Computing and Information Technology (Taught)

The MSc in Computing and Information Technology develops students' critical understanding of the issues associated with using computing systems and their impact on business processes and project management. It also gives students without prior programming experience the opportunity to gain programming skills in a modern software development environment.

Compulsory modules:

1. masters programming projects

and choose one of the following:

2. object-oriented modelling, design and programming
3. programming principles and practice

Optional modules:
Students choose six of the following optional modules (up to two of these may be taken from the 'Additional optional' list).

Not all combinations of modules will be available for all programmes, and some modules are subject to pre-requisites being satisfied.

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

Artificial Intelligence Practice
Artificial Intelligence Principles
Critical Systems Engineering
Data Ethics and Privacy
Data-Intensive Systems
Human Computer Interaction Principles and Methods
Information Visualisation
Interactive Software and Hardware
Knowledge Discovery and Datamining
Language and Computation
Machine Learning
Principles of Computer Communication Systems
Software Architecture
Software Engineering Practice
Software Engineering Principles
User-Centred Interaction Design

Additional optional modules:

Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
Computer Architecture
Computer Graphics
Computer Security
Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
Constraint Programming
Distributed Systems
Logic and Software Verification
Programming Language Design and Implementation
Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
Video Games

Dissertation project:

During the second semester, students work with staff to define and agree upon a topic for the extended project, which they will work on during the final three months of the course. The project finishes in a 15,000-word dissertation. Dissertation projects may be group-based or completed individually (students are assessed individually in either case).

Most modules are assessed through practical coursework exercises and examinations.

All students will be required to complete a Post Entry Language Assessment (PELA) on arrival at the University of St Andrews. Based on their performance in this assessment, students will be advised to attend targeted support sessions during the year to improve language and academic skills.

This assessment is required, but will not count towards the final degree classification.