18/09/2024
At IE School of Science & Technology, we're relentless about keeping our programs industry-focused.
The Master in Computer Science & Business Technology prepares participants for lasting success in a competitive landscape. It accommodates both students who want to enhance their technical expertise and business acumen, as well as those who have a business background and are keen to develop their tech skills—and it enhances the learning experience with five cutting-edge computer science specializations.
We’ve compiled core insights on the program from Adrián González, Academic Director and Global AI Architect at Microsoft, to see how these five specializations set it apart in the market.
A tech master’s program that stands out
“The program is highly updated, including whatever topic you can imagine needed by company and country right now. It does so with a hybrid 360 approach covering both business and technical topics for high-demand domains of knowledge,” says Adrián González.
At its core, the Master in Computer Science & Business Technology is a careful balance between developing technologies and managing them.
For most current alumni, the biggest question was whether programming experience is necessary to excel in the program. But as Adrián emphasizes, that is not the case. “Programming is just part of the entire experience,” says Adrián. “Students can have some preliminary coding knowledge, depending on their background and experience, but they will progressively increase their skills during the pre-program topics, the foundations week, and the core period. And still, that’s only part of it. Students will leverage the technical coding aspects for other related disciplines like cloud computing or AI, but also revisit them from a multidisciplinary, hybrid point of view that includes business-related considerations.”
The wide range of perspectives from diverse backgrounds is an additional perk of this skill-building program. Students have the chance to work with like-minded go-getters, learning from one another in hands-on experiences like datathons, the capstone project, internships, the Tech Venture Bootcamp and a Global Immersion Week visiting top technology companies like Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft and Google.
Students also enrich their learning with tech certifications from industry leaders such as Microsoft, AWS, Oracle and Google Cloud.
Five key computer science specializations
A specialization allows students to personalize their academic journey with areas of interest. In the Master in Computer Science & Business Technology, learners establish foundational knowledge first before selecting their specialization.
The program now offers five unique specializations designed for modern needs.
Students can choose to specialize in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Solutions Management, Tech Sales & Consulting, Quantum Computing, and Cybersecurity. This move ensures they keep growing in the direction best suited for their goals.
Artificial Intelligence
The Artificial Intelligence specialization is designed for professionals ready to dive into advanced AI in various sectors. Students will gain hands-on experience in machine learning, data engineering, AI ethics and large-scale data solutions as they work to develop and implement AI-driven innovations.
“There’s no need to explain why the AI industry is so appealing,” says Adrián. “I’ve defended the need for very granular AI roles with a different variety of skills and career options. This specialization covers topics such as big data, machine learning, deep learning, new generative AI technologies, and all this combined with the organizational and business considerations that any AI professional must know.”
Cloud Solutions Management
Meanwhile, the Cloud Solutions Management specialization takes students on a deep dive into cloud-based systems and applications, from design and development to deployment and beyond. Pursuing this specialization imparts a deeper understanding of cloud infrastructures, including AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, alongside practical expertise in cloud architectures, microservices and Kubernetes orchestration.
“This specialization focuses on the cloud computing industry, including topics related to development lifecycles, engineering, architecture, data, and business models,” says Adrián. “It complements previous cloud computing topics covered during the core period, and it opens an amazing universe of opportunities for students to join the industry as cloud sales specialists, solutions architect, technical account managers, and more.”
Tech Sales and Consulting
The Tech Sales and Consulting specialization equips students to help companies solve various business challenges using tech. “This specialization combines multiple topics to develop some additional depth and breadth,” says Adrián. “Technology and consulting firms often search for candidates with a great combination of technical knowledge, and structured approach to explain vision, value proposition, and other complex topics. This is a great option for candidates willing to specialize in these kinds of roles and companies.”
Students who pursue this specialization position themselves as experts in a lucrative niche. With a strong understanding of both business and technology, they’ll skillfully guide designers and development teams to meet—and exceed—client expectations.
The new additions: Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity
These two specializations are brand new to the program, having been conceptualized in response to current trends. Their relevance to the evolution of the tech industry makes them a great choice for anyone looking to future-proof their profile.
“Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity are both the present and future of the technology landscape,” says Adrián. “These are two of the most exciting topics for any technology lover out there.”
There are serious career benefits for those looking to specialize their knowledge in either area. “While cybersecurity professionals are in high demand right no—with all organizations struggling to find enough security talent—quantum professionals are scarce due to the nascent nature of the topic,” says Adrián. “I think that having the opportunity to learn about both topics is a guarantee for a future-proof career.
Becoming market-ready with computer science specializations
The Master in Computer Science & Business Technology prepares learners to understand the issues modern organizations face and find the best possible solutions.
As Adrián points out, “We want students to have a growth mindset, plus the capacity to do that 10 or 20% extra in comparison with regular students. That’s what will help participants excel after graduation, and it’s the type of profile I’m hoping to see more and more of.”
The program isn’t just based on tech activities, however. It also covers practical projects, real business cases, up-to-date insights and expert-led exposure to today’s top tech. Students can also participate in Berkeley Immersion Week, a week-long, hands-on experience in Silicon Valley. Thanks to opportunities like these—plus the connections that IE University cultivates with the professional world—students will network with leaders in top-name companies and consulting firms and collaborate with them on real-world projects.
The future of biztech
Adrián understands the need for constant evolution in the face of shifting marketing demands. “The content is of course important,” he says. “But the role of the lecturers, who are also highly specialized industry professionals from some of the biggest companies, is also key to keeping up with the market trends.”
Think you could be a candidate for the Master in Computer Science & Business Technology? Fill in the form below and start building a successful career at the intersection of business, technology and design.
