Computer Networks BSc

Course content

What will you study on the BSc Computer Networks?

The course explores the principles of up-to-date network systems and focuses on key operational and technical aspects. Core modules such as Data Communications, Computer Networks, and Programming and Problem Solving for Communications are covered in this course. You will have the opportunity to put what you've learned to practical use and make valuable industry contacts; even more so if you decide to complete a work experience placement in your second year.

What will you gain?

You will gain the practical competencies in network design and the development of mobile internet applications and services. You will learn how to deploy practical techniques in the development of a range of network systems and internet level applications from the very start of your studies.

Modules

This module will provide you with the basic skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programs. It provides a hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet. The primary focus is on learning the fundamentals of networking and on routing and routing protocols. You will become familiar with the various network devices, network addressing schemes and the types of media used to carry data. You will develop an understanding of how a router learns about remote networks and determines the best path in those networks.

The aim of this module is to provide you with fundamental concepts and principles of computer hardware and operating systems. By taking this module, you will gain an understanding of how the computer's hardware enables it to function as a networked, multi-media machine. The module focuses on the understanding of concepts, theory and associated terminology. Practical hands-on laboratory experiments are used to complement the theoretical aspects.

The overall aim of the module is to provide the knowledge and skills required for understanding inter-networking computer systems. This is achieved through the study of relevant general mathematical and scientific principles. These principles are applied to illustrate the operation of hardware components such as logic gates, processors, controllers and data storage devices. The material covered ensures that you are suitably equipped with the theoretical understanding needed for subsequent course modules.

This module introduces fundamental computational concepts and programming constructs used in a range of programming languages. The main aim is to help you learn to program effectively. Several data structures of interest to Networking scenarios are considered. The concept of an algorithm is introduced early on together with techniques for program implementation. You will be encouraged and supported - both individually and within small groups - in a variety of laboratory-based problem solving tasks.

This module provides the skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programmes and will help you develop the skills necessary to fulfil the job responsibilities of network technicians, network administrators, and network engineers. The primary focus of this module is on LAN switching, wireless LANs and accessing wide area networks (WAN). The goal is to develop an understanding of how a switch communicates with other switches and routers in a small- or medium-sized business network to implement VLAN segmentation.

This module addresses the fundamental principles of electronic communication, particularly as applied to digital data. A key development in the last decade has been the seamless integration of many different data types (documents, images, speeches) on to common communication platforms. These communication platforms have themselves spawned new functionality, so that we are well on the way to being able to access any data/function on any device, anywhere. The main aim of the module is to provide an operational understanding of how current communications systems work, and specifically how we can communicate information over any distance with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. As part of this, issues of encoding data, capacity, data compression, bandwidth, security and cryptography are covered.

There are three main aims in this module. Firstly, to develop your skills in implementing basic standard-compliant network applications, and design simple protocols meeting the requirements of various network environments. Secondly, to introduce network performance and analysis. A systems approach is adopted with a focus on performance issues, including analysis, specification of bottlenecks, trade-offs and optimisation. Ongoing challenges such as scalable connectivity, cost-effective resource sharing, support for common services and manageability are addressed as appropriate. And thirdly, to introduce the Linux operating system – its structure, function and purpose, and to provide the opportunity of practical use of system-level operations.

The aim of this module is to enable you to gain knowledge of professional project management in general, as well as in the context of your degree and likely future profession. You will use this knowledge by participating in a 'real world' group project which is relevant for your level of study. In addition, you will study ethical, legal, regulatory, organisational and business issues to further your employability prospects as a network professional.

This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to plan, implement, secure, maintain, and troubleshoot converged enterprise networks. You will learn how to implement complex enterprise LAN and WAN routing and switching solutions. Comprehensive labs emphasize hands-on learning and practice to reinforce configuration skills using a range of routing protocols, and the secure integration of VLANs, WLANs, voice, and video into local area networks. The module also covers the configuration of secure routing solutions to support branch offices and mobile workers. The module will enhance the job skills and responsibilities that are associated with professional-level job roles such as network engineer, systems engineer, network support engineer, network administrator, and network consultant.

This module provides you with the opportunity of choosing and working on a project that reflects your interests. The project should constitute a practical problem-solving activity relevant to current network or communication technology. The primary aim of the module is to consolidate and deepen your understanding of material taught on your programme and to investigate and/or develop a product, process or application relevant to the focus of your programme.

The principles and theories employed in distributed systems are introduced in this module. These systems are considered in a realistic context showing the benefits and the challenges of distributed resource sharing including: openness, security, scalability, failure handling, concurrency, heterogeneity, and transparency of such systems. The overall objective of the course is to learn and to understand the key issues of distributed systems and to keep track of the continuous development in this field.

This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to monitor and maintain complex, enterprise routed and switched IP networks. Skills learned include the planning and execution of regular network maintenance, as well as support and troubleshooting using technology-based processes and best practices, based on systematic and industry recognized approaches. Extensive labs emphasise hands-on learning and practice to reinforce troubleshooting techniques. The module reflects the job skills and responsibilities that are associated with professional-level job roles such as network engineer, systems engineer, network support engineer, network administrator, and network consultant.

This module concentrates on the knowledge and skills needed to consolidate many computer networking concepts. Elements of network design, equipment selection and configuration, and LAN and WAN addressing are considered. An integrated case study is used to present critical thinking scenarios. This will help you develop skills such as analysing business objectives, determining technical requirements and constraints, planning timelines and resources, and preparing and delivering customer presentations. The module also reflects the job skills and responsibilities that are associated with entry-level career opportunities in networking.

This module develops your understanding of the principal ways in which a mobile device can access a network. Specifically, it aims to develop an appreciation of the design, characteristics, operation, and Quality of Service issues of WLANs and Cellular networks supporting mobility. The module focuses on Wireless Local Area networks in the home, hotspots and business, wide area wireless communication and cellular networks, as well as mobile computing. A central theme is the use of the Internet Protocol in mobile scenarios. The operation of cellular networks (e.g. 2G to 5G and beyond) to interconnect mobile computing devices is explained. It also addresses the application of mobile technologies to business.

This module provides a period of 9-12 months’ experience in a relevant work placement and is normally undertaken after the 2nd year of undergraduate study. Specifically, the module will enable you to:

• Experience a technical employment role in a real work setting
• Apply theoretical knowledge to the solution of practical problems
• Build your skills to assess practical problems effectively and provide well-grounded solutions
• Develop and enhance your professional qualities, to work in a management structure, to develop team and communication skills
• Develop the maturity that will enable you to perform well in your final year
• Develop the skills of autonomous learning

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.