Introduction
The Master of Science in Computer Science aims at equipping students with advanced skills in Computer Science.
Programme Objectives
- To provide students with in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of Computer Science so as to satisfy the technological needs in the private and public sector.
- To provide students with advanced knowledge and special skills set in the key areas of computer security, computer programming, data science, and cloud computing.
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the ever-evolving demands of the Computer Science profession.
- To provide students with skills to deploy and manage Computer infrastructure in organizations so as to improve their effectiveness.
- To provide students with research skills which will help them grow with the technological advancements as well as help them participate in the development of new technologies.
Programme Features
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:
- Software and Systems Security
- 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
The program is designed for graduates from computing (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Software Engineering) and closely related fields, who wish to gain advanced knowledge in Computer Science. The broad target groups include but not limited to:
- those interested in pursuing both academic and professional careers requiring advanced Computer Science knowledge.
- professionals interested pursuing careers in the fields of computer security, data science, network security, analytical, programming, software engineering/ software development, and cloud computing, among others.
- those interested in pursuing PhD research in Computer Science.
The duration of the program is four semesters spread in two years. Each semester has fifteen weeks of studying and two weeks of examinations
Tuition fees for privately sponsored students is 5,000,000 Uganda Shillings per academic year for Ugandans and 12,780,000 Uganda Shillings for international students.
To qualify for admission to the MSc. in Computer Science, a candidate must fulfill the general Makerere University entry requirements for Masters Degrees, and in addition, the candidate must be a holder of either:
- A minimum of Second Class (lower division) undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognized university/institution.
- A minimum of Second Class (lower division) postgraduate diploma in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or a closely related field from a recognized university/institution.
Candidates from closely related fields should have taken core computer science courses in undergraduate or postgraduate diploma studies including: compiler design, automata and complexity, object-oriented programming languages, data structures and algorithms, computer architecture, mathematics particularly in linear algebra, statistics and calculus.
Upgrading from Postgraduate Diploma
If a candidate holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science of Makerere University of at least a Lower Second class, he/she may apply to join in the second year of the Master of Science in Computer Science provided they have followed equivalent courses in the post graduate Diploma. In such a case, the applicant is expected to undertake research in the second year and any remaining course units to meet the minimum requirement for the award of the MSc. in Computer Science Degree.
The upgrade of the PGD Computer Science to the MSc. Computer Science described above must be supported by relevant academic documents attained for the PGD Computer Science of Makerere University. This must be done for purposes of analyzing the relevant academic courses that must have been attempted as per the current MSc. in Computer Science curriculum. Any courses that were not attempted by the applicant as per the first years course load of the current MSc. in Computer Science curriculum must be taken. When a student graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma of Computer Science of Makerere University with a classification of Pass, s/he can apply for the Master of Science in Computer Science but is admitted to the first year of the MSc. in Computer Science program.
Programme Structure
Year One (1)
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 7101 | Cloud Technologies and Architectures | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7102 | Data Security and Privacy | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7103 | Machine Learning | 60 | 30 | 45 | 4 |
| MCN 7105 | Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7106 | Advanced Topics in Computer Program Science | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| Total Credit Units | 20 |
Software and Systems Security Option
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 7201 | Computer Systems Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7202 | Network Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7227 | Data Analytics and Visualization | 60 | 30 | 45 | 4 |
| MIT 7116 | Research Methodology | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| Electives (Select 1) | |||||
| MCS 7203 | Cloud and Web Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7203 | Cloud and Web Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7204 | Deep Learning | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7205 | Digital Forensics | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| Total Credit Units | 20 |
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Option
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 7224 | Computer Vision | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7208 | Data Mining | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7227 | Data Analytics and Visualization | 60 | 60 | 30 | 4 |
| MIT 7116 | Research Methodology | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| Electives (Select 1) | |||||
| MCS 7203 | Cloud and Web Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7203 | Cloud and Web Security | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7204 | Deep Learning | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7205 | Digital Forensics | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| Total Credit Units | 20 |
Year Two (2)
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 7226 | Seminar Series (Semester I) | 60 | 30 | 2 | |
| MCS 8113 | Master’s Dissertation (Semester I & II) | 20 | |||
| Total Credit Units | 22 |
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT 7117 | Advanced IT Project Management | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCS 7102 | Seminar Series | 60 | 30 | 2 | |
| Electives (Select 3) | |||||
| MIS 8117 | Business Process Modelling & Analysis | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MIS 8110 | Geographical Information & Remote Sensing | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCN 7106 | Mobile Software & Content Development | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| MCN 7110 | Internet of Things | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| Total Credit Units | 18 |
| Code | Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS 8200 | Master’s Dissertation (Semester I & II) | 10 | |||
| Total Credit Units | 10 |