Masters Project

The Masters Project must be substantial and of a suitable technical level in line with the overall standards required by QQI for Masters level computing degree programmes. It is envisaged that the majority of part-time participants for this degree will work on a project related to their current work, or areas of research relevant to their work environment. This will help foster closer co-operation between the department and industry and should make it easier for part-time participants to allocate sufficient time to their project work.

For each project, an academic supervisor will be assigned from the programme board to oversee the research. In the case of students completing their project in situ at work, the supervisor may consult with the participant's employer or direct manager to determine how much of the project work can reasonably be done as a part of the participant's normal duties. A flexible approach will be adopted to allow participants access to departmental computing facilities where this need arises.

The project will normally be undertaken after the six required subject modules and the Research Methods module are completed. In exceptional circumstances, where applicable, it may be commenced in situ at work, after the successful completion of a minimum of three 10-credit modules and the Research Methods module. While the project should be completed during a fixed time interval, part-time students may apply for an extension to the period, subject to approval of the course board.
 

1. Demonstrate the application of appropriate research methodologies and techniques within the domain of computing and software systems.

2. Apply modern research methods appropriate to applied computing research problems / questions.

3. Demonstrate an awareness of the present state of the art in a specialist area of computing including the ability to evaluate the established literature base in that subject area.

4. Independently acquire and assess relevant knowledge that is contextually appropriate and specific to an applied area of computing research.

5. Apply research and critical thinking skills to a challenging computer-based problem.

6. Design and implement a computing solution that requires significant preliminary research.

7. Communicate to peers, both written and verbally, on their applied research / dissertation topic, in an articulate, convincing and informed fashion.