Digital Media Computing with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

This module will introduce you to the basic principles behind programming for example language syntax, structure of a computer programme, development of algorithms and use of object oriented programming. You will use an appropriate professional game engine in order to develop your skills in 2D game development. Through this engine you will learn to use and manipulate a range of media assets, examples include working with sprites, animations, programming computer graphics, incorporating simple physics including collision detection strategies, as well as implementing 2D scenes. The learning and teaching strategy is centred on tutorial sessions where tutors provide advice, guidance and formative evaluation in order to develop your understanding of these core skills.

Within the Computer Systems Module, you will gain knowledge and experience of computers and computer hardware. This module presents a holistic view of how computer systems work and it also provides the underpinning knowledge required:

• for the design of computer architecture
• to show how software interacts with hardware
• to apply electronics principles
• to use number systems for computer technology

This fundamental computer systems module puts into practice the learning done through reading, video lecturers, skills building labs and problem based learning for the acquisition of new knowledge and core practical competencies.

This module provides the underpinning skills necessary to develop an effective web based information system based around a clear understanding of the visual requirements of an interface, a structured design approach and the technical skills necessary to implement a solution.

Data structures and algorithms are essential in computer science, software engineering, and computer games and graphics programming. Data structures are structured representations of data; the design of a data structure determines how operations (such as reading to, writing from, modifying, or computing with the data) can be achieved. An algorithm is a set of instructions which can be followed in order to solve a computational problem.

The module provides the opportunity to learn and critically reflect the skills required in building and designing basic networks and their requirements within a network infrastructure. This module builds on the underpinning knowledge and theory of networking systems.

This first-year project allows you to develop and cultivate a creative mind-set through collaborative innovative practice, allowing you to bring together knowledge and imagination to construct a viable product. It is an opportunity to express your ideas, skills and talent to the wider community of innovative practice.

The project provides you with an opportunity to be part of a thriving community of innovators that practices connected learning. This is facilitated by putting you into inter-disciplinary project teams supported by innovation mentors, advisors and academics; culminating in you exhibiting your work to an international panel of experts.

The vast majority of web applications are connected to databases for the purpose of storing and retrieving information. On this module you will be introduced to relevant concepts and technologies, applying them to the development of such applications.

You will gain knowledge and skills concerning data modelling (entity-relationship models) and relational database implementation and administration (using SQL). You will also acquire new programming skills (e.g., writing server-side scripts in PHP) in order to produce applications that provide useful functionality. You will also gain practical experience in the use of web frameworks to develop web applications to enhance your employability skills.

For graduates wishing to pursue a career in digital media development a comprehensive understanding in the fields of image, video and mixed reality processing is essential.

Many current applications rely on the combination of image and video information, and so an in-depth understanding of the capture, storage, and processing of this information is essential. Furthermore, mixed- and augmented-reality systems are now becoming popular, with applications ranging from entertainment through to engineering being commonplace. This is complemented with the rise in mobile computing and novel sensor systems. Thus, the fundamental concepts in digital image processing, video acquisition and mixed-reality creation underpin many common applications.

You will develop expertise in the capture and manipulation of audio/video data through practical experimentation. A sound understanding of technical concepts will be required in order to deliver realistic solutions to a broad range of real-world problems that you will encounter.

This module forms a core part of the production element of the course, providing the knowledge related to the production of video artefacts, focusing on planning, video production, post production, and video compression.

This module provides knowledge of and develops skills in the production of 3D models, rendering and animation for use in a variety of different media and platforms.

The philosophy of the module is not to either create experts in one particular area of modelling, rendering or animation, or experts in a single tool, but to develop a range of skills and a wider understanding of how to use 3D modelling and animation within digital media.

The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff. Within this module framework, several kinds of collaborative opportunities are available. For example, with the approval of your supervisor, you can determine a project based on your own interests; your supervisor may set you a predetermined project to enable you to work with other students in a way that is appropriate to your subject area; or there may be opportunities for you to collaborate with staff on research projects. In all cases, you must apply your subject skills to an interdisciplinary project which will be agreed in advance with your supervisor. 

For graduates wishing to pursue a technical career in digital media production, be it Film or visual effects production, then a comprehensive understanding of the low level capture, processing and distribution technology is essential. To complement this a fundamental understanding in the methods for conducting research into the technology, the design and the limitations of this technology is essential.

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.

The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project. 

This module provides you with the technical comprehension necessary to organise, manipulate, and enhance video data at both the point of capture and in post-production ready for delivery. You should be able to precisely specify settings and develop workflows based off knowledge in video compression and software requirements, as well as enhance the visual image through grading and compositing.

The module will be practice-led, utilising industry tools and technologies in order to design and deliver productions at a professional quality. The module allows you to further develop skills gained in the Video Production Technology and the 3D Modelling and Animation modules while applying technical knowledge to produce media artefacts.

In this module you will cover topics and technologies related to Cloud Computing. You will explore solutions and learn design principles for building large network-based systems to support both compute and data intensive computing across geographically distributed infrastructure and develop an application using cloud services.

Within this module you will develop productions that span a number of platforms such as film, games, social media, web and VR. It provides you with an opportunity to work with students from a number of disciplines and develop an understanding of how your knowledge and skills can fit into the production workflow of different media industries.

In order to become an effective professional practitioner, one needs to develop industrial awareness including current production and business practices, technologies and pipelines and trends and emergent technologies and how they are shaping industry