Overview
What is Management Science and Information Systems Studies (MSISS)?
Students learn how to use techniques from disciplines such as business, mathematics, computer science, statistics and management science to solve real world problems. There is also a firm emphasis on interpersonal skills such as verbal communication, interviewing, teamwork and report writing.
The primary objective of the MSISS programme is to produce graduates who are both business and computer literate and who have a solid understanding of how to approach and solve practical problems using a variety of tools and techniques. The emphasis in MSISS is on building up analytical skills, flexibility and creative thinking.
One of the remarkable features of MSISS is the range of careers that graduates take up. The MSISS programme provides students with a unique blend of skills and experience. It is this mix which makes MSISS unique amongst other third-level courses in Ireland and helps contribute significantly to the success MSISS graduates have in getting jobs.
Do you enjoy:
- Have an interest in technology?
- Have you a passion for business?
- Have a solid mathematical ability and like solving problems?
MSISS: The course for you?
This course is ideally suited to students who like solving complex problems and are interested in both technology and business and are naturally comfortable with mathematics. The range of subjects studied is wide and will challenge your abilities on several fronts, leading to graduates who have the ability to think about issues in both technical and business terms. MSISS is a good way of keeping your options open.
MSISS at Trinity
MSISS produces graduates who are analytical, flexible and creative. These are highly demanded skills that are applicable across a range of careers. MSISS is highly regarded by employers and has one of the best graduate employment records of any undergraduate course in Ireland.
In MSISS the theory of subjects is covered but consideration is given to building practical skills. The teaching methods include formal lectures, laboratories, role-playing, real-life projects, many with an emphasis on group work.
Graduate skills and career opportunities
MSISS has one of the best graduate employment records of any undergraduate course in Ireland. One feature of MSISS is that it provides a base for following a remarkably wide range of careers within management consultancy, the financial services and the actuarial and accounting professions. Many graduates also work in information technology management, quality control, and marketing, while others pursue postgraduate study at home and abroad.
Demand for MSISS graduates has always been steady as the wide ranging skill sets developed in the course of study together with the problem-solving and team-working skills are highly sought after by employers. A high level of numeracy and fluency in the use of modern technology are a further attraction for employers.
Employers include large financial institutions, management consultants and other businesses both nationally and internationally; for example Deloitte, Ernst and Young, Accenture, McKinsey, KPMG, PwC, BearingPoint, PA Consulting, FTI Consulting, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Citibank, CreditSuisse, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, HSBC, RBS, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, AIB, Irish Life, Aviva, Mercer, Paddy Power, First Derivatives, BoyleSports, Kerry Group, Betfair, Google, Colgate, Palmolive, Proctor & Gamble, and United Drug.
Your degree and what you’ll study
MSISS is made up of four strands.
- Developing skills in quantitative techniques, such as mathematics, statistics, probability, data analytics, forecasting and management science.
- Learning about information technology and systems and ranges from basic end user tools, like spreadsheets, through programming, system design and development and databases, up to state of the art topics/techniques in areas such as strategic information systems.
- Covering important business-based concepts in management, finance and operations management.
- Building a range of personal skills including teamwork, making presentations, interviewing, report writing, and researching.
The four strands in MSISS are organised as three main subject areas, supported by the interpersonal skills framework. The three subject areas are: Business and Management; Quantitative Analysis, and Information Systems. Interpersonal skills such as interviewing and making presentations are built into the teaching of other subjects. Third and fourth year provide the opportunity to specialise in an area of your choice.
First and second years
During first and second year, you will get a solid introduction to a number of fields. Subjects you will study include: Computer Programming; Economics; Management Science; End-User Computing; Mathematics; Organisation and Management; Statistics; and Finance and Accounting.
Third and fourth years
The third and fourth years allow you to focus on areas that are of particular interest to you. In each year there are a number of core courses and a range of optional modules from which students select options in each of the final two years.
An integral component of the final year is a Capstone project which takes the form of a consultancy project for a real world client. In recent years projects have been undertaken for clients such as Google Ireland, Irish Life, L&P Group, PwC, Deloitte, Electric Ireland, AIB, Bank of Ireland, McDonalds, Teagasc, HIQA, Betfair, and BoyleSports.
The choice of optional modules spans business studies, economics, computer science, statistics, mathematics and engineering. The courses currently offered include financial and management accounting, economics, human resources management, technology entrepreneurship, mathematics, investment analysis, corporate financial reporting, statistical modelling and project management.
You will be assessed by a combination of assignments and end-of-year examination. A report on the final-year project is an important part of the assessment.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Study abroad
You may apply to spend your third year studying at a university abroad as part of an exchange programme. Further information on student exchanges can be found at: www.tcd.ie/ study/study-abroad/outbound/options
