Software Engineering (with foundation year)

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Software Engineering program at Nottingham Trent University is a four-year, full-time degree with a foundation year. The program equips students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to design and develop high-quality software. Students benefit from hands-on experience with industry-standard software and facilities, and are well-prepared for roles in the software engineering field. The program emphasizes professional development and lifelong learning, and graduates have gone on to secure positions at major companies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is a four-year full-time BSc (Hons) Software Engineering (with foundation year) degree offered by Nottingham Trent University. It aims to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge in programming, maths, and engineering needed to succeed in the software engineering field. The program addresses the growing demand for qualified software engineers, aiming to produce graduates with the skills to design and develop robust, efficient, and high-quality software.

Outline:

Year One:

• Introductory Mathematics (20 credit points): Introduces fundamental mathematical concepts like algebraic rearrangement, trigonometry, vectors, descriptive statistics, integration, and differentiation.
• Computational Mathematics (20 cp): A hands-on introduction to mathematical ideas and skills using software like Excel and Matlab, covering topics like matrices and mathematical representation of physical systems.
• Introduction to Programming (20 cp): Teaches the design, coding, testing, and debugging of basic Python language programs, covering fundamentals like text strings, loops, functions, and math-related Python libraries.
Includes laboratory sessions for practical experience.
• Practical and Professional Skills (40 cp): Links theoretical modules to practical implementation, enhancing professional skills like interpreting coursework requirements, exam and revision techniques, note-taking, and referencing.
Practical sessions cover various topics utilizing scientific principles and mathematical techniques.
• Essential Skills (20 cp): Develops skills for success in a computing degree, including numerical aspects and web publishing skills through creating and formatting basic web documentation.

Year Two:

• Computer Science Programming (20 cp): Focuses on programming languages relevant to software with industrial scale, reliability, and performance characteristics.
• Computer Technology and Mathematics (20 cp): Explores computer hardware architecture, extending mathematical knowledge and ability.
• Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) (20 cp): Introduces fundamental principles of SAD, providing working knowledge of key systems development methodologies, techniques, and tools.
• Professional Development for Industry (20 cp): Covers professional bodies and standards in the computing profession, enhancing employability by increasing awareness of technological, social, and economic factors driving the IT industry.
• Information and Database Engineering (20 cp): Understands the nature and application of database management systems, acquiring skills for database administration and management.
• Internet Application Programming (20 cp): Designs and produces static or dynamic websites suitable for desktop and mobile platforms, potentially containing complex scripted components.
• Practical Project Management and Professional Development (20 cp): Enhances time and project management skills, presentations, and report writing for continued professional development and lifelong learning.

Year Three:

• Software Design and Implementation (20 cp): Equips students with knowledge and skills in software development techniques to support the development of robust, secure, maintainable, and portable software systems.
• Software Engineering (20 cp): Develops confidence in using structures, techniques, and technologies to support the development of robust software systems in a team environment.
• Systems Software (20 cp): Covers operating systems theory, network solutions, design and implementation, and how computer systems can be connected to form large complex distributed systems.

Final Year:

• Core modules:
• Project (40 cp):
Investigates computing problems, implements solutions, critically evaluates and reflects on work, and develops communication, self-organization, and management abilities.
• Advanced Analysis and Design (20 cp): Understands the object model, its basis, and its application in building systems.
Teaches object-oriented development notation and process.
• Advanced Software Engineering (20 cp): Develops techniques and strategies for analyzing, choosing, proposing, designing, implementing, testing, and evaluating software elements.
• Mobile Platform Applications (20 cp): Raises awareness of requirements, capabilities, and constraints of various mobile platform technologies and considers their use in building systems outside the traditional desktop paradigm.
• Service-centric and Cloud Computing (20 cp): Explores challenging aspects of implementing distributed computing systems in Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA).
• Information Systems Management (20 cp): Understands how to manage the build and deployment of enterprise and Internet information systems in small to medium organizations.
• Communicating Science and Technology (20 cp): Provides opportunities to gain transferable skills by working as a 'student-tutor' with teachers in local schools or on community-based projects.

Teaching:

• The program features a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical laboratory sessions.
• Students benefit from the expertise of faculty with a wealth of industrial experience, industrial links, and research activity.
• The program incorporates research findings into teaching, including developments in areas like Games for Learning and Security.

Careers:

• Graduates are well-prepared for roles in the software engineering field, with recent graduates securing positions at companies like American Express, Experian, Asda Stores Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover, and Nottingham City Council.
• Common job roles include Software Developer, Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Product Consultant, Graduate Cloud Engineer, and Software Analyst.
• Graduates may also pursue further study in Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
• NTU Enterprise provides support for students interested in turning their ideas into viable businesses.

Other:

• The program emphasizes the importance of professional development and lifelong learning.
• Students have access to extensive computing facilities, including 24-hour availability and technician support.
• Students benefit from Microsoft Academic Alliance membership, providing free copies of Microsoft developer software.
• Students can join the Oracle Academic Initiative as individual members, gaining access to free database software.
• Students can register for a free personal copy of 3D Studio Max.
• The program offers extensive free training software, including tutorials on 3D Studio Max, Flash, Photoshop, TCP/IP Packet analysis, Java, Javascript, HTML5, and Oracle.
• Most major software is available across campus machines, including Adobe Master Collection Suite.
• The School of Science and Technology provides a stimulating and creative environment.
• Students have access to specialist centers, including games console laboratories, networking and security laboratories, human-interactive technology, and stereo-projection.
• NTU offers a range of first-class facilities, including a British Olympic Association-approved environmental chamber and a crime scene training facility.
• Students can get involved in a host of sporting clubs and societies.