Computing (Foundation Year)

Program Overview

This Computing Foundation Entry degree provides a solid grounding in the application of technology in business and industrial computing. It prepares students with essential technical, problem-solving, and communication skills for various careers in IT, including system analysis, network design, software development, and multimedia. The program is accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and offers optional industrial placements for practical experience and career advancement.

Program Outline

It’s a great stepping stone to a full degree. Computing develops your technical, business and people-oriented skills, preparing you for a variety of careers. No previous computing experience is required. The course develops essential computing skills and explores a wide range of modern applications of IT. In your foundation year you’ll develop technical skills and the confidence and academic skills required for honours-level study. You’ll study modules that are common to other specialist courses. So you can opt to transfer to Business Computing, Databases, Multimedia, Software Development or Computer Networks.

Outline:

Year 0

• Compulsory Modules:
• Introduction to Software Development (COC001):
Introduces software development concepts including problem analysis, specification, design, implementation, testing, and debugging. Develops confidence in applying essential programming skills.
• Investigating IT (COC002): Uses security and forensic investigation to introduce computer technology.
Improves awareness of security threats and how to deal with them. Examines threats to PC security and basic countermeasures, and investigates features of an IT system. Develops confidence in the representation, interpretation and manipulation of information in different formats.
• Study Skills 1 - Learning How to Learn (COC004): Equips students with skills, knowledge, and personal attributes to succeed in academic study.
Develops the ability to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for their learning.
• Study Skills 2 - Developing Academic Skills (COC005): Improves academic writing skills and builds confidence in written work.
Introduces a variety of writing styles and develops verbal and visual communication skills. Introduces a variety of communication methods.
• Foundation Mathematics (MAC101): Develops and reinforces basic mathematical skills needed for study in science, engineering, and computing subjects.
Emphasis is placed on building confidence and competence in a range of mathematical skills that are used in real-world problems.

Year 1

• Compulsory Modules:
• The Computing Challenge (CO1111):
Provides an overview of key practical aspects of computing and begins the development of skills in usability, interface design and evaluation. Develops problem-solving skills, presentation of academic information, and knowledge relevant to computing professionals.
• Programming (CO1409): Develops the ability to analyze a simple problem with a view to implementing a software solution.
Provides core skills in computer programming and debugging necessary to implement a readable and maintainable solution to a given problem. Develops software design skills and introduces advanced programming techniques in preparation for study of an advanced programming module. Develops practical skills in order to set up and configure a computer network.
• Computer Systems and Security (CO1508): Explores the fundamentals of computer architecture and operating systems, exploring the nature and consequences of security threats and data breaches, as well as countermeasures.
Examines the legal, ethical and privacy issues associated with collected data and discusses issues arising with emerging technologies such as smart cities, smart vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT) and online shopping.
• Systems Analysis and Database Design (CO1605): Works in teams to discuss and explore a variety of systems.
• Web Technologies (CO1707): Develops an awareness of modern web technologies and the future scope of the web.
Explores a range of security concerns when deploying web-based applications.

Year 2

• Compulsory Modules:
Develops skills to prepare for employment including project planning, investigation skills and working in a team.
• Database Systems (CO2701): Explores the relational database concepts and outlines the benefits of the relational theory.
Studies data definition and manipulation through a relational query language and provides experience of using a 4GL database environment. Uses data analysis to familiarize oneself with the structure and functions of database management systems.
• Web Applications (CO2717): Extends programming skills in developing a usable modern web application.
Develops a modern web application through exploring various web technologies, platforms, tools, and techniques. Explores the use of both synchronous and asynchronous web cycles, various frameworks, libraries, use of external APIs, and modern development techniques. Critically evaluates different development approaches, tools, and techniques. Develops the knowledge and skills necessary to enable students to model, design and evaluate interfaces with a focus on user experience. Enhances the desire, skills, and confidence to research HCI and UX topics.
• Optional Modules:
• Advanced Programming with C++ (CO2402):
Develops the ability to solve typical industrial problems. Understands how to use algorithms and data in solving problems and how these can be presented using Windows and Unix.
• Computational Thinking (CO2412): Develops an understanding in using algorithms and data structures using various techniques and discrete mathematics.
Applies this knowledge to illustrate design, analysis and optimisation and solve a wide range of problems.
• Network Management (CO2516): Introduces IT systems management practices and principles.
Starts learning the basics of single operating systems and later moves onto large-scale systems.
• Digital Evidence and Incident Response (CO2517): Enhances understanding of computer hardware and develops skills in planning subject to incident response.
Develops skills necessary for dead-box/live acquisition of evidence and makes students aware of legal and ethical issues surrounding evidence handling.
• Cyber Security (CO2528): Examines a range of vulnerabilities and attacks on computer systems and networks.
Encourages a systematic approach to computer security and integrates skills by tackling the complex problem of system security.

Year 3

• Compulsory Modules:
• Systems, Requirements and Modelling (CO3608):
Develops knowledge and methods of systems, requirements and modelling for IT systems, specifically in business contexts.
• Optional Modules:
• Cross Platform Development (CO2404):
Develops an understanding of modern mobile development platforms and the skills needed to develop cross-platform applications for mobile devices. Explores a range of technical problems and solutions inherent in developing coss platform applications for ubiquitous computing platforms such as mobile, desktop, wearable and smart devices.
• Interacting with the Internet of Things (CO2519): Develops an understanding of the technologies underpinning the internet of things and how they communicate.
Develops the skills necessary to design, develop, test and evaluate secure applications created within the scope of the Internet of Things. Explores the legal, ethical and social user experiences relating to the IOT.
• Object Oriented Methods in Computing (CO3402): Develops understanding of system designs and program implementation.
Provides the opportunity to get involved with practical elements to expand knowledge.
• Distributed Systems (CO3404): Integrates software development skills through the construction of distributed systems.
Conveys the fundamental principles of designing distributed systems considering scalability, security, heterogeneity, concurrency and containerisation.
• Secure Software and Malware Analysis (CO3410): Provides knowledge and methods for malware classification, analysis and detection.
Develops skills to write, test, debug programs in high and low-level languages and scripts as well as to design, implement and analyse algorithms using software tools.
• Wireless and Mobile Networks (CO3514): Focuses on wireless and mobile networks systems technologies, such as Bluetooth and GPRS.
Explores both the theory and practice of their uses.
• Penetration Testing (CO3517): Raises awareness of the need for penetration testing, providing experience of testing a network’s security both internally and externally.
Develops an understanding of the legal and ethical issues concerning penetration testing and encourages students to expand their knowledge about network security from published research materials and to conduct independent investigations into network security related areas.
• Artificial Intelligence (CO3519): Introduces and familiarizes students with the approach and techniques of Artificial Intelligence.
Explores AI in the context of computer games and some of the theoretical underpinnings of AI and Computing.
• Advanced Cyber Security (CO3520): Introduces advanced theories and methodologies in cyber defence and security that enable what is achievable in that regard through the use of security technologies, big data architectures and security policies in IT systems.
• Computers, Society and Law (CO3603): Studies intellectual property rights and ethical issues relevant to computer professionals.
Develops skills in research, analysis, presentation, and debate, as well as learning by researching, preparing, and arguing a case. Covers topics such as system security and the investigation of the crime to professional negligence and liability for defective software.
• Games for the Internet (CO3717): Provides the theoretical underpinning relevant to contemporary online games market.
Builds on programming skills to develop software suitable for distribution in an online environment.
• Cloud Computing (CO3721): Introduces the fundamental concept of Cloud storage and computing services.
Covers different models and architecture of Cloud services, as well as the security, privacy and accountability problems in this context.
• Data Science (CO3722): Provides the necessary tools for analysing datasets and visualizing their properties.
• Project (Double) (CO3808): Compulsory double module that is an Honours Degree Project.
Involves research, independent study and the production of a substantial report based on the investigation of a problem and the design and implementation of a solution. Uses the materials and skills developed during the course.

Assessment:

The course is assessed using individual coursework assignments, group work, presentations and exams, which may be seen or unseen. There’s a practical emphasis, so coursework forms the bulk of your marks.

Teaching:

You’ll develop practical skills by through tutorials, seminars and directed work which will also help with your independent learning. You will use an online learning environment that supports flexible learning by providing additional, resource-rich, online materials.

Careers:

A Computing Foundation Entry degree can lead to a range of careers including: analysing clients' business requirements and specifying appropriate IT systems, designing and managing networks, or developing multimedia, databases or high-performance software. Others continue with academic study.

Other:

You can take a one-year industrial placement during your studies to increase your employability. Most placements are UK-based, but opportunities exist for global placements. This course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. This help connections with the tech industry through BCS mentors, enables access to bespoke events with industry experts, as well as interactive career tools include CV writer, interview simulator, personal assessments and e-learning.

UKFirst year£9,250 for the first year Full-time£9,250 per year InternationalFirst year£16,400 for the first year Full-time£16,500 per year