English Eng

Years

Year one

This course has a common first year.
 
The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  
 
If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your international year zero and first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common years (subject to meeting progression requirements).  
 
In your first years, you’ll be taught the fundamental skills and concepts needed to begin your journey as a computer scientist or information technology manager. You’ll explore the mathematical and technical foundations of computing, and you’ll apply those principles in regular laboratory sessions which help solidify your understanding. You’ll also begin developing the professional skills you’ll need in your day-to-day career on graduation: working as part of a team, the ethical and legal issues around data systems, and software unit testing. 
Modules
Programming: Concepts and Algorithms

In this module, you’ll be introduced to these programming fundamentals through an accessible and industry-favoured programming language. You’ll explore algorithms – what they are, why they’re important and how to use them – and you’ll combine this with your programming skills to write your own programmes.

Mathematical Skills for Computing Professionals

Whenever we write software, we are writing algorithms and algebra – and to write them correctly, we need a firm grip of the maths which underpins them. In this module, you’ll gain that understanding, exploring subjects like set theory, algorithms and complexity, and logical arithmetic.

Computer Systems

Any developer needs a fundamental understanding of the machine, with all its complex, moving parts. This module introduces you to these concepts, taking them from the concept of computation to the twitching transistors which drive its implementation. The concept of the Operating System is introduced which will empower you to begin your journey as a developer.

Working with Data

The technologies, ethics and laws behind database processes are a fascinating and fundamental element of software development in the twenty-first century.
In this module, you’ll explore all these concepts, mastering the elements of data handling, storage, and management which you’ll have to apply in later study.

Programming: Professional Practice

This module builds upon and develops the fundamental computer programming skills you developed in Concepts and Algorithms. You will be introduced to new ideas such as object-orientation, and designing reusable code, and you’ll explore them using another industry-favored programming language. You’ll be taught to structure your code in a way which makes it easy to follow, maintain, and extend, equipping you for the next stage of your software development studies. 

Integrative Project

The Integrative Project module adopts an activity-led approach to learning, where you’ll work in a team to plan and execute a project related to your course. The project provides you a vital opportunity to consolidate and apply what you’ve learned during your first year of study, as well as develop new technical and team-working skills.