Master of Science in Computing in Enterprise Applications Development

Course details

The Post-graduate Diploma is a two semester taught programme in computing which focuses on topics applicable to Enterprise Applications Development (also known as Cloud Computing). These are followed by a placement module in which students will gain practical experience working in a company engaged in enterprise applications development. Its aim is to take a graduate in a computing or computing related field and augment his/her skills and knowledge in readiness to begin a career in enterprise applications development. It is designed to ensure that graduates are given both a base for beginning to work immediately in the industry/field and also for continuing self-development. These skill sets are reinforced with a strong emphasis on teamwork and project work.

The additional dissertation component for the Masters will offer the student the opportunity to apply a range of topics covered in the post-graduate diploma to demonstrate an extended knowledge and ability in that area. The dissertation will normally be completed over one to two additional semester’s depending on whether its done on a part-time or full-time basis.

From an industry point of view, this programme was developed in partnership with the IT industry in the north-west and with SITA (Specialists in air transportation communications and IT solutions) in particular. The objective of developing the course and of providing a placement is to ensure a supply of highly-skilled and experienced graduates for key employers locally and throughout Ireland. The existence of the course and the placement reflects the commitment of employers to this field of expertise. Graduates from this course can expect to find attractive employment opportunities locally and nationally. For example SITA are in the process of tripling their work force over the next two years. The national projections for jobs growth in Enterprise Applications Development (Cloud Computing) are enormous: Cloud computing is the way forward

Minimum Academic Entry Requirements

• The course will be available to applicants who meet the following criteria: An Honours Degree in Computing with first or second-class honours or an equivalent qualification. 
• Consideration will also be given to non-computing graduates with first or second-class honours who have completed a significant element of computing as part of their studies, including strong software development skills.

Modules

• Enterprise Service Architecture
•  Cryptography and System Security
•  Enterprise Performance Management
•  Client Centric Development
•  Placement 
•  Dissertation

Learning Outcomes – Postgraduate Diploma

A learner who successfully completes this course will:

• Be able to perform independent information acquisition and synthesis.
• Be able to develop and formalise original ideas using a range of tools.
• Be able to analyse and evaluate information and based on that information be able to formulate and appraise solutions.
• Have explored the varied development environments in which enterprise systems are designed, realised and deployed.
• Have experience of applying problem solving, design and research skills in order to develop successful scalable, efficient and secure Web 2.x and enterprise software applications
• Have demonstrated a range of skills required to work as part of a team and to interface with team-members in all aspects and at all levels of a project.
• Have experience in the coordination the interaction of team members across a range of IT disciplines.
• Be able to demonstrate a range of skills which are transferable to the wider computing industry.
• Be able to take responsibility for acquiring new knowledge and direct the acquisition of this knowledge towards a longer-term professional goal.

Learning Outcomes – Master of Science

In addition to achieving the learning outcomes from the taught element the graduate, through the dissertation component, graduates will be able:

• To research, document and present ideas and completed work in a professional manner.
• To manage self-directed acquisition and synthesis of new knowledge.
• To demonstrate significant abstract and applied skills in response to complex and/or ill defined problems.
• To select, plan, organise and manage projects with a high degree of autonomy.
• To relate and reconcile abstract requirements to the development of concrete solutions.
• To analyse and diagnose problems and choose and justify solutions.
• To make judgements and decisions in response to a range of constraints and requirements.
• To choose, explain and justify a solution in a variety of real-world contexts.
• To take personal responsibility for their own actions and take autonomous initiatives in response to complex situations and problems.
• To communicate research findings and engage in critical dialogue about such findings.