Postgraduate Taught

Modern organisations require employees who understand the principles of Computer Science and Information Technology and who can apply these ideas to the development and management of Information Technology within a business. The MSc in Internet and Web Technologies is part of a suite of postgraduate courses in the School of Computing and Mathematics which seeks to meet the information management needs of global business. Modern businesses operate in a global environment delivering software services to customers and clients in a timely and secure way across the Internet. They need to employ people who have the broad range of skills required to design, analyse and manage Internet and Web-based information systems – and who can do so securely and professionally.

The MSc in Internet and Web Technologies aims to provide you with the theoretical, practical and professional capabilities needed in the global business environment. Graduates will be able to deploy not only the technical ability to engineer the Internet-based software which business now requires but also to effectively manage those systems.

MSc applicants are expected to hold at least a second-class honours degree (or overseas equivalent), or to have gained appropriate professional qualifications and work experience. If the applicant’s qualification is in a subject that does not include some aspect of programming, then the student is recommended to follow the computing stream of Keele University’s Pre-Masters course. Overseas applicants will also need to have an English Language qualification IELTS 6.5, or have a previous degree which has been taught and examined in English.

For overseas students who do not meet all direct entry requirements, we offer the opportunity to take an intensive Business or Computing Pre-Masters programme leading to the MSc.

The following indicate the range of modules that may be offered:

Core Modules (15 credits each)

Databases and Distributed Systems – Most modern Internet and Web-based systems within an enterprise are based upon, or depend upon, databases. The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge and skills required to enable students to implement the appropriate technology to support data-driven, distributed systems.

Networks and Security – In this module students will gain an understanding of contemporary networks, together with the abstractions and protocols that underpin them. Students will reflect on the appropriate measures to adopt in order to secure information held within an organisation, and communicated across networks. Finally, they will be able to critically assess the software and hardware architectures that may best assure security in typical scenarios.

Web Technologies – There are a number of key technologies that enable the creation of modern, Web-enabled enterprise systems. This module provides students with the skills and knowledge to support the design, creation and maintenance of such systems.

Professional Practice – In a business environment, professional skills are just as vital as technical abilities and knowledge. This module provides such skills, including project management, team building and team working, and communication skills. It also provides knowledge of the ethical, legal and social issues relating to the development and deployment of information technology. Speakers invited from industry will give some of the lectures.

Systems Design – The provision of appropriate design is critical. This module will provide skills in software design and its implementation. It will impart an understanding of the issues involved in design and implementation of business information systems, such that students can participate in and, if required, manage such activities.

Advanced Web Technologies – In this module the students will build upon the concepts introduced in the Web Technologies module to consider the building of commercially viable Internet or Web applications. We will consider the technology, its application and a critical evaluation of when and where to apply the approach. A typical example of such a technology would be AJAX where we would consider what it is, its strengths and weaknesses and what alternatives exist where it is not appropriate.

Option Modules (15 credits each)

In the first semester, students  choose one of the two option modules listed below:

Enterprise Information Systems – Key to the effective use of IT within an organisation is the ability to analyse the business and be able to assess the IT needs to support the business strategy. This module aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of enterprise-wide information systems and their role in a modern organisation and to provide students with the skills to apply that understanding to typical business situations.

Systems Analysis – The aim of this module is to provide skills in systems analysis using an object-oriented approach to modelling and specifying system requirements. In particular, students will understand the scope, nature and purpose of systems analysis; they will be provided with an overview of systems analysis within the context of the phases of the Unified Process; and will be taught the appropriate techniques for requirements acquisition and formalisation.

In the second semester, students also choose one of the three option modules listed below:

Content Management – In this module students will study the use of modern, Web technologies in the provision of secure and reliable content management systems. They will obtain an understanding of the techniques and processes involved in the design and implementation of such a system.

E-Commerce – Students will explore the creation of modern business systems, through a module providing a theoretical and practical understanding all about problems involved in the development of Web-based, electronic, commerce applications.

IT Architectures – One of the important roles in the creation of modern systems is that of an IT architect. This module will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of IT architectures, and will examine the role of IT architects and software architecture within development projects.

The Project (60 credits)

Projects are IT-based, some are based in external companies and organisations selected to give real-life experience of the IT industry; others are University-based, often within other academic or administrative departments.

The taught modules are mainly assessed by coursework, with examinations in some of the modules. Project assessment is based largely on a substantial final report.