Introduction
As the Internet and computer networks become even larger and more ubiquitous the issues of network security are becoming more prevalent. Already, major security attacks have caused problems for industrial and e-commerce sites. These issues concern the application of a broad gamut of computer science theory and practice to the secure networked environment. The student brings much of what is required here from first-degree studies, but some areas, specific to the networks and Internet, are discussed in this programme. The main area to benefit from this is the understanding of security issues. The project allows students to consolidate their knowledge by practical application and allows them to research and develop new knowledge and skills. In the light of the above, considerations of structure, reliability and usability are formally taken into account when assessing these projects. Students entering the programme will already have a high degree of knowledge of computer systems and their operation, and will be able to make use of such facilities. This is a specialist programme and students will need to develop their research abilities and will, as a result, be able to organise their time and work patterns to accommodate such tasks. Where coursework is of a group participation nature, students will learn how to maximise the effectiveness of group relationships. Opportunities exist for students to practise their communications skills, both written and verbal, as they present the results of subject-specific investigations to their peers. The project is a further opportunity for students to develop their written and other communication skills.
Programme Aims
Students admitted to this degree programme will possess a first degree, which will normally include a substantial element of Computing. The degree is designed to advance students' understanding of the following specialist areas:
- Advanced principles of computer networks and distributed computing;
Object oriented systems design and programming; - An appreciation of the security issues and vulnerabilities for computing and networked systems;
- The principles of encryption their application to security problems.
To enable students graduating at Masters level to:
- Choose a specific topic related to the degree programme and study it in somedepth with a view to producing a project report;
- Move on immediately, if they wish, into postgraduate research.
Cognitive Skills
Students graduating from this programme will be able to analyse the manner in which complex, distributed computer systems are constructed and will, as a result, be able to make judgements on how a given application should be tackled. The knowledge gained from their studies will allow students to create systems that are well structured, reliable and useable. Certain modules will allow students to obtain experience in reading, summarising and evaluating some primary research literature relevant to the degree programme, and communicating their summaries and evaluations to their peers.
Subject Specific Practical and Professional Skills
The knowledge gained from exposure to the modules in this programme will enable students to make a contribution to the provision of high quality networks and distributed systems, multimedia systems and virtual reality systems. In all cases, students will be able to provide well designed user interfaces.
Outline Structure
Taken full-time, the programme is of twelve months' duration. Two semesters, each of fifteen weeks duration, are spent in studying taught modules with a total modular weight of 120 credits. The remaining time is devoted to a project with a modular weight of 60 credits, which may, subject to satisfactory arrangements for supervision, be carried out in collaboration with an industrial partner. The course may be taken on a part-time basis. A part-time candidate must complete the project within a maximum period of one calendar year after completion of the taught modules.
| Module | Weight | Semester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Programming | 15 | 1 | |
| Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues of IT | 15 | 1 | |
| Modelling and Simulation | 15 | 1 | |
| Internet Architectures | 15 | 1 | |
| Networks Laboratory | 15 | 1 | |
| Research Methods and Project Preparation | 15 | 2 | |
| Wireless Sensor Networks | 15 | 2 | |
| Network Security and e-Commerce | 15 | 2 | |
| Computing Project | 60 | 2 | |
| Project Preparation* | 5 | 2 | |
| Research Methods* | 10 | 2 | |
*Part-time students undertake two separate modules, namely COP500, Research Methods (10 credits) and COP454, Project Preparation (5 credits), the latter being taken in the year in which the project is to be undertaken.
Contact the Programme Director
Dr Colin H C Machin
Director of Postgraduate Programmes
Department of Computer Science
Loughborough University
Loughborough, LE11 3TU
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 222683
Fax: +44 (0) 1509 221586
Email:c.h.c.machin@lboro.ac.uk
