Masters Degree by Research at NUI Galway

Amik

Has anyone taken the IT Masters Degree By Research program at NUI Galway? I'd like to get a Masters degree and this seems convenient on paper.

http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_research.html

lukegjpotter

I'm doing the B.Sc. I.T. Undergrad, I'm in final year, but if I don't get a job, most of the PostGrad courses offered by the I.T. Dept. are kinda a step sideways for me.
I believe you'll have to find a Master's Supervisor. I'd suggest getting in contact with Michael Schukat, Hugh Melvin, Colm or Michael Madden.

Fisher Calhoun

Amik wrote: »

Has anyone taken the IT Masters Degree By Research program at NUI Galway? I'd like to get a Masters degree and this seems convenient on paper.

http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_research.html

What's your primary degree in? If it's not an IT degree, then the MSc in Software Design and Development is worth considering: http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_science.html

The best thing there is that it's part funded by the HEA so the fees each year are substantially less (€2k for the MSc SWD&D versus ~€5.5k for the pure research one).

the keen edge

Fisher Calhoun wrote: »

What's your primary degree in? If it's not an IT degree, then the MSc in Software Design and Development is worth considering: http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_science.html

The best thing there is that it's part funded by the HEA so the fees each year are substantially less (€2k for the MSc SWD&D versus ~€5.5k for the pure research one).

Just out of interest, would anyone know if a science undergrad embarked on this course coming from a non IT primary degree, would they find employment as readily as someone coming from, say, the Computer Science and IT degree course.

I will hopefully have a Earth and Ocean Science degree in a few years, and I love the course, but seeing as IT is proving to be such an indelible employment area, it would be great to know that a MSc would allow transition towards that area.

Fisher Calhoun

the keen edge wrote: »

Just out of interest, would anyone know if a science undergrad embarked on this course coming from a non IT primary degree, would they find employment as readily as someone coming from, say, the Computer Science and IT degree course.

I will hopefully have a Earth and Ocean Science degree in a few years, and I love the course, but seeing as IT is proving to be such an indelible employment area, it would be great to know that a MSc would allow transition towards that area.

Most people who undertake the MSc in Software Design and Development come from non IT backgrounds - typically engineering and science graduates. The course material is aimed to educate those who have no previous experience of IT subjects. Once you have a postgraduate degree your undergraduate degree won't count as much. So, really, I'd say your odds would be good. Maybe not as good as someone who is "pure" IT, but still good.

Those who have IT backgrounds (BSc in IT or CS, for example) typically would go straight into a MSc by research. The SWD&D MSc is taught for the first year with a research thesis to be completed in the second.

KarmicKoala

Hi all,

New to boards.ie so bare with me. I am thinking of doing a postgrad in MSc in Software Design and Development (http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_science.html) at NUIG. I graduated as an engineer a couple of years ago from another college and have been working in engineering since.

My work has required me to do a lot of software work including database design, front end design, networking etc.

As far as entry requirements for the First year of the course, im sorted. However I see there is a Fidelity Stream (http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_fidelity.html) that allows students who have “built up a domain expertise which is equivalent to the year-1 syllabus” to enrol in the 2nd year of the programme (a research project).

Im in two minds whether to apply for the Fidelity Stream or would it be better to get a good grounding in software in year 1. Im not naive enough to think that year 1 will teach me all I need to know about software but If there is anyone out there who has done this course, I would like hear from a students perspective what you thought.

Things like would this course be good enough to set you up to do a PhD in some IT area if you wished?

Thanks in advance.

Fisher Calhoun

KarmicKoala wrote: »

Hi all,

New to boards.ie so bare with me. I am thinking of doing a postgrad in MSc in Software Design and Development (http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_science.html) at NUIG. I graduated as an engineer a couple of years ago from another college and have been working in engineering since.

My work has required me to do a lot of software work including database design, front end design, networking etc.

As far as entry requirements for the First year of the course, im sorted. However I see there is a Fidelity Stream (http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_fidelity.html) that allows students who have “built up a domain expertise which is equivalent to the year-1 syllabus” to enrol in the 2nd year of the programme (a research project).

Im in two minds whether to apply for the Fidelity Stream or would it be better to get a good grounding in software in year 1. Im not naive enough to think that year 1 will teach me all I need to know about software but If there is anyone out there who has done this course, I would like hear from a students perspective what you thought.

Things like would this course be good enough to set you up to do a PhD in some IT area if you wished?

Thanks in advance.

The MSc SWD&D is a good bridge for those of the non IT background who want to move into the IT field. As per below, it's especially good for engineers who have an analytical mindset. If you're thinking of doing a PhD in IT, then this would be a good first step. In fact, I know several people in the IT department who have done just that - gone from the MSc into a PhD. As well as giving you a "bridging" qualification between fields, it would give you first hand experience of doing research. This is important as not all people like doing research and find that the "independent learning" experience is not for them. This way you can find out whether or not you like it without committing to a 3-4 year PhD.

I'm not familiar with the Fidelity stream, but having read the link above, the key question for yourself is how well do you know the material taught in the 1st year MSc? Most if it is quite introductory as you cover a broad spectrum of subjects - it's really aimed to give a grounding in a wide variety of areas rather than to train you as an expert in any one or two.

Look at the details below and see how you'd rate yourself:
http://www.it.nuigalway.ie/programmes_masters_science.html

The main languages covered are C, C++ and VB(.NET). The DB course looks at DB concepts (normalisation, etc) and SQL. Algorithms is a very high level and broad course, it doesn't get messy or too specific. Comp Arch/OS and Comp Comms are more detailed and messy, looking at how hardware works and how networks operate. Internet Programming looks at the basic web languages (HTML, CSS, Scripting languages, etc) rather than teaching you to be a professional web developer. SW Eng is about the fluffy "how to design SW" stuff - use cases, data flow diagrams, UML, etc. On top of that, there's also two options to take.

If you have a good grasp of the above, then going straight to the research year would probably be good. Otherwise, you might benefit from the taught first year "easing" you into it. The best person to talk to with regards specifics is Hugh Melvin, he oversees the MSc and will put you on the right track: hugh.melvin@nuigalway.ie

I'd highly recommend the MSc SWD&D because of it being part funded by the HEA. At €2k per year, it beats the hell out of paying €5k+ per year for the pure research Masters - especially so for those coming from the non IT background!

Good luck!

KarmicKoala

Thanks for the advice Fisher, really appreciate it