Management of Information Technology (MSc) – (M.Sc.)

Course Content

During semester one, you will take a compulsory module in:

* Issues in Human Factors

Students must also take the following compulsory modules:

* Introduction in Computer Programming
* Database Systems
* Unix Environments and Administration
* Introduction to Network Communications

With the Course Director´s approval, students who can demonstrate a sufficient level of previous knowledge of programming may substitute credits from relevant modules in:

* Quantitative Methods for Finance
* Algorithm Design and Operations Research
* Advanced Data Structures

You will then have the option to take one or two of the following elective modules - however, you may choose not to take any optional modules during semester one:

* Computer Security
* Internet and Web Services

During semester two, you will study core modules in:

* Management of Information Technology
* Software Project Management

In addition, you will choose 20 or 30 credits (depending on the number of credits studied during the first semester) from the following optional modules:

* User Interface Design
* New Media Design
* High-Level Languages
* Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
* Introduction to Vision and Graphics
* Human-Computer Systems

Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will undertake a research project related to the Management of Information Technology. This module involves conducting a piece of practical research. This research will be of some depth, and carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Where appropriate, projects may also be conducted in conjunction with an external organisation.

Course Structure
The MSc in the Management of Information Technology is offered on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two to four years.

The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits´ worth of compulsory and optional modules and a 60-credit research project.

During the semesters, the course is taught by lectures, practical sessions and various other methods of teaching.

During the summer period, you will conduct an independent research project under the supervision of academic staff.

The first semester of this course is common with the MSc in Information Technology, allowing for the possibility of transferring on to that degree stream in February if you (and the Course Directors) deem it to be more appropriate.

Modules
Human-Computer SystemsIntroduction to Human Computer Interaction, User interface design, Evaluation of computer interfaces, HCI design: user needs, methods and models, The world wide web and hypertext, Virtual Reality, wearables and the "disappearing computer", Computers in context, Computers and collaboration, Natural language and speech interfaces, HCI in practice, advanced display systems.Issues in Human FactorsThis module provides a broad overview of the field of Human Factors, an applied scientific discipline which aims to understand peoples' interactions with technology, and to apply this knowledge in the design of 'usable' products. The focus of the course will be on issues specific to interactive devices such as computers. General topics covered will include the methods and importance of Human Factors, key human sensory, cognitive and physical characteristics, and the practical application of Human Factors knowledge.Introduction to Computer ProgrammingA comprehensive overview of the principles of programming will be provided including such concepts as procedural logic, variables, flow control, input and output and the analysis and design of programs.Instruction will be provided in the Java programming language. Foundations of Artificial IntelligenceThis course gives a broad overview of the fundamental theories and techniques of Artificial Intelligence. Topics covered in the lectures include problem-solving using search; machine learning; neural networks and Genetic Algorithms.Management of ITSuccessful introduction of information technology depends, to a large extent, on how it meets the requirements of the business and functional activities of the organisation. This includes not only planning for hardware and software, but also a whole range of other management issues, such as dealing with change, meeting corporate goals, and responding to economic and human issues and constraints. This module develops and improves the knowledge and skills required to successfully plan and manage IT departments.. Topics to be covered include the structure and operation of a company, principles of IT management, hardware and software needs, decision support systems, customer relations management systems, management of software development schemes, procurement procedures, legal and security issues, . The course will use the practical development and evolution of a theoretical manufacturing company to highlight the topics covered.New Media DesignThis module introduces the basic concepts of multimedia including the hardware and software requirements. Graphics, colour, sound, animation and video will be discussed along with internet and its impact on business and society in general.There will also be hands on experience using an authoring tool. High-level LanguagesThis module introduces students to the basics of high level languages which are popular in the business sector and gives a broad perspective of the high level languages available to perform a variety of tasks encountered within the IT industry. Students are given a practical exposure to some of the the more commonly-used languages. User Interface DesignUsability is widely recognised as critical to the success of interactive products or systems. This module considers the lifecycle of computing applications and describes how to adopt a human-centred approach to design. The main topics covered are: context of use; methods for capturing users requirements; interface design (input/output devices, interaction styles, user support, etc.); use of prototyping in the design process; methods for evaluation of the user interface. Database SystemsThe module starts with the key points that characterise the database approach. These include database architecture and data modeling. The emphasis of the module lies in the relational database model, the structured database query language (SQL), and the normalisation process for database design. Other issues covered include database concurrency operations, integrity, security, and writing database applications. Throughout the module students are given instruction in the use of the ACCESS database management system. Software Project ManagementThis course considers the activities which are required, and the tools which are available, to manage commercial software development projects. Systems analysis is presented as a way of gathering and structuring information such that the required specification corresponds closely to the users' requirements. Systems design is then presented as a technique for transforming the specification to a form in which it can be implemented. Real case studies will be used to illustrate many of the tools and techniques introduced.Introduction to Network CommunicationsThis module provides a basic introduction to the subject of network communications in computing. It provides an overview of the underlying technologies including data transmission techniques, and covers Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, the Internet and network applications. Particular attention is paid to the Internet environment and the TCP/IP protocols. Project in the Management of Information TechnologyThis module involves conducting a piece of empirical, programming or library research in some depth under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Where appropriate, projects may also be conducted in conjunction with an external organisation,Introduction to Vision and GraphicsThis module gives an introduction to the fields of computer vision and computer graphics. These two fields have much in common, both being involved with the process of converting between models and images. In computer vision we examine the problem of making models from images, while computer graphics aims to make realistic images from models. Topics covered include: * The human visual system, vision systems, and the graphics pipeline
* Image representation in computer systems
* Drawing primitives for 2D images
* Transformations and filtering of images
* Colour models
* Camera models and 3D transformations

Quantitative Methods for FinanceThis module considers how financial calculations may be carried out using a mathematics application such as Maple. The following topics will be covered:
Using Maple; Variables and functions; Equations; Sets, lists and sequences; Displaying graphics; Matrices and vectors; Statistical functions; Curve fitting, random numbers. The theoretical basis of the following will be taught elsewhere in the course, but a summary handout will be provided on each topic. This module will focus on the construction of mathematical models to represent the relevant formulae and the presentation of results. Introductory statistics; Yields and returns; Time series and their statistical properties; Graphical representation of results, Moving averages, ranges and bands; Asset Allocation and Calculation of present and future value; Portfolio Optimization; Risk Analysis; The capital asset pricing model; Equilibrium valuation models; Option valuation (Black-Scholes formula).Algorithm Design and Operations ResearchThis course exploits formal mathematical reasoning in the design of reliable computer algorithms. The principles of program verification and their relationship to mathematical proof principles are applied to a variety of programming problems.
Fundamental techniques and algorithms for tackling optimisation and scheduling problems from a range of commercial and service sectors are discussed. The module presents the latest approaches and algorithms from Operational Research and Artificial Intelligence.Unix Environments and AdministrationIntroduction to the UNIX environment: types of shell, useful commands, file system navigation, environment variables. Unix I/0 and file processing: pipes, redirections, pattern matching. Emacs, vi, sed and awk. Basic UNIX utilities; their role in system administration and where to find them in the file system. Processes and how to schedule them, including utilities such as cron. Unix shells and scripting languages. A detailed introduction to shell scripting. General housekeeping and issues related to security in the UNIX environment.Computer SecurityThe module covers the following topics: Security of the computer; security of networks; security and the Internet; software and hardware security; mobile security; basic cryptography.
Internet and Web ServicesThe module provides an overview of more advanced Web architectures and technologies. In particular it will cover the development of web services through the use of standards such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI and consider how web services can be used to implement a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). The module will also provide an introduction to the Semantic Web.
Advanced Data StructuresEfficiency of algorithms. Worst-case, best-case and average-case analyses. Big-Oh notation. Recurrence relations and other supporting mathematics. Review of standard data structures (lists, ordered binary trees, etc.) Advanced data structures (selection from red-black trees, 2-3 trees etc.) Pointer manipulation. Amortized computations. Use of software libraries.