Network management covers a wide area including performance reliability, security, fault, accounting and configuration management. This master's programme has been developed to meet the growing needs of a rapidly evolving sector of industry. The programme is designed as a full-time course including industrial experience whenever possible, or as a part-time programme.
The modules taught on this programme present a well-balanced combination of the theory of computer networks, network management, and network security. Through gaining the essential and much needed skills of network security, you'll have the opportunity to work in a dedicated laboratory to experience security configuration for various systems.
You'll study network systems and services, computer networks, wireless and mobile communication systems, network management, security and disaster recovery, and web-based information systems management. This is in addition to the computer communications project. These modules present a good combination of the theory of computer networks, their management and application.
You'll also have the opportunity to work in a dedicated laboratory to experience setting up local area networks, and troubleshoot such systems. Alongside PCs, the laboratory is equipped with internet working units such as hubs, switches, routers and servers. You will experience the use of various network operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows NT/2000/XP/Win7, Novell NetWare, and Linux in a networked environment.
The final dissertation offers the opportunity to integrate all of your studies through an individual piece of practical, problem solving work of topical interest to you and of relevance to industry.
Access to campus-based facilities will depend on COVID-19 related restrictions in place at the time. In some instances remote access to campus facilities or equivalent online facilities may be used instead.
The course is designed for those students who have previously studied computing at university level or who are currently working in the sector, and are looking to develop an advanced mastery of the subject.
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This course gives you an in-depth understanding of computer network design, implementation and optimisation. You will study cloud-based networks and explore modern data centres, virtualisation and distributed storage. More generally, you will focus on network design and construction, programming and operating systems as well as network troubleshooting in a business environment.
You will be equipped with the knowledge and expertise to model, monitor and analyse networks in various situations, simulating performance and availability to configure them for optimum performance. In addition to this, you will also improve your mathematical, problem solving, communication, and critical skills. As well as in-depth knowledge and practical experience of computer communications and networking, our course will provide you with many transferable skills. It will improve your research, data collection and interpretation, mathematical, communication, problem solving, presentation and critical skills – as well as your confidence and ability to work under your own initiative while managing your own time.
During this module you will develop a systematic understanding of the concepts, protocols and standards for computer networks and internetworking, used in current and future communication infrastructures. It is vital in today's networking market that network managers, administrators and engineers have a critical insight and practical experience of the essential tools used for monitoring, managing and evaluating computer networks. This module, which includes at least 12 hours spent working in labs, is designed to equip you with these problem solving and practical skills.
This module provides participants with a sound grounding in the theory and practice of investment management. Specific aims include: strategies of portfolio construction, generating investment ideas, estimating investment risk returns and the use of derivative instruments.
This module is designed to help you develop into a network manager or engineer with advanced problem solving and practical skills, and includes at least 24 hours of lab work. It will provide you with a systematic understanding of the concepts and standards for network management, network management protocols and network management tools which are used in current and future communication infrastructures. You will complete the module with critical insight and practical experience of the essential computer network management tools, as well as their development, operation, monitoring and assessment.
This is module covers the principles and foundations of network security. It aims at providing students with security 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.
This module focuses on the design and implementation of modern networked Operating Systems The module examines key operating concepts including: processes and threads, memory management, file systems, inter-process communication (IPC), synchronisation, networking technologies, network interfaces and socket programming. Practical experience of modern Operating Systems will be provided using labs on Linux and Windows 10.
This module covers various issues relating to virtualisation and could computing, with at least 24 hours spent working in labs over the duration of the module. You will focus on exploring and understanding modern data centres, virtualisation, distributed storage, MapReduce, NoSQL, platform services, web services and caching. At the end of the module you will be able to critically assess a variety of cloud platforms, use quantitative and qualitative techniques to professionally design and implement scalable applications and services that execute in a distrusted computing environment, and evaluate the trade-offs and challenges when developing a cloud.
This module involves an independent piece of work shaped largely by one’s own decisions and preferences to accomplish and to deliver via prescribed stages. The module aims to facilitate your understanding of designing, planning and conducting applied research. You'll be encouraged to apply and test theory and to contribute to applications, through enhancing your ability to handle data for problem solving and evaluation; to test theory using analysis and simulations, integrating the learning from other modules. You must demonstrate an understanding of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues in the context of computer and communications engineering and networking, and comply with appropriate professional code of conduct, recognising your obligation to society and your profession.
This module is an independent piece of work shaped largely by one’s own decisions and preferences to accomplish and deliver a task via prescribed stages. The module aims to facilitate students’ understanding of designing, planning and conducting applied research. The module encourages students to apply and test theory and to contribute to applications, through enhancing students’ ability to handle data for problem solving and evaluation; to test theory using analysis and simulations, integrating the learning from other modules.
See the course specification for more information:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
As well as developing your practical skills in laboratory sessions, you’ll attend lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, where you’ll deepen your theoretical knowledge, work on activities and case studies, and develop your analytical and problem-solving skills. You will do research, produce written reports, give presentations and take part in group discussions and group work, supplementing all this with your own independent study.
As well as exams, tests and your research project, you’ll be assessed through practical assignments, including laboratory work, and coursework including essays, reports, presentations and class discussions. Some assessed work will also be group work.
For your independent project you will plan, conduct and produce an original piece of research relevant to the industry – either using existing or emerging technology to solve a practical problem, or extending the theoretical understanding of new technology. You will be assessed on your research proposal, written report and via oral examination.
If you have travel restrictions to the UK due to coronavirus, this course can be started fully online with support to learn from your home country for the first term.
We are back on campus for the majority of teaching in Autumn 2021, as long as restrictions allow. Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
In case of any changes to government guidance, we‘ll be ready to move to teaching with more restrictions in place and continue to give you an excellent learning experience. In this scenario, on campus teaching should continue although more of your course will take place online.
The table below gives you an idea of what your learning will look like across a typical week. Some weeks might be different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information may change slightly as we receive further guidance from the government. You’ll receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start.
Scenario A: Without social distancing | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 10 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 6 hours |
Scenario B: With social distancing and/or with restrictions on travel to campus | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 14 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 14 hours |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1800 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
Read more about our scenarios for returning to campus and what they might mean for your teaching and learning experience, and how you’ll be able to access student support.
Future plans for teaching
We’re developing our plans for in-person on campus teaching following government advice to keep you safe. If more restrictions are put in place in the future, or there is another lockdown, we’ll deliver your learning and support fully online for a temporary period. We’ll make alternative arrangements for any required placements if they can’t go ahead as planned. We’ll always give you notice of any changes that we make.
Definitions of terms
Support
You’ll have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you’ll have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You’ll have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
More on teaching for your subject in 2021/22
Read our guide to what you can look forward to when you study your subject with us including more information about your teaching experience this autumn.
This course will leave you perfectly placed for a role as a training specialist, systems dispenser, business analysis manager or university lecturer. Many of our graduates have gone straight into employment in the networking and communications industry and are working in programming, telecommunications engineering or network management. There are also a wide range of other opportunities open to you in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, everything from industry and consultancy to academia and further research. You could even start your own business.
Our graduates have gone onto achieve many successes since leaving Middlesex and a number have even started working for such companies as:
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: October 2021
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGH64A
Start: , October 2021
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGI108
Start: October 2021, EU/INT induction: September 2021
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGG42H
