School of Computing

University of Dundee

Postgraduate alumni

Bill Clark - MSc in Applied Computing

I was a mature student when I took the MSc in Applied Computing, having worked in electronic design. Over the years the software element of electronic projects had become increasingly important and I felt it was time to improve my software skills.

Since graduating in 2000 I have been with Intelligent Finance, an on-line/telephone bank based in Edinburgh. I have worked on the development of systems which automatically generate customer correspondence such as statements and legal documents. These systems use XML/XSLT technologies, currently an area of great technical interest and innovation, especially when interfaced with database systems.

I am grateful for the training in the fundamental principles of software engineering in the MSc course. This allowed me to make an immediate contribution to the development effort on joining Intelligent Finance, and to continue to advance professionally.

Christine Wang - MSc in Applied Computing

I graduated with Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Still with a thirst for knowledge, I decided to proceed with a postgraduate degree. I've always been interested in IT, and how it allows humans to be synergised with technology, so I applied for the MSc in Applied Computing.

My experience with the MSc course has been an accomplishing one. Meeting new friends, learning new subjects have all been a good experience. The vast diversity of the class, in culture, lifestyle, etc. is certainly refreshing, and I learned a lot from them.

Currently, I am working as a Design Engineer in Renesas Semiconductor (Malaysia) (formerly known as Hitachi Semiconductor). My work involves testing new IC chips designed by Renesas. The extensive study and practice of computer programming during the MSc has been immensely helpful to my line of work.

Looking back, the wealth of knowledge and experience I gained from the course have been tremendous, not just academically, but in making lots of friends as well.

Stefan Binder - MSc in Applied Computing

I studied Biology/Botany at the University of Vienna and used to work in Scotland in a plant micropropagation laboratory. I had some training and experience in networking, coding, and database design before starting the MSc Applied Computing course.

The course itself was packed with a good range of subjects, some of which I had not encountered before. For me personally, it was a great opportunity to close gaps in my knowledge and to attain a computing degree rather quickly. The course was very well coordinated.

After the course I started working as an IT Consultant for a group of companies located in Scotland and England. My Applied Computing MSc training often enables me to resolve problems that other IT professionals - with "industrial" qualifications - would not even try to tackle.

Jane McGowan - MSc in Applied Computing

I came to the Applied Computing department with no IT experience at all. My first degree was in History and I had spent four years teaching English abroad. I wanted to move into a new career and the MSc course was everything I had hoped for. It was very intensive and practical, so when I graduated a year later I felt prepared for a job in the IT industry. I have worked in computing ever since, in Scotland and the USA. I am now a software developer for JP Morgan investment bank, working in their European Technology Centre in Glasgow.

Debora Kagohara - MSc in IT & IB

I am from Sao Paulo in Brazil, and I did a first degree in psychology at Griffith University, in Australia, where I had some experience with programming. I wanted to learn more, so I came to Dundee to do the MSc in IT and International Business. The work was challenging but very enjoyable and the lecturers and tutors were always at hand if I needed help. The degree was not only a good learning experience but I also met great people.

I will soon start a PhD in disabilities research at Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand, where the knowledge I have gained from the MSc will allow me to develop new technology to support communication for people with learning difficulties.