Computing Studies

How does Amazon know what you want in your shopping basket even before you do? How does Facebook know who your best friends are? From online shopping to the virtual world of Second Life, technology continues to develop at an unstoppable pace. Follow an exciting programme of study centred on the information and communications technologies that have driven the phenomenal growth of the Internet.

First Year

The first year is common across all four Computing pathways and will provide you with a solid basis in a variety of areas such as:

• The role of information systems in business and society.
• Different methods used in the development of information systems.
• Ways to collect and manage data.
• The legal and ethical aspects of being a computing professional.
• Computer programming; computer hardware, networks and graphic design.

You will be debating with your fellow students on topical issues such as the dilemmas of music downloading and hacking. You will create your own computer programs, design your own databases and learn how to use industry-specific software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create computer graphics for a variety of purposes.

Second & Third Year

Depending on the pathway you choose, the second and third years will provide you with opportunities to:

• Design and build professional websites that cater to clients' needs.
• Design and build robust and secure databases with web connectivity.
• Design and create original interactive animated graphics and multimedia projects.
• Gain in-depth understanding of the role of IT in industry and the importance of strategic planning and analysis of information systems.

All pathways are designed to provide expertise in the key skill areas of:

• Analysing and designing systems for specific industries.
• Managing projects to ensure quality and efficient time management.
• Writing concise and relevant reports and communicating effectively with clients and customers to present findings and IT solutions.