School: School of Engineering

Web and Smart Systems

Academic year

2022-2023
Taught Language: English

Course Summary

In the past decade, the developments experienced by the advancements of the Internet and the World Wide Web have been monumental for the Information Technology domain, as well as the society in general. Additionally, in recent years we have experienced an explosion of computational capabilities, not only from traditional computing machines (i.e. computers) but also from a wide variety of other devices such as mobile smart phones, tablets and several other autonomous smart devices. Furthermore, the developments in cloud computing and the integration of the whole spectrum of smart devices with the internet (Internet of Things) leads to the enchantment of existing information technology applications and to the creation of new areas of applications.

All these developments call for the existence of scientists and engineers that are adequately trained in the relevant technologies and have a deep knowledge of their interrelationships and the challenges that lie ahead.

The above realization constitutes the core motivation and forms the rationale behind the design and the development of the proposed program.

As its name implies, the program offers two specializations: (a) the Web Systems specialization, and (b) the Smart Systems specialization.

Aim of the Program:

The aim of the proposed program is to develop graduates that exhibit in-depth knowledge and advanced skills of the technologies relevant to web applications and smart systems. By the end of this program, graduates will master the knowledge required to design and implement efficient and effective solutions utilizing existing and emerging web and/or smart systems.

An equally important aim is that, through the program, the University will be able to strengthen its research activity in this fast evolving field and become a leading research institution in the area.

 

Specific Objectives

The main objectives of the program are to provide its graduates with in-depth knowledge and skills that will enable them to:

  1. Master the methodologies, tools and technologies related to the development of web and smart systems, such as networking, web engineering, ubiquitous computing as well as distributed and cloud computing.
  2. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in web systems with emphasis on human computer interaction and interactive system design, data mining, big data and analytics. (Web Systems Specialization only).
  3. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in smart systems with emphasis on communications and security for smart systems, embedded systems, sensors and actuator technology for smart system applications. (Smart Systems Specialization only).
  4. Work effectively as an individual, or within a team, in multi-disciplinary settings together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning
  5. Continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous
  6. Engage in research and communicate their findings and conclusions to specialists, and non-specialists clearly and unambiguously.

The language of instruction is English.

 

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

  1. Master the methodologies, tools and technologies involved in the analysis, development and evaluation of web enabled applications and their interactions.
  2. Master the methodologies, tools and technologies involved in the analysis, development and evaluation of applications of ubiquitous computing with emphasis on mobile devices, such as smart phones.
  3. Exploit the underlying networking technologies that enable web and smart system applications, and demonstrate awareness on the recent networking developments and emerging technologies.
  4. Recognize the role of cloud computing underlying technologies related to parallel and distributed computing, distinguish between the main cloud computing platforms and develop cloud based applications.
  5. Critically evaluate various technologies and solution alternatives, within the context of web and smart systems, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each.
  6. Demonstrate the capacity to adapt to new technologies in the relevant fields and establish the connections and relations with existing ones
  7. Communicate with other disciplines related in the field including engineering, business administration, graphic and web design.
  8. Demonstrate awareness of the open challenges and research questions in the field.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to understand and use technical literature and other information sources.
  10. Conduct independent research in relevant fields, develop informed opinions and synthesize knowledge to report findings.
  11. Think critically and reflectively on the capacity of the capabilities and limitations of data analysis and knowledge generation from distributed information systems.
  12. Engage in critical thinking and problem solving in the specific domain of interest of the program

 

Specialization Specific Learning Outcomes (Web Systems):

 

      Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

 

  1. Gain sufficient theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to design and develop web and mobile applications using a structured approach.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding on cutting edge web technologies and apply them for the development of advanced and complex web applications.
  3. Extend critical awareness of the issues and challenges associated with ubiquitous computing, enhance the understanding on mobile systems and creatively design and develop mobile applications using various smartphone application development platforms.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding on the theoretical dimension of human factors in the acceptance of computer interfaces and identify the impact of usable interfaces in the performance of mobile and web systems.
  5. Evaluate and select the appropriate data mining methodology, where data mining is required or beneficial, for investigating practical web and mobile application challenges and critically analyse and evaluate the results.
  6. Evaluate and select a systematic software reuse methodology in order to increase software productivity and improve software quality of an organization so as to successfully plan, manage, change and evolve any software project, for the development of applications on diverse platforms; desktop, mobile & web.
  7. Identify sources of data, collect, and store data using appropriate big data related platforms, as well as process, analyse and summarize data to achieve breakthrough outcomes for organisations using data analytics methods.
      

 

  Specialization Specific Learning Outcomes (Smart Systems):

 

      Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

 

  1. Design and develop smart system applications incorporating embedded systems and mobile devices as stand-alone systems or integrated with the web and the cloud.
  2. Evaluate and select the appropriate embedded system technology (hardware and operate system) to meet specific strict requirements related to real time systems, fault tolerance and power consumption.
  3. Integrate existing embedded system technology with custom designed systems using reconfigurable computing techniques and field programmable hardware (FPGAs).
  4. Evaluate and select the appropriate sensors and actuators for smart system applications, to meet specific strict requirements. 
  5. Evaluate and select the appropriate communication technology for smart system applications.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the recent developments related to the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications, Smart Transportation Systems (STSs), and Vehicular Networks (VANETs) in Smart City Systems.
  7. Assess the security concerns and impact that mobile and web systems intrinsically incorporate and argue on policies to alleviate them

Career Prospects

A large percentage of graduates of the MSc in Mobile and Web Systems program are expected to pursue careers in web application development and integration of applications with mobile devices, which is a rapidly growing section in organizations involved with software development. They are also likely to be employed in telecommunications companies, where a shift into the support of application-level services is present (see for example the establishment of CYTACOM by CYTA).

Graduates can also be employed in computer network related jobs and are also capable of obtaining employment in ICT departments of medium and large organizations and software houses.

The MSc in Web and Smart Systems is supported by the Mobile Device Laboratory (MDL)

Modules

Required Courses Modules

The student must successfully complete 40 ECTS, from the following list of modules:

No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 WSS501 COMPUTER NETWORKS 10 3
2 WSS502 WEB ENGINEERING 10 3
3 WSS503 UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING 10 3
4 WSS521 DISTRIBUTED AND CLOUD COMPUTING 10 3

Specialization Courses Modules

The student must successfully complete 20 ECTS, from the following list of modules:

No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 WSS530 COMMUNICATIONS FOR SMART SYSTEMS 10 3
2 WSS531 EMBEDDED SYSTEMS 10 3
3 WSS532 SENSORS AND ACTUATORS FOR SMART SYSTEMS 10 3
4 WSS533 NETWORK AND SYSTEM SECURITY 10 3

Master Thesis and Research Courses Modules

The student must successfully complete 30 ECTS, from the following list of modules:

No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 WSS589 REASEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THESIS PLANNING 10 1
2 WSS590 MASTER THESIS 20 0

 

Assessment Method

The Program has two concentrations: the web systems and the smart systems. Both concentrations are comprised of a taught and a research/thesis part. The taught part consists of eight (8) courses, four (4) compulsory and four (4) specialization electives. The research part consists of the Research Methodologies and Thesis Proposal course and the Master Thesis.

The program structure and the course breakdown with respect to the ECTS allocation are given below.

A student successfully completes the Program and obtains the title of Master of Science in Web and Smart Systems when both the taught and research parts are completed and the 90 ECTS credits are accumulated. The duration of the MSc program will be 18 months (i.e. three semesters) for full time or 30 months (i.e. five semesters) for part time attendance. In the case where the students fail to complete their studies in the expected time, the duration of the studies can be extended. The extension time will be determined according to the internal Regulation of Frederick University, concerning Students’ Graduation.

Module Group ECTS
Required Courses 40
Specialization Courses 20
Master Thesis and Research Courses 30
TOTAL 90

How to apply

Candidates for a master degree must submit a recognized bachelor degree or qualification deemed to be equivalent to degree level as well as the official transcripts (grade reports) of their first-degree studies. In addition, there could be special requirements for various master programs.

Application deadline

Frederick University academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters. The calendar is arranged so that students may start classes either during the last week of September or the first week of February. Candidates may submit an application for admission in any of the semesters. Due to the fact that formalities for the issue of an entry visa take at least 6 weeks, candidates are urged to file an application at least 8 weeks prior to the expected date of enrolment. Students are expected to be on campus prior to the beginning of the intended semester/session. In response to arising need, courses could be provided within the summer period.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Candidates who are nationals of EU countries can enter Cyprus as visitors. On arrival at Frederick University they must submit to the Admission Office the following:

  1. A fully completed application form.
  2. An application fee of Euro 25 (non-refundable).
  3. Attested (certified true) copies of their academic qualifications.
  4. Evidence of proficiency in English, (if available).
  5. A photocopy of their passport. The passport should be valid for at least one year from the date of their arrival to Cyprus.
  6. A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate's country of origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.

Furthermore, they must pay the registration fee, the semester tuition fees, and register for subjects. Next they must apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. The application to the Migration Department must be supported by evidence that they have paid their tuition fees for the semester, have enough funds for their initial living expenses and have obtained local health insurance coverage.

B. Applicants from non EU countries
International Students from non EU countries need to have a valid student visa in order to be allowed to enter Cyprus. The issue of an entry visa takes about 6 weeks from the date of the submission of the application. It is therefore recommended that candidates submit their application at least 8 weeks before the beginning of the semester. Cyprus Migration Department requirements in respect of the issue of a student visa, which from time to time may be modified, are available to candidates in a separate document.

Applicants are requested to contact the Office of Admissions to receive information and guidance regarding the proper documentation and formalities to be followed.

Additional entry requirements

Personal interviews are not normally required as part of the admission process; however, Frederick University reserves the right to request an interview before making a final decision on accepting an applicant.

English language requirements

A good knowledge of the English language is required for all programs of Frederick University taught in English.

English Placement Test

Students whose native language is not English will have to take the Frederick University English Placement Test (FUEPT). Students who are qualified for exemption from the English Language Courses should apply to the Center of Languages with the necessary documentation. Further details regarding the policies and requirements for exemption can be obtained from the Admissions Office and the Center of Languages.

Students who are not competent in the English language are required to take special English classes to improve their skills and, when necessary, they will take reduced load for that semester. Students who may need a more vigorous preparation will take an intensive course in English before enrolling in a regular program. Intensive courses commence at the beginning of the fall and the spring semesters.

Fees and funding

Application Fees

FULL PROGRAM TUITION FEES :

DISCOUNTED FEES - €/ECTS FOR FULL TIME STUDY
(60 ECTS)- €
100.00 9000

Additional Fee information

On campus students Euro
Application Fee €35 payable once
Registration Fee €25 per registration
Student Activity Fee €20 per semester
Technology Fee €20 per semester
Late Registration Fee €25
Transcript Fee €5 per additional copy
Incomplete Make-up €25
Graduation Application Fee €55
Exam Waiver Fee €25
Second Examination Fee €80
Transfer Credit Evaluation €40
   

 

Distance Learning students Euro
Application Fee €35 payable once
Semester Registration & Technology Fee €100 per semester

Provider information

Main Contact

7, Y. Frederickou Str.
Pallouriotisa, Nicosia 1036

Contact Person: Ferederick

Phone: +35722394394