MSc in Computing (Information Systems Processes)

Course Outline

This one-year full-time Masters degree programme aims to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and expertise in Human Factors in Information Systems. The course will also confer on the graduates a set of personal and professional attributes that will allow them greater flexibility in the development of their own career options.

Specifically, the course aims to produce graduates who can:

Reason and problem-solve to a high level in the context of information systems and its role in business, industry and research.
Participate constructively in the deployment of information systems.
Participate in the development of high-quality information systems products.
Undertake research-based projects for industry, providing effective advice and leadership where required.
Manage information systems based projects that require the handling of innovation and change in dynamic environments.

Semester 1 (September - January) - choose 4 from the following list:

Psychology of Computer-Mediated Work, Human Computer Interaction and Usability, Emerging Systems Development Paradigms, Business Process Analysis and Design, Design Patterns.

Semester 2 (February - May) - choose 4 from the following list:

Ethics and e-Privacy, Usable Information Architectures, Human-Centred Systems Development, Innovation and Intrapreneurship, Supply Chain Integration Technologies, Agile Software Development.

Semester 3 (June - September)

Dissertation

Career Opportunities

Organisations worldwide are increasingly relying on information systems to assist in their work at an operational, tactical, and strategic level. There is a growing awareness that these systems are not simply technical in nature but are in fact socio-technical systems. 'Socio-technical' here refers to the need for an appreciation of both technical and human factors in the design, development and deployment of advanced computer-based systems. There is an increasing recognition that the success of an investment in information systems requires that these human factors be addressed. As information systems become more pervasive their impact at a human level becomes more pronounced. This course equips students with the understanding of the issues that will prepare them for a career in information systems. A graduate of this course will also be well equipped to pursue a research-oriented career in both Academia and Industry. 

The course is aimed both at new graduates and experienced professionals wish to obtain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the human factors associated with information systems in modern organisations.

Entry Requirements

An honours degree in Computing, Information Systems, Information Technology or equivalent. Alternatively an honours degree in Business Studies or Engineering where there is a strong computing component will also be acceptable. The number of places available on the course will be limited to a maximum of 20 in the first year. Therefore an interview process may be required in the student selection procedure. International students are required to meet the WIT postgraduate TOEFL (600)/IELTS(6.5) English Language requirement standard. There is a prerequisite that a student successfully completes a bridging module in Systems Analysis and Design if they have not taken an equivalent module already. This module in an intensive introduction to object oriented analysis and design techniques.

Further information - Admissions queries

Graduate Admissions,
Registrar's Office,
Waterford Institute of Technology
Tel: +353-(0)51-302670

Further information - Academic queries

Mr. Liam Doyle
Lecturer in Information Systems
INSYTE Research Group
Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford
Ireland
E-mail ldoyle@wit.ie

How to Apply

All applications are proccessed through the online facility at http://www.pac.ie

Course brochure - M.Sc. in Computing (Information Systems Processes)
(PDF, 521KB)