Taught MSc in Computer Science by Negotiated Learning

 ****  The application deadline for 2012 entry is now open ****

Overview of Programme

Programme Director: Dr. Lorraine McGinty

Programme Administrator: Ms. Imelda Huggins

The Taught Masters Programme in Computer Science by Negotiated Learning is a flexible, innovative programme which builds on the established portfolio of CSI graduate taught courses but is customised to individual student needs and their prior learning experiences.

It is true that we are living in difficult times. The current status of the economic climate has prompted many to re-evaluate their career agendas and look to re-positioning themselves within the landscape of Ireland's knowledge economy. For some this equates to extending their knowledge by building on their undergraduate degree qualification to be in the front-line for computer science positions in the years ahead.  For others, with industry experience it might mean seeking accreditation for their skills they have developed following their undergraduate programme and extending these to meet brighter, more prosperous career goals. Others, may be currently employed by industry and see value in furthering their skill-set (perhaps in consultation with the industry they work in) in the spirit of improving themselves and the value they bring to their team/project and their company as a whole.

The MSc in Computer Science by Negotiated Learning Programme is the first of its kind in the island, whereby students have the opportunity to select modules, from a suite of diverse module offerings, that best align with their own individual needs and career goals. The programme is attractive to industrial workers coming from related computer science and IT disciplines, and/or national and international students with relevant computer science undergraduate degree qualifications, who have specific workplace needs or requirements for continuing professional development.

Students have the opportunity to negotiate a programme of learning that is tailored to their own career goals and requirements. Instead of there being a rigorous set of modules that each student must take, as is typical in standard taught MSc programmes, students can prefer to broaden their knowledge across a diverse cross-section of modules offering by Schools such as the UCD School of Computer Science & Informatics, UCD School of Business, UCD School of Physics, UCD School of Information & Library Studies, and The NovaUCD Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre. Students enrolling in this MSc are also provided with the opportunity to work on a specialised research task and/or work as part of a research group as part of this programme.

The programme is motivated by the success of Horizons at the undergraduate level and has been designed in line with recommendations made in the UCD Education Strategy document in terms of lifelong learning, widening participation and internationalisation. It is paramount that this programme is designed in line with constantly evolving industry needs and for this reason is subject to regular review and update. Given the current economic climate we expect that it will be particularly attractive to those currently considering alternate career progression opportunities. In order to achieve the required flexibility, the negotiated programme be taken on either a full-time (i.e., 12 months) or part-time (i.e., 24 months) basis.

Admission to the programme is subject to a training needs assessment for each individual student, approval of prior/experiential learning, and the establishment of a negotiated learning contract between the School of Computer Science and Informatics (represented by the Programme Director) with the student.

Each individual student negotiated learning contract is carefully considered and discussed with the student. The 90-credit taught Masters consists of a maximum of 60 credits of coursework (subject to timetable constraints) and an individual research project/task worth a minimum of 30 credits. Importantly, this programme offers prospective students a greater deal of flexibility and control over their learning in terms of individual their career goals. A broad set of module offerings from programming in Java/C/C++...to innovation and commercialisation of technology... to bioinformatics ... are currently being finalised and will available very shortly (further examples are accessible through following the links below).

Please Note: Students on all CSI programmes must have their own laptops. Advice and assistance available on request. 

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