Course Content
Our approach
The emphasis in all our courses is on acquiring a range of concepts and skills which enable you to design in a creative and sound manner. This is an academic degree which balances theoretical concepts with practical application and information and computer management.
Level 1
The Level 1 course meets the needs of students from a wide variety of backgrounds and with differing experience in computing. These classes establish a firm foundation for the rest of the degree. You will be introduced to the style and ethos of both the University and the computing profession.
Core material includes foundation units in systems architecture, systems analysis, software development and the relevant mathematics. Level 1 will concentrate on establishing a sound knowledge of key points within the discipline. Although the context and related areas will be identified, they will not be explored or compared in great depth until Level 2.
By the end of Level 1, regardless of your degree programme, you have covered the fundamental concepts of computer science and information systems, with a particular emphasis on programming.
Level 2
This period consolidates Level 1 learning but more emphasis is placed on judgement and evaluation skills. You will enhance your understanding of :
the process of developing large and complex software systems;
the roles that you might need to adopt and the technologies available to help you control such projects;
human-computer interface;
how to develop sound criteria ‘user friendliness’ and make reliable and repeatable judgements based on them.
You will further specialise in Information Systems. At the end of Level 2, you will have covered systems analysis and design. You will also explore the human and organisational aspects of information systems.
Level 3
Final year project.
You will do a substantial individual project where you research a topic in depth. If you are on a sandwich course it is quite likely that you will undertake a project of interest to your past, and perhaps future employer. This is assessed and is worth a third of your Level 3 marks. Examples of past projects have included security issues in the development of electronic cash, and using computers to simulate and operate theatre lighting.
In this final year, you can continue to specialise within your chosen discipline. At the same time you will study options which allow you to further broaden your understanding of computing and you will begin to address research-level issues in areas such as software engineering, information systems, simulation modelling and artificial intelligence. The range of options available is revised each year and reflects the range of specialist interests among our staff.
Current specialisms include:
eCommerce
Component-based design
Managing information systems projects
Multimedia information superhighways
Multimedia information systems
Developing systems that closely match business and user requirements
The development of intelligent systems
Vision and image processing using neural networks
Self organisation and robotics
Artificial intelligence
Simulation modelling to help decision makers
Business process design.
Typical Modules
Level 1
Construction of Programs
Foundations of Computing
Computer Systems
Learning and Communication Skills
Business Computing
Level 2
Interactive Systems
Software Engineering Methods
Professional Software Practice
Database Systems: Design and Application
Information Management and Business Process Modelling
Information Systems and Context
Level 3
Major Project
Software Project Management
Information Systems: Strategy and Management
IS Methodologies and Organisational Transformation
Level 3 Options
Intelligent Systems
E-Business
Can’t decide between Interactive Computing and Information Systems?
If you are not sure whether you want to study Interactive Computing or Information Systems, don’t worry. In the first term you will follow a programme which is common to both degrees. If at the end of the term you want to switch degree course you can. After practical exposure students sometimes find that they are better suited or more interested in the other discipline.