Web Science and Big Data Analytics MSc

Students will gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of web-related technologies and big data analytics, ranging from information search and retrieval, natural language processing, data mining and knowledge acquisition, large-scale distributed data analytics and cloud computing to e-commerce and their business economic models and the latest concepts of social networks.

MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits), and the research dissertation (60 credits).

• Complex Networks and Web (15 credits)
• Information Retrieval and Data Mining (15 credits)
• Web Economics (15 credits)

Students must choose a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 75 credits of optional modules. Up to two electives (30 credits) may also be chosen instead of two of the optional modules.

• Affective Computing and Human-Robot Interaction (15 credits)
• Applied Machine Learning (15 credits)
• Birkbeck College: Cloud Computing (15 credits)
• Computer Graphics (15 credits)
• Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice (15 credits)
• Graphical Models (15 credits)
• Interaction Design (15 credits)
• Machine Vision (15 credits)
• Probabilistic and Unsupervised Learning (15 credits)
• Statistical Natural Language Processing (15 credits)
• Supervised Learning (15 credits)

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars. Lectures are often supported by laboratory work with help from demonstrators. Student performance is assessed by unseen written examinations, coursework and the dissertation.