Master Of Software Engineering (Cloud Computing, Advanced)

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.

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 provides an in-depth understanding of distributed application and systems development by training learners to aggregate resources of networked computers to construct highly versatile and scalable services. The topics cover how to implement thread pools that leverage lightweight concurrency primitives, harness concepts of distributed algorithms and discuss the role of overlays in content dissemination. Case studies of distributed systems are also covered in detail. Finally, learners design efficient data representation formats for communication between distributed components.

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.