MSc (Software Design and Development)
MSc (Software Design and Development)—
Fidelity stream
HDipAppSc (Software Design and Development)
College of Engineering & Informatics
Key facts
Entry requirements
MSc: Candidates must have a minimum 2.2 honours (Level 8)
undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification).
If applicable, applicants require a GPA score of 3.0 (or equivalent
international qualification) and an IELTS score of 6 (or equivalent
international qualification).
MSc (Fidelity Stream): Students must hold a second class primary degree (Level 8),
preferably in a numerate discipline and a HETAC/NUI (or equivalent international
qualification) accredited higher/postgraduate 60 ECTS diploma in ICT. If applicable an
IELTS score of 6 or equivalent international qualification is required.
HDip: The programme is open to candidates with little or no IT experience,
who have obtained a Level 7 primary degree or equivalent. A background
in a numerate discipline is desirable. If applicable, applicants require a GPA
score of 3.0 (or equivalent international qualification) and an IELTS
score of 6.
Duration:
2 years, full-time (MSc),
1 year, part-time (MSc)Fidelity stream
1 year, full-time (HDip)
Next start date: September 2012
ECTS weighting: 60 each year
Average intake: 30 (MSc) | 15 (MSc, Fidelity stream) | 30 (HDip)
Closing date: Please refer to offer rounds/closing dates website
Course overview
The MSc (Software Design & Development) is aimed at candidates with little or no I.T. experience. It firstly provides focused training in software development techniques, tools, and essential academic foundations. Critically, it also develops students' research capabilities, and allows them to pursue a substantial research project in some aspect of computing. The programme aims to provide students with the necessary skills, conceptual frameworks, methods, technologies, and hands-on experience of software development, as a basis for a career in the I.T. industry. Students will also acquire specialised knowledge of specific I.T. topics and develop advanced research and development skills.
MSc (Fidelity stream): the Discipline of Information Technology offer a Masters in Software Design & Development comprising an initial taught year and a subsequent research year (PAC code GYE03). However, this programme differs from the MSc (PAC code GYE03) in that students register for the second research year having already completed a HETAC/NUI (or equivalent) higher/postgraduate diploma that is equivalent to the 1st taught year. It may be necessary to take some qualifiers prior to entry such as a research methods module.The research year culminates in the delivery of a thesis. Final MSc mark is determined by 2nd year result only. This programme is in line with the University Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning in that it recognises prior academic qualifications.
The Higher Diploma in Software Design and Development is aimed at candidates with little or no I.T. experience. It provides focused and intensive training in software design and development techniques, tools and essential academic foundations. The programme requires students to pursue a substantial software design and development project and also develops students' research capabilities.
Course outline
MSc: this full-time programme runs over two academic years. The first year follows the normal academic cycle of two semesters, with examinations at the end of each semester. This period consists of intensive lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, as well as group and individual software projects. Time will also be spent in developing research interests, which will become the focus for the second year. In second year, students carry out research and development in a specific area under the supervision of a staff member. The degree culminates with the submission of an academic thesis detailing the research work completed.
MSc (Fidelitystream):
This course is research-based only and begins with an eight week qualifier module
(e.g., an online-taught module in research methodologies) prior to start of the academic
year. This module enables students to identify a research strategy, a research topic
and an academic supervisor. Students then pursue their research project over one
academic year, during which they complete a body of work equivalent to 800 hours of
academic studies. Students can re-register for the following academic year, if they are
not able to complete their thesis within one year.
HDip: this full-time programme runs from September to May and follows the normal academic cycle of two semesters, with examinations at the end of each semester. The programme consists of intensive lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, as well as group and individual software projects. Time will also be spent developing research interests to facilitate students that fulfill certain requirements to transfer to the MSc (Software Design and Development).
The programme includes such modules as:
• Databases
• Software Engineering
• Programming in C
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Internet Programming
• Computer Architecture and Operating Systems
• Computer Networks
• Research Methods
Applications and selections
Who teaches this course?
Dr. Hugh Melvin
Dr. Michael Schukat
Requirements and assessment
Semester One exams: December
Semester Two exams: April/May
A range of assessment methods are integrated and assessed throughout the programme. These include essays, projects, reports, presentations and case studies. Year Two culminates with the submission of a dissertation.
MSc (Fidelitystream):
While students have to pass the qualifier module before they can continue with
their research, the overall assessment is solely based on their submitted dissertation.
Find out more
Full programme description on the following web-site:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/information_technology/pgrad.html
Dr. Michael Schukat
T +353 91 492 031
F +353 91 494 501
E michael.schukat@nuigalway.ie
Dr. Hugh Melvin
T +353 91 49 3716
E hugh.melvin@nuigalway.ie
Information Technology Web site.
PAC code
GYE03, MSc
GYE15, MSc (Fidelity stream)
GYE12, HDip
Fees for this course
Current students
Deborah Kelly
HDip
"I transferred from my primary degree in Multimedia to the HDip in Software Design and Development as I wanted to improve upon my computer-language programming skills. The HDip allows for experience in many of these languages, with extra help in the form of handouts, lab sessions and excellent library facilities. Every lecturer I encountered during my time on the course was extremely approachable and were always able to make time to converse with me about any area in which I may be having difficulty. Working with a group during the required year long project helped me to hone my team-working skills and get to know my classmates better. In personal experience, I feel the greatest asset to me was the research module, which when I moved to perusing the second year and the Masters in Software Design and Development, was certainly a desirable benefit."
Past students
Liam Treacy
MSc
"I'm currently undertaking a Masters project developing an integrated development environment for Adaptive Optics, working in the Applied Optics group in NUIG. The H. Dip. provided me with both the technical and soft skills needed to undertake this project. It provided a solid grounding for furthering my study in the area of software design."
