Computer Science - Augmented & Virtual Reality

The course equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to enable them to participate in the design and development of the technology that underpins the interactive entertainment industries including the fast moving video game market and the wider industries of new media and communication. The course is designed and taught by staff who are leading experts in their fields, and the course content is inspired by their cutting-edge work as well as their contacts with leading industry researchers around the globe.

Course Content and Structure
The MSc is a full-time course taught over an entire calendar year (September to August), with two 12-week semesters of taught modules, involving attendance at labs and lectures, followed by dedicated time for research work over the remaining summer months for the MSc Dissertation.

The MSc course comprises 90 credits, based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

Please note that the course content is updated on an annual basis and some minor changes occur from year to year.

The foThe following core modules are taken by all students on the course:
• Computer Vision (5 ECTS)
• Machine Learning (5 ECTS)
• Augmented Reality (5 ECTS)
• Computer Graphics (5 ECTS)
• Realtime Animation (5 ECTS)
• Realtime Rendering (5 ECTS)
• Advanced Software Engineering (10 ECTS)
• Mathematics of Light & Sound (5 ECTS)
• Research and Innovation (5 ECTS)

Furthermore, students take 10 ECTS of individually chosen elective modules from a pool of options, and all students complete a substantial 30 ECTS Research Dissertation which comprises a third of the entire course. Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Computer Science, upon successful completion of 60 ECTS of modules (not including the Research Dissertation).

Admission Requirements
The MSc programme aims to produce very high quality graduates that can become leaders in high-tech industry and academic research. It will be intensive, demanding and rewarding.

For entry to the course, we require the following:
• A grade of at II.1 (Upper Second Class Honours) or higher from a reputable university, in Computing or a strongly related discipline.
• A standard of English language competency that will allow full participation in coursework, classwork and other activities. Specifically, if English is not your first language, you are required to submit an English competency certificate with a minimum IELTS level of 6.5 or equivalent in order for your application to be considered. For details on alternative English Tests accepted, please visit TCD's International Students Entry Requirements website.
• You need to be able to be fully competent in programming. All candidates will have to complete a programming test in C, C++ or Java before being offered a place on the course. Some modules on the course may also require programming in Python and other languages.
• A strong work ethic and the resolve to strongly engage with the demanding programme. This means, for example, that it will be extremely difficult to do the course while holding part-time employment. Students should expect to engage in a large amount of practical work during the course.
• Please note that the above are only the minimum requirements for entry. The admissions process is competitive and higher scores may be required to secure a place on the course.

Closing Date: 31st July 2023

1 year full-time

Next Intake September 2020

Career Opportunities
We expect graduates to be in high demand for research and development positions within leading multi-national companies and start-up companies alike. Previous graduates from our M.Sc. programmes have gone on to work for games or visual effects companies, whilst many others work in broader areas involving computer vision, computer graphics or interactive digital applications. Some companies where our Alumni have taken up employment include: NVIDIA, Unity Technologies, The Foundry and Tencent Games. In some cases, our graduates have gone on to further postgraduate research, taking up funded PhD positions at TCD or other universities in Ireland abroad.