FdSc Computer Systems Development

Year 1

Core modules

• Object Oriented Programming (CITY1101)

  The object oriented programming paradigm requires a programmer to design and develop code by considering what objects may exist in some system, how these are related to each other and how these may interact with each other. It is a proven method for developing reliable modular programs and encourages reuse which shortens development time. This module provides an introduction to the object-oriented programming paradigm.

• Computer Systems (CITY1102)

  This module will help learners to understand the fundamental components that are used to form a computer. It will provide an overview of different types of computer and identify various operating systems that are used.

• Mathematics for Computing (CITY1103)

  This module will develop the students mathematical ability and provide a foundation for computer based algebra, transformations, numerical concepts and relational algebra. Computing packages and calculators will be used throughout the programme.

• Computer Networks (CITY1104)

  Networking is at the heart of modern life, providing the infrastructure for all types of communication. This module introduces the students to the fundamental technology of networks and the underlying concepts and protocols. The module has a balanced mix of theory and practice, with the theoretical concepts discussed in the lectures matched by scenarios to design, implement, configure and troubleshoot in the lab sessions.

• Web Development (CITY1105)

  This module gives the student an introduction to developing web applications. It establishes the fundamental components required to develop software for the web. It provides an introductory understanding and use of programming and scripting languages needed. Security and legal aspects of web applications are introduced.

• Database Development (CITY1106)

  Databases underlie many modern business applications, and most software developer will find themselves involved with the development of maintenance of them at some point in their career. It is important to understand the principles of relational database design to underpin and developments in other database models, and this unit will focus on the relational model, but provide some pointers to alternatives.

Final year

Core modules

• Computing Team Project (CITY2105)

  This practical take on systems engineering introduces this as a means of facilitating and assuring the development of a complex computer related technical product. Focusing predominantly on introducing tools and techniques that can be applied at different stages of the product development cycle. It will cover relevant system analysis processes that support project management and will focus on the Agile development model. Students will be given a group project specified by an industrial collaborator which will have well defined targets and timescales for completion.

• Digital Forensics (CITY2110)

  With valuable personal information in modern society, and the relative anonymity of the internet, criminals are increasingly making use of technology for crime, developing new ways to store/hide/gain access to information. Digital forensics is about the use of systems in order to find information that links to a crime, preserving the validity of that evidence, and communicating it effectively for use in legal processes.

• Organisational Systems Security (CITY2111)

  This module will develop the students analytical ability and provide a foundation for computer security. Students will learn of how to protect computer systems and networking against network attacks and develop the techniques, skills and knowledge needed for design methods for and secured a networked system(s).

• Advanced Computer Networks (CITY2112)

  This module will develop the students networking skills and provide a deeper understanding of routing and switching; IP addressing, designing and troubleshooting of small to large scale networked systems and also analysing network traffic.

• Embedded Systems And Robotics (CITY2113)

  This unit will cover the history of robotics and sensors and the mathematics behind them including various types of computer platforms and devices used to control robots and embedded systems. There will be a practical element where students will build and program various embedded systems and robots and sensors for different applications.

• Computer Systems Architecture (CITY2114)

  This module will help learners to understand the evolution of computer architecture and the factors influencing design of hardware and software elements of computer systems. Topics include: instruction set design; processor micro-architecture and pipelining; cache and virtual memory organizations; protection and sharing; I/O and interrupts; multithreaded architectures; symmetric multiprocessors; and parallel computing.