MODULES
Foundation Year
CORE MODULES
Key Skills
To enable you to develop the core and future skills necessary for the study of computing at HE level by enhancing critical and effective reading and writing, engaging in successful team work and using problem solving strategies.
Mental Wealth; Professional Life (Group Project)
The aim of this module is to provide learners with the basic concepts and the skills needed to complete simple group projects successfully. The emphasis is on practical activities, problem solving, different aspects of project development and the production of good quality project and documentation.
Level 4 Primers
- Introduces and prepares Foundation (level 3) students to the modules they will study at level 4
- Introduces the topics of Software Development, Computer Systems and Networks, Web Technologies, Information’s Systems Modelling and Design, Maths for Computing and level 4 skills
Applied Maths
To provide fundamental knowledge and practical skills in the principles of mathematics suitable for further study in applied mathematics.
Introduction to Computing
- Equip students with an understanding of computing principles and an understanding of the fundamentals of Hardware and Software, which can provide an opportunity for students to gain appreciation of the practical skills involved in computer systems.
- Develop a better understanding of computations to solve problems, analysing problems and procedures.
- Develop a better understanding of algorithms, languages and programming
- Provide an opportunity to students to understand the connections between the different areas of computing.
Business Information Systems
The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the basic concepts and the design of Information systems, to promote an understanding of the characteristics of Information and the different methods of developing Information Systems, and to introduce security of IS. The emphasis is on practical activities, problem solving, system analysis and the production of good quality documentation.
Year 1
CORE MODULES
Information Systems Modelling and Design
This module develops the skills and techniques required for analysing, modelling and designing information systems and covers some of the key legal, social, ethical and professional issues relating to the information systems development.
Software Development
This module provides you with the skills necessary to design, implement and test software applications using a high-level programming language. The module is taught from first principals and assumes no prior knowledge of the subject. The module focuses on programming fundamentals such as variables, control structures, arrays and the procedural programming methodology and then goes on to introduce the object-oriented programming concepts of objects, classes and inheritance.
Maths for Computing
This module will help you build fundamental knowledge in mathematical concepts and skills that are required for the study and application of computer science. This module starts with the basic arithmetic and algebraic concepts that are used in almost every aspect of computer science. This is followed by topics on logic that are fundamental concepts used in the functioning of computer hardware and design and programming of software. Computer science theory heavily relies on proofs. This module will handle the basics of proof techniques. The module will go on to cover topics in basic abstract and linear algebra and touch upon advance topics like groups and using matrices to solve systems of linear equations. Finally, the basics of probability and some concepts in statistics will be covered.
Computer Systems and Networks
The module aims to provide a basic understanding of computer architecture and the relationship between hardware and software components of a computer system. It also aims to equip you with an understanding of the fundamentals of computer networking.
Web Technologies
The module will allow learners to examine the requirements for web applications and to select appropriate tools and techniques with which to design and build them. They will be able to use those selected tools and techniques to design, implement and test web pages. They will be able to provide professional documentation for the web pages produced.
Mental Wealth; Professional Life 1 (IT Project Pitching)
Developing fundamental professional skills is increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.
Herein you will begin to recognise the areas for their own personal professional development through taught and workshop activity.
Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate the reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement, and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. Students will additionally develop knowledge of strategies to advance their own emotional intelligence through 'life style' and 'self care' approaches to inform their health and wellbeing.
Having acquired understanding of the key developmental areas, students will have an opportunity to form groups and develop, then pitch IT project ideas to an in-house IT consultancy micro-business, and be mentored and supervised by students from higher years in developing these ideas. In this position they will learn and begin to apply the skills developed elsewhere in their studies (and from external activities) as required in the workplace.
Year 2
CORE MODULES
Database Systems
This module aims to provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge that influences the design, implementation and applications of database management systems. It promotes the understanding of database systems in information management by providing technical skills that are required to deploy a database management system using various languages and tools that can be used within games development.
Data Structures & Algorithms
This module builds upon the foundational programming skills by looking at how to distinguish between, use and build a range of advanced data structures such as queues, stack and trees. The module also provides students with conceptual knowledge of the analysis, design and implementation of algorithms, such as sorting and searching, for solving complex problems.
Web and Mobile App Development
The aim of this module is to give you hands on experience of a variety of advanced software development methodologies and techniques for developing industry standard software applications using front end and back end tools.
Mental Wealth; Professional Life 2 (Computing in Practice)
Developing fundamental professional skills are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.
This module equips you with the skills that are needed to make successful applications for jobs within the IT sector, provides you with opportunities to gain experience of working in the IT industry and apply their knowledge of information and communication technologies, gained elsewhere in their programmes, to the solution of a real-world business problem
Herein you will advance the areas identified at level 4 for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
You will reflect on the success of the strategies that they employed to further develop their reflective skills, self-awareness, 'life style' and 'self-care' approaches and where necessary improve their approaches.
Students will have an opportunity to gain work experience in an external IT company or have the opportunity to select an in-house microbusiness to join. In this position they will take on a specific production role, working collaboratively with peers and academic staff on a live project. In doing so they will apply the skills learnt elsewhere in their studies (and external development) required in the workplace.
Advanced Programming
This module will build upon foundational programming skills by looking at advanced object-oriented programming methods and concepts. You will design, develop, document and deploy safe, event-driven programs with advanced graphical user interfaces. You will also be introduced to functional, concurrent and network programming paradigms.
Data Commnuications and Networks
This module introduces fundamental principles of data communication and provides a detailed understanding of internetworking using the TCP/IP suite of protocols. You will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience of data communications technologies and the use of the TCP/IP suite of protocols for the implementation of contemporary computer networks and related applications.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Optional placement
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.
Year 3
CORE MODULES
Computer and Network Security
Provides you with a detailed understanding of the methods used by attackers to compromise computer system and network security.
Enables you to compare and contrast the various tools and techniques that can be used to protect computer systems and networks from attack and to select appropriate tools and techniques for dealing with specific attacks.
Artificial Intelligence
This module investigates methods of state of the art and research trends in Artificial Intelligence and related topics. In particular, the module introduces AI from machine learning to biologically inspired AI systems. This provides students with knowledge of the principles and applications of AI systems, and to promote appreciation of the current state of development in this area.
Mental Wealth; Professional Life 3 (Project)
Developing professional skills are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to apply the full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.
Herein you will advance the areas identified at level 5 for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
You will undertake a sizeable piece of individual academic work in an area of your own interest relevant to, and demonstrating technical skills acquired in, your programme of study. You will normally need to research one or more academic topic areas and then apply your findings to the construction of a computer-based system.
You will consider the ethical, legal, social, and professional issues in the construction of systems and the project will require appropriate research, analysis, design, implementation, quality assurance, evaluation and project management.
You will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to further develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, 'life style' and 'self care' approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.
You will have an opportunity to select an in-house microbusiness to join in the role of 'Manager'. In this position you will oversee the successful operation of the enterprise, coach and mentor students new to the programme. Working collaboratively with peers and academic staff, you will ensure the effective delivery of a live project by managing people and physical resources. In doing so you will apply the skills learnt elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) required in the workplace.
Formal Methods
This module furnishes you with an in-depth understanding of the engineering process underpinning the development of high integrity software. The module provides you with an understanding of legal, ethical and social issues surrounding the development of high integrity software and enables students to compare and contrast formal and non-formal development methodologies and to be able to select the techniques appropriate for a given situation. The module provides you with the necessary skills to specify a software system using a suitable formal method and enables students to model, validate and verify formal specifications.
Advanced Topics in Computer Science
This module provides you with the opportunity to look at the latest industry sector developments in the field of Computer Science. This module aims to provide you with the core theoretical and practical background required for advanced computing systems development. You will develop in-demand practical skills that are required in the field of Computer Science.
