BSc (Hons) Business Computing & Entrepreneurship

What you'll study What you study This degree aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of the concepts and techniques of business computing. In achieving this, a further aim is to equip you with the skills to design, develop and deploy software systems for business and organisations. You'll be equipped with the fundamental skills to become a professional working in all areas relating to computing and digital businesses. The programme will provide you with a clear view of the whole process of real world software creation, from technical details of design and development to the business aspects of entrepreneurship and project management. At all stages you will be encouraged to be creative and independent in your work, attributes that are vital to the modern technology industry that combines computing, media and entrepreneurship. Year 1 (credit level 4) First year modules get you developing real-world software from the very beginning. You will learn technical programming and web development skills while at the same time working in teams to develop complete software products. You will develop web and mobile apps that fulfil the needs of you target market, ranging from a website for a local business to an iPhone app advertising a fantasy virtual band. You will be encouraged to work independently and think creatively about your target market and how to design software for them. In the second term, you will undertake the Computing in Business module that focuses both on business and technical aspects of Business Computing by analysing the technologies used, and business theories applied, by successful businesses across the world. Year 1 modules Module title Credits. Introduction to Programming Introduction to Programming 30 credits This module teaches the basics of programming using a JavaScript-based programming environment called p5. You will be introduced to programming to develop interactive graphical applications, including games. No previous programming knowledge is assumed. Topics include: drawing on screens, interaction with mice and keyboards, simple statements, variables and conditionals, for and while loops; loops within loops, arrays; functions, objects. 30 credits. Web Development Web Development 15 credits This module is an introduction to the basic concepts essential in the design and implementation of client-side web-based applications; it will cover a basic introduction to the Web, followed by more detailed lectures and labs on current best practice such as HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. 15 credits. Designing Digital Interactions Designing Digital Interactions 15 credits This module is an introduction to the basic concepts essential in the design and implementation of client-side web-based applications; it will cover a basic introduction to the Web, followed by more detailed lectures and labs on current best practice such as HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. 15 credits. Symbolic Mathematics Symbolic Mathematics 15 credits This module introduces fundamental logical tools to support computational and algorithmic inquiry and to assist effective computational reasoning. 15 credits. Perspectives on Capital: Financial, Physical, Human, and Social Perspectives on Capital: Financial, Physical, Human, and Social 15 credits Develop an understanding of the theoretical and historical frameworks of Capital, capitalism, Social Capital. Understand the value that can be created through social capital. Develop an understanding of the importance of physical, human and social capital in relation to creative and social enterprise and current trends in 21st century enterprises. Be introduced to common terms in financial modelling and an understanding of financial capital. 15 credits. Business Enterprise in the Digital Era Business Enterprise in the Digital Era 15 credits This module covers emerging online technologies and trends and their influence on the electronic commerce marketplace. The aim of this module is to produce graduates who are independent, creative and reflective Business Computing practitioners with a detailed understanding of Business Enterprise in the digital era. 15 credits. Introduction to Business Statistics Introduction to Business Statistics 15 credits Business Statistics aims to provide students with quantitative literacy skills to enable them to search out numerical information, understand it, critique it, reflect upon it, and apply it in making decisions. This module introduces students to the principles and concepts of statistics when applied to business computing activities and challenges. It will equip students with quantitative skills necessary for them to interpret, analyse and communicate information derived from numerical data. The module will equip students with an understanding of how to present business numerical information in a variety of formats, and give them an understanding of the tools necessary to present such information. The module theme is to look at numerical data in a variety of forms, to determine the ‘story’ that this data is telling and to tell that ‘story’ to others. Subjects covered by the module will include some or all of the following: Data classification, tabulation and presentation. Measures of central tendency, dispersion, skew Probability, sampling, and distributions. Hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression. Time series and forecasting. The subject knowledge in this module will be presented in a context relevant for business and/or computer science. 15 credits. Year 2 (credit level 5) Year 2 modules Module title Credits. Principles and Applications of Programming Principles and Applications of Programming 30 credits This module covers: Program development on a primary (Java) and secondary platform (Android). Fundamental data structures and algorithms. Computational complexity, run-time efficiency. OO design and implementation. General features of programming languages eg type, abstract data types, the memory model, virtual machines, scope. Libraries. Specific language features: primitive and reference types, class and instance variables, overloading, string manipulation, input and output streams, serialisation, internet connectivity, error handling, generics, threads, memory management. Advanced software techniques: concurrency, internet programming, GUI and event driven programming. Android application development. 30 credits. Data, Networks and the Web Data, Networks and the Web 30 credits In this module, you will focus on the technology underpinning modern web, internet and client-server applications. This includes relational database systems, mainly from a development perspective, emphasising issues related to data modelling and database implementation in SQL. 30 credits. Software Projects Software Projects 30 credits This module gives you the opportunity to work in a group on a substantial software project, including technical, social and creative aspects of that project. This module will take students through the entire software production process, from user centred design, to proposal development and implementation. This module will have a particular focus on user centred design. This will re-enforce abilities in project management, planning, critical awareness and design that students need to develop in order to create better software. 30 credits. Creative and Social Enterprises: Business Models, Value and Planning Creative and Social Enterprises: Business Models, Value and Planning 30 credits Be introduced, through case studies and guest speakers, to a range of existing creative and social enterprises that are creating new business models and making social impact while creating financial value. Develop an understanding of business model paradigms how to articulate and represent a business model's financial and social assets. Develop an understanding of how to generate incomes from creative content. Develop an understanding of the differences between a business model and a business plan and how to create each. 30 credits. Optional placement year Our degrees include an optional industrial placement year between the second and final year of study. You will be responsible for securing a placement, but we can support you through this process. Although we encourage you to take the opportunity of a placement year, you can also complete your degree in a straight three years. Final year (credit level 6) You will complete a project in an area of Business Computing which will be worth 50% of your final mark for the year. You will also select up to 60 credits from a list of 3rd year annually approved list of optional modules including: Year 3 modules Module title Credits. Digital Venture Creation Digital Venture Creation 15 credits The purpose of this module is to educate a new generation of managers, planners, analysts, and programmers in the realities and potential for electronic commerce. It aims to familiarise individuals with current and emerging electronic commerce technologies using the Internet. The goal of this module is to provide students with a detailed analysis of the concepts and techniques required to complete the third year module on electronic commerce. In achieving this, a further goal is to equip students with a detailed understanding of the major issues regarding the deployment of Internet technologies within organisations and between organizations. Topics include: Internet technology for business advantage. managing electronic commerce funds transfer. reinventing the future of business through electronic commerce. business opportunities in electronic commerce. electronic commerce. website design. social, political and ethical issues associated with electronic commerce. business plans for technology ventures. 15 credits. Computer Security Computer Security 15 credits Provides a broad overview of topics in securing computer-based resources, especially the information stored on hardware and controlled by software. We explore core concepts of computer security, including attacks and control, and various techniques for the protection of computer-related assets. Covers topics including computer security, attacks and control, elementary cryptography, cryptosystems, security control models, security problems and protection in operating systems, in databases and data mining, and in networks, security management and administration, legal and ethical issues: patents, copyrights and trademarks, and prosecution. 15 credits. Innovation Case Studies Innovation Case Studies 15 credits You'll have access to executives from industry, who'll discuss and debate the merits of different approaches to the management of innovation. Recent speakers have included fashion designer Paul Smith, 'city super woman' Nicola Horlick , and editor of Monocle Tyler Brûlé.. Learn about a variety of innovation approaches and challenges. Translate conceptual and theoretical implications of innovation to practical applications. Understand current and future potential issues reshaping commercial and non-profit practices. Critically evaluate debates on the value and potential of intersections between disciplines and emerging innovation practices, particularly as these relate to transformation and change. Understand the challenges and opportunities for applying or piloting early stage digital, media, and marketing in commercial and non-profit organisations. 15 credits. Social Media, Crowdsourcing and Citizen Sensing Social Media, Crowdsourcing and Citizen Sensing 15 credits 15 credits. Interaction Design Interaction Design 15 credits This module provides you with advanced skills in designing interactive systems and an in-depth understanding of emerging practico-theoretical developments in interaction design. The module is delivered as a series of workshops, lectures and seminars where you're introduced to a range of key technical skills for making interactive platforms, and develop an understanding of the role of prototyping though the embedding of technical work in the pursuit of a series of design briefs. You'll be able to then use these technologies in your projects, and develop an understanding of the roles of software and hardware development. 15 credits. Data Mining Data Mining 15 credits Provides you with theoretical knowledge of basic and advanced machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques utilised in the process of discovery of hidden patterns in potentially large volumes of data. Practical data mining will be introduced through both algorithm implementation in Java and data mining software utilisation for knowledge discovery in data from various fields of activity. 15 credits. Teaching style This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory sessions. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work. The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*: Year 1 - 29% scheduled learning, 71% independent learning. Year 2 - 25% scheduled learning, 75% independent learning. Optional placement year - 100% placement. Final year - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning. How you’ll be assessed You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects. If you opt for an industrial placement year, your placement tutor will assess your work. If you complete the placement year successfully, you earn the endorsement 'with work experience' on your degree certificate. The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*: Year 1 - 70% coursework, 30% written exam. Year 2 - 67% coursework, 33% written exam. Optional placement year. Final - 84% coursework, 16% written exam. *Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2016/17. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Credits and levels of learning An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project. Download the programme specification , for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.