Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

Core modules

Software Engineering 1

This module exposes students to the principles of software design and construction. The basics of creating source code to solve a problem are introduced. Major programming paradigms such as object orientation and functional programming are also covered. Additionally, key software development tools and methods are explored.

Computer Systems

Here, we provide the basic knowledge required to understand how computers work. Topics include low-level systems and representation of data, operating systems, and an introduction to subjects such as virtualisation, parallelism, state and communications. Apprentices will learn how operating systems manage processes and scheduling, how memory management works and how software interacts with hardware.

Work-Based Learning: IT in the Business

This module is an opportunity to learn about core functions and business units within your organisation. The focus is on the application of IT solutions to meet business objectives.

Cyber Security and Networks

This module provides an appreciation of the core enabling technologies behind cyber security and networking. Key networking topics include routing and switching, as well as wireless networks. Key areas of security include underlying concepts and threats, and exploring security technologies that can be applied to enable defence in depth.

Algorithms, Data Structures and Mathematics

Data structures and algorithms lie at the heart of Computer Science, as they are the basis for an efficient solution of programming tasks. In this module, students will study core algorithms and data structures, as well as receiving an introduction to algorithm analysis and basic mathematics for computer science.

Work-Based Learning: Requirements and Analysis

This module covers fundamental analysis and design concepts in the context of a computing project. You will develop an understanding of the needs, priorities and constraints relevant to a software system.

Software Engineering 2

The understanding of software engineering is expanded in this module by introducing a range of topics that instil best practice. Students will learn how to implement faster software using parallelism and consider aspects of human-computer interaction. Common design patterns used in the construction of software are introduced here.

Information Management and Retrieval

Capture, digitisation, representation, organisation, transformation and presentation of information are all explored in this module using conceptual and physical data models.

Work-Based Learning: Integrated Project

This module consolidates the knowledge obtained in Year 1 of the course enabling you to design, develop and evaluate a software application for use within your organisation.

Work-Based Learning: Operational IT

This is an opportunity to apply knowledge of computing, networking and security acquired up until this point in the programme in an operational context. It will enable you to appreciate the technical, operational and financial barriers to successfully operate and manage the IT infrastructure.

Business Organisation

This module examines the concepts around business organisation with respect to technology solutions development. It introduces basic concepts on organisational theory, marketing, strategic practice, human resource management and IT service management.

Cyber Security Analyst

Security Architectures and Cryptography

The ability to design secure systems is critical to the successful operation of any system. This module will develop the knowledge and understanding of security architectures, design principles (such as least privilege, default deny) and elicitation of security requirements to enable the design of secure systems. Core to this knowledge is the role cryptography can have in addressing these requirements.

Information Security Management and Governance

This module looks at the issues surrounding the management and governance of information security within an organisational context. Consideration is given to the need for related policy, analysis of risk, and the management of organisational assets. Coverage also includes legal and personnel aspects of security, giving an overview of the wide range of laws and regulations governing systems and information security.

Ethical Hacking

Understanding the security and vulnerabilities of IT systems is critical in their protection. This module seeks to develop the knowledge and skills to undertake penetration testing of systems. A range of passive and active offensive techniques will be taught, alongside an in-depth understanding of the legal and ethical issues surrounding such activity.

Download the Cyber Analyst course plan which details the specialisms studied on this course.

Software Engineer

Software Development Tools and Practices

Here we explore the current state of the art in testing tools, including static and dynamic analysis tools. We also explore programming environments that automate parts of program construction processes (e.g., automated builds) and continuous integration. Software verification and validation concepts are introduced along with testing types and testing fundamentals.

Full-Stack Development

Here, we investigate the production of dynamic Web applications with a particular focus on the Web environment. Key elements such as event-based development, asynchronous client-server communication and distributed content representation are explored through practical production. The production of a working system uses dynamic Web frameworks such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript/jQuery.

Big Data Analytics

The key objective of this module is to provide familiarisation with the most important information technologies used in manipulating, storing and analysing big data. You will work with semi-structured datasets and choose appropriate storage structures for them. A representative of recent non-relational trends is presented – namely, graph-oriented databases.

Download the Software Engineer course plan which details the specialisms studied on this course.

You will be assessed using a wide variety of approaches, and be expected to submit one or more pieces of work following each module known as ‘summative assessments’. These could be in the form of a report, essay or a reflective portfolio. You will receive feedback from your academic tutor leading up to the deadline which will guide you and help shape your assessments. The work-based learning modules will require more interaction with the workplace and feedback from your workplace tutor supervising you. The work-based synoptic project requires you to undertake a comprehensive piece of work that reflects the learning aims of the specialist course to which you are enrolled. Upon successful completion of the summative assessment related to all your modules, you will be awarded the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions (specialism) – where specialism is replaced with the appropriate programme of study. Your synoptic project along with your portfolio of evidence will be submitted to an independent assessment panel for the award of the Degree Apprenticeship, marking the end point assessment of your studies.

Delivery

For the first three years, study is based at one of our three regional partner colleges: Petroc (Barnstaple), South Devon College or City College Plymouth. You may have heard this is referred to as 'day release'. You have a timetable of classes to attend that, where possible, take place on the same day each week to help you manage your workload. Your final year is delivered at the University of Plymouth. The number of taught hours is lower in this year as you will work on your final year project. However, as a registered student at the University, you will have full access to all of our facilities, including the library and study space.

Study commitment

You will spend roughly 20 per cent of your working week (that’s one day per week if you work full time) studying. This is the amount of in-work time your employer will be expected to allow you to study. You may also want, or be required, to allocate some of your own time for additional study. Your employer will be expected to support your study by providing company, workplace tutors, and facilitating meetings and assessments, and they may also allow you to allocate some of your usual work time to study. The amount of time you can spend studying while at work will be down to negotiation, and this is something that can be discussed with your employer and University Account Manager before your course begins.