COURSE CURRICULUM

The taught stage of the MSc Advanced Computer Science programme provides students with advanced technical knowledge across key areas of modern computing through a combination of core and optional modules. Core modules begin with Advanced Programming Practices, which strengthens software development skills through the study of advanced programming techniques, code quality, and efficient problem-solving approaches. Advanced Software Engineering Practices focuses on contemporary methods for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining complex software systems within professional environments. AI: Vision and Reality explores the principles, capabilities, and limitations of artificial intelligence while examining its practical applications and societal implications. Applied Machine Learning develops expertise in creating and evaluating machine learning models for solving real-world problems using data-driven approaches. The Aston Global Advantage module enhances professional, leadership, communication, and employability skills, preparing students for success in global and multidisciplinary workplaces. Cyber Resilient Systems examines techniques for designing secure, reliable, and resilient computing infrastructures capable of withstanding modern cyber threats and operational disruptions. Students further personalise their studies by selecting one module from two optional groups. The first choice is between Advanced Ethical Hacking, which develops practical penetration testing and cybersecurity assessment skills used to identify and address security vulnerabilities, or Mobile and Context-Aware Computing, which focuses on the development of intelligent mobile applications and systems that adapt to user environments and contextual information. The second choice is between Cloud, IoT, ICS Security, which explores security challenges and protection strategies for cloud computing platforms, Internet of Things devices, and industrial control systems, or Natural Language Processing, which examines computational methods for analysing, understanding, and generating human language using artificial intelligence techniques. Together, these modules provide a strong balance of software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and professional development, enabling students to build specialist expertise aligned with their career interests. The taught stage equips graduates with advanced technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued across the software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, and emerging technology sectors.