L J M U Distance Learning M Sc Brochure

Distance Learning MSc Courses in Computing Liverpool John Moores University, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Programme Brochure

There are three routes to our award of MSc in Computing, which enables the student to specialise in:

Computing and ICT Network Security Information Systems

or visit us online:

for more information about Liverpool John Moores University, Distance Learning MSc contact programme leader Dr Dhiya Al-Jumeily: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0) 151 231 2578

deputy programme leader Ms Janet Lunn: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)151 231 2128

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Liverpool John Moores University School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Brochure List of Contents

A New Flexible Route to a Postgraduate Qualification in Computing 1

Qualification 1

The Awarding Body 1

Course Description 1

Course Content 2

Methods of Study 3

Assessment 4

Duration of the Programme 4

Fast Tack (2 Years) 4

Standard (3 Years) 4

Moderate (4 Years) 4

Fees 5

Entry Requirements 5

English Language Requirements 5

Enrolment Dates 5

Application Process 5

Contact Information 5

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A New Flexible Route to a Postgraduate Qualification in Computing Whether working within a busy sector in Information

Technology or seeking to gain qualifications to enhance

career prospects in the industry, it is becoming increasingly

difficult to keep up to date with current trends or put aside

set time for study. The idea of gaining a valuable

qualification to enhance your present expertise and provide

new skills is little more than a dream. Now, however, it is

possible to plan for a brighter, more fulfilling future career

at a pace that suits your lifestyle.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Computing from Liverpool

John Moores University School of Computing and

Mathematical Sciences is available via a newly developed

distance learning package based on a Virtual Learning

Environment. You can achieve a postgraduate degree by

studying at a time and pace that is set by yourself, whilst

benefiting from the help and support of a skilled and

knowledgeable teaching staff.

The University, as a whole, and the School of Computing

and Mathematical Sciences, in particular, have many formal

and informal contacts with industry and commerce, through

both joint projects and various partnerships. This course is

based on the communicated needs of industry in seeking to

provide the student with the analytical skills, up to date

knowledge and practical expertise demanded by employers

of their computing professionals.

The qualification of MSc in Computing from Liverpool John

Moores University provides highly regarded evidence of the

expertise and attitude required to progress in a computing

career. In addition to tailoring the course to specific

learning and life styles, it is also possible to structure the

choice of modules towards your own personal interests or

specialisations. In this way a whole range of careers,

throughout IT, become available to students achieving the

MSc in computing. Further study towards gaining a PhD

through research may be an option or the modules can be

selected for employment in software and/or computer

systems engineering. Specialising in security and security

evaluation can lead to jobs in secure network/middleware

development.

A more commercial/business approach allows the student

to acquire the skills necessary for a career as a business

analyst or to move into information system development

and management.

Qualification Students successfully completing the combination of core

(compulsory) and optional modules together with the

project dissertation will be awarded with the MSc in

Computing, Computing with Network Security or

Computing with Information Systems depending on the

combination of optional modules chosen. Students only

wishing to complete the combination of core and optional

modules will be awarded the postgraduate diploma in

Computing. Successful completion of the four core

modules will lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate

in Computing.

The Awarding Body This MSc in Computing is awarded by Liverpool John

Moores University in the U.K. The University is one of

the biggest in the U.K. forming part of a new generation of

universities with very strong business, commercial and

industrial links.

Course Description The course is designed to initially provide a highly relevant

understanding of, the latest developments and concepts

within IT, computing and business processes through the

four core (compulsory) modules. The choice of four

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optional modules then allows the student to tailor their

MSc to their own interests or areas of specialisation. The

choice of project allows the student further specialisation

to investigate and report on, through the associated

dissertation, an area of particular interest. For this the

student will choose a member of staff, with similar research

interests, to be their project supervisor.

There are three general specialisations within the MSc

leading to the award of an MSc in Computing, an MSc in

Computing with Network Security or an MSc in Computing

with Information Systems.

Varying the choice of modules gives the student freedom to

gain knowledge and understanding in whatever subjects

within computing and information systems that are relevant

to them. Each module completed successfully gains the

student 15 credits.

The project dissertation is worth 60 credits on successful

completion. The MSc is awarded on the basis of 180 credits

being achieved by the student. That is completion of eight

modules (four core and four options) and the project

dissertation. The main feature for the awarding of a

Masters degree is the preparation of a research project

dissertation. The student is offered strong support and

advice towards their choice of project.

However, in completing their project, the student is

expected to exhibit a high degree of independent study and

research with the project supervisor in the role of

academic advisor and ultimately assessor of the project.

Course Content The course is based around a strong core of compulsory

modules designed to give the student a wide grounding in

the technical aspects of computing with the core modules

of:

• Database Systems: A comprehensive course in

the theory and practice of database design,

implementation and technology.

• Computer Networks: An in-depth treatment of

modern network technology and management.

Essential for understanding the distributed

computing environments that are becoming

evermore prevalent.

• Software Engineering Technology: A critical

examination of the software development process

cycle. This includes the use of support tools,

techniques and methodologies in the specification,

design, implementation and management of software

systems.

The final core module is included to provide the student

with the necessary tools and techniques to carry out

effective research:

• Research Methods: Designed to provide an

understanding of the nature of different methods

of research and best practice in planning and

presentation.

The optional modules are chosen to provide a degree of

specialisation. In particular for the MSc. in computing

(Information Systems) the four options would be chosen

from:

• Software Development Java: Using object

orientation implemented in java for software

design and development.

• Human Computer Interaction: How to design

and implement interfaces between the computing

system and its users.

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• Business Systems: Analysis and Design:

Systems thinking and modelling providing a

comprehension of the nature and necessary

composition of systems for business.

• Entrepreneurship and E-business: Modern

practices in business, looking at the latest

business models with respect to computing

technology.

• Geographic Information Systems and

Science: The impact of the latest computing

technology providing services related to

geographic positioning.

Alternatively for the MSc in Computing with Network

Security, the four option modules would be:

• Computer Security: The latest techniques in

cryptography and in keeping computer systems

and data secure.

• Network Security: The issues involved with

securing a network against malicious and

accidental attacks and threats.

• Software Development Java: Using object

orientation implemented in java for software

design and development.

• Human Computer Interaction: How to

design and implement interfaces between the

computing system and its users.

For the MSc in Computing any four of the option modules

stated above may be chosen to match the individual

student’s requirements.

The final component of the MSc is the project and

associated dissertation. The project is chosen by the

student in consultation with staff members who can help

and advise in the choice. A single staff member is chosen as

the project supervisor and the student is encouraged to

work independently to produce a researched dissertation

detailing the results of their project.

Methods of Study

The main access point to all the materials and resources

required for study is the Virtual Learning Environment.

This replaces the traditional lecture theatre and seminar

rooms normally used for delivering the taught modules of

the MSc.

In the Virtual Learning Environment lectures are delivered

via slides with added multimedia content to illustrate and

explain the subject material. Audio and video are used

together with extensive background notes written by the

lecturers. Each module is usually based around a course of

eleven 3 hour blocks of study. Additionally the Virtual

Learning Environment enables students access to

participate in online seminars, receive notices/technical

advice and ask questions regarding the programme’s

administration.

The Virtual Learning Environment is accessed through a

standard web-browser over the internet enabling the

facilities and content to be available to the student from

any location with an online connection. Access to the VLE

is authorised via the username and password received by

students upon enrolment on a distance learning

programme. Students registered on the course, will also

receive a set of CD-ROMs enabling them to access the

course resources offline.

Students have complete flexibility to effectively manage

their programme of personal study using the facilities, such

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as an online calendar and task management system. Using

the services contained within the Virtual Learning

Environment students gain all the benefits of a

lecture/tutorial based teaching approach with the additional

emphasis of extra explanatory material and easy access to

personal help and support from the academic and

administrative staff.

In short the method of study is totally controlled by the

student. Learning can take place at a time, place and pace

that suit the individual student.

Assessment The students’ understanding of each subject module is

assessed either by a single examination, a number of

assignments through the course of the module or a

combination of coursework assignments and an

examination. The exact choice depends on the type of

module and the learning outcomes required. The

assignments generally take the form of mini-projects

requiring the student to produce a research report,

perform and document a systems’ analysis or undertake

some system development. The resultant electronic files

are sent to the course coordinators for assessment on or

before a date given when the coursework is assigned.

Examinations test the knowledge and understanding that

the student has gained from the module. In the UK

examinations take place at Liverpool John Moores

University. Additionally there are examination centres in

many countries around the world located with the British

Council. Details of a centre in your country can be found at

http://onlinemasters.ljmu.ac.uk/. No

additional charges, on top of the course fees, are payable,

by the student, for the use of these centres.

The final assessment is made on the student’s project

dissertation. This is the major piece of work that results

from the MSc and comprises an independently studied and

researched project. The dissertation gives full details of the

project and details the student’s results and findings. The

project tutor will provide a great deal of advice and help in

assisting the student to select the project and the project

supervisor will be on hand throughout to offer support and

general advice on standards and presentation. The project

supervisor is responsible for arranging the assessment of

the finished project dissertation.

Duration of the Programme The programme is designed to allow the student to fully

personalise the gaining of the MSc qualification to their

own circumstances. Thus, once registered on the

programme, there is no set order or time for completing

the modules. Most situations ought to permit completion

within 2 to 4 years, with most students gaining the award

in 3 years. The following table gives some typical routes:

Fast Tack (2 Years)

1st Year Modules – 3 core and 2 optional

2nd Year Modules – 1 core, 2 optional and Project

Standard (3 Years)


2nd Year Modules – 2 core and 2 optional

3rd Year Modules – Project

Moderate (4 Years)


2nd Year Modules – 2 core and 1 optional

3rd Year Modules – 2 optional and Project

4th Year Modules – Project

However the student is free to devise any route through

the modules that fits their requirements. In most cases it is

preferable to start on the core modules and select option

modules based on experience. Once all the taught core and

option modules have been completed the student will have

an excellent understanding of the many and varied subject

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areas in information technology and computing. From these

studies the student is then in the best position to select a

topic for the project, in consultation with the academic

staff.

Fees

The credits available to be earned determine the cost of

the programme. Consult the programme web site

(http://onlinemasters.ljmu.ac.uk/) for more

information.

Entry Requirements As this is a postgraduate degree entrants for the MSc

programme are expected to hold a degree level

qualification from a UK university or equivalent. This

degree should to be in Computing or a computing related

subject, including degrees with a fair proportion of

computing studies. However other qualifications are

acceptable, such as a degree equivalent professional

accreditation. In addition evidence of extensive professional

experience together with a DipHE or HND in computing

or equivalent will be sufficient criteria for consideration.

Other non-standard entry qualifications will receive

appraisal for admission from the Programme team and

admissions tutor or the School of Computing and

Mathematical Sciences Accreditation committee, as

appropriate.

English Language Requirements

Students educated outside the UK must provide evidence

that they have sufficient command of both spoken and

written English, before they can be admitted to their

chosen course.

Acceptable evidence includes:

• GCSE/O Level English Language at grade C or above

• an overall score of 6.5 in the British Council IELTS test

• a score of 575-600 in TOEFL, including a satisfactory mark in the Test of Written English (TWE)

Enrolment Dates There are two starting points for the programme in the

year; either a January start or a September start. Prior

to these dates, at the start of your programme and

thereafter in each subsequent year, you will be sent

enrolment forms to be completed and posted back to the

University together with 2 passport-sized photographs.

Applications to be considered for a place on the

programme, for either start date, are welcome at any time

throughout the calendar year. Once you have offered a

place on the course by the University you will be enrolled

as a student and be issued with a University card.

Application Process All necessary forms are available from the programme

website (http://onlinemasters.ljmu.ac.uk/).

These can be downloaded and returned by post to the

University or some may be completed online. Both an

application form and a confidential reference form, to be

filled in by a referee, will need to be completed and

returned to the programme administration officer together

with all documentary evidence of relevant academic

qualifications and competency in the English language.

Contact Information

Any further advice or information relating to any aspect of

the LJMU Distance Learning programme from the School

of Computing & Mathematical Sciences may be obtained

using the details below:

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Programme Contact Details

Course Leader

Dr. Dhiya Al-Jumeily

E-Mail: [email protected]

Tel: (+044) 0151 231 2578

Deputy Course Leader

Ms Janet Lunn


Tel: (+044) 0151 231 2128

Project Tutor

Dr. Abir Hussain


Tel: (+044) 0151 231 2458

Online MSc Programme Administrator

Mr Mark Vicary


Tel: (+044) 0151 231 2569

Postal Address

School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences

Liverpool John Moores University

Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK

Tel: (+44) 0151 231 2105

Fax: (+44) 0151 207 4594


Copyright © 2007 Liverpool John Moores University. All rights reserved.

School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences Liverpool John Moores University

Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK

Education

L J M U Distance Learning M Sc Brochure