Computing in Business BA(Hons)

In a world that is increasingly focusing on Big Data and data analysis, being able to analyse data and report the result of data analysis, and interpret it as useful information, is crucial to being a successful professional. This module introduces you to the fundamentals of data analysis using one or more popular industry-standard data analysis tools.

Requirements engineering is critical to the success of software development. The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts, core principles and practical skills of modern requirement engineering as a key activity within successful software engineering.

This module introduces the core fundamental principles of computer networking. You will gain knowledge of the theoretical concepts of networking, such as addressing, switching and routing. Furthermore, you will be exposed to key issues, such as network security, along with typical techniques used to address these issues. In addition to the theoretical aspects of networking, you will plan, design and implement practical solutions using live or simulation tools.

Working as part of a team, this module aims to provide you with an understanding of hardware, software and industry best practices used by businesses. In your teams you’ll be supported in planning, designing and developing a prototype product. This experience has been designed to introduce you to the product development cycle, technology limitations and possible future developments.

This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts involved in the design, implementation and use of relational databases. We aim to develop the skills and knowledge needed to model relational databases based on user requirements, and implement and query databases using a suitable relational database management system (RDBMS) and SQL.

We are now in an age of the ‘knowledge economy’ and ‘data science’ where new business models based upon the exchange and creation of data are able to deliver considerable value for organisations. A successful IT professional needs to understand the potential of data to enable and enact change within organisations. This module introduces learners to the analytical and robust use of data that is stored remotely in distributed and cloud-based systems.

Working as a part of a team, you’ll have the opportunity to design and develop a software application, or explore some aspect of information systems. You’ll be encouraged to explore theories and principles of team working and project management through the development of your chosen application. Alongside your team work you will also explore important legal and professional issues for people working in the IT industry.

This module introduces fundamental concepts in computer and network security, enabling the identification of vulnerabilities and the selection and implementation of suitable mitigation technologies. Throughout this module you’ll learn about securing data through the use of cryptography, operating system security and multi-user environments, creating secure programs, state-of-the-art methods for identifying potential threats, and legal and ethical issues surrounding computer security. This module teaches a broad range of subjects and you will learn both essential theoretical and practical aspects of computer security. This knowledge is in demand by employees and the module will empower you to start to specialise in security. The module covers issues pertinent to industry such as how to maintain data security through using strong encryption, detecting complex security threats, and also in maintain compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In this module you will gain an understanding of organisations, how they function, and how different elements of organisational behavior affect one another while working as an IT specialist. This module considers the organisational context, individuals in the organisation, groups and teams, organisational structure, and management processes, looking at relevant theory and practical examples.

One of the key determinants of a computer system’s success is whether or not humans are able and willing to use it. This module aims to provide you with the skills necessary for designing, prototyping and evaluating usable user interfaces. The module explores the subjects of interaction design, information systems, user experience, social media and how computer-based products fit into organisations, societies and culture. As a part of the work on this module you’re expected to develop user requirements for an interactive device, then write up your user testing results, reflecting on what you have learnt from the module.

This module focuses on the way digital information can be organised to make the content more accessible and more easily understood by users. The module provides you with an introduction to the ways in which information can be organised and structured; for example using metadata, controlled vocabularies, ontologies and classification schemes primarily (but not exclusively) for the Web. Your studies focus on the way these technologies can support formal models of information seeking behaviour.

In this module you'll learn about strategy and innovation through an integrated approach. You'll start with an overview and analysis of business strategy and strategic options available for businesses. You then progress to the causes, mechanism and outcomes of business innovation and transformation from micro (individual and team), meso (organisational) and macro (national - global) lenses. While developing a strong theoretical overview, you'll develop a practical outlook through weekly case studies exploring real world business cases of strategy, innovation, and transformation.

This module is driven by you. You are asked to select a problem to solve which is relevant to your degree, and of appropriate scope and depth to be tackled within a timeframe of 30 weeks. Carrying out the project enables you to develop and demonstrate your ability to undertake research, manage time, use your initiative, learn independently, discuss and write convincingly on a subject requiring independent learning. A supervisor will support you throughout your project. You’ll use your existing knowledge and be encouraged to acquire additional skills as you carry out your project. The aim of the project is to suggest a solution to an identified problem. Your final report should describe the aims, scope and motivation of the project, the research you have undertaken, and the technical solution provided, including justification for design and development decisions.

The module covers some of the more advanced approaches to developing web applications, examining both client and server-side technologies. You will explore and compare structured approaches to web development and multiple modern web frameworks, together with a range of contemporary development tools. As your understanding of the technologies and approaches develops, you will aim to critically evaluate them and assess the benefits and risks of using a given approach or framework for a given task.

This module looks deeper into the use of front-end web technologies, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and their use in building modern-day web applications. The module considers design patterns and architectural issues for complex front-end web development. It also explores applications of web technologies. For example, to build location aware systems, develop mobile applications, and to visualise data. You'll be expected to build a web application and then reflect on the tools, techniques and approaches used in development.

Digital Marketing is a term which encapsulates the targeted, measurable, and interactive marketing of products and services using the internet. This module will investigate and explore a variety of digital and social media marketing tools and their implementation within a practical context. In addition, this module will help develop your understanding of online consumer behaviour, organisational marketing strategy and online decision making using Web analytics. You will also cover the practical aspects of online brand development and can gain an understanding of integrated marketing campaigns, search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media.

Modern enterprises often derive significant business insight from applying advanced analytical techniques to massive volumes of data. In this module you will critically evaluate the technologies, techniques, and issues involved in the development and delivery of advanced business intelligence and data analytics systems, particularly those designed to achieve business intelligence and insight using “Big Data”, i.e., a wide variety of data that is high volume and/or high speed. You will be provided with one or more technical environments in which to develop your skills in the design and development of suitable business intelligence tools, and offered a wide range of large, complex and/or dynamic data sets which help illustrate the key technical challenges of dealing with advanced analytics. Learners will be provided with one or more technical environments in which to develop their skills in the design and development of suitable business intelligence tools, and they will be offered a wide range of large, complex and/or dynamic data sets which help illustrate the key technical challenges of dealing with advanced analytics.