Prospective Students

Degree Information:

Cloud Computing is a significant part of the overall market for information technology and services and is now one of the fastest growing segments of the market with worldwide revenues expected t be as high as US$148bn by 2014 (Gartner). Cloud Computing and Commerce require a new type of graduate comfortable with the specific nuances of cloud computing. In Ireland, cloud computing is a specific focus in the recently announced Government Action Plan for Jobs and is a high priority in the Enterprise Ireland and IDA strategies.

Note: The MSc in Management (Cloud Computing) is closely aligned with four other different programmes, MSc in Management (Strategy, Digital Marketing or Business) and the MSc Electronic Commerce (Business), though some modules and programme content are shared between the five programmes, they are very different, the fundamental chosen programme will define the area of business you are interested in gaining significant knowledge and expertise.

This programme is intended for students who have a business or computing related undergraduate degree and who wish to pursue a specific pathway in cloud computing and commerce. Participants on this programme will develop knowledge and expertise in the principles, technologies, services, applications, challenges and benefits of cloud computing. It is delivered using resources from DCU Business School, the School of Computing and the Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge (LInK) Research Centre.

It is a busy and intensive programme which runs for 11 ½ months from mid-September of each year to end-August of the following year.

Aims and Objectives:

• Understand the basis of the shift in economics, operations, services provision, and strategy enabled by developments in cloud computing
• Understand the range of services encompassed by cloud computing, including basic infrastructure hosting, applications hosting, and hosting of development platform environments
• Understand how cloud computing enables the offering or reconfiguration of strategy, operations, service provision, and business models
• Assess the suitability of cloud-based architectures to meet the operational and strategic needs of organizations

Programme Structure:

This one year, full-time programme enables your learning through a combination of lectures, self-assessment exercises, seminars, workshops, and a wide range of practical assignments - often for real-world clients. A core design element of this masters programme is that you will be given many opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world projects. As well as undertaking industry-relevant projects, you can work in a group to complete a major practical project in lieu of an individual dissertation. Projects are sourced from DCU's research centres, corporate clients, or may be based on students' own insights and ideas.

The MSc in Cloud Computing and Commerce is part of DCU Business School's Next Generation Management (NGM) initiative This starts with a week-long immersion course which takes place before the beginning of Semester one.

Year-long Modules

• Next Generation Management
• Cloud Architecture and Service Lifecycle

Semester 1

• Web Design and Development(1)
• Accounting for Business Decision Making(2)
• Economics(2)
• Business Process Innovation
• Digital Marketing and eBusiness Management

Semester 2

• Strategic Thinking in the Information Age
• Data Analytics and Visualisation
• Risk, Regulation and Ethics in eCommerce
• Technology Management

Summer Period

• Group Practicum or Dissertation

Note 1: Only available for non-computing graduates. Note 2: only available for non-business graduates

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

• At the forefront of cutting edge national research drawn from the Irish Centre for Cloud Computing and Commerce
• Provides business and computing graduates with the conceptual foundation for a career in the growing cloud computing industry
• Close ties with industry to ensure programme relevancy.
• Support from highly qualified lecturers who have professional experience and are active researchers in related areas.
• Part of the Next Generation Management initiative devoted to providing students with critical skills in personal and career development, leadership, teamwork and accountability, global and societal awareness, and research, media and communication.
• Heavy emphasis on applied learning.
• Comprehensive conceptual view of design, configuration, operation and related concepts of cloud computing services including scalability and performance, reliability, resilience, interoperability, portability and migration. Students will be exposed to new methods and tools for designing, developing, releasing, maintaining & managing Cloud based application and services

Career Prospects:

Coupled with their primary degree, graduates of the M.Sc. in Management (Cloud Computing and Commerce) will be part of a specialised and valuable select group of graduates with a strategic comprehension and knowledge skill set at management level in cloud computing. Graduates of the programme will be highly attractive to both domestic enterprises and the large multinationals based in Ireland.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, critical thinking and technology competencies for a wide range of roles within the cloud computing industry, which continues to see mass migration from traditional software deliverance to highly customisable and widespread cloud based offerings.

Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirements for the programme are:

• A second class honours grade 1 honours degree in a Business discipline, or an equivalent international qualification.
  

If you have achieved a second class honours grade 2 honours degree in a Business discipline, you may still obtain a place. This will depend on the availability of places. You may be invited for interview.

If, as is normally the case, demand from qualified applicants exceeds available places, applicants will be ranked for admission purposes on the basis of prior academic performance and, where relevant, performance at interview. Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date may receive conditional offers.

International Applications
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Dates for Submission of Applications 2012

EU Applicants
We have added a limited number of extra places to this programme, apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 24th August 2012.

Non-EU Applicants
Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 13th July 2012.

Please note that a limited number of applications may be accepted up to 31st August by means of manual application procedures. Further details available from registry.pac@dcu.ie

Applying through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu)
When applying for this programme use the PAC code DC515. Please submit a C.V. along with other supporting documentation to PAC.

Commencement of Programme

September 2012.

Full list of degrees >

Fee information

Indicative Timetable
(Weeks 20-31)