MSc COMPUTER NETWORKS DEGREE

Overview & facilities

The Computer Networks masters course covers both day-to-day network operations and strategic network planning to establish the essential knowledge needed by professionals to design, upgrade and manage computer communications systems. You will learn methods for continually appraising a communication system, in light of business objectives and technological developments. You will improve your programming skills and make a functional and technical design of a communication system based on project goals, company standards and quality systems.

The Computer Networks masters focuses on design and implementation and is ideal if you have a technical background.  There is an emphasis on professional and project skills to assist your step into industry.

This course is available both full-time and part-time.

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Computer Networks, Wireless and Mobile Communications Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Computer network technology enables a vast range of significant activity: business competitiveness, national security, personal communications to name but a few. This module will establish an understanding of the operation, capabilities, security issues affecting network and Internet communications, business use of computer networks and the various ways in which these factors interact with each other. On successful completion of this module, you will come to appreciate the operation of a variety of types of current networks and a single framework will be used to analyse, design and construct networks capable of providing the right connectivity and performance needed by specific applications. In particular, you will understand the principal technical aspects of underlying computer network operation, their capabilities, security threats to networks and a range of countermeasures that can be taken to mitigate these. You will be able to analyse and evaluate specific networks for a range of applications and are provided the opportunity for developing commercially viable network applications.

  Network Design, Modelling and Simulation (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims at teaching students how to evaluate a network situation and to help them to identify the most important network aspects that need to be monitored and analysed. This is done through the introduction of a methodological approach to network design. The module also introduces the concepts of network simulation, modeling and analyses and examines the techniques facilitating such work. It provides students with the appreciation of the design and development simulation software as appropriate models to evaluate the performance of transmission systems, computer networks and manufacturing systems

  Network Security (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module covers the principles and foundations of computer and network security. It aims at providing students with understanding the goals, issues, technologies, algorithms and protocols used in securing computer networks and associated systems. It will also provide an understanding of possible security breaches, security risk analysis and mechanisms to protect computer and network communication systems. It also studies an in-depth review of commonly-used security mechanisms and techniques, security threats and network-based attacks.

  Network Systems and Services (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module looks at the design, implementation and maintenance of network systems and services. It examines concepts such as a network operating system and explores networking paradigms including socket and thread-based programming, Remote Procedure Calls RPC , CORBA and Java RMI. It also explores the design and implementation of Global Services such as Web Servers. The course concludes by looking at new developments in networking including Network Processors, Blade Servers and Grid Computing

Attendance

You should attend all scheduled classes and prescribed activities to be eligible for formal assessment. Full-time students attend up to three days a week and part-time students one or two days a week.

Assessment

Assessment is a combination of assignments, laboratory work, projects and written and oral examinations. For your postgraduate project you design and implement a complete system for upgrading communication systems and providing network management solutions.

Download the course specifications.

Entry & applying

Normally a second class honours degree or above in computer science, science or engineering, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Candidates with other degrees but with relevant work experience will also be considered.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Apply now

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for MSc Computer Networks for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £7,500

Part-time students: £63 per taught credit

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600

Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

Careers & placements

What can you do with a computing and IT degree?

Our MSc Computer Networks course prepares graduates for a wide range of varied careers. As a graduate you will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. There is also the potential to work as a self employed director of your own business. The large sums invested in computer networks and services have created a global market for graduates with these skills. Opportunities range from the design and management of small Local Area Networks (LANs) to global, Wide Area Networks WANs.

Graduate Roles

Below are just a few career opportunities that would be open to you as a graduate.

Network Administrator/Network (Systems) Engineer - A network engineer is responsible for installing, maintaining and supporting computer communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. Their goal is to ensure the smooth operation of communication networks in order to provide maximum performance and availability for their users (staff, clients, customers, suppliers, etc). Starting salaries* for network engineers are between £15,000 and £22,000 a year. With experience, earnings can rise to between £23,000 and £35,000. Senior network engineers can earn over £40,000 a year.

Network/Information Systems Manager - A network/information systems manager works with staff of technical specialists to provide and maintain an organisation's hardware and software technology infrastructures by installing computer systems, ensuring back-up systems operate effectively, purchasing hardware and software and contributing to organisational policy with regard to quality standards and strategic planning. Network managers' salaries* start between £24,000 and £32,000 a year. Experienced network managers earn between £33,500 and £47,000. Senior staff with strategic responsibilities could earn over £50,000.

Where do our graduates go?

Based on data from the respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 58% of Computer Communication graduates were in employment or further study
• 42% were doing something else, such as travelling, or assumed unemployed

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following roles:

• Director
• Systems Dispenser
• Network Administrator
• Training Specialist

For companies such as:

• Cyberspace Network
• AK Electronics
• One Hundred Computers
• Pilat Media

Salary
The average full time salary for graduates from this group was £24,000.

(* These figures are a guideline only)