Areas of Specialization

The MSc in Computer Science program is an evening program that is completely privately sponsored. The curriculum has two areas of specialization:

1. Software and Systems Security
2. Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

A student pursuing a MSc in Computer Science will be required to specialize in one of these tracks. The choice of the areas of specialization was dictated by the current trends and needs in the Computing fifield in the region and internationally.

Software and Systems Security

Uganda and the rest of the African continent have witnessed a tremendous increase in the adoption and use of automated computing systems. The region has also seen increase in the usage of the Internet and online IT systems. Computerization increases precision, speed, reliability, availability and reduces cost. Computerization has been applied in sensitive/critical areas like finance (e.g., mobile money and online banking), records keeping, monitoring and tracking.

Design and implementing secure computer systems is an ever increasing challenge worldwide. Unfortunately, most organizations put emphasis on the functionality of the computerized systems but pay less attention on the susceptibility of the systems to malicious attack by intruders. Without proper implementation of security, organizations could suffer from high security risks including fifinancial losses. In some cases, businesses can be thrown several years back and rendered uncompetitive.

There is shortage of computer security professionals in Uganda and internationally. The Software and Systems Security track therefore aims at producing computer security experts who will be able to design, develop, implement and manage secure computing systems and networks. The graduates will also be able to critically evaluate threats and vulnerabilities and integrate appropriate security strategies in computing systems and networks.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

The Artificial Intelligence and Data Science option aims at producing graduates equipped with skills to process, analyse and extract insight from huge amounts of data. It draws upon our world-leading expertise in the areas of machine learning, computer vision and image processing, visual analytics, high-performance computing, data mining and information retrieval.

There is a growing demand of professionals with this skills set because individuals and organizations are continuously producing vast amounts of real-time heterogeneous data (known as Big Data). Big Data challenge in areas such as health, business, security,intelligent transport, energy efficiency, education, retail and the creative industries.

This option will equip students with advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in algorithms, tools, and techniques for managing and processing big data.

Emphasis on Research, Problem Solving and Transdisciplinarity

The MSc in Computer Science program puts strong emphasis on research, transdisciplinarity and problem solving using advanced computational thinking skills.

This is because Computer Science is a highly ever-evolving field that demands keeping up with the most up-to-date research and trending advancements not only in Computer Science but also in other fields. Most graduates of Computer Science work in fast changing and technically challenging environments that require continuous research and learning.

In order to produce graduates who can work successful in the field of Computer Science, the curriculum ensures that the two offered options have a heavy component of research and problem solving. The modes of delivery and research problems are designed to equip students with skills to tackle inter and trans-disciplinary research abilities

Career Options Arising from the MSc in Computer Science program

The graduates from the MSc. in Computer Science find themselves in different kinds of environments for example, academia, research, industry, government, private and business organizations. The list below provides some of the possible career options for a graduate of the MSc. in Computer Science:

• Computer/Cyber Security Expert
• Software Engineers/programrs
• Data Scientist
• ICT Project Consultants
• Systems Security Analyst
• Researcher
• Systems Analyst, and Business Intelligence Analyst
• Database, Systems and Network Administrators