Computing Philosophy

• You will have access to various hardware and software technologies relating to human-computer interaction where you can develop intelligent interfaces for games with particular emphasis on products for people with physical disabilities or learning disabilities.
• Opportunities for work placements relevant to your degree.
• Research active department in future and emerging technologies. The department has been successful in achieving funding for developing a range of intelligent kitchen appliances for use by elderly or disabled people and continues to develop research projects.
• Award-winning Computing department – judged ‘world-leading’ in the last UK research assessment (RAE 2008).
• The University is home to ARCLab, which specializes in research in the field of Computing and Computer Science.
• Newly refurbished IT labs.
• Host of biennial internet research conference attracting delegates from across the world.
• Accredited Cisco Networking academy.
• Strong links with local companies and employers.
• Staff expertise in various aspects of ‘futurology’ including a senior ‘Professor of Computing Futures’.
• A number of our lecturers are fellows of the BCS, members of the IEEE, ACM, IFIP as well as on a number of working committees for Professional Bodies.

Your first year contains essential fundamental material which is relevant in all of our computing programmes. You will learn both subject specific skills along with transferable skills which will increase your employability prospects.

With the support of your tutors, you will learn about some of the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to computing and computer applications. You will be able to demonstrate skills that underpin good practice in the field of computers and computational methods, e.g. laboratory tasks involving the creation of simple programs and the use of operating systems. This will help develop your understanding of computational complexity and fundamental computational mathematics.

• Computational Thinking
• Computer Systems
• Managing Data
• Problem Solving with Programming
• Professional Development in Computing: Information Engineering

• Computing Maths
• Digital Media Principles
• Network Technologies
• Student Initiated Module (SIM4)
• Web Technologies
• CCNA Routing & Switching - Introduction to Networks
• CCNA Routing and Switching - Routing and Switching Essentials
• Intro to JavaScript programming and DOM scripting
• IT Business Graphics
• IT for Information Analysis

Your second year continues teaching you the fundamentals of the discipline, and more specialist modules start to be introduced. You will also undertake a group project where you will gain important skills in project management techniques and the professional and ethical issues of project management.

You will also deepen your knowledge and understanding of computing concepts and approaches for complex problems. At this level, you will also be introduced to professional, legal, ethical and environmental issues relevant to the computing and IT industry.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Human Computer Relationships
• Responsible Computing
• Group Project Implementation
• Group Project Design

• Internet & Mobile App Development
• Server Technology
• Data Communications and Networks
• Student Initiated Module (SIM5)
• Applied Programming
• CCNA Routing and Switching - Connecting Networks
• CCNA Routing and Switching - Scaling Networks
• Database and Web-based Information Systems
• Agile Application Development
• Database Administration and Optimisation

Once you reach your final year, you will further develop your skills through taught modules and research, with a focus on the latest developments in your chosen discipline. You will also undertake an individual final year project, which will help prepare you for the kind of tasks and situations you may encounter in the workplace.

The final year practical and project work will further develop your analytical skills through the analysis and appraisal of current and emerging technologies, enabling you to critique and debate the relationship between human intelligence and computational intelligence.

• Project
• Singularities and Society
• Computability and Optimisation
• 21st Century Computing
• IT Project Management

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.