MComp Computer Information Systems

Level One

Information Systems

In this module students will raise their awareness of the nature, purpose and structure of organisations in their many forms. Students will explore the composition of organisations and how they operate to yield purpose. Systems tools and methodologies are investigated as a way of understanding organisational structure and dynamics.

Computer Systems

This module introduces students to computer hardware, the history of computer, data representation and manipulation at the byte level, basic machine instructions, the operation of the fetch-execute cycle, the characteristics of main and cache memory, I/O control and the inner working of disk storage. This module also presents the most popular hardware architectures and provides a basic introduction to microcontrollers.

Introduction to Web Technologies

This module provides students with an introduction to the development and application of web technologies from first principles. Students will learn key concepts in mark-up languages, and will develop and implement a simple interactive website incorporating simple server-side functionality. The module adopts a standards-driven approach, requiring students to clearly discriminate between content, structure and presentational elements in web design. Issues of quality, standards, usability and accessibility are discussed.

Software Development

Students will learn the concepts and practice of simple computer programming, and also cover quality and testing issues. Following on from this fundamental base, students will extend their knowledge of computer programming enabling them to create systems consisting of multiple classes and objects. Fundamental principles of discrete mathematics are also explored and developed.

Problem Solving

Problems are a natural occurrence in an organisational context and this module introduces students to problem solving from a mixture of theoretical and practical underpinnings. The module examines the principles of abstraction, decomposition, modelling and representation as a means to frame and characterise problem scenarios, and as tools to understand potential solutions. The module concentrates on problem-solving strategies and in particular the vocabulary through which these strategies are articulated. This type of vocabulary is explored as a representational device for capturing organisational behaviour and form.

Social Computing

The module will cover the role of social computing in established areas such as blogs, email, instant messaging, social network services, wikis, mash-ups and social bookmarking, as well as in emerging areas such microblogging, mobile social software (MoSoSo) services, and persuasive and locative technology. The module will discuss the growing popularity of social software and Web 2.0 technology, the application of social network analysis to such technology, and the sense that all of this can have a profound and sustained impact on everyday life.

Introduction to User Interfaces

This module introduces the basic concepts and practice in the design of user interfaces for interactive applications. Students will be introduced to the basic principles of interaction design, and prototyping, and will implement a simple interactive system.

Level Two

Group Project

Working in a team of people on a single project which lasts for both semesters of the year, students will tackle a significant problem. It will be up to the members of the group to design, specify, and implement a significant artefact which is directly relevant to their course. Students will apply skills and knowledge drawn from all aspects of the course, and subsequently find this a challenging and rewarding experience.

Business Processes

Information Systems are the life-blood of business activity - they enable things to happen and they can equally disable, if poorly designed. Students will learn how data, transformed into information, can make processes work more effectively and efficiently. Students will understand how the various different business processes work together to help achieve business goals.

Database Systems

This module explores the issues in the design, implementation and use of database technologies which require students to develop a conceptual view of database theory and then transform it into practical implementation of a database application.

Human-Computer Interaction

In this module students will develop an appreciation of the importance of human factors and user-centred approaches in the development of technological systems (analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of technological systems). Students will be introduced to the physiological, psychological and cognitive issues relevant to human-computer interaction and user interface design.

Networks & Networked Systems

This module considers basic computer communications and networking with an emphasis on the Internet Protocol. Students will examine the Internet Protocol as a model for intercommunication in modern network implementations. Additionally students will explore fundamental design features of a Network Protocol and the need to implement security in the modern Internet.

Project Management

This module considers Project Management, practices, techniques and methodologies. Whilst many project management skills are transferrable between disciplines outside of the computing or technology arena, this module attempts to consider the important mechanisms of project management that are applicable to Computing and Technology. Industry standard Project Management Methodologies will be evaluated, appraised and contextualised by application to example Project Management scenarios. Through the application of these methodologies, the importance of the management of project components, their interaction and relation to the project life cycle will be explored.

Level Three

Professional Practice

The module provides students with a bridge between University and the workplace. The module aims to develop an understanding of the basic cultural, social, legal and ethical issues inherent in the discipline of computing; and to promote personal professionalism in the workplace. It also allows students to develop essential skills in CV writing applying for jobs and presenting themselves at interview.

Project Preparation

This module provides students with the skills necessary to conduct an independent study project. The output of this module will form the foundation for the Project module. At the conclusion of this project students will have formed a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of their final level project.

Project

This module provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work independently on an in-depth project with an implementation element that builds on their established knowledge, understanding and skills. They will normally be expected to demonstrate their ability to apply practical and analytical skills, innovation and/or creativity, and to be able to synthesise information, ideas and practices to provide a problem solution. Self-management is a key concept here, as is an ability to engage in critical self-evaluation.

Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence (BI) refers to technologies, applications, and practices for the collection, integration, analysis, and presentation of business information. The purpose of the module is for students to understand the issues involved in the use of these 'tools' and how they might be applied to support better business decision-making.

Optional Modules

Students should select one option from the following:

Advanced Software Engineering (30 CATS)
Mobile and Distributed Computing (30 CATS)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (30 CATS).

Students study full-time or part-time, with up to 12 hours of contact study per week (additional student managed independent study required).

The course is assessed through a variety of means, including in-class tests, course work and examinations, the majority of assessments are course work.

Placement Year (Optional)

The BSc (Hons) Computer Information Systems degree is optionally available in a sandwich mode variant. If students take the sandwich mode degree, they take a year out in industry between Levels Two and Three, gaining invaluable industrial experience.

Sandwich students, in general, tend to do well in the final year, and may find they have enhanced job prospects.

BSc (Hons) Computer Information Systems aims to provide students with an education and learning experience that will equip them to operate on graduation as autonomous computing professionals. The programme aims to instil knowledge and to develop critical and intellectual abilities applicable to problem solving and solution specifying in technologically and socially diverse environments.

The curriculum takes as its objectives the study of information, systems, people and technology: a collection of foci which pervade the curriculum, providing developmental strands that offer continuity of learning experience through all levels of study. BSc (Hons) Computer Information Systems is distinctive in that it addresses an emerging gap between the design and implementation of information systems and the management, support and integration of such systems into business activity. The juxtaposition in the curriculum of theoretical and applied emphases seeks to develop practitioners who are able to make real contributions within a systems development context. Much text on Information Systems relates to what ought to happen rather than what often does happen in organisations. Technology is often portrayed as a panacea which will ‘fix’ all business related problems. However, the number of unsuccessful IT projects clearly demonstrates that this is not the case.

BSc (Hons) Computer Information Systems distinguishes itself by contrasting "popular theory" with "real theory". It takes a critical perspective on theory in practice and provides frameworks to analyse business systems in terms of real potential and actual performance. The exit profile of a graduate in this degree is someone who has a realistic perspective on issues in business and management, who also understands the capabilities of computing as a resource and can translate business needs into computing applications. The exiting graduate will be ideally placed to follow a career as a hybrid manager of computer related information systems; they will be able to communicate in business language to business people and technological language to technologists.

Graduates have the skills to operate within many areas of an organisation including as a systemsprogrammer, systems analyst, software engineer, business process analyst/engineer, corporate IT specialist or computing services support manager.

Alex completed his BSc (Hons) Computer Information Systems degree and immediately gained employment as an IT Marketing Manager for a company that runs national professional development training for teachers. He started on an extremely competitive salary and a company share scheme.

In his job, Alex is involved in a wide range of business operations, from designing and optimising business processes to managing special projects. Acting as both IT and Marketing Manager allows him to add value to many business operations by utilising the most appropriate technology in the most appropriate situations.

2012 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£12033
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£100 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£50 per credit point

 

2013 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£12755
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£106 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£53 per credit point

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding