BSc Honours Information Technology

Students will study core modules such as Web Development, Information Systems Foundations and IT Infrastructure and various optional IT modules. They will learn how a modern enterprise works and how to use a wide range of technologies to support its operation. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to put what you have learned to practical use and make valuable industry contacts.

Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.

Note: Both core and optional modules are constantly updated and under review. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that a module may not be offered in any particular year, for instance because too few students opt for it. Middlesex University reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.

• Year 1
  • Information in Organisations (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module aims to prepare you in being able to differentiate between data, information and knowledge in an organisation, investigating efficient ways of storing, preserving, searching, retrieving and displaying information in an organisation. Through this module you will visualise and conceptualise information in organisations through knowledge of modelling techniques and will learn to design and implement a database system, and to utilise a mark-up language, to reflect the information in an organisation. The module will provide you with the ability to query and manipulate data that is stored in relational database using Structured Query Language (SQL).
  • Emerging Technologies in Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory The aim of this module is to develop students knowledge and enthusiasm for current and future technologies that are and can be deployed in the modern, creative business setting, taking in current and future developments. The module will adopt a practical lab based case study approach to enable the students to develop their knowledge of the design and use of technology in real world settings and to be aware of likely future developments in computing and IT and of the possible social impacts of those developments. It will draw in current and future computing systems including pervasive, mobile and robotic systems, smart homes, smart cities and will consider both the drivers for technological development and the constraints on that development.
  • Introduction to Programming (30 Credits) - Compulsory Aims This module introduces computer programming techniques, with an emphasis on concepts that are relevant to a wide range of programming languages. There is a strong focus on practical work and students working together in pairs and small groups. Students will learn how to solve problems by the design, enhancement and implementation of computer programs. They will develop the ability to document, test and debug their programs. Students will be introduced to fundamental concepts of programming, data structures and algorithms. Students will be encouraged to work individually and in groups in a series of highly interactive and progressive activities.
  • Computing Systems Architecture and Operating Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

    This module will provide you with fundamental concepts and principles of computer hardware and operating systems in order to explain the structure and operation of modern computers.

    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 as this module will focus on the understanding of concepts, theory and associated terminology. Practical hands-on laboratory experiments will be used to illustrate the application of theory and concepts. Consideration will also be given to likely future developments in the area of computer architecture.

    The development of a range of transferable skills with respect to communicating and demonstrating relevant knowledge will be encouraged and supported throughout.

• Year 2
  • Web Applications and Databases (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module will give you practical experience with the development of dynamic websites using HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript. You will learn how to store client-side data and get first-hand experience with the server-side storage of data using databases. You will also obtain a deeper understanding of the operation of large-scale websites, such as Facebook and Google, and the security, privacy and legal issues that affect web applications.
  • Project Management and Professional Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory The aim of this module is to enable you to gain knowledge of professional project management in the context of your degree and likely future profession and to use this knowledge by participating in a ‘real world’ group project which is relevant for their level of study. It will focus on all aspects of professional practise including project management. In addition, you will study ethical, legal, regulatory, organisational and business issues in order to further the student’s employability within the computer and communications fields.
  • Data Management and Business Intelligence (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module will provide you with an understanding of the nature of data, its transmission, storage and how this leads to policies in business and strategies for ensuring data integrity and business continuity. In order to develop a real understanding of this area, you will learn how to analyse and use packet sniffing tools and explore how dictionary and brute force attacks are carried out. Secondly, we look at the wide range of data that may be available to a business and look at how this can be captured, analysed and used to make decisions. This will involve developing some skills in statistical analysis and use of commonly available tools in addition to consideration of ethical issues and ensuring that appropriate data is analysed to support business goals. The final section of the module explores how machine learning approaches can support users and businesses by analysing data and making recommendations. You will develop skills in using existing toolkits to implement some machine learning algorithms and understand the potential of machine learning in addition to risks.
  • Operating Systems and Computer Networks (30 Credits) - Optional

    Computer systems have become pervasive and increasingly more powerful enabling users to run many different kinds of applications. The power available on modern day computing devices and the ever increasing usage being found for them has led to the redefinition of the roles, responsibilities and design of Operating Systems.

    The aim of this introductory course is to review the design principles, performance, security and system management issues in Operating Systems design. It provides an understanding of the operation of the underlying hardware and software and gives practical systems-level experience of client-server based applications. It lays the groundwork needed for more advanced engineering applications in the area.

    This module will provide you with an opportunity to gain practical level experience of Operating System management techniques in a realistic and flexible environment. Access is provided to a 64-bit Linux Enterprise system to promote active learning and reinforce lecture material. This module lays the groundwork needed for more advanced engineering applications in the area.

  • Information Systems Design and Analysis (30 Credits) - Optional This module aims to provide a firm grounding in business systems analysis and design using the Unified Modelling Language (UML) to model information systems, and the Unified Process (a disciplined approach to assigning and managing tasks and responsibilities in a development environment). On satisfactory completion of the module, students will have an understanding of information systems modelling and associated development lifecycle issues, and the skills to apply these techniques to real-life scenarios.
• Year 3
  • Web-based Mobile App Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module aims to develop a deep understanding of the latest web-based app programming techniques, frameworks,and methodologies used by the industry to develop the next generation software that can be deployed on any mobile devices(both Android and iOS). The module will investigate, develop, and deploy latest programming language standards that are fundamental to app development and currently being widely employed in industry. Modern programming frameworks will be introduced to provide the essential software architecture for large-scale software development and the ability to target either the Android or iOS platform. The module will cover the three most important components of a complete mobile app: front end, back end, and system administration.
  • UG Individual Project (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module provides you with the opportunity of choosing and working on a project that reflects your interests and aims and outcomes of your programme. It should constitute a practical problem-solving project relevant to your programme of study. The primary aim of the module is to consolidate and deepen your understanding of material taught on your programme, to exercise professional judgement, to undertake individual research and to conduct an investigation and/or develop a product, process or application relevant to the focus of your programme. It provides you with the opportunity of engaging in significant system development, the typical output of which represents the solution of a problem akin to those that you as a fledgling professional practitioner are likely to encounter in future employment. The module intends that your choice of individual project will provide you with a significant opportunity to reflect on your learning progress and to develop your learning for life-long and career development.
  • Novel Interaction Technologies (30 Credits) - Optional
  • Digital Media Engineering (30 Credits) - Optional This module aims to equip you with the underlying concepts and theory in interactive media manipulation. In doing this you will develop skills in synthesis and modification of media, hardware controllers, data visualisation and sonification. By understanding the relationship between cognitive psychology and our mathematical treatment of media data you will develop a strong theoretical foundation with which to explore this area. For programming you will using a wide range of languages and explore a wide range of paradigms for completing various media based tasks including the design and development of interactive artefacts. As we are dealing with media and its presentation, there are strong links to the digital arts and you will be expected to explore their creative side in addition to the computing skills required. Background reading will provide you with a historical and philosophical context for reflecting on their own practice and that of their peers.
  • Strategic Management and Information Systems (30 Credits) - Optional This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the peripheral issues that impact on information development and management including consensus, strategic alignment and change management. The module provides you with an understanding of the framework within which information assets are used to enhance organisational decision making. It also enables you to distinguish between information and knowledge at the organisational level, and to understand the importance of protecting information assets especially within the outsourcing scenario.
  • User Experience (UX) Design (30 Credits) - Optional This module aims to enable you to further understand the underpinning concepts and practical techniques relevant when considering humans, both in the organisation of design and design processes, and as a way of incorporating a user perspective in the design of products and services. The module also includes analysis of user experience, the characteristics of users and their tasks, and the technical, organisational and physical environment in which products or systems may operate.
  • Advanced Web Development with Big Data (30 Credits) - Optional . Many modern websites store and process large amounts of data. Typical examples are property search websites, price comparison websites and financial websites