Postgraduate Prospectus 2013 - Swansea University

Computer Science
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Entry requirements
MRes: normally a 2.1 degree in Computer
Science, Mathematics, or a closely related
discipline.
MSc in Advanced Computer Science (all
pathways); MSc Modelling, Uncertainty
and Data: a 2.2 Honours degree (or
above) in Computer Science or other
relevant discipline.
MSc in Computer Science: a 2.2 Honours
degree (or above) not in Computer
Science.
Computer Science affects every aspect of
our lives, placing increasing demands on
education, business, and industry to
ensure that the workforce of the future is
equipped with the skills necessary to
thrive in the Digital Age. Computer
Science at Swansea is at the heart of the
technological innovation that is redefining
the way we live, learn, and work.
Facilities
The Department is well equipped for
teaching, and is continually upgrading
its laboratories to ensure equipment is
up-to-date – equipment is never more than
three years old, and rarely more than two.
Currently, students use three fully
networked laboratories: one, running
Windows; another running Linux; and a
project laboratory, containing specialised
equipment. These laboratories support a
wide range of software, including the
programming languages Java, C# and
the .net framework, C, C++, Haskell
and Prolog among many; integrated
programme development environments
such as Visual Studio and Netbeans; the
widely-used Microsoft Office package;
web access tools; and many special
purpose software tools including graphical
rendering and image manipulation tools;
expert system production tools; concurrent
system modelling tools; World Wide Web
authoring tools; and databases.
English Language requirement:
IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each
component) or Swansea University
recognised equivalent.
Candidates with substantial relevant
experience are also encouraged to apply.
Assessment
The taught Master’s and MRes degrees
are assessed through a combination of
examinations, coursework and a
dissertation or research project.
These degrees will:
• equip you with skills relevant for a
rewarding career in a range of diverse
fields, including hi-tech companies and
the public sector
• provide an elite education of direct
relevance to research and development
problems in the Information and
Communication Technology sector
• help you to gain transferable skills,
including team working, communication,
presentation, and analytical skills
• prepare you for a research degree
MSc/Diploma/Certificate
Computer Science
This generalist MSc is intended for
graduates from disciplines other than
Computer Science, who wish to pursue a
career in the Computing/IT industry. The
programme is intensive, and starts with an
assumption of no prior knowledge beyond
basic IT skills and GCSE-equivalent
Mathematics.
MSc/Diploma/Certificate
Advanced Computer Science
This flexible programme allows students
to specialise in a range of different areas.
Currently the specialised pathways
include:
• Software Technology
• Human Computer Interaction
Scholarships and Bursaries
A range of postgraduate scholarships and
bursaries is available. For details, please
visit: www.swansea.ac.uk/scholarships/
Postgraduate
How can I find out more?
Visit our website:
www.swansea.ac.uk/compsci
Contact the Postgraduate
Recruitment Officer:
Tel: +44 (0)1792 295142
• Visual Computing
• Safe and Secure Systems
Students will be awarded an MSc
in Advanced Computer Science
with chosen specialism. It will also
be possible to study for an MSc in
Advanced Computer Science without
choosing a particular specialism.
MSc Modelling, Uncertainty and Data
This MSc programme is offered jointly by
the Departments of Computer Science,
Mathematics and Physics. It provides a
structured introduction to several modern
modelling approaches, focusing on
techniques and strategies best suited to
physical systems displaying uncertainty,
that require High Performance Computing,
or that generate large data sets. The
resulting portfolio of cross-cutting
techniques covering both theory and
applications will enable the graduate to
acquire a broad range of the skills needed
for the study of (interdisciplinary) problems
in the physical, information and
environmental sciences. The admissions
process is coordinated by the Mathematics
Department – see page 72.
MRes Visual Computing
An MRes is ideal preparation for following
a career of research or specialism within
the area of study. In particular the MRes in
Contact the Admissions Tutor:
MSc/Diploma/Certificate Advanced
Computer Science and MSc/Diploma/
Certificate Computer Science
Dr J A Sharp
Email: j.a.sharp@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 295560
Dr A G Setzer
Email: a.g.setzer@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 513368
MRes Visual Computing
Dr X Xie
Email: x.xie@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 602916
Visual Computing seeks to prepare
graduates for further research in the areas
of Computer Graphics, Computer Vision,
Medical Imaging, and Scientific
Visualisation.
We seek strongly motivated students who
are able to carry out substantial individual
study. Such students are likely to want to
control their own time, carry out curiosity
driven research to an advanced level,
and follow self-study material in
advanced topics.
Students will decide upon their topic of
research in discussion with their supervisor
in an exciting and recent area of Visual
Computing. In collaboration with their
supervisor the student will evaluate current
research and carry their own research
programme based on the contribution
they will make.
The research programme is supported
by taught courses covering useful literature
and skills. Taught modules include
Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition,
Data Visualisation, Graphics Processor
Programming, and State-of-the-Art Visual
Computing.
MRes Logic and Computation
Logic is about what we can express,
compute and reason. In the twentieth
century, formal logic developed into one
MRes/MSc/Diploma/Certificate
Computing and Future
Interaction Technologies (FIT)
Professor M Jones
Email: matt.jones@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 295259
MRes Logic and Computation
Dr A G Setzer
Email: a.g.setzer@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 513368
MSc Modelling, Uncertainty and Data
Dr I M Davies
Email: i.m.davies @swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)1792 602760
of the great intellectual disciplines, having
a profound influence in philosophy,
linguistics, mathematics, computer
science, and electronics. In computing,
throughout the century, logic has been the
primary source of ideas and techniques
for the theoretical and practical
development of programming. Today, as
the scope of programming technology
expands, and the horizon of users’
applications widens, research in logic
and its applications in software and
hardware development is thriving.
Taught modules include Critical Systems,
Concepts of Programming Languages, IT
Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Design
Patterns and Generic Programming.
MRes Computing and Future
Interaction Technologies (FIT)
The FIT MRes is designed for students who
wish to learn and practise the science
underlying new interaction technologies.
After undertaking a FIT MRes programme,
students will be able to demonstrate:
• understanding and knowledge of
fundamental technical concepts, and
current ideas concerning future
interaction technologies, mobile
technologies, appliance design,
web-based and security-related
interaction
Visit the University:
see page 174 for details
Applications can be made online at:
www.swansea.ac.uk/applyonline
– see pages 176 – 177 for further
information
For details of the research degrees
available in Computer Science, please
see page 102.
• understanding and knowledge of
usability issues including interface
design, user cognition, testing, and
evaluation
• a substantial knowledge of the
advanced literature and issues within IT
• the knowledge and understanding of
appropriate analysis and evaluation
techniques including their limitations
• the application of computer science to
human computer and mobile interaction
issues
How the degrees are structured
MSc programmes are delivered through a
combination of compulsory and optional
modules, and a dissertation. Teaching is
by a mixture of formal lectures, tutorials,
workshops, and scheduled laboratory
classes. The wide range of modules
includes:
Software Technology
• Distributed Object-Oriented
Programming
• High Performance Computing in
C/C++
• Design Patterns and Generic
Programming
• Advanced Database Systems
Master’s Degrees – Computer Science
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