About Software Engineering, MSc - at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)
This MSc course focuses on dependability, and specialises in advanced theoretical and practical techniques in program design and the management of software project risks.
The role of software is increasingly important in our everyday lives and the management of the accompanying risks is increasingly crucial, especially for business or safety critical systems, where failure can be profound.
This course gives you the necessary postgraduate training in software engineering with a focus on dependability, aspects of which include security, specification, risk management, usability and design integrity. You will learn advanced techniques in program design (including software patterns and component technologies) and information handling (structured information, databases). You will study key issues of interactive system design, leading to the ability to identify issues and trade-offs in the design of human computer interaction, and to invent and evaluate alternative solutions to design problems. You will gain knowledge in the mathematical foundations of software and the practical application of these techniques. You will develop skills to manage software project risks and learn about tools to support decision-making. You will also gain essential team and research skills.
Course contentCore modules:Advanced Program Design (in Java)
Interactive Systems Design
Research Methods (double module)
MSc Project.
and either or both:
Software Risk Assessment
Specification and Verification
Study options include:Advanced Database SP Systems and Technologies
Distributed Systems and Security
Entrepreneurship in Information Technology
Foundations of Information Retrieval
XML and Structured Information.
Career opportunitiesThe course is intended to enable you to become competitive in the most technically oriented branch of software engineering, leading to positions such as software architect. Successful graduates may also enter into further research study for which the course also provides preparation. Typical jobs after graduation could
include software risk analyst, system designer, software quality assurance, software engineer, programmer, or systems analyst.
Entry requirementsIf you are applying for one of our advanced Masters programmes, you should normally possess (or shortly expect to obtain) a good Honours degree (minimum 2.1) with a substantial computer science component (at
least half) or equivalent industrial experience. You should also have good programming skills for undertaking the practical elements of the course.
For our conversion MSc Computing and Information Systems programme, you will need to hold a first degree in a subject not related to computer science, or a degree with less than 50 per cent of the modules in computer science subjects. We require a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree classification, and we normally look for a Grade Point Average (GPA) of greater than 3.2. We also need evidence of mathematical ability equivalent to UK GCSE grade B.
For our MSc Bioinformatics programme, you must hold a good first degree with a minimum 2.1 classification. There are two entry routes:
You may have a first degree in biological sciences (including a strong component of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry or similar discipline). Some exposure to programming is useful; alternatively you should be able to show some mathematical aptitude.
You may have a first degree in mathematics, a physical science or computer science. You should be a capable programmer.
For the MSc stream of our MSc/MA Digital Performance course, a 2.1 class honours degree with a significant programming component will be required. For the MA stream a 2.1 class honours degree in
Drama/Performance or a cognate discipline will be required.
For overseas students we also require English language qualifications IELTS 6.5, TOEFL (CBT) 237 or TOEFL (written test) 575.
