Enterprise and Distributed Systems Development MSc
ObjectivesThe aim of this programme is to develop practical skills and critical awareness in relation to the state-of-the-art in enterprise and distributed systems development (from a service-oriented perspective). At the end of the course you should be able to: * Model key aspects of distributed and enterprise systems in an integrated and logical manner. * Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of the issues relevant to distributed systems and their use in the enterprise context. * Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate means for integrating distributed and heterogeneous software systems in an enterprise context. * Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of the professional skills necessary for the effective development. * Reflect, critically and in-depth, on relevant aspects of the state-of-the art of both the practice and theory of distributed and enterprise systems development.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements To apply for the course you should normally have a good Honours degree (2.2) or foreign equivalent qualification and be motivated to develop a reflective understanding of the theory and practice of this complex and exciting subject area. A computing-related background may be advantageous to your application but is not a strict requirement. If you have alternative qualifications and/or substantial industrial experience (that is relevant to the subject area) you may be eligible to study on the course. In this case we will interview you and may ask that you do some preparatory work for the course.
Academic titleEnterprise and Distributed Systems Development MSc
Course descriptionCourse Summary
Our Master's programmes aim to equip you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment. Each course is developed with industry in mind and has one or more industrial advisers who are involved in course development and delivery. The jobs that require the knowledge and skills that you will learn on this course include those of IT consultants, systems programmers, knowledge engineers, web architects, analysts, and systems integration specialists, to name but a few!
The boundaries of organisation are increasingly blurred in the modern business environment. Business operation is 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week and the flow of data and information both within and across organisational boundaries needs to be seamless and the outcomes available to partners and customers in real time. Consequently, software systems that were once seen in isolation (e.g., on a departmental basis) are now expected to operate as part of a seamless whole – at an enterprise level.
Course Details
In brief, your studies on the course will cover:
Professional Development and Research, which aims to develop knowledge and skills to support the continuous learning and competence improvement necessary for ongoing success in commercial and academic environments. Example topics of study include learning to learn, approaches to teamwork, approaches to critical evaluation and research methods.
Business Modelling, which cultivates skills and knowledge related to business, conceptual and software modelling. Example topics of study include different paradigms for modelling (including business services, processes and objects), techniques for modelling the business domain and business behaviour, the relationship between business modelling and software modelling and the use of the Unified Modelling Language (UML).
Fundamentals of Distributed Systems, which develops knowledge and skills relating to advanced distributed systems, relevant algorithms and a variety of application related and emerging technologies. Example topics of study include distributed technologies (eg, XML, services and Grid computing) alongside issues of distribution such as synchronisation and fault tolerance.
Software Design and Architecture, which develops a critical understanding of systems design and architecture and the role that each plays in the context of information systems development and use. Example topics of study include the design process and patterns, the architectural process, patterns and styles and architectural frameworks.
Service-oriented Architecture, which examines the organisational impact of service-oriented approaches and the technologies necessary for the successful implementation of enterprise and Web services. Example topics of study include issues in creating and managing a system landscape based on services, architectural approaches to service-orientation and Web service technologies (including semantic Web services). Practical aspects of Web service implementation are examined in the context of integration via the SAP Netweaver environment.
Semantic Integration Frameworks, which aims to help you develop a critical and practical understanding of concepts, standards and frameworks supporting semantic system integration, with a particular emphasis on the Semantic Web – the Web of the future. Example topics of study include ontologies and their uses, ontology management and integration, inferencing and reasoning for and in semantic integration, as well as semantic integration standards such as RDF and OWL.
Systems Project Management, which aims to develop a critical awareness of the central issues and challenges in information systems project management. Example topics of study include traditional project management techniques and approaches, the relations between projects and business strategy, the role and assumptions underpinning traditional approaches and the ways in which the state-of-the-art can be improved.
Enterprise Software Implementation and Testing, which aims to develop the knowledge and skills related to the professional develoment of enterprise-level software. Example topics of study include n-tier software development, test-driven development and integration approaches, build and test environments, persistence approaches, performance and other non-functional aspects of development.
Dissertation
In addition, provided that you have reached an acceptable standard in the assessments and examinations, you may then undertake a dissertation. Work on a dissertation for this course will normally involve an in-depth study in the area of distributed information systems and computing (eg, a state-of-the-art review together with appropriate software development) and provides you with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in this area to future employers or as a basis for future PhD study.
Awards
A Master's degree is awarded if you reach the necessary standard on the taught part of the course and submit a dissertation of the required standard. If you do not achieve the standard required, you may be awarded either a Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate if eligible.
Teaching Methods
A variety of teaching methods are used on the programme, which include lectures, seminars, structured discussions and self-directed study guided by us. You will gain practical experience in workshops/laboratory sessions and through the use of case-study material and scenarios centred on real world problems.
Careers
Our Master's programmes aim to equip you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment. Each course is developed with industry in mind and has one or more industrial advisers who are involved in course development and delivery. The jobs that require the knowledge and skills that you will learn on this course include those of IT consultants, systems programmers, knowledge engineers, web architects, analysts, and systems integration specialists, to name but a few!