MSc in Computer Science: Future Network Systems

Key points

  • Work permit while you study

  • Post Graduation Work Permit for 24 months

  • Starting dates: September

  • Duration: 1 year

  • Level 9 Qualification

  • Type: Full Time

  • Hours: Daytime

  • Enrollment Fee: From € 24,938 / year

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The new Master of Science in Computer Science has a common set of entry criteria and leads to a Master of Computer Science, specializing in one of four exciting areas: Data Science, Intelligent Systems, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and Future Networked Systems. The course is designed and taught by staff who are leading experts in their fields and the course content is inspired by their cutting-edge work as well as their contacts with leading industry researchers around the world.

The Future Networked Systems branch is about how things get smart and connected as software systems are increasingly integrated into our everyday environments, from mobile social media to managing city resources, such as the road traffic. Dealing with large-scale, cyber-physical and distributed systems requires novel approaches that address the challenges of timeliness, security, privacy, and scale. The chapter builds on research activity within the CONNECT national research center and a long history of innovation and start-ups at the school.

The course is taught over a full calendar year, with two 12-week semesters of face-to-face modules, which include attendance at labs and lectures, followed by research work during the remaining summer months for the master’s dissertation.

Program structure

During this period, students acquire the necessary skills in a series of common core modules. These include:

  • Research methods (to allow students to produce their own thesis)
  • Innovation (to equip students with skills in company formation or innovate within a large company)
  • Machine learning (a fundamental technique for each of the specializations).

In addition, students will start with specialized modules in the chosen branch.

  • The Urban Computing module will explore techniques for collecting urban data, managing that data, visualization and alerts, and involves the development of a complete smart city application.
  • The Next Generation Networks module explores future trends in fixed and wireless communications networks, including next generation access, LTE, and software-defined network technologies.
  • Scalable Computing looks at how applications and workloads can be served by warehouse-scale computing facilities. The module will explore cloud architectures, resource management, and security considerations.
  • The Advanced Software Engineering module, which will run during both semesters, will explore the methods and techniques involved in large-scale software development encompassing Agile and eXtreme Programming (XP), test-based development, and Refactoring.

Students begin foundational work on their dissertation and dive into more specialized modules in their chosen branch. These include:

  • Internet of Things, where we explore the technology underlying this burgeoning area, including middleware, service discovery and composition, and sensor and network virtualization. Hands-on exercises guide you through the design, implementation, and deployment of an end-to-end IoT application.
  • The Security and Privacy module will complement other modules that cover topics such as Authentication, Digital Rights Management Cloud Security and user privacy. Distributed systems address concurrency, distributed transaction science, web services, and advanced application frameworks.

In addition, students choose three additional electives (one in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2) from a group of modules offered in the other branches of the program.

It will focus exclusively on the Dissertations, conducting experimental work, building prototypes and writing the work. By April, students will have chosen a dissertation topic, chosen and consulted with their chosen supervisor and will be ready to spend substantial time researching and prototyping their work. We expect the best projects to deliver quality publishable articles during this period. Throughout the year, all projects will be shown to an industry audience comprised of indigenous, small and medium employers and multinational companies.

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor of Computer Science or strongly related discipline. Notes and title must be officially translated into English.
  • A standard of proficiency in the English language that will allow full participation in course work, class work, and other activities; this means an IELTS level of 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0.
  • The candidate must be able to be fully proficient in programming in C, C ++ or Java [for graphics and vision technologies, must have or acquire proficiency in C ++].
  • The student must have a strong work ethic and the determination to commit strongly to this program. This means, for example, that it will be extremely difficult to take the course while maintaining a part-time job.

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    MSc in Computer Science: Future Network Systems