integrated round trip engineering approach to the building of modern component-based software systems.

The aim of this module is to provide essential professional and academic skills to prepare students for study at MSc level at the University of Greenwich. On successful completion of this course a student will be able to: demonstrate familiarity with relevant University and Faculty online systems and TurnItIn and ability to communicate effectively via email, forums, video and other online systems; demonstrate ability to manage the organization of on-line files and emails and to format and reference documents in an academic context; and demonstrate facility with office software to produce a professional report from a range of inputs.

This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to carry out an individual piece of supervised work which reflects their programme area and is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline. Business, industry and commercial enterprise, as prospective employers also require that MSc graduates have a range of transferable skills. Such skills include being able to work independently, solve complex problems, organise their learning and work, and undertake and successfully complete projects running over several months. All of these activities should be performed by a student in an autonomous fashion, with some direction but minimal direct help from her/his supervisor(s), and must be completed to a specified deadline. Employers also expect MSc holders to be able to evaluate their own work in the context of other related work, and draw and present their conclusions both orally and in the form of a cogent, well-written and well-presented report. Additionally, a Masters course should equip students to pursue a research programme, such as M.Phil. Or PhD which requires that an applicant be able to select a research topic, read and evaluate relevant literature, select appropriate research methods/tools, conduct the research and present their findings supported by rigorous discussion in a thesis. The project may include the design and development of a software or hardware product (or artefact) or involve an in depth investigation of a relevant technical issue in the right subject area with clearly defined questions, metrics and solution criteria using appropriate tools and techniques.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the skill set required for building enterprise applications using enterprise components and service-oriented architectures. Using Jakarta EE technologies, students will develop enterprise applications, as well as learning current related technologies and techniques that will help them develop and integrate these applications. The module builds on existing Java programming skills, taking students through advanced material with emphasis on practical skills.

All prospective computing professionals need to understand the diverse and rich environment in which modern distributed computer-based applications and systems are developed. The development process is often complex, driven by continuous changes to the technology and business processes in which the systems are embedded. It involves a wide range of skills in analysis, design, programming, testing and implementation, as well as selection of appropriate tools, techniques and development products. This development process must comply with a governance framework derived from the enterprise and stakeholder concerns. It must be managed in the context of the systems life cycle to ensure quality, effectiveness and efficiency of both the process and the product. Additionally, the systems development process is a collaborative one involving multi-discipline teams of developers. This course addresses these issues, focusing on the process and management aspects of the building of systems using a critical evaluation and application of modern methodologies, techniques and tools.