MSc Degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology

MSc Advanced Computer Science

This research Masters degree provides the opportunity to investigate the state of the art in an advanced topic in Computer Science and develop an innovative solution to one of its challenges. A student is guided in this by a primary and secondary research supervisor. Students begin by studying 4 relevant courses offered on our MSc programmes, develop a Masters class in a related topic area and undertake two research project preparation courses. Then they pursue their research project full-time and write it up in a thesis of between 20000 and 30000 words.

This F2AM programme can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Part-time study is individually organised by special arrangement with the student.

Admission requires a 2-1 honours degree in Computer Science or 60% or more on a taught MSc in Computer Science or Information Technology. Equivalent qualifications will also be considered.

Students must also submit a 2 or 3 page research proposal together with their postgraduate application. It is used to assess a student's understanding of the nature of research and to match students with supervisors. Applicants are advised to look at the research interests of CS dept academic staff and the research themes of CS research groups before formulating their research proposal.

The admissions officer will put acceptable applicants in touch with potential supervisors so that a research topic can be negotiated and their research supervisors can be chosen.

The structure of the programme of full-time study is as follows:

The majority of the programme consists of supervised research in various forms but students also study 4 lectured courses, two each in the first two semesters.

In semester 1 full-time students prepare for their thesis by writing a review paper on their research area and by developing a masterclass on an advanced topic related to it. In semester 2 they do the Research Methods and Project Planning course and directly start working on their project.

After semester 2, students continue full time on their MSc research project until the programme ends in August. This part is equivalent to 600 student effort hours.

Students choose two lectured MSc courses from the following list in semester 1:

Students choose two lectured MSc courses from the following list in semester 2:

Choice of a course requires that the student fulfils its prerequisite knowledge and experience.

Various schemes are available for financing study on this programme. Applications are made to the programme Admissions Officer at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

English Requirements

Non-native English speakers are expected to be proficient in English equivalent to an Internet based TOEFL score of at least 80, a British Council IELTS score of at least 6.0, Cambridge Proficiency C or University of Michigan ECPE. English language training courses can be taken at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh during the summer.

Part-time Study

Part-time study for the MSc over two years is also possible by special arrangement with the programme director. One arrangement might be for part-time students to take 2 lectured courses each in semesters 1 and 2 and then F21RU Research Paper Authorship and 150 hours of supervised research in semester 3 of the first year. The following year the part-time student could do F21SM Software Engineering Master Class and 150 hours of supervised research in semester 1 and then F21RP Research Methods and Project Planning and 150 hours of supervised research in semester 2 and then finish off with 300 hours of supervised research in semester 3.

Programme Requirements

To qualify for an MSc by research, students must pass 4 lectured MSc courses, the 3 research preparation courses F21RU Research Paper Authorship, F21SM Software Engineering Master Class and F21RP Research Methods & Project Planning and produce an acceptable MSc research thesis of between 20000 and 30000 words.

Transfer to PhD

An Advanced Computer Science MSc student after writing up his research in a suitable thesis, but prior to submitting it, may ask his research supervisors if they would recommend him for transfer to study for a PhD. Transfer to the 2nd year of PhD study would mean that the student would have to forego submitting the thesis in order to complete his MSc by research. Clause 9.5 of the university's regulation 6 does not allow a PhD to be awarded in respect of a thesis or published work already submitted to the university in support of an application for a degree.

Further Information

For further information on the programme or to arrange a visit to the Department contact the admissions officer.

The Department reserves the right to modify the lists of courses and may not run every course every year. It may not be possible to take all combinations of courses, students must satisfy the prerequisites of any courses and any course choice must be made in consultation with the programme director.