Computing and Information Technology with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

In this module, you learn how modern operating systems are the glue that bind computer hardware and networks together and how they manage the user experience for individual computers and wider networks. We will focus on the function and purpose of operating systems, with a focus on hands-on practical skills. We will build on learning from your networking, programming and computer systems modules, enhancing and extending skills in all these areas. You will make heavy use of Open Source Software, demonstrating what can be achieved with this huge publicly shareable resource on a very limited budget.

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. Module content and assessment encourages realisation of multi-disciplinary computing, it challenges students to interface with the environment by configuring Internet of Things devices and systems for collecting data for the proposed solution. 

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.

In this module you will be given an extended induction into the academic life at university as well as start to develop key academic, professional, mathematical and cognitive skills needed to be successful at university and in a computing career. Skills such as critical thinking, mathematics, time management, and a computational approach to problem-solving will be developed through a variety of hands-on activities. This module will be supported in normal class time and during group tutorial sessions.

Within the module of Computer Programming you will learn the key skills of Programming and how this relates to technology and communications. Programming is an engineering tool that plays a vital role to drive most of the modern technologies surrounding us, including the technological devices for communication, transportation and entertainment. In other words, it can be said that our modern lifestyles are heavily dependent on programming. Moreover, businesses increasingly rely on computers and the software run on them. Programming skills and a broader and deeper understanding of programming are therefore becoming increasingly important to the jobs market.

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills required for Network Technologies. This module builds your knowledge and underpinning theory for the networking modules and you will review the requirements from a small to medium scale network deployment engineering context. 

This module introduces you to the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within modern enterprise environments, with a particular focus on its use across information technology infrastructure and systems, and organisational operations. It is designed to prepare you for roles in which you will work with, manage, evaluate, or secure AI-enabled systems.

You will explore how organisations use AI technologies to support decision-making, automate processes, enhance operational efficiency, and improve security and resilience. The module examines the end-to-end lifecycle of enterprise AI solutions, including data sourcing, tool selection, deployment considerations, governance, and ongoing management. Emphasis is placed on helping you understand how AI integrates with existing enterprise IT systems, also how it influences organisational workflows and professional practice.

Computer Scientists need to address the realities of the application of their field within an environment where cyber security threats present unique challenges to application and system developers, in relation to the requirement for secure design and operation. This module provides a foundation for security consideration as required in the design of software expected to perform within a networked and data sharing environment. This module has been designed to provide the necessary theoretical framework, foundations and practical support for effectively pursuing security solutions with reference to the requirement for secure application development.

TBC

This module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to a vitally important core IT topic (database technology) found in almost every IT installation in the world. The module will provide theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in developing a database system, including reflecting database systems development from understanding the needs through designing and developing database systems. This module allows students to investigate ways to create a robust, secure database that meets the organisation's needs, which complement other skills and knowledge gained from other modules on the course.  In addition, the module introduces the student to transferable skills in database design, implementation, optimisation, security and database administration. Once mastered, these database skills will provide a firm understanding of designing and managing databases in organisations. 

In this module you will gain the underpinning knowledge for developing software applications. The focus is on software development, including requirements gathering, software design, programming and testing. All of the topics covered in the module will form the basis of the design, implementation and evaluation of a functional software application. 

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.

This module enables you to gain an understanding of the processes, scope and role when providing guidance or advice in a professional consulting capacity. It will also assist you if you join a larger organisation with the aspiration to become a leader and manager. The module provides awareness on the wider consulting profession and practice, the consulting role in computing and the management of client relationships. The focus will be to analyse and evaluate the frameworks, processes and techniques applied by computing consultants, managers and leaders. 

This module aims to provide you with a conceptual understanding of Business Systems and the practical experience for the technologies used in developing an integrated business solution. It focuses on information systems that underpin the business context of organisations and the demand for business intelligence.

The module draws on transactional value of real-time data through mobile/IOT devices. Intelligence has become a key aspect of most organisations competitiveness, be it customer or resource informed. 

The rapidly changing nature of business operations and working conditions means that the ability to respond digitally to business needs is vitally important. Every company must deal with necessary, but repetitive business processes that consume time and energy. Automation is a critical factor for successful businesses, but both the time and monetary cost to develop automated solutions can often be too great. Low code/no-code development platforms help developers and businesses move faster when creating custom business applications.  As such, it is estimated that, of the number of new enterprise applications developed by 2025, 70% will be developed via ‘low code’ or ‘no code’ technologies (Garner, 2021).  

DevOps and infrastructure as code (IaC) are massive shifts to the way systems have previously been managed and developed. According to a Businesswire study of 2021, there will be annual job growth of 19% in the area between 2020 and 2026.  

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.