COURSE CURRICULUM

The first year of the MSc Software Engineering course at Staffordshire University offers a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge needed for success in the software development industry. The course begins with critical systems and applications, providing a deep understanding of complex software systems and their real-world applications. Students also explore DevOps and agile software development practices within Amazon Web Services (AWS), gaining practical experience in modern, cloud-based development environments that are widely used in industry. A key component of the course is the research methods and dissertation proposal module, which prepares students for their dissertation by teaching essential skills in academic research, critical analysis, and project planning. The dissertation itself is a significant part of the course, allowing students to conduct an in-depth research project on a topic of their choice, demonstrating their ability to apply software engineering principles in a practical or theoretical context. Alongside this, students study software engineering principles and practices to build a solid foundation in the methodologies and best practices used to design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. The curriculum also includes web and mobile application development, where students learn to create applications for a variety of platforms, emphasizing both front-end and back-end development. This diverse range of modules ensures that students develop a broad set of skills, from technical programming abilities to research competencies and industry-relevant practices. By the end of the first year, students are well-prepared to take on complex software projects and contribute effectively in professional environments, equipped with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge essential for a successful career in software engineering.