Computing (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

This module, delivered in whole or in part by subject-specific staff, will introduce students to the content and staff of their chosen degree subject. Students will explore the disciplinary conventions, core concepts and professional requirements of their degree. The themes under discussion will vary according to the degree the students are studying, but each degree group will enable students to gain familiarity with their chosen area of study and subject staff. In the tutor group, students will complete a capstone assessment designed by staff in their subject area.

This module, delivered in whole or in part by subject-specific staff, will continue students’ introduction to the content and staff of their chosen degree subject. Students will explore the disciplinary conventions, core concepts and professional requirements of their degree. The themes under discussion will vary according to the degree the students are studying, but each degree group will enable students to gain familiarity with their chosen area of study and subject staff. In the tutor group, students will complete a capstone assessment designed by staff in their subject area.

Students will explore big ideas around higher education, society and identity as they develop their academic skills and confidence. Students will be introduced to theory, examples of which include education theories, theories of learning, race theory, gender theory. Students will be introduced to the context and development of these concepts over time, and from literary and philosophic perspectives. The module will explicitly engage with digital literacy and will include opportunities for students to engage with the online learning environment and develop their digital skills.

This module is designed to facilitate students’ further critical engagement with the context and concepts to which they were introduced in semester one. Students will exploring ideas about childhood, life and old age in a digital world and have the opportunity for the continued development of core academic skills as well as providing opportunities for students to reflect on their progress. The module will include opportunities for students to engage with the online learning environment and develop information literacy skills.

This exciting module starts you off in your career, as the cornerstone for the first year of the degree, you will build your own career action plan, and build the skills for complete self-management and development of your own career.

This module will provide students with the opportunity to be proficient with tools and techniques used to create content accessed across a variety of mobile, tablet and desktop devices reliant on current front-end web design technologies. Students will also recognise appropriate accessibility standards and apply compliance guidelines to interactive websites. Students will develop web design skills for creating usable and interactive front-end web pages based on the principles of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Students will be encouraged to explore the requirements of organisations and interactive front-end development. Students will review appropriate literature on website design to gain understandings of the planning and implementation process and identify areas for further development or study.

This module will introduce students to concepts involved in the fundamentals of computer networking and security. The emphasis is on the design of computer networks and fundamentals of cyber security.

In this module, students develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to comprehend computer models, methodologies, structures, number representation, security, Boolean Algebra, logic gates and their role in basic computer systems. Knowledge of fundamentals of computer architecture is becoming increasingly important in business and finance, and are applicable to problems which have been considered mainstream computing.

An operating system is typically the lowest layer of software in a computer. It provides an abstracted interface so that applications can run on diverse hardware without modification and it provides security which prevents misbehaving software from ‘crashing’ the hardware or disturbing other tasks which may be running simultaneously. This module provides an introduction to the major principles of implementing an operating system and ensuring that these are secure.These fundamentals cover the principles and structures of network addressing, , system architecture design, transmission of media, security and operations.

This module provides the first exposure to programming in this undergraduate degree programme, and for some students their first encounter with programming at all. It introduces problem-solving and structured, procedural and function-oriented programming. Emphasis is placed on designing, developing and deploying correct, efficient, maintainable and scalable programs.

Introduction to problem solving, a brief review of Von-Neumann architecture, introduction to programming, role of compiler and linker, introduction to functions & algorithms, basic data types and variables, input/output constructs, arithmetic, comparison and logical operators, conditional statements and repetitive statements with understanding of execution flow, translation of counting, permutations and combinations into programs, introduction to modular programming, function definition and calling, stack rolling and unrolling, string and string operations, pointers/references, memory allocation and file handling.

The focus of this module is on developing knowledge, skills and understanding as they demonstrate mastery of software development. The module is based on several example programmes and emphasis is placed on practical work with the aim of ensuring that theory covered in lectures is reinforced by practical programming tasks.

This module provides the first exposure to programming in this undergraduate degree programme, and for some students their first encounter with programming at all. It introduces problem-solving and structured, procedural and function-oriented programming. Emphasis is placed on designing, developing and deploying correct, efficient, maintainable and scalable programs.

Introduction to problem solving, a brief review of Von-Neumann architecture, introduction to programming, role of compiler and linker, introduction to functions & algorithms, basic data types and variables, input/output constructs, arithmetic, comparison and logical operators, conditional statements and repetitive statements with understanding of execution flow, translation of counting, permutations and combinations into programs, introduction to modular programming, function definition and calling, stack rolling and unrolling, string and string operations, pointers/references, memory allocation and file handling.

The focus of this module is on developing knowledge, skills and understanding as they demonstrate mastery of software development. The module is based on several example programmes and emphasis is placed on practical work with the aim of ensuring that theory covered in lectures is reinforced by practical programming tasks.

The module will give students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of database design. They will investigate the structure of data within a relational database, interact with, and protect the data within the database. Students will develop practical experience of problem analysis, especially concepts of data modelling, sets, relational theory and relational algebra. Students will develop database implementation skills for optimisation using structured data, held in relational databases, accessed via SQL and explore the data storage requirements of on-line businesses, companies and organisations.

The Managing Business Projects module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of project management within the context of business operations. Designed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, this module equips students with the essential skills and competencies needed to successfully plan, execute, and evaluate projects in diverse organisational settings.

Through a blend of theoretical instruction, case studies, and hands-on exercises, students will develop a deep understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. Emphasis is placed on building critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills essential for effective project completion.

Integration with Final Year Research Project: The Managing Business Projects module serves as a foundational building block for students’ final year research projects by providing them with essential project management skills and competencies. The practical experience gained in this module will prepare students to successfully plan, execute, and evaluate their research projects, ensuring they are equipped to meet the challenges and requirements of their academic endeavours and future careers.

The Organisational Management module builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in the first year, focusing on the individual’s role as a manager within an organisation. Throughout the module, students delve into various aspects of managerial responsibility, from management and decision-making to organisational structure and introducing strategic management.

Students explore different management styles to understand what their management approach is, and how that is adapted through organisational and team requirements, while also considering current external factors affecting the workforce and organisational needs. Students explore how these concepts can be applied both as an employee in a business, and as an entrepreneur.

In addition, students develop skills in team dynamics, conflict resolution, performance management, and employee development, essential for building and managing high-performing teams. They also learn about strategic management principles, operations management techniques, and the importance of ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility.

The integrated academic personal tutoring and professional coaching, embedded into this module, continues to develop the student professionally. Enabling a clearer understanding of how each aspect of their study, develops their skills making them more employable.

By the end of the module, students emerge as competent and confident managers equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of organisational management and drive success in their roles as managers within an organisation.

Advanced web development solidifies skills in website development for second-year students. The module strengthens knowledge in modern web application development using contemporary full-stack development technologies. Students will gain an understanding of applying these technologies to develop interactive and functional websites. During the module students will engage with literature and techniques for building, customising, and extending web-based development through modern implementation practices. The students will apply this knowledge by implementing techniques such as external libraries, application programming interfaces, and the interconnection between server-side and front-end development. Students will engage in industry skill building through understanding the best practices and ethical considerations of modern web development.

The Cyber Security module introduces students to the concepts required to understand and to work with computer security. These security concepts include, for example: historical background, security and security threats, practical measures (such as identification, authentication), security models, cryptography, network security). The second part of the module provides students with the opportunity to explore computer system security via hands-on activities. Current issues relating to cyber security will be discussed and possible solutions will be investigated through practical and hands-on labs Students will critically reflect, design, and develop their learning into a security-centric project to understand historical and novel cyber security threats and learn how to defend against these through practical experience.

The industry project module introduces students to the concepts, skills, and knowledge of working in a collaborative team environment in technical development projects. As part of the project, students are expected to work professionally to design, develop, and evaluate an industry-oriented project using contemporary project management principles. The module will allow students to work on an open-ended project collaboratively. Students will experience working with industry-standard approaches for managing computing projects while also building self-directed skills in their chosen specialisations. Students may seek to develop projects in their specialisms or emerging interests in Computer Science. Students will critically evaluate their work as part of the industry project and present/demonstrate the technologies to a wider audience.

Shaped by globalisation, technological advancements, environmental concerns and shifting societal expectations, the competitive dynamics of the current times present businesses with unprecedented challenges and opportunities.

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the current competitive landscape. Through theoretical frameworks, case studies, and interactive discussions, students will explore key issues such as globalisation, technological disruption, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity and inclusion.

By examining the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the business landscape, the module aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and a forward-looking mindset enabling them to navigate uncertainty and develop their future careers as effective leaders, innovators, and change agents in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.

This module aims to introduce students to the paradigm of cloud computing, where technology-related functions are provided as a service to users in order to perform resource-intensive tasks such as data analysis and machine learning. They will learn formal methods and techniques for designing and implementing advanced cloud-based applications. Students will have an appreciation for Artificial Intelligence and Semantic Web research related to cloud computing. They will investigate big data computing using cloud-based technologies and apply the skills and knowledge gained to design, develop and deploy an interactive data-driven cloud-based application to solve programming problems.

The final project and critical evaluation will be structured to assess the knowledge and understanding by means appropriate to individual students, though all approaches will lead to the production of a significant piece of work that involves the demonstration of advanced practice in computer science. All approaches will be accompanied by a critical self- evaluation of the outcomes achieved. Students would integrate concepts and skills learned throughout the degree course to substantial open-ended problems. The module will increase students understanding of applied, investigational or theoretical approaches to real word problems.

This module teaches students the concepts and processes of vulnerability assessment and ethical hacking covering software, networks, and Web applications. Students will use state-of-the-art tools to identify real-world vulnerability issues in modern software and the protection mechanisms found in operating systems. Students will learn how to detect, patch, and develop extensions of protection mechanisms to mitigate attacks and improve security features of software. This module introduces the core methodological approaches to application vulnerability assessment, reverse engineering, and ethical hacking. Students will engage with novel technologies to attack or ‘penetration test’ vulnerable systems and applications. Students will then learn how to defend against such attacks using a mix of academic and industry-focused techniques.

This module covers need for security assessments, classifying vulnerabilities: software, penetration testing, memory corruption, cross site scripting, fundamentals of the C to understand code analysis, reverse engineering of software, simulated attacks, security assessment, intercepting data, and privilege escalation.

This module enables students to build on their cyber security knowledge using digital evidence collection, preservation, and analysis. The module explores the tools and techniques used to investigate data, for example; data recovery, network forensics, and malware analysis. The module also explores the legal and ethical considerations in cyber forensics, ensuring students understand the importance of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By the end of the module, students will have an awareness of cyber forensics approaches and consider how these could be applied in practice. The module encourages students to understand how digital data can be used in cyber security.

This module covers the investigation and forensics of digital technologies, including; security mechanisms, cryptography, encryption, hash functions, digital signatures, key management, authentication and access control; software security, digital forensics tools, malware, firewalls, intrusion detection, security policies, law and ethics in information security, privacy and anonymity of data.

The aim of this module is to enhance the knowledge of database systems for handling huge volumes of data on distributed systems which address deficiencies of centralized systems. Emerging requirements, that cannot be handled by traditional tabular database management systems due to the volume, variation and speed of the data with which they are generated, have led to development and evolution of NoSQL (Not only SQL) framework. The module addresses different approaches to NoSQL and, additionally, storage, processing and retrieval of semi-structured or unstructured data within schemaless databases, like MongoDB, are presented along with intrinsic challenges of validation, integrity constraints and inconsistencies. An introduction of NoSQL with practical applications enables students to explore application domains such as social media, e-commerce and real-time analytics. The premise is to implement mechanisms so that the distribution remains oblivious to the users, who perceive the database as a single database with their desired structure and presentation.

This module provides you with an introduction, overview, and history of distributed and NoSQL databases (non-relational databases), distributed data management, distribution design, data integration, distributed query processing and optimization, distributed transaction management, and replication. In this module you will explore the four types of NoSQL databases (e.g., Document-oriented, Key-Value Pair, Column-oriented, and Graph), storage and management of BSON and JSON files and practical exercises with NoSQL database development tools and Python.

Business and Data Analytics is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the necessary skills to analyse business data effectively and make data-driven decisions. The course covers fundamental concepts of data analysis, statistical techniques, data exploration, and data visualization tools commonly used in business settings. Students will learn how to collect, clean, analyse, and interpret data to solve real-world business problems. Additionally, the course will introduce students to various data analytics tools and techniques, including Excel, SQL, and data visualization software such as Power BI and Tableau.

This module aims to teach students the concepts, skills and knowledge required to develop, design and prototype 2D and 3D games. This module introduces games design and the games industry and outlines the key elements of game development. It provides students with an in depth understanding of the fundamental concepts of game design and the development process. Students will develop the ability to use and interpret multimedia content effectively and independently in the design of games. They will enhance their scripting skills and be introduced to industry standard scripting and game content authoring tools.