Course overview

The effective use of information technology is vital to industry and commerce and hence the need for the provision of multi-disciplinary professionals with wide ranging information systems, computer and technology skills in a rapidly changing national and international environment.

Our MSc Information Systems course aims to equip you to work professionally within an information systems environment. In particular, the course aims to develop reflective academic skills and provide technical knowledge and skills associated with the development and management of information systems and related software and equipment.

Portsmouth has a reputation for providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere in which its students can quickly settle and enjoy their studies. By coming to Portsmouth you will experience a lively and modern learning environment with lectures, tutorials and web-based learning sessions. We have a long and distinguished record of running very successful degree courses and work at the leading edge of technology and learning methods.

The School of Computing runs a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computing. The staff of more than 45 full and part-time academics and researchers are active in many subject areas including medical informatics, educational technology, networking and digital forensic investigation, and bring their enthusiasm for their subjects to their teaching.

The course suits applicants with a strong interest in computing, who have prior experience of the subject that they may have gained directly by previous study or indirectly through professional experience. Familiarity with a range of common computing software (word processing, spreadsheets, etc) and the internet is assumed. It is not necessary to have prior experience with computing programming or systems analysis. The course may also suit graduates of general computing degrees who wish to consolidate and extend their skills.

Course content

The full-time course runs from October to September, consisting of a taught programme from October to June and a project that is undertaken in the summer period, from June to September. The part-time mode runs over three years, with the taught programme being delivered over the first two years and followed by a project year.

The course is made up of units to a total of 180 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points. The taught element consists of 120 credits, taught in units rated at 15 credits each, and the project unit rated at 60 credits.

You will study the following units:

• Software Development: this unit covers an introduction to software development from an object-oriented perspective and the development of related programming skills.
• Human Computer Interaction and Ergonomics: you will look at human computer interaction and ergonomics centred mainly on the computer science perspectives, rather than the psychological, sociological or engineering perspectives. You will also be introduced to a range of software, and how and where it is used.
• PC Infrastructure and Network Utilisation: this unit examines the specification and use of current PC equipment, together with an introduction to the fundamentals of data communications and networking, and how the PC fits into a networked environment.
• Database Design and Implementation: this unit covers relational algebra theory underpinning Structured Query Language (SQL) before examining SQL in detail with practical application using a current relational database. The unit then looks at the processes and models used to analyse, design and implement relational databases with practical application via the use of case studies.
• Project Management: you will look at estimating and planning techniques, design, implementation and integration, project team building and motivation, configuration management and risk management.
• Website Design for Interactive Environments: you will explore design issues supported by directed practical work involving investigation, design, implementation and evaluation of websites.
• Professional Skills for Computing: the unit encompasses professional and research development to provide you with the necessary skills to successfully undertake the development of computer-based projects in both an academic and a professional environment.

You will also undertake a substantial project, which includes research and communication techniques, where you will apply the skills and knowledge from the taught part of the course to a practical computing problem, usually supplied by local businesses or other external clients.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught using a combination of formal lectures, tutorials and lab sessions. Each 15-credit unit has 36 hours of scheduled activities and, in addition, requires significant time to be spent in private study, which may involve additional work on the computer or directed reading as appropriate to the unit.

You will encounter a range of assessment depending on the content and nature of the unit. This will almost certainly include coursework, supervised work sessions (day-long assessments, generally comprising both a group element and an individual section), examinations and at least one presentation. The most significant assessment element is the final MSc dissertation, which reports and reflects on the project undertaken during the latter stages of the course.

All students also have a personal tutor who can help with any personal or academic problems should they arise. Academic support is also available from the Tutor Centre and Maths Cafe.

Career prospects

Graduates from this course could enter into a wide variety of careers in the computing industry, progress onto computing research or use computing as an additional skill in support of their principal career. Most students undertake the MSc Information Systems course with a view to changing direction, be it as part of an IT company or an IT department of a company or local government organisation. Some students see the addition of these skills as enhancing their ability to undertake whatever tasks they were engaged in before undertaking the course.

Having completed the MSc programme, some graduates have continued an academic career by undertaking research study leading to a PhD, often with the aim of becoming a university lecturer or researcher.

Facilities and features

The School works hard to ensure that the courses remain progressive, relevant and intellectually stimulating and has a strong commitment to curriculum development.

You will have easy access to a wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers and associated hardware, equipped with the latest software, as well as day-to-day contact with knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly motivated staff. In addition, academic staff maintain close links with the world of work, both in Portsmouth and further afield. These links ensure that our programmes reflect the current and future needs of commerce and industry. You will also have access to many online library resources, including ebooks, journals and interlibrary loans.

Currently, the School is subscribed to the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) Digital Library, which will give you access to full text articles from leading computing and computer science journals. There is also an MSc common room which is exclusively for Master's students to study or relax in.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Information Systems are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Computing
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2555
Email: technology.admissions@port.ac.uk