You are here Postgraduate > Computer Science

MSc in Computer ScienceFuture Networked Systems

Computer networking has transformed society over the past 20 years and is continuing to enable new advances from social networking through Internet-of-Things to Cloud computing.  This strand builds on research activity within the CONNECT research centre and a long history of innovation and start-up companies at the school.

The course deals with how things become smart and connected as software systems are more and more embedded in our everyday environments, from mobile social networking to managing city resources such as road traffic. Dealing with such large-scale, cyber-physical and distributed systems requires novel approaches that address timeliness, safety, privacy and scale challenges. The course equips students with the skills and knowledge to tackle such challenges and take up careers in the related areas.

Career Opportunities

We expect graduates to be in high demand for high-end research and development positions within leading multi-national companies and start-up companies alike. Previous graduates have gone on to work in Software Engineering, Financial Technology and other computing related companies including Facebook, Microsoft, Citi and Genesys. In some cases, our graduates have gone on to further postgraduate research, taking up funded PhD positions at TCD or other universities in Ireland abroad.

The following is a sample of roles secured by graduates after completing this course

Future Networked Systems Strand Modules

Michaelmas Term (Sept-Dec)	Hilary Term (Jan-March)	Summer Term (April-August)
Machine Learning	Security & Privacy	Dissertation
Advanced Software Engineering 1	Advanced Software Engineering 2
Scalable Computing	Distributed Systems
Research Methods and Innovation	Internet of Things
Urban Computing	Option 2
Next Generation Networks or Option 1	Option 3

Option 1, 2 and Option 3 are elective modules selected from the other strands. It is recommended that FNS students take Next Generation Networks however students are permitted to replace this module with an option from another strand. Click on the Links above for more detail on each module.

Course Summary

Along with the core modules in the first semester, you will choose one module from a list of two.  These include Internet of Things, we explore the technology underlying this burgeoning area including middleware, service discovery and composition and sensor and network virtualization.  Practical exercises will lead you through design, implementation and deployment of an end-to-end IoT application. In Next Generation Networks, we explore future trends in fixed and wireless communications networks including next-generation access, LTE and Software-Defined network technologies.  Finally, you can choose one subject (5 credits) from a pool of MSc modules allowing you to complement your core interests in Future Networked Systems.

In semesters one and two you will cover a 10 credit  course in Advanced Software Engineering  which explores the methods and techniques involved in large-scale software development encompassing Agile and eXtreme Programming (XP), Test-driven development and Re-factoring.  Scalable Computing looks at how applications and workloads can be serviced by warehouse-scale computing facilities.  The module will explore cloud architectures, resource management and security considerations.  Arising from research within the school's Smart & Sustainable cities research centre, our Urban Computing Module will explore the techniques for gathering urban data, management of that data, visualization and alerts and will involve the development of a complete smart city application. A course in Security & Privacy will complement other courses covering such topics as Authentication, Digital Rights Management Cloud security and user privacy. Distributed Systems - which deals with concurrency, the science of distributed transactions, web services and advanced application frameworks.  Finally, Option 2 will allow you to choose a complementary modules from our pool.

By April, you will have chosen your Dissertation topic, picked and consulted with your chosen supervisor and be ready to develop substantial time researching and prototyping your work.  We expect that the top projects should deliver publishable quality papers over this period.

Apply for Future Networked Systems Strand