MSc in Information Systems
Course structure
The course is available full time (12 months) and part time (up to 28 months; daytime study).
Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded 180 credits and a masters level qualification. Alternatively, students who do not complete the dissertation but have successfully completed eight modules will be awarded 120 credits and a postgraduate diploma. Successful completion of four modules (60 credits) will lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate.
Each module is assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.
| FULL-TIME study timetable: 2008-09 | PART-TIME study timetable: 2008-09 | ||
| Semester 1 | YEAR 1, Semester 1 |
||
| Digital Information Technology Architectures | Monday morning | Digital Information Technology Architectures | Monday morning |
| Information and Knowledge Management | Monday afternoon | Information and Knowledge Management | Monday afternoon |
| Systems Specification | Tuesday morning | YEAR 1, Semester 2 | |
| Research Methods and Professional Issues | Friday afternoon | Databases | Monday afternoon |
| Semester 2 | Option | See options below | |
| Databases | Monday afternoon | YEAR 2, Semester 1 | |
| Option | See options below | Systems Specification | Tuesday morning |
| Option | See options below | Research Methods and Professional Issues | Friday afternoon |
| Option | See options below | YEAR 2, Semester 2 | |
| Option | See options below | ||
| Option | See options below | ||
| Option modules. Choose at least two from the Systems Stream | ||
| Multimedia | Technology stream | Tuesday afternoon |
| Open Source Systems | Systems stream | Wednesday morning |
| Business Engineering with ERP Solutions | Systems stream | Wednesday morning |
| Software Systems Design | Systems stream | Thursday morning |
| Spatial Programming with Java | Technology stream | Thursday morning |
| Project Management | Systems stream | Thursday morning |
| Web Applications Development | Technology stream | Friday afternoon |
Note: The University reserves the right
to make changes to syllabuses, programme options and modules as necessary.
Full-time study
The programme is twelve months' long; you are generally expected to attend the University for the equivalent of two days per week (in face-to-face mode), although you may be able to do some of your studying away from the campus.
Full-time students take four core modules in the first term and the remaining core module and the three options in the second term. The remainder of the year is occupied with the individual project.
Full-time students may study in flexible mode. This means that you may spend most of your time working away from the campus, using City Online Learning (WebCT) to access lecture materials and engage in other activities (see below).
Part-time study
Part-time students may study in day-release (one day per week) or flexible mode (mainly away from the campus). The taught part of the programme lasts for two academic years. The individual project can be completed in the second year, or in a third year.
Part-time students in their first year take two core modules in the first term, a third core module and one option in their second term. In their second year, they take the remaining two core modules in the first term and two more options in their second term. The individual project can be completed in the second year, either in parallel with the modules or more intensively during the summer; otherwise it can be extended into a third year.
Face-to-face or flexible study?
The programme makes extensive use of CitySpace, our state-of-the-art managed learning environment, called 'City Online Learning'. Many of the modules are fully supported, which means that they can be studied as a remote student with materials and support being provided electronically. We do not offer a 'distance' mode at present, but we do offer a 'flexible' mode which means that students (both full-time and part-time) may study either at the University or away from the University or a mixture of both, attending when they can but not necessarily on a regular basis. Students choosing the 'flexible' mode should be aware that some modules may be 'partially supported' and therefore somewhat greater attendance at the University may be desirable if they choose those modules. Guidance will be given to all students in these respects.
Teaching and learning generally uses several different formats, including lectures, briefing sessions based on WebCT materials, seminars, tutorials, laboratory sessions, group and individual private study. Assessment methods are chosen to suit the module, with unseen examination, a wide variety of coursework tasks, presentations, etc all being used in the programme, so that students can demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills as appropriate.
Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded 180 credits and a masters level qualification. Alternatively, students who do not complete the dissertation but have successfully completed eight modules will be awarded 120 credits and a postgraduate diploma. Successful completion of four modules (60 credits) will lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate.