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FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

The MSc in Advanced Computer Science provides research led courses that equip our graduates to work within a world of continuously changing computing platforms which may be mobile, embedded, distributed, multi-core or even built on new computational principles such as quantum computing. Students will learn about the new theories and models required to ensure correct engineering of such ubiquitous systems, and how these can be mapped into the tools and languages from which complex software is built. The students will build and deploy software within novel contexts such as hand-held shopping guides. Projects will be both research and commercially driven, inspired by intellectual curiosity from our research, and working with companies.
Graduates will be well equipped to work in companies at the forefront of software engineering, particularly with mobile and distributed systems, whether in large corporations or one of the many computing-led companies based in Brighton. At the same time, the programme is designed to give a broad view on current Computer Science research topics and methods, equipping the graduate for doctoral study or to join an industrial research laboratory.
Although the focus of the degree is on the strengths of the Foundations of Software Systems group, students will be able to explore interests in the areas covered by other research groups in Informatics, such as interactive systems and artificial intelligence; and in the wider Sussex context, such as Business and Engineering.

Course learning outcomes

Demonstrate an ability to undertake the specification, design, implementation, testing and maintenance of complex software systems, using appropriate tools and techniques, making appropriately reasoned choices in approach, grounded in scientific models.

Demonstrate an ability to undertake such software engineering giving consideration to the needs of distributed systems, mobile devices, sensor systems, and multi-core systems by using appropriate models and tools.

Show the ability to apply knowledge and measure alternative solutions to make sound design judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate these decisions and their rationale.

Demonstrate an ability to undertake the evaluation of such development with reference to current state of the art, existing products, and objective measures of quality.

Demonstrate an ability to apply and conduct research, in computer science and advanced scholarship in general, using the appropriate tools.

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of current concepts and problems in computer science research and use this to propose research questions.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research methods in computer science and use this to critically interpret existing results and test research questions.

Demonstrate the ability to present and critique such research according to normal practise in the field to a range of audiences, including engagement in peer-review.

Demonstrate expertise in a selection of areas of current interest, such as the world wide web, computer security, multimedia and adaptive systems.

Demonstrate the ability to integrate and extend this expertise to develop new solutions.

Use the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, by exercising initiative and decision making skills to solve problems in complex situations.

Use the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, by independent learning ability for continuing development.

Demonstrate the ability to conduct a substantial and original research project in this area, including the planning of this work and managing the risk associated with the uncertain outcomes of research and communicating the ideas and outcomes.

Full-time course composition

Part-time course composition