Enterprise Computing Foundation Degree with Manchester Metropolitan University

Enterprise Computing Foundation Degree with Manchester Metropolitan University

What's the course about?

This course serves as a foundation or platform for further study and also provides an aid to career advancement. It has been designed with employer involvement, which makes it highly relevant to the needs of industry. Employers will also have an ongoing involvement with the course, ensuring it maintains its relevance to industry and provides all the skills and knowledge that employers require.

On this course you will develop an understanding of how computing relates to different aspects of an enterprise and you will be prepared for changes in technology. Using industry standard products such as Oracle for databases and Cisco for networking, you will develop practical skills in software design, implementation and testing and in the use of databases and appropriate programming languages.

The following units make up the programme.

Stage 1:

• Computer Platforms
• Information Systems in Organisations
• Data Analysis and Database Design
• Introduction to Multimedia
• Java Programming
• Computer Methods

Stage 2:

• Networking
• Advanced Java Programming
• Advanced Databases with Oracle
• Information Systems Development
• Career Development
• Advanced Multimedia
• End User Support

All course units have a lecture component, usually one hour per week for each unit. The lectures are supported by tutorials, seminars, practicals and examples classes as appropriate to the subject matter. During the second stage of the course there is a greater emphasis on the development of practical skills leading to employment, which is reflected in the assessment strategy.

A variety of assessment methods are used, including coursework assignments and in-class tests. Assessment on the programme will make use of a range of activities including reports, oral presentations, group work, practical assignments, MCQ tests, time-constrained tests and peer assessment. Five core units in the first year of the course will have a formal end-of-year examination as well as course work, comprising a number of assignments. The Programming unit will employ continuous assessment, incorporating the use of time-constrained tests. All units that are not formally examined will contain an element of time-constrained assessment. They may be machine-based tests and possibly open-book, if appropriate.

How long is the course and when will it be taught?

This course can be studied for 18 hours per week during the day (full time) over two years, 12 hours per week during the day (part time) over two and a half years or eight hours per week during the day or evening (part time) over three years. The course aims to be as flexible as possible to fit in with the needs of employed students and modular accreditation is available.

What will I be able to do after I've completed this course?

This course is intended to prepare you for a career in computing, particularly as a trainee database or web developer. The types of opportunities available in the workplace may include junior IT office mangers, junior software developers, network administration assistants and end user support analysts. We aim to work with employers throughout the course to try and obtain placements that can aid you in you education and ideally lead to a paid position within the company. On completion of this course, you can opt to complete a three-month bridging unit, which will enable you to progress onto the final year of an honours degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.