Computing with Foundation Year BSc(Hons)

In this module you explore and practice using the necessary mathematical tools and principles required for your first-year studies. You will begin with some basics in arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry these will be followed rapidly by the more advanced areas of sets, matrices, vectors and calculus.

This module will allow you to consider some of the main areas of study within computing and information technology. You will develop knowledge and understanding of computer systems and the principles of computing (including programming), as well as how these are applied to the solution of problems in the real world.

Problem solving, whether by human or by a computer, demands an in-depth understanding of the strengths and weakness of its underlying process. Computational thinking underpins the core fundamentals of this process by incorporating problem description, decomposition, abstraction and ultimately realisation. This module introduces you to the theoretical foundation of computational thinking through a collection of problems with incrementally challenging complexity. You will then put these concepts into practice through the introduction of key programming principles. These all serve as a gateway into further study on core computer science subjects such as discrete mathematics, data structures and algorithms.

This module will provide you with fundamental knowledge of computer hardware and systems software. You will gain knowledge in the fundamentals of computer hardware ranging from basic digital logic to instruction sets and microarchitecture. The practical elements of this module will equip you with an ability to work with basic system software at a machine instruction-level.

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 aims to introduce you to the core programming concepts using procedural programming fundamentals. In addition, you will gain knowledge of variables, operators, and control flow including loops and branches, functions and data types.

This module aims to introduce you to fundamental programming concepts using an object-oriented programming approach. Additionally, you will gain knowledge of high-level notions of algorithms, data structures, and program testing and evaluation.

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to design, implement and query a relational database. You’ll be supported in gaining an understanding of the functionality necessary to enable web pages to interact with a database. You’ll be given the opportunity to become familiar with web architectures and the design considerations necessary for implementing a database driven web application.

In this module you will be supported in expanding your programming skills to cover a range of standard data structures (e.g. lists, trees and graphs) and algorithms (e.g. searching, sorting and traversals) for both sequential and concurrent systems. You will also study how to analyse systems in order to determine their complexity, correctness and safety, and to calculate their efficiency.

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).

This module builds on the Foundation level Introduction to Web Programming module. The Foundation module covers front-end web development and the languages HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This intermediate level module is focused on backend (server-side) web development. You will develop the skills and knowledge needed to design and build database driven web applications using a suitable server-side web programming language.

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.

In this module you will study the architectures of computer operating systems, including how they deal with resource allocation, management and security, in both single processor systems and multiple distributed processor systems (networks).

This module allows you to explore the programming language that underpins major operating systems, applications, the Internet and the World Wide Web. Throughout this module you’ll be supported in expanding on the procedural and object-based coding skills that you have developed so far. You’ll be given an introduction to 'C' programming leading into C++ programming with a push toward Objective-C. You’ll then be supported in building a client-server system where the client could be a smartphone, tablet or a desktop PC. Techniques for accessing Object Request Brokers and databases will be covered, and the concept of Design Patterns will be introduced.

This module provides a detailed analysis of a range of techniques for the development of distributed and client-server systems architectures. You will indicatively explore remote method invocation, CORBA (Common Object Request Broker: Architecture and Specifications), web and cloud services. You will also examine some typical distributed systems, including distributed file systems, distributed databases, and other common architectures.

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.

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.

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 aims to provide you with an understanding of computational perspectives of mathematics, with an emphasis on matrix methods and data modelling. You’ll be supported in developing the ability to use both analytical and numerical techniques for solving large systems of linear equations and in analysing the resulting algorithms in terms of robustness, performance, stability and accuracy. You’ll be encouraged to broaden your mathematical understanding by applying your knowledge to real-world problems in developing solutions to a range of computational challenges using industry standard software (such as Matlab).