Diploma in ICT Level 5

Core Module: Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice

• Show an understanding of the role of professional codes of conduct and apply them to specific situations
• Understand the nature and legal standing of a range of organisations
• Understand the range of functions that exist in an organisation, the need for organisational structure and the characteristics of various types of structure
• Understand and read, at a basic level, a balance sheet, a profit and loss account, and a cash flow statement
• Understand and calculate, in simple cases, the basic information needed for day-to-day financial management
• Understand the main pieces of legislation that apply to the profession and recognise situations to which they are relevant
• Understand the mechanisms used to protect computer software and the reasons for such protection

Computer Networks

• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and performance characteristics of communication media; specifically copper cable, fibre optics and wireless networks
• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication standards, including an appreciation of protocol layer models and enhancements to those standards
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the theory and practice of common local area networks including virtual and wireless LANs
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the theory and practice of wide area networks and their interconnection
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the significance of network and inter-network protocols; specifically IPv4, IPv6, TCP and UDP

Principles of Internet Technologies

• Describe the evolution of the Internet
• Understand the protocols and standards used throughout the Internet
• Discuss a variety of Internet and WWW applications and related technologies
• Evaluate the opportunities and threats created by interconnecting computers via the Internet

Database Systems

• To introduce the theory of the relational model and relational programming languages
• To write data manipulation commands in SQL
• To write data definition commands in SQL & to specify the functional and data requirements for a typical database application
• To produce detailed data models and their associated logical schemas
• To design the structure and functionality of a forms based user interface for a database application
• To be able to describe data distribution and data connectivity over a network

How long is the course: The duration of this course in 1 Year but BCS recommends a minimum of 225 hours study per module and the course culminates in a 2 hour written exam focusing on one of core module and each of the three optional modules.
Assessment and Qualification you will achieve: Course will be assessed and examined by accreditation body BCS (British Computer Society). Examination sittings are held twice a year in October and April.
What are the opportunities for further studies? There are progression routes from Diploma to Professional Graduate Diploma level 6 which is equivalent to year 3 of a UK University honours degree.