Course content
Year 1 / Level C
IT Professional
This unit willl provide an understanding of organisational contexts of structure, design, change problems and law/ethics/professionalism, and personal contexts involving inter-personal, transferable and team skills.
Computers & Networks
You will gain a sound foundation that will enhance your ability to cope with the demands of the programme, encourage self-awareness, planning and reflection whilst identifying and improving the pre-requisite skills set required for successful employability in the global environment.
Database Systems 1
The aim of this unit is to understand the issues involved in the use and development of relational databases, and to develop practical expertise in Structured Query Language and the application of the database design techniques Entity-Relationship Modeling and normalization. The unit provides the underpinning for the Level I unit Data Management.
Computer Programming 1
The aim of this unit is to provide the fundamental skills and understanding of algorithm construction in a modern programming language, and to develop your skills in this area, so that you will be able to write well designed, well structured, and adequately tested programs that meet given specifications, using a single programming language to industry standards.
Systems Analysis & Design 1
You will develop an understanding of the operations of business systems including the communication, storage and processing of data and information and to develop the capability to devise solutions to simple business information problems.
Web Development
You will develop a critical view of information presented on the World Wide Web. You will be introduced and become confident in the use of commercial web design programs and evaluate the use of graphics and multimedia and evolving web technologies.
Year 2 / Level I
Mobile & Games Development
You will develop a critical understanding of a range mobile technologies together with practical experience of their installation and configuration. You will explore the use of scripting and programming languages to code mobile applications and detailed use of a development platform.
You will explore human interfaces and animation techniques leading to the design of games within the mobile environment.
Dynamic Web Development
You will develop a critical understanding of web services and the use of server-side scripting techniques to create dynamic web-based applications. The unit includes topics from the Databases, Document Processing and Web-based Computing components of the QAA Computing benchmark.
Local Area Networks
The aim is to examine the goals and design of LAN switched communications networks and the models developed to aid the understanding of these networks. The concepts and practices of virtual LANs and virtual LANs over computer networks will be introduced to provide a framework for consideration of communication, traffic and security aspects and the technologies available. We will examine the opportunities and problems opened up by such technologies.
Systems Analysis & Design 2
This unit will provide a framework and enable you to apply techniques for the Object-Oriented Analysis & Design of systems for business process improvement. Additionally, you will explore the problems associated with traditional systems development and examine other approaches and frameworks. This involves a) examining different development environments including CASE tools and prototyping, and b) the development of different computer system architectures, which provide business improvements for operational and management information.
Computer Programming 2
The aim of this unit is to build on the Computer Programming 1 unit and examine advanced Object Oriented concepts covering design, programming and testing. More complex applications will be developed exploring database connectivity, GUI and web interfaces. The unit will also consider a number of programming languages and assess their benefits in differing contexts.
Work Based Project
At the end of this unit you will be able to develop and apply an understanding of the issues involved in project management and team working. This unit is the final integrative unit and will provide you with the opportunity to draw upon and combine the skills and knowledge developed in the course, in order to provide a solution to a systems development problem undertaken for an external client.
