Course details
On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.
We’re proud that 84% of our graduates commented that our staff on the course are good at explaining things.
Contact hours and assessment
Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.
Year 1
Core units
Principles of Programming: Covers the fundamental skills required to implement software solutions. Lab sessions will focus on the application of concepts to real-world problems, and you will test and debug a given program using a suitable strategy.
Computer Fundamentals: Enables you to understand the concepts and terminology of computer systems and computer security. You will do this through group based lab exercises where you will collaborate with other students focusing on problem based learning. This unit sets the foundations for you to further develop your knowledge of computing and cyber security.
Data and Databases: Develop your knowledge and practical expertise in the application of database design techniques, as well as your understanding of data processing.
Networks and Cyber Security: Learn the fundamentals of networks and how to secure them using security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection & prevention systems. Understand how evolving technology, such as the cloud and IoT, impacts many organisations and how it facilitates their network security.
Application of Programming Principles: Having completed the Principles of Programming unit, you will use your knowledge to gain an insight into more complex system development. Lab sessions will allow you to complete team based exercises.
Business Systems Analysis and Design: Learn and understand the role that computer systems play within organisations, and the value they provide to stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to design, construct, and evaluate interactive systems to meet an organisation’s needs.
Year 2
Core units
Data Management: You will develop further skills and understanding of the techniques and technologies used in databases and data management.
Machine Learning: You will be introduced to the underlying theory behind data processing techniques, and how to develop the tools required to perform rigorous data analytics. Lab sessions will focus on the application of these learnings to real world problems.
Project Management & Team Working: You will gain experience of working in a team on an IT systems development project, which will prepare you for work placement in Year 3.
Tools & Technologies of Data Science: Understand the challenges of Big Data analysis, including ethical, legal and professional implications. Gain knowledge of the most significant computing tools and technologies for dealing with Big Data: Hadoop and noSQL databases, MapReduce programming and other algorithm parallelization approaches.
Option units
Systems Design: With a focus on ‘upstream’ development tasks, you will learn about the needs and of software system designs, and explore the problems with traditional systems development such as human computer interface design and usability.
Web Programming: Explore the processes, methodologies and practices associated with web programming and gain hands-on experience in web application design, implementation, deployment and maintenance.
Infrastructure Strategy: Exploring the relationship between the goals of Information Systems and the infrastructure strategies of small and medium enterprises, you will look at computer and networking infrastructures and characteristics like flexibility, scalability, performance, resilience, quality of service and security, and design choices and implications of corporate infrastructure.
Application Programming: Building on your previous programming experience, you'll design more complex applications and explore data persistence, concurrency, and networking.
Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.
Optional Placement Year
You’ll complete a minimum 30-week work placement which can be carried out anywhere in the world. The placement year offers a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.
Although you will be enrolled onto the four-year degree (including the placement), you can opt out of the placement element to complete your degree in three years.
Final Year
Core units
Data Visualisation & Visual Analytics: Gain the skills of data/information visualisation and visual analytics, starting with foundations of the inner workings of the human visual system and perception, through principles and tools of visualisation and visual analytics, to practical application of learnt skills within a hands-on project using state-of-the-art software tools.
Deep Learning: This is an increasingly important area of Artificial Intelligence. You will implement deep learning solutions to complex real-world problems using state-of-the-art deep learning software libraries.
Individual Project: Study a topic of your choice independently. You will coherently present your process and product.
Option units
Data Mining: The principles and techniques of data analysis. You will carry out data analysis experiments.
Machine Intelligence: The essential elements of machine intelligence including machine learning, to enable specialised data analysts to solve real-world problems in areas such as business, finance, planning and management.
Ubiquitous Computing: Mobile and pervasive systems are having a profound impact on personal and business activities. This unit examines systems and technologies that factor in the success of such systems.
Advanced Development: The design of applications that support enterprise activities. There will be an emphasis on mixing applications and Internet-based services.
Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.
