Course Summary
The BA (Hons) in Computing and Management programme includes opportunities to complete at Cert. HE and Foundation Degree stages. The course is designed to develop learners who are able to operate with advanced Computing and advanced Business Management skills and techniques in combination. The course is aimed at full or part time learners wishing to develop skills and who intend to seek employment either providing and managing IT infrastructure and services or working to effectively exploit IT infrastructure and services in pursuit of business benefits.
The programme is offered in both full and part time formats. It is targeted at learners who may well fall into one of two main groups:
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Learners with an interest in business and marketing (perhaps through work or previous educational experience) and who have an interest in technical computing and IT issues.
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Learners with an interest in technical computing and IT issues (perhaps through work or previous educational experience) and who intend to develop a strategic or managerial career.
It is anticipated that part time learners on this programme will probably be individuals involved in self (or staff) development programme who work in a business facing IT department or in an IT facing Management Information or Resource Management capacity.
Entry Requirements
The tariff for course entry will normally be 160 UCAS Tariff points.
Details of the tariff points system are available from:
http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/|
Applicants will normally be expected to have a two-year experience of post-16 study, comprising of at least two subjects to A level or equivalent (for example a BTEC National Diploma); together with three GCSEs grade C or above (normally including Maths and English at GCSE grade C).
Students who will be 21 or over when they start their course will be regarded as a mature student. Admissions policy asks mature students to demonstrate their ability to undertake the appropriate level of study and that they have the necessary study skills. Where there are specific course requirements, students will be asked to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of the subject.
Course Aims
The aim is to produce learners with graduate skills who are able to operate with advanced Computing and advanced Business Management skills and techniques in combination.
The ambition is to prepare business managers who need to deploy IT and IT Managers seeking business advantage.
Additionally the pathway is intended to prepare students for employment/self employment in managerial capacity within an IT rich environment and/or provide preparation for postgraduate work in Business Computing and Information Technology related subject area.
To address the identified skills gap relating to IT and managerial skills in tandem and to increase the employability prospects for learners seeking work in the more highly paid job roles (i.e., ICT Management, IT Strategy and Planning and Corporate Information Services).
The overall aim is informed by the following considerations:
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Requirement for skilled and knowledgeable individual to work with computing systems (principles, components, networks & services)
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The need to effectively develop, manage and exploit Information systems for corporate benefit
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Development of understanding around Information Systems and their impact upon people and organisations
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Development of currency relating to knowledge of ICT and the relevance of ICT for application in business
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The need to understand and focus on business goals such as markets, marketing, cost efficiency and business benefit.
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The development of customer facing skills and insights (customer expectations, service and orientation).
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The need to develop financial skills and abilities (the sources, uses and management of finance; the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications).
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The importance of “people-skills” and the impact of limitations or legislation (management and development of people within organisations, employment law, etc)
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The need to ensure the development of effective approaches in the management of resources, operations and management.
Learning Outcomes
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Students graduating from this programme will be able to:
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Demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of key aspects of the design and development of hardware and software
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Demonstrate analysis and enquiry within the practice of Computing and Information Technology
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Present a systematic understanding of key aspects of Business Management, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge
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Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Business Management
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Apply appropriate practices within a professional, legal and ethical framework and identify mechanisms for continuing professional development and lifelong learning
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Articulate and synthesize knowledge and understanding, attributes and skills in effective ways in contexts of creative practice, employment, further study, research, and self- fulfilment
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Apply, consolidate and extend learning in different contextual frameworks and situations; Generate original ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or self-initiated activity
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Employ both convergent and divergent thinking in the process of observation, investigation, and speculative enquiry
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Make appropriate use of materials, processes and contexts
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Develop ideas through to material outcomes, employing methods, techniques and tools associated with Computing and Information Technology whilst observing good working practices
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Anticipate and accommodate change, uncertainty and ambiguity.
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Study independently, manage their own learning, manage workloads, meet deadlines and to make use of primary and secondary sources
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Interact effectively with others
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Articulate original ideas and information comprehensively in visual, oral and written form, making appropriate use of communication technologies.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of course you should be able to:
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Demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of key aspects of the design and development of hardware and software.
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Demonstrate analysis and enquiry within the practice of Computing and Information Technology.
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Articulate and synthesize knowledge and understanding, attributes and skills in effective ways in contexts of creative practice, employment, further study, research, and self- fulfilment.
B. Mental or cognitive skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Apply, consolidate and extend learning in different contextual frameworks and situations, both within and beyond the field of Computing and Information Technology.
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Generate ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or self-initiated activity.
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Employ both convergent and divergent thinking in the process of observation, investigation, research and speculative enquiry.
C. Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Make appropriate use of materials, processes and contexts.
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Develop ideas through to material outcomes, employing methods, techniques and tools associated with Computing and Information Technology whilst observing good working practices.
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Produce work informed by the critical and contextual dimensions of professional practice in Computing and Information Technology
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Understand and exploit business management ideas, techniques and practices.
D. Key Skills
Key Skills, also known as graduate key skills, transferable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
By the end of the Course, you should be able to:
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Select, analyse and synthesis information from a range of sources and produce different type of document
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Participate in discussions and make presentations
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Collect and record data, work with data and present findings
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Prepare, process and present information
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Review the use of information technology
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Develop problem solving strategies for shorter and longer term problems
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Monitor progress and adapt or improve problem solving strategies
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Plan activities with other and work towards identified targets
Module Framework
Year 1 (level 4) Certificate of Higher Education
Semester 1
Principles and Functions of Management (work-based, core)
Personal Computer Architecture (core)
Personal Development (core)
Semester 2
Computer Technology Case Study (work-based, core)
With either
Introduction to Business Law
or
Social, Cultural and Ethical Dimensions of Business
and
Customised Business Solutions
or
Network Essentials (Level 5 module)
Year 2 (level 5) Foundation Degree
Semester 1
Research Methods and Problem Solving (Core)
With either
Management Information Systems
or
Human Resource Management
or
Marketing Management
and
Web Based Services
or
Network Essentials
Semester 2
Project Design & Implementation (Work-based, Core)
Accounting for Managers (Work-based, Core)
With either
Database Systems Analysis & Design
or
Computer Networks and Communications
Year 3 (Level 6) BA (Hons)
Semester 1
Computing and Management Project (Core)
IT Strategy and Change (Core)
With either
Employment Law
or
International and Strategic Marketing
or
Network Security
Semester 2
Business Ethics
and
Multimedia
or
IT and Social Context
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Assessment is based upon a combination of coursework and examination (including Practical Examination). Coursework provides the opportunity to meet specific outcomes and evidence of continuity of development. This mode of assessment is established practice across all comparable programmes and is felt to provide an appropriate, fair and detailed basis for both summative and formative assessment of a student’s work. Selected modules have peer-assessed presentations. The assessment regime gives the student variety in their assessment process and allows them to demonstrate such skills as working independently and to agreed deadlines which they will find of use in their prospective careers.
Methods of assessment can be varied/ negotiated to meet specific needs of students with disabilities.
Teaching and learning will proceed through lectures, workshops, case studies, visits, online exercises and set briefs for reading and research.
Timetable
The teaching is divided into two semesters, semester one runs from September to January and Semester Two from February to June. A full time student is expected to take three modules each semester, making six modules in one year. A part-time student will take one or two modules each semester. Students can expect to have to attend College for four to five hours per module for the twelve weeks of the semester and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Course Delivery
The course will be delivered at the UCS Bury St Edmunds campus and delivered within the School of Computing and the School of Business Management and Tourism Studies.
Placements/Work Based Learning/Work Experience
The first two years include substantial work related learning and both work based learning and work experience is planned.
Tutorial and Study Support
Personal tutorials are arranged on a rotational basis to ensure at least two full tutorials per student per semester. This structure may alter while project work is taking place (on or off campus), depending on the nature of the work, the level of mentor/tutor support required etc.
One-to-one tutorials are organised within modules when appropriate - this is particularly relevant to the Projects modules.
In addition to personal tutorials, HE students are supported by Student Services who can offer assistance on matters relating to accommodation, finance, tuition fees, loans, careers and progression etc.
A system of student representatives operates to capture the ideas and concerns within the student cohort. These representative feed into the course committee structure but also into the Faculty Representatives Committee (Chaired by Head of Faculty). Matters of a general nature relating to student issues can be reported to the HE Strategy Group for discussion/action.
Student Union representation is available across the UCS network.
Library & Learning Resource Provision
Students on this programme have access to the libraries across the UCS partnership including the online Library resources available through WOLSEY.
Students and staff will have full access to the UCS online resources through the Wolsey VLE system.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
Learners completing the Foundation Degree successfully will be encouraged to progress onto the BA (Hons) degree programme.
Learners successfully completing the BA(Hons) will be encouraged to consider progression onto a Masters Degree programme at an appropriate UK institution such as the University of Essex or the University of East Anglia.
The inclusion of work-related learning element together with the clear focus on business drivers and the deployment of ICT in pursuit of business benefit is intended to increase the employability profile of learners. It is anticipated that they will seek employment in management Information or management of Technical Services.