Master of Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence, Advanced)

In this subject students are introduced to the current Software Engineering standards and processes, with the aim of enabling them to analyse, design, and implement software projects that follow certain quality measures at every stage of the Software Development Life Cycle. The subject covers requirements engineering, modelling and design of software, software architecture, verification and validation of software systems, and other topics that are related to software engineering practices.

This subject helps students explore several important fields of general inquiry pertaining to significant intellectual issues related to human beings so they can view everyday problems and formulate solutions in new ways. Broadly, the subject covers the theory of knowledge, human cognition, ethical and moral values, analysis of human history, critical analysis, appreciation of literature and arts and social interaction among human beings through a technological context. Human Centred Design is to give students an appreciation of the factors that influence human behaviour and interactions so that they can apply specialised skills to help solve problems that affect diverse societies.

This subject covers topics involving integration of the entire development lifecycle of IT systems in a secure environment through secure design methodologies, software development models, architecture design and industry Secure by Design standards like OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project). Students learn how to build adequate security into systems to maintain integrity and safety of the functionality of IT systems while being exposed to cyber threats.

In this subject the students are introduced to the main project management principles and modern software project management practices. During the subject, the different methods for managing and optimising the software development process are discussed along with the different techniques for performing each phase of the software development life cycle.

The purpose of this subject is to provide a solid mathematical background that students will encounter in studies of Artificial Intelligence, specifically in sub-areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, speech recognition, and computer vision. This subject will cover topics including linear algebra (equations, functions and graphs), differentiation and optimisation, vectors and matrices, statistics and probabilities. Thorough understanding of these mathematical concepts is necessary for understanding the inner workings of the algorithms in Artificial Intelligence.

This subject introduces students to a framework for developing good scholarly inquiry skills and fundamental knowledge needed to make rational decisions about research strategies. Students will be presented with research strategies to critically investigate exemplar studies and examine the connection between a research question with appropriate research design and methodology. On completion of this subject, students should be able to develop researchable questions, and write research proposals and literature reviews. They will have a critical understanding of the strengths and limitations of the quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches to research. They will also learn about the ethical principles of research, challenges in getting approval and the approval processes.

This subject aims to give a broad introduction of intelligent systems, that is, how technologically advanced machines perceive and respond to the world around them. Discussion will focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts and classifications are used to design intelligent systems. Overview of AI topics such as representation, reasoning, search methods, intelligent agents, learning, uncertainties and probabilities, perception and action, and communication are presented. It also includes discussions of AI classifications such as Machine Learning, Robotic, Natural Language Processing, Speech Recognition, Expert Systems, Computer Vision, and how they are used to make intelligent systems. This subject also enables students to understand the particular ethical issues that AI presents and how it can be used to benefit society.

This subject is designed to give a graduate-level student an in-depth understanding of the methodologies, technologies, mathematics and algorithms currently used in machine learning. Students will learn the theory behind a range of machine learning tools and practice applying the tools to different applications. It covers topics such as classification, linear models, learning theory, generative models, graphical models and learning paradigm. This subject covers theoretical concepts such as inductive bias, the PAC learning framework, Bayesian learning methods, margin-based learning, and Occam’s Razor. Students are given short programming assignments that include hands-on experiments using machine learning algorithms and methods.

This subject introduces the basics of deep learning and how to build neural networks. Students are presented with different methods and applications to different AI sub-areas such as natural language processing, speech recognition, and computer vision. The subject begins with the introduction of simple neural networks such as multi-layer perceptron, and to more complicated concepts such as recurrent neural networks, convolutional networks, and long short-term networks.

This subject is designed to provide students an opportunity to pursue a significant project in a professional environment related to their specialisation. This enables students to develop skills that enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and build their career for the future.

Work integrated learning broadens the students’ learning environment while they are studying and allows them to see first-hand how their learnings in their degree translates in practice, as well as how ‘real world’ practice relates to what they are learning at University.

Students enrolled in Masters (Advanced) have an opportunity to avail one of the three options below simultaneously for this subject and “Advanced Technology – Work Integrated Learning”.

There are three options available to students:

Option 1: Industry Placement
Students are offered the opportunity to work within a technology company as an intern or volunteer at a technology non-profit organisation. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the tech industry and provides an opportunity for them to work with and learn from people who may end up becoming colleagues, managers or mentors. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of industry-led tasks that are relevant to their field of study in order to understand the key concepts of working in and managing a professional technology team with emphasis placed on the operation of the environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief
Industry live brief, also known as an industry project engages students in an activity where the parameters of success are set by the client. Academic staff and industry provide supervision for students, while industry provides, mentorship in addition. Numerous technology firms have ideas and opportunities they would like to explore and prototype; this is where students or student teams connect with industry to achieve scale with minimal risk. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation is explored. Students also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject fosters a cross-specialisation perspective and draws on both specialised and common software engineering practices. Students are required to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team that includes industry representatives to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

Options 3: Capstone
Students execute, finalise and present their self-initiated project exhibiting a sophisticated understanding of software engineering, whilst addressing the university ethos. Central to the project will be evidence of critical analysis and reflexive and reflective practice, social engagement, in addition to the use of refined visual language in its execution with particular industry relevancy for which their project is intended. Students draw upon the philosophical, practical, methodological, theoretical and technical tools they have gathered over the duration of the degree to complete a successful project. Students are mentored through this research project by an industry supervisor with complementary practice-based research expertise. Projects must pertain to the field of software engineering and in particular to their specialisation.

Students are required to work independently or as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions.

This subject builds upon Technology – Work Integrated Learning enabling students to further develop and apply strategic processes, creative tools & research for innovation in the field of software engineering. It extends the opportunity to pursue the significant project in a professional environment in an area related to their specialisation enabling students to develop skills that enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and build their career for the future.

They continue with the same option as chosen previously:

Option 1: Industry Placement
Students are offered the opportunity to work within a technology company as an intern or volunteer at a technology non-profit organisation. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the tech industry and provides an opportunity for them to work with and learn from people who may end up becoming colleagues, managers or mentors. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of industry-led tasks that are relevant to their field of study in order to understand the key concepts of working in and managing a professional technology team with emphasis placed on the operation of the environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief
Industry live brief, also known as an industry project engages students in an activity where the parameters of success are set by the client. Academic staff and industry provide supervision for students, while industry provides, mentorship in addition. Numerous technology firms have ideas and opportunities they would like to explore and prototype; this is where students or student teams connect with industry to achieve scale with minimal risk. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation is explored. Students also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject fosters a cross-specialisation perspective and draws on both specialised and common software engineering practices.Students are required to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team that includes industry representatives to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

Options 3: Capstone
Students execute, finalise and present their self-initiated project exhibiting a sophisticated understanding of software engineering, whilst addressing the university ethos. Central to the project will be evidence of critical analysis, reflexive and reflective practice and social engagement, in addition to the use of refined visual language in its execution with particular industry relevancy for which their project is intended. Students draw upon the philosophical, practical, methodological, theoretical and technical tools they have gathered over the duration of the degree to complete a successful project. Students are mentored through this research project by an industry supervisor with complementary practice-based research expertise. Projects must pertain to the field of software engineering and in particular to their specialisation.

Students are required to work independently or as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions.

This subject gives students a fundamental understanding of Cloud Computing. They are able to understand how the cloud computing infrastructure has evolved from the traditional IT infrastructure and what business advantages it brings. Students will also learn the different Cloud Segments and Cloud Deployment models and the key players in the market. The subject also provides a knowledge of Cloud Services and Cloud Security to the students.

The subject aims to describe, demonstrate and associate design, implementation, and management phases of DevOps deployment pipelines and toolchains that establish connections with continuous integration, delivery, testing and deployment. Core areas include organisations responding to market changes, reduction of risks and lowering of costs while releasing quality solutions. Understanding of quality performance prioritisation in a DevOps pipeline for various employee teams to effectively focus on vision is covered. Execution pipelines are discussed along with the processes, metrics, APls and cultural considerations for Continuous Development.

This subject develops conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in experience design for interactive and online media. Students will use common experience design research methods to analyse audience and content requirements. Students will work through concept development, prototyping, validation and testing phases to improve and refine a user experience design in relation to the requirements of a specific client brief. Throughout students will develop their knowledge and skillset in terms of creating usable and user- centred interactive design experiences.

This subject introduces students to philosophical and theoretical lenses for interpreting the various contexts of reception within which their designs will be encountered, engaged with, experienced or consumed. Design Identity, focuses specifically on ‘the connections of text as a stimulus to design approaches and understanding but more importantly on new ways of seeing. In this subject students engage with texts that are, or have been, influential in shaping ways in which designers and design theory engages the worlds that designed things enter into and subsequently re-define. A range of differing texts, including theoretical, literary and designed texts, and texts utilizing different media, are introduced and explored.

This subject introduces designers to research methodologies as a basis for identifying problems which can be the catalyst to bring about change. Students gain skills in the analysis of research data using grounded theory and phenomenography, in addition to visual research methods used as a foundation for creative and design solutions inherent in cross-disciplinary creative practice.

By means of reflection, analysis and contextualising an identified culture—their own or others— and by drawing on its philosophies, typical behaviours and patterns, designers explore, elicit and assess problems to instigate creative group projects. The design practices foster understanding of, and connection with, the contexts that designed things participate in, enrich and often transform. The additional emphasis is on problem identification that informs and leads to enhanced futures based on successful creative outcomes.

This subject introduces students to the concepts of business communications and transferrable academic skills. This subject presents an analysis of the types of communication processes, which occur in the internal and external business environment, including an examination of the theoretical underpinnings of communication in business. Emphasis is placed on writing skills, reports and presentations and on using technology to communicate. The subject introduces students to research skills, information literacy, critical analysis, and writing and language techniques. The aims of this subject are to provide knowledge and skills needed for success in Higher Education, to help students manage their own success and to assist them in reaching their academic potential.

Leadership in modern organisations is a way of thinking and behaving. It is not necessarily a position in a hierarchy. Leadership is a process of energising, influencing and motivating others: up, down, sideways and diagonally. Becoming an effective leader requires self-awareness, self-management and a strong set of interpersonal communication skills, a set of capabilities that are often described as Emotional Intelligence (EQ). In addition, effective leaders think and act strategically, they build a climate for creativity and innovation, and are culturally sensitive and comfortable with ambiguity. This subject focuses on developing your leadership capability and not leadership as a theoretical concept that applies to other people. It helps you explore your own leadership development and self-image, using the techniques of reflective research and supported by a mentoring partner. It guides you through the preparation of plan for your continued leadership and professional development that is consistent with your personal values, anchored by the academic literature and enables you to be authentic, confident and resilient in leading productive work places for the future. Dynamic Leadership provides learning at the cognitive or intellectual level and at the affective or emotional level. It develops explicit knowledge of leadership (know-what) and the often-neglected tacit knowledge (know-how).

This course provides students with a grounding in the principles of project management, its methods and contemporary standards associated with managing diverse projects. Students in this course are introduced to the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to manage projects (including IT projects) successfully throughout a project life cycle, and to the language used by practitioners in conjunction with the terminology recognised by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Students explore the project management knowledge areas and process groups of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) guide. Students also examine the ways these two dimensions of project management interact in initiating (scoping), planning, executing (launching), monitoring and controlling, and closing a project. The subject provides students with opportunities to also examine the challenges of project management and the professional traits that project managers are associated with.

To be effective, project managers must understand relationships between operational factors and projects. In this subject, students learn about scope, time and cost planning, developing an appropriate work breakdown structure (WBS). Students will also learn about the importance of managing project change, quality and risk, as well as the role of effective stakeholder communications in achieving successful project outcomes. They engage in practical exercises designed to help them develop project management skills. Students also examine planning considerations associated with global projects.

One role of the project manager is to lead teams in complex and diverse organisational settings while concurrently communicating with all stakeholders. In this course, students examine how to support and motivate team members to perform to the best of their ability, producing quality results within the required time and cost limits, and how individual and group behaviour impacts organisational effectiveness. Students learn ways to design projects to support organisational goals and how to build and engage organisational capital (intellectual, human, physical, financial, and structural). They also assess communications management as a tool to manage internal and external relationships with stakeholders, partners, vendors, and customers.