Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Software Development

MSc in Applied Software Development Course Overview

The MSc in Applied Software Development seeks to develop participants’ knowledge, skills and competence in the area of software development. The programme is a specialist, postgraduate computing degree designed to produce graduates with the attributes required of software developers today and the ability to continue to develop knowledge, skill and competence to remain competitive and employable in an ever-advancing sector. The programme consists of 60 credits of taught module work and 30 credits of an applied development project.

LinkedIn (2018) revealed a list of skills, both technical and application specific, that are currently in-demand for the Irish software sector. This programme satisfies the majority of the stated in-demand skills and application knowledge, such as JQuery, Eclipse, Web and Application Services, Data Warehousing and Python programming. This range of applications and skills are integrated throughout the programme to enable learners to achieve their goals within the confines of current technology while engaging in, and, exploring emerging technologies. The LinkedIn report also pointed to 12,000 vacancies across the Irish technology industry, and specialist skills are highly sought after, with the rise in remuneration across the software sector reflecting the current demand for professionals with these skill sets.

This MSc in Applied Software Development utilises a carefully designed programme schedule with modules focused on advanced software development topics: Algorithms & Mathematical Methods, Information Retrieval and Data Mining, Research Methods & Professionalism, Software Design Methodologies, Cloud Services & Integration, Enterprise Software Development , Programming Paradigms, Systems Security and the Applied Software Development Project. The design and development of these modules were informed by in-depth industry consultation. To achieve an MSc award, the programme continues with a 30 ECTS supervised applied software development group project allowing students to apply their knowledge from the 60 ECTS taught modules elements to a specialised applied software development problem. The problem to be researched will be an industry-initiated real world problem and used as the context for planning, designing, building and testing potential software solutions. This module incorporates learning from all modules in the taught components and aims to ready learners for industry and/or academic software development work.

Algorithms & Mathematical Methods
This module will introduce topics and issues in relation to algorithms within an industrial and academic context. It will cover and foster an analytical frame of mind to design and or customise, evaluate, select and implement a solution focused algorithmic approach to problem solving, using the knowledge gained from the study of the mathematical models used in the construction and evaluation of given algorithmic focused problems. The module will introduce and apply probability theory in conjunction with standard algebraic considerations regarding data sorting and searching.

Information Retrieval and Data Mining
This module will introduce the core principles of information retrieval and utilisation. Students will compare and contrast the different techniques and processes involved in information gathering, focusing on the available tools for data mining. Students will develop the skills to use available technologies to process and clean this data for use within a data visualisation context which can be used to further enhance the results of data gathering within a business driven software solution.

Research Methods & Professionalism
This module will introduce topics and issues in professional and research practice in an industrial and academic context. It will cover typical research methods and techniques for writing and presenting a literature review and research proposal within a professional context appropriate to the student’s own career aspirations. In doing so, it will enhance the student’s analytical and communication skills which form a large part of the requirements for achieving a masters level qualification. In addition, core project management skills relating to software development projects will be covered, with consideration for modern team-based approaches used in development.

Software Design Methodologies
This module will introduce the core principles and methodologies of software development. Students will compare and contrast the different methodologies and processes involved in the Software Development Life Cycle. Students will develop the skills to use available technologies to design and or customise a software methodology for a business driven software solution.

Cloud Services & Integration
This module will identify the fundamentals behind cloud-based technologies currently available and the variations of cloud and hybrid cloud models. Students will learn about the issues involved in migrating an on-campus solution and developing a complete cloud based model with regard to platform selection, redundancy, reliability, API selection and integration to cater for dynamic scaling and allocation of cloud-based resources.

Enterprise Software Development
This module will introduce topics and issues in relation to Enterprise software development. Learners will be exposed to the inherent differences and considerations needed for enterprise development as opposed to standard software development. Topics such as the platforms, libraries and tools associated with building, integrating and deploying the functional requirements of an enterprise application, as well as elements from cloud computing, security and design methodologies.

Programming Paradigms
The module introduces learners to the fundamental differences within the world of lower level design in relation to system requirements and future system expectations. The module explores the different pros and cons of the paradigm selected as well as the programming language used to implement the selected paradigm in terms of the scope and trade off of Object-Oriented, Imperative and Logical oriented languages. Dealing with Compilation verses Interpretation, single threaded verses multi-threaded and parallel programming.

Systems Security
The aim of this module is to provide comprehensive, up-to-date, global common body of knowledge that ensures learners have a deep knowledge and understanding of new threats, technologies, regulations, standards, and practices to protect businesses from cyber-attacks. It provides a detailed and an in-depth understanding of data privacy, threats and risks of security breaches, an awareness of computer security (cryptographic) techniques, and an ability to make appropriate decisions about securing data. It will also ensure students will have the skills to develop solutions that prevent these vulnerabilities from occurring or fix application security vulnerabilities.

Applied Software Development Project
A project requiring the development of software for a context or scenario is required, but other computing and academic related concepts are considered. Students are expected to draw on the overall curriculum content and critically evaluate a specific research problem then apply their findings in the form of a working artefact.