The MSc in Computing offers a choice of Majors, designed to equip graduates with a range of cutting-edge skills, enabling them to produce high-quality software and systems that deliver solutions to business and the economy.

 

Major 1 - Natural Language Processing (This Major is available Full Time Only)

Natural Language Processing (NLP) combines computer science, linguistics and artificial intelligence. The aim of NLP is to develop computer programs with the ability to understand and produce text, as demonstrated in recent chatbots like ChatGPT, LaMDA, and BARD. NLP is an exciting field, because it has the potential to transform the way we interact with machines and each other, and to make our lives easier and more efficient. In cutting-edge research, large language models like the one at the heart of ChatGPT are even beginning to be used for increasingly general AI system development. 

 

Natural Language Processing specialists are in high demand. They are needed to develop and improve technologies such as text classifiers, chatbots, virtual assistants, and language translation systems, which are used by many industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and more. With the increasing amount of data being generated, the ability to process and understand human language has become crucial for many businesses to make informed decisions. As a result, there is a shortage of skilled NLP professionals, and companies pay highly competitive salaries to attract talent in this field.

 

This is the first Natural Language Processing master’s degree in Ireland. It has been developed by world-leading academics working in NLP, and is taught by a team of experts from a diverse range of computer science backgrounds including natural language processing, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. An expert panel of industry NLP professionals will deliver a series of guest lectures and engage in practicum supervision. Taught intensively over nine months and building on your background in computer science, this master’s will equip you with the skills you need for a successful career in this fast-growing field.

 

Major 2 - Data Analytics (This Major is available both Full Time and Part Time)

This exciting new Major, delivered in conjunction with leading industry players, builds on the School of Computing's expertise and its involvement with Insight, Science Foundation Ireland's Centre for Data Analytics and ADAPT, the centre for new Human Centric AI techniques. Technologies such as the internet, sensor nets, social media and cloud computing are generating vast amounts of data. To say we are drowning in information is an understatement. Yet in this vast amount of raw data, there are gems of knowledge that can be used to improve processes and generate value. This Major provides students with a deep understanding of the issues, techniques and tools to examine large amounts of raw data in order to extract meaningful conclusions from the information these contain.

 

Major 3 - Artificial Intelligence (This Major is available Full Time Only)

There is a strong demand for graduates with the highly specialised multi-disciplinary skills that are required in AI, both as practitioners in the development of AI applications and as researchers into the advanced capabilities required for the creation of next-generation AI systems.  This Major is designed to meet this educational need, by providing a balanced programme of instruction across a range of relevant areas.

 

Major 4 - Secure Software Engineering (This Major is available both Full Time and Part Time)

In this modern age of increased data usage and ubiquitous computing the security of software is more important than ever. This updated and revised MSc. Major in Secure Software Engineering builds a firm base of advanced software engineering skills and emphasises security from start to finish. It will be appropriate for all those tasked with building and researching secure software systems.

 

Major 5 - FinTech & Technology Innovation (This Major is available Part Time only)

The innovation enhanced by the emergence of Financial Technologies (FinTech) holds the prospect of a shift of power over everyday financial transactions away from those who have hitherto held it (in large Financial Organizations) and towards the general population, leading to a potential ‘democratisation’ of finance in areas such as Aggregation, Micro Investing and Crowd-funding. Other key application areas of FinTech Innovation have been towards empowering companies in the Financial Services sector, predominantly in Payment Services and Regulatory Compliance by simplifying and automating their processes.

 

In this major we draw a distinction between those who actually develop the products which have the potential to empower and those who would use them in a business context. It has been developed to deliver the requisite FinTech background knowledge in key underpinning areas such as Data Governance and Financial Time Series as well as technologies necessary in developing Innovative FinTech technologies e.g. AI and Blockchain.