Admissions

M.Sc. Research in Engineering

(Communication / Computer / Electronics)

About the Program

The MSc by Research in Engineering degree is awarded for independent investigation of specialised areas in Communication, Computer, or Electronic Engineering. Candidates for this degree are supervised by experienced researchers and are expected to demonstrate initiative in their approach and innovation in their work. M.Sc. by Research in Engineering candidates prepare and present a thesis on their chosen topic. Research may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University.

Program Goals

  • To provide graduates with specialization in their field of study
  • To equip graduates with research skills and techniques 
  • To equip graduates with research communication skills 
  • To equip graduates with personal effectiveness skills 
  • To produce graduates who will make substantial contributions to academia, industry, business, and the community. 
  • To undertake and publish research that is relevant to industry and business, and is highly regarded by the international community.

Program Outcomes

A student graduating with an M.Sc. by Research in Engineering degree will be able to:

  • demonstrate a good level of understanding and specialization in his/her field of study
  • conduct independent investigation with rigour and discrimination 
  • show an appreciation of the relationship of the area of his/her research to a wider field of knowledge 
  • demonstrate a critical appreciation of the literature in his/her area of research 
  • make a contribution to the body of knowledge in his/her field of study
  • demonstrate an ability to appraise critically his/her contribution in the context of his/her overall investigation 
  • constructively defend his/her research outcomes 
  • write clearly, accurately, cogently, and in a style appropriate to purpose 
  • construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences 
  • demonstrate personal effectiveness attributes including initiative, motivation, flexibility, self-discipline, self-reliance, and the capacity to work independently

Career Opportunities

The disciplines of Communication, Electronic, and Computer engineering touch virtually every aspect of human lives. These disciplines sit at the core of most technical advances being made on daily basis including those in IT, energy and sustainable development.  An MSc by Research in Communication, Electronic or Computer Engineering opens a wide range of career opportunities, in which the graduate can have a leading role, that include:

  • Communications Systems
  • Electronic Systems Design
  • Computer Systems
  • Networks Design
  • Information Security
  • Software Development
  • Research and Development
  • Multimedia and Entertainment
  • Industrial Control
  • Aviation Industry
  • Military and Police
  • Oil and Gas Industry
  • Transportation Systems
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Health-Care Systems

 
Admission Requirements

The university general graduate studies admission requirements apply for admission to the MSc by Research in Engineering program.
Bachelor degrees relevant for admission to the program are Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Communication engineering, Computer engineering, Computer science, or Information Technology. Candidates with degrees in other pertinent specializations may also be considered. In such cases, candidates will be asked to submit course descriptions along with their transcripts.
Conditionally admitted students must produce by the end of the first semester of registration satisfactory evidence that they have the ability to carry out research effectively.

This will be assessed as follows:

  • The student must submit a satisfactory initial progress report three months after the first registration. This report will be evaluated by the supervisor, the Graduate Studies and Research Advisory Panel, and the Graduate Studies Committee.
  • The student must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 79 iBT or its equivalent (e.g. a minimum IELTS score of 6.0) by the end of the first 6 months of registration.


If the student fails to satisfy the above conditions, then his/her registration will be terminated.

Duration of Study


The minimum period of study will be 18 months from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 30 months from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration. This study period includes the time taken to write-up the thesis.

The maximum period of study will be 30 months from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 50 months from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration. This study period includes the time taken to write-up the thesis. In exceptional cases, an extension of registration may be granted.

Program Structure

The MSc by Research in Engineering is conducted entirely by research and as such has no taught courses component.

It is compulsory for all students to attend a two weeks induction course provided by the University.

The induction course comprises of taught material covering Health and Safety, Program’s and University’s rules, regulations, and standards, University facilities, Computing facilities and programming, research methodology, technical report writing and oral presentation skills, use of library information systems and project management. Students requiring extra support in Mathematics and Physics will have specialist tutorials and seminars provided to them by the relevant faculty at the University.

In addition, the Programme Chair arranges for seminars to be given in relevant and topical subjects once a month. These seminars may be given either by external guest speakers, faculty or graduate students in the University. It is compulsory for students to attend these seminars.

All MSc by Research in Engineering students are required to give a seminar to the University faculty, staff, other graduate students and other invited guests on at least one occasion each year.
It is also compulsory for students to attend any technical courses or training programs deemed necessary by their supervisor. Since the requirements of each research project are different, such technical courses will be tailored to the needs of each student. Courses may comprise material from other programs offered by the University, short specialist courses delivered by experts from outside the University, the supervisor or other members of the faculty or staff of the University. If appropriate, other students may also be recommended to attend such technical courses or training programs.

For projects requiring special skills, a relevant faculty or staff at the University can provide tutorials and seminars to the student concerned at the request of the supervisor or student. If appropriate, other students may also be recommended to attend such tutorials and seminars. Depending on the student requirements, this activity may take place at any point during the project.
The candidate conducts focused research on a topic of interest within the broad fields of Communication, Electronic, and Computer engineering.  This gives the candidate the opportunity to develop expertise in that research area.  The expertise in conducting research and the technical knowledge accumulated will be highly valuable for candidates who wish to go to industry or continue their studies at the PhD level.  The overall structure of the MSc by Research in Engineering program is illustrated below.

 MScResearchVisio