Course Summary
The FdSc Computing and Networking is designed to contribute to the provision of “higher technician-level” graduates for the IT related labour market. The content has been designed to provide clearly identified skills and knowledge that could serve as an end in itself, or as the basis for later specialisation, typically represented by study for the award of Bachelors degree with Honours. This provision is grown out of previous experience and practice and has been designed in response to local market needs. It is noted that the provision is intended to meet the existing.
Entry Requirements
Normally students joining any part of the programme should have at least GCSE level English and Maths (or equivalent). 160 UCAS Tariff points or for mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications and work experience your application will be considered on its own merits.
Course Aims
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To give students a broad grounding in the core areas of information technology and the inter-relationships between them
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To produce graduates capable of understanding and applying appropriate methodologies in specific information technology scenarios
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To develop graduates’ skills in the synthesis and critical appraisal of information technology knowledge and research
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To produce independent learners who have a range of transferable skills
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To equip students with the skills necessary to gain employment in the information technology sector
Learning Outcomes
These course aims are broken down into sets of related skills, which are known as learning outcomes.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate understanding of:
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the core aspects of information technology through an entire project life cycle
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the context of information technology within industry, society and the workplace
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an in depth knowledge of a number of specialist aspects of the subject area
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what it means to be a professional IT practitioner and the ethics and responsibilities this implies
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current research in information technology
B. Mental and Cognitive Skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Take account of multiple perspectives in problem solving
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Synthesise new solutions and scenarios from their existing knowledge
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Organise information, present and defend it in a logical and coherent fashion
C. Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Take a given paper based system and produce a specification for a computerised solution
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Implement, test and document the solutionInteract with peers and customers during the life cycle process
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Advise on the practical needs required to support and implement any solution both at an equipment and personnel level
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Critically evaluate their own and others work and research
D. Key Skills
Key Skills, also known as graduate key skills, transferrable 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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Communicate effectively in both writing and orally
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Use computers in an appropriate fashion
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Demonstrate a level of numeracy necessary to understand and process data in an effective manner
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Approach problems in a logical fashion
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Work alone or in a group taking due heed of the interpersonal relationships this implies
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Behave in an ethical fashion based around a professional code of conduct Manage their time and meet deadlines.
Module Framework
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BFDCNK101
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Computer Technology Case Studies
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20
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M
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BFDCNK102
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Customised Business Solutions
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20
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M
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BFDCNK105
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Personal Computer Architecture
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20
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M
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BFDCNK106
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Personal Development
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20
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M
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BFDCNK207
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Network Essentials
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20
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M
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BFDCNK104
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Object Orientated Software Fundamentals
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20
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M
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BFDCNK201
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Computer Networks and Communications
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20
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M
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BFDCNK202
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Object Orientated Systems Development
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20
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M
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BFDCNK203
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Project Design and Implementation
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20
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M
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BFDCNK204
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Skills in Research & Problem Solving
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20
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M
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BFDCNK205
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Systems Analysis and Design
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20
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M
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BFDCNK206
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Web-based Services
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20
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M
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Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Skills will primarily be acquired by lectures reinforced with seminar and practical sessions where students will be required to develop solutions to problems and case studies. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their performance and critically analyse their solutions. There will also be llong term group projects taking students through a full development life cycle in the module Project Design and Implementation and the student’s final year dissertation. These skills are instilled in the students via lectures and by practical examples. Exercises will include program design, writing and documenting using a range of computer and numerate skills. Students will be expected to write reports, do presentations, critically appraise and evaluate their and others work all in a timely manner. They will be expected to interact with staff and students in a professional manner and to behave in an ethical way.
Assessment of the underpinning knowledge will include coursework and examinations including (where appropriate) essay writing, software design, coding and documenting, group work and presentations.
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 UCS 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 is run at UCS Bury St Edmunds mainly in Suffolk House computer labs.
Placements/Work Based Learning/Work Experience
Employer input has been sought and gained and UCS Bury St Edmunds is grateful for the help of all those employers who have taken time to feedback views and opinions about the content of the existing provision, their perspectives on IT and the IT industry and suggestions for material to include within any renewed provision.
UCS Bury St Edmunds is particularly grateful to British Telecom’s “BTexact” division for the extensive contributions made. BT and WSC staff have been in liaison for over 18 months and have held something in the region of 25 meetings during which the need for IT provision has been discussed and the nature of that provision has been identified.
Tutorial and Study Support
Each student registered for the FdSc Computing & Networking programme is allocated to a personal tutor. The personal tutor will normally teach on the programme for which the student is registered and is expected to:
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Be allocated up to 12 tutees
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Arrange to meet each allocated tutee formally on a one-to-one basis at least once per semester
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Make themselves reasonably contactable and available to offer advice and support to their tutees on an ad hoc basis
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Be aware of specialist services available at the College to which the tutee may be referred to if necessary