The course consist of a series of compulsory and optional units of lectures over two semesters, each of twelve weeks. In addition intensive computing courses are held in the week preceding the first semester so that students may become familiar with the computing facilities available. Students are required to attend all compulsory units, unless evidence is provided that a satisfactory level has already been attained in the subject, in which case, an additional unit may be substituted. Students may attend, and be assessed in, more than the required number of optional units.
Final assessment is based on the compulsory units and the best optional units.
Other options may be available, by arrangement, from other MSc programmes. Approximately half of the units are assessed by course work and half by examination.