* This is a new course awaiting approval.

About the course

On this newly developed programme, you will study a number of mandatory units including mobile computing and advanced mobile development; and at least one from enterprise programming and ubiquitous computing. You will also study three other specialist units from a range including 3D computer animation, computer programming and design, cognitive computer vision, internet programming, multimedia technologies/authoring, natural computing, software architectures and computer music and sound.

An independent practical mobile application development computing project completes the MSc.

Our MSc graduates have entered a wide range of industries, and several have gone on to PhDs.

• 3D Computer Animation · Specialist Route

  The unit introduces the basics of computer animation in a practical way, and also explains some of the advanced techniques and algorithms that are used in the conception and creation of real-time and realistic physical simulation.

• Advanced Database Systems · Specialist Route

  This unit provides coverage of advanced database topics and makes use of industrial based database management software. You will cover areas such as:

  • The evaluation of emerging trends and applications in the database market
  • Using a procedural language, such as PL/SQL
  • Gaining an appreciation of how both Object Relational and Object Oriented Databases can be developed and used
  • Gaining an understanding of the tools and techniques of data analysis for analytical business intelligence
  • Gaining an appreciation of designing and building a data warehouse
  • Understanding the concepts and applications of multi-dimensional data analysis and reporting using OLAP technologies and architectures
  • Identifying, evaluating and applying suitable data mining techniques and algorithms for specific applications

• Advanced Mobile Development

  This unit examines advanced software development aspects of Mobile Computing, Mobile Applications Programming, and Pervasive Computing. This module will primarily take a hands-on approach to developing cross platform web apps for mobile devices and Smartphones. The delivery will reflect an Agile type environment. The following key themes are indicative, but your studies may include topics such as:

  • Smartphone development (eg Android and iPhone)
  • Software platforms and standards (eg HTML5/Javascript, Flash Lite, Google Web Toolkit)
  • User-centred design approaches, Multimodal/Perceptual User Interfaces, Mobile Interaction and Design
  • Cross platform development

• Artificial Intelligence Systems · Specialist Route

  The unit initially examines the general aspects of Artificial Intelligence Systems. It then focuses on three such paradigms, namely Artificial Neural Networks, Knowledge-Based Systems and Conversational Agents. It explores how such techniques canbe applied to real-life applications.

• Cognitive Computer Vision · Specialist Route

  The unit provides an introduction to key concepts and techniques in image processing and computer vision. It will enable construction of vision systems that can perform task oriented categorization and recognition of objects and events.

• Computer Games Programming and Design · Specialist Route

  This unit investigates the practical aspects of game design and development. It also looks at algorithms, techniques and tools required to produce a computer game; moving from design documentation such as technical specification to the practical development of playable multiplayer game.

• Computer Music and Sound · Specialist Route

  This unit examines the principles and techniques of the tools and processes for the production of computer music, narrative sound recording and special sound effects.

• Enterprise Programming · Specialist Route

  This unit examines key aspects of Distributed Programming and Software Engineering aspects of Enterprise level applications. Your studies will cover:

  • The building of robust, secure distributed systems using advanced programming techniques
  • The development of flexible data-aware applications using Database Connectivity standards such as JDBC
  • The utilisation and evaluation of distributed application interfaces such as RMI and Corba
  • The application of design patterns to develop high-quality object-oriented software systems, and to generate high-quality applications by applying design patterns
  • The application of the theory and practice of software organisation and maintainability using patterns and refactoring
  • The evaluation of design pattern alternatives for a variety of applications
  • The building of reusable component-based distributed applications

• Information Systems Management and Strategy · Specialist Route

  This unit examines key aspects of strategic and project management in IS/IT, and explores links to corporate and business strategies. Your studies will include the following topics: ·

  • The analysis of the context and development of corporate and business strategies
  • An appraisal of theoretical frameworks and techniques of strategic planning of IS/IT and their links with corporate and business strategies
  • Issues related to the internal and external sourcing of IS/IT products and services
  • The issues, concepts and techniques of project management
  • Secondary research skills and the powers of synthesis, critical though and appropriate communication

• Internet Programming · Specialist Route

  This unit examines key aspects of internet based software development and new internet software technologies. Your study will include:

  • Creation and evaluation of websites, using and appropriate mark-up language
  • Analysis and development of Internet Applications using an appropriate language, in a command line and visual environment
  • Deployment of client/server techniques to provide internet and intranet solutions to capture, retrieve and display information from a DBMS
  • Evaluation and creation of platform independent system and web based software, and non-platform based scripting language

• Mobile Application Development Project

  This is a 60 credits individual project undertaken by all students studying for MSc Mobile Application Development. Projects will involve practical system creation/experimentation in the area of Mobile Application Development, for example Pervasive or Ubiquitous Computing, Intelligent Mobile Devices, Location Aware Mobile Applications. The curriculum is specific to the project you choose but it will include seminars on: ·

  • The skills and techniques required for successful design and implementation of research resources i.e. time management; research presentation (oral, written, posters)
  • professional, legal and ethical issues in computing
  • Examination of a case study/project in an area appropriate to your intended dissertation work

• Mobile Computing

  This unit examines key aspects of Mobile Computing and Mobile Applications Programming, and aspects of Pervasive Computing. The unit covers topics such as:

  • Critical analysis and implementation of Wireless Internet Concepts, Terminology and Technologies
  • Creation of mobile device based applications for platform independent applications
  • Design and implement agent-based mobile applications
  • Critically evaluate and use a variety of Mobile Application Development Kits
  • Access of current literature and pursue research in the area of novel mobile device techniques
  • Concepts regarding wireless network security and its implementation

• Multimedia Authoring · Specialist Route

  This module enables you to learn how to construct interactive and rich media applications using multimedia authoring software, and how current research can inform this process. Your studies on this unit will cover topics such as:

  • The design, development and evaluation of efficient and rich internet applications or other interactive multimedia solutions using a Multimedia Authoring tool
  • The capacity to identify, critically assess and utilise design issues/approaches that are specific to multimedia
  • The coordination of separate authoring files, units, and components to build interactive software in a modular, systematic and incremental manner
  • The research of significant issues concerning the effectiveness of multimedia, and the application of these to the process of multimedia authoring and design
  • The skills and understanding necessary to integrate different media in the design and implementation of a coherent media-rich software environment and effective multimedia systems

• Multimedia Technologies · Specialist Route

  The unit provides an introduction to key concepts and techniques in multimedia technologies. It will enable construction of interactive systems that can encode and display a variety of audio-visual objects. You will cover topics such as:

  • Writing 2D and 3D graphics programs in order to produce Multimedia content
  • An appreciation of the differences between vector and bitmap graphics representations and an ability to manipulate both in relevant situations
  • 3D modelling and rendering techniques
  • The principles underlying 2D and 3D animation and an ability to program simple animation effects
  • The encoding of video and audio clips given technical specifications and application requirements
  • You will also partake in discussions regarding current research on Virtual Reality systems from a technical perspective

• Natural Computing · Specialist Route

  This unit provides an introduction to nature-inspired algorithmics, focussing in particular on genetic algorithms and agent-based modelling. Your studies on this unit will strengthen your abilities in topics such as: ·

  • The motivation behind drawing algorithmic inspiration from natural processes
  • The assessment and application of genetic algorithms
  • The evaluation and use of agent-based simulation
  • The critical evaluation and use of agent-based simulation
  • The critical evaluation of different nature-inspired techniques, and your decision to choose the most appropriate one for the given task (or your decision not to use any)

• Software Architectures · Specialist Route

  This unit examines the principles and techniques of the compilation process that translates program source code statements into executable representations for processors and virtual machines. Key themes on the unit include:

  • A survey of execution mechanisms which covers the spectrum of interpreters and compilers, compile-time and run-time, and the structure of a simple compiler and Java virtual machine (JVM)
  • Lexical Analysis (Scanning) and Syntax Analysis (Parsing) . This includes regular languages/expressions, finite state machines, building regular expression from a finite automaton. This includes Expressing Syntax, Context Free Grammars, Top-Down Parsing, Bottom-Up parsing
  • Semantic Analysis which includes context-sensitive analysis, Attribute Grammars, Symbol Tables, Type Checking
  • Intermediate Representations (IRs) and Storage Management. This includes properties, texonomy, Graphical IRs, Linear IRs. The Procedure Abstratction, Linkage convention, Run-time storage organisation
  • Code Generation. This includes Code Shape, Instruction Selection, Register Allocation, Instruction Scheduling
  • Research and Practical Topics in Compiler and Virtual Machine Construction. This includes code optimisation and transformation. JIT Compilation, Iterative feedback directed compilation and Hardware Compilation (compiling programs into hardware) .

• Ubiquitous Computing · Specialist Route

  This unit provides a theoretical and practical study of the development of devices small enough to be embedded in almost everything. You will also study networks that provide dense inter-connection of very large numbers of components, and of sensing technologies that enable systems to become aware of their physical environment. This module will consider technology trends in devices, networks, physical interfacing and discusses challenges in system, software and interaction design for ubiquitous computing. It will also provide practical work in developing applications for ubiquitous devices.

Assessment details

Coursework, examination and submission of a dissertation.

Career options after the course

This course is intended to equip you with software development skills for the rapidly evolving and mulit-faceted area of digital media. The IT industry consists of many different roles, and so most of our courses allow you to keep your options open by retaining breadth of study while allowing for some specialisation through choice of units and the project.

Our MSc graduates have entered a wide range of industries, and several have gone on to PhDs, including in the School of Computing, Mathematics and Digital Technology.

Typical entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

You will normally have at least a second class undergraduate honours degree in a computing subject or good sub-degree qualification in computing and substantial work experience in computing. 

There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.

Related courses

Related courses

• MSc Computing All Saints Campus, Manchester 1 year full-time · 3 years part-time
• PgCert/PgDip/MSc Advanced Computing All Saints Campus, Manchester 1 year full-time 3 years part-time
• MSc Advanced Computing (by Research) All Saints Campus, Manchester 1 year full-time · 3 years part-time September or January start
• MSc Digital Media Computing All Saints Campus, Manchester 1 year full-time · 3 years part-time
• MSc Information Systems All Saints Campus, Manchester 1 year full-time · 3 years part-time

Related subject areas for this course

• Computing