Course overview

Digital technology is at the heart of society and business, resulting in a need for highly skilled computing professionals with a thorough understanding of the key technologies and underlying theory, practical skills to solve problems with software and a strong appreciation of relevant professional, legal, social and ethical issues.

Modern computing professionals also need to be able to be good communicators, able to engage with technical and non-technical clients, and also need to be able to continue to develop as technological advances continue at pace throughout their careers.

The Computing Science programme presented in this programme specification was designed in conjunction with academics in Computer Science and Ethical Hacking from Coventry University along with professional computing experts.

Why you should study this course

This course incorporates the following key characteristics:

The concept and elements of computational thinking and their relevance to daily life
Deep understanding of computing systems and their operation and the process of developing or analysing them
Practical activity that is supported by understanding of underlying principles and theory.

The Computing Science programme aims to:

Provide detailed knowledge and understanding of modern computing technology, its operation and its application
Develop the skills and abilities necessary to design and develop high quality computing solutions to business and industry problems
Ensure graduates can operate as credible and high integrity professionals in the contemporary computing industry, able to adapt to new challenges as they emerge
Provide a detailed understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working with large scale data sets and information systems
Equip graduates with the research, critical thinking and academic skills necessary to undertake research and progress to postgraduate study.

What you'll study

Modules

Networking - 30 credits

This introductory module aims to provide knowledge of key networking and computer architectures. Focusing on the origins, structure and fundamental components of a computer network, you will gain foundational knowledge of relevant technologies including wireless, wired and optical computer networking. This includes access controllers, hubs, transceivers and more.

Compulsory

Operating Systems - 30 credits

In this module you will learn basic operating system concepts including processes, memory management, drivers and file systems, while examining security risks and security management strategies. You will also examine favoured operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Linux.

Compulsory

Information Security - 30 credits

This module will cover the issues of IT security and risk. You will critically analyse risks a computer may face, from viruses to computer hacking. Exploring the pros and cons of ethical hackers, website hacking and internet security, you’ll gain specialist knowledge of legal, social, ethical and professional issues associated with cyber security.

Compulsory

Problem Solving and Programming - 30 credits

Basic problem-solving and algorithm design techniques will be studied in this module, alongside programming and programming language concepts. You will learn the syntax and semantics of a high-level programming language (e.g. Python) and the basic principles of developing well-engineered software and the supporting tools and techniques.

Compulsory

Modules

Computer Hardware - 30 credits

This module focuses on computer architecture and operations, particularly as it affects the support of operating systems and applications. You will investigate the impact of computer architecture on performance issues and examine advanced topics such as uniprocessor design, storage system design and parallel architectures.

Compulsory

Human Computer Interaction and Web Development - 30 credits

During this technical module, you will be set a number of increasingly challenging communication, interface and application design problems commonly faced in modern day society. Developing your problem-solving ability, you will be encouraged to respond creatively to the challenges through the techniques of participatory design, rapid prototype evaluation and contextual, task and user interaction modelling.

Compulsory

Algorithms and Data Structures - 30 credits

In this module, you will extend your programming and algorithm design skills and gain the ability to structure and manipulate intricate data sets through extensive work with complex software. In addition, you will refine object-oriented analysis, design and implementation skills and learn to effectively utilise libraries, components and supporting tools.

Compulsory

Communication and Collaboration - 30 credits

In preparation for the final year project, this collaborative module aims to enhance your skillset by developing key skills such as communication, team working, co-operation and collaboration, project planning, commercial awareness, cultural awareness and distributed working. In addition, you will develop the critical thinking, research, academic and professional writing skills required as a reflective practitioner.

Compulsory

Modules

Big Data - 30 credits

You will work with databases and datasets of varying sizes and levels of complexity in this module, from small scale use to enterprise-scalable implementations. You will use technical skills to understand the big data ecosystem and carry out a range of data analytics tasks on large volume datasets.

Compulsory

Individual Computing Science Project - 30 credits

You have the opportunity to focus on an area of interest within the field of Computing Science, which may be aligned to your future career interests. Throughout the project, you will need to demonstrate research, problem-solving, design and development skills, through practical implementation, investigation (possibly including the gathering and analysis of secondary evidence) and evaluation.

Compulsory

Internet of Things - 30 credits

The underlying principles, technologies and architecture of wireless sensor networks will be examined in this module along with current practical applications and future trends. You will critically evaluate the security, privacy and trust implications of IoT technology and explore the approaches and mechanisms that mitigate security risks.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Computing - 30 credits

You'll look at a range of contemporary and emerging technologies, applications and professional issues in computing. Throughout the module, you will engage with research and advanced practice literature with the aim of extending and broadening your subject knowledge. There’s a focus on professional, ethical, business and societal issues, through an international lens.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

All teaching is designed to be available either fully face-to-face or as a mix of face- to-face classes and online delivery (a blended delivery model) to enable students to construct a flexible programme of study, either full-time or part-time. A strong emphasis is placed on practical skills and employability skills, whilst retaining the academic rigour expected from a University degree programme.

Teaching is delivered in small classes using modern technology aided teaching techniques, supplemented by appropriate use of online learning platforms and technology. The teaching style is designed to provide a supportive environment to enable students of different academic abilities and backgrounds to develop a solid knowledge of computing technologies accompanied by a number of transverse skills, such as group working, problem solving and independent working.

The BSc (Hons) Degree can be undertaken in various modes and patterns of delivery. Full Time mode is designed for students who wish to study in the day with 120 credits in one academic year, Part Time mode is for students who wish to study in the evenings rather than day. Teaching sessions are presented in various ways including team teaching, group discussions, individual presentations, laboratories, interactive teaching and guest lecturers. The aim of each session is to have a balance between students learning academic, practical and professional skills.

The course is taught in three intakes and can be offered (subject to numbers) two modules per block three times each calendar year. Each one of the learning blocks (modules) is worth 30 credits; these will require the equivalent of 300 study hours. The modules run over a six week period and are taught consecutively, with assessments at the end of each block.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Assessment

This Course conforms to the PSB Coventry University Group Academic Regulations for Mode F.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Contact PSB Academy

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
International	Contact PSB for fees per year	Not available

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course a student will be able to:

Theory and technology - understand the underlying theory, technology, operation and security concerns of modern computing systems to practice within the computing and information technology domain.
Development - design, develop and evaluate systems, meeting the needs of a set of requirements and utilising relevant computing technology, problem solving techniques, design methods, programming languages and supporting tools.
Systems and interaction - develop and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of contemporary computing and web systems and their human interfaces.
Big data - recognise the technical, commercial and application issues related to large scale data storage and manipulation.
Legal, social, ethical and professional context - exercise initiative, personal responsibility and integrity in decision making as a computing professional taking account of legal, social, ethical and professional issues and manage and sustain your own professional development
Researching and critical thinking - research new and emerging technologies, techniques, business and societal issues, analysing and thinking critically and manage your own learning.
Personal and transferable - communicate effectively in written and spoken English using a variety of media, work individually and in teams and develop and sustain positive, productive and professional relationships with others.

Computing Science BSc (Hons)

Location

Duration

Course code

Start date

Course overview

Why you should study this course

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Assessment

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Course learning outcomes

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Computing Science BSc (Hons)

Course features

Location

Duration

Course code

Start date

Course overview

Why you should study this course

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Assessment

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Course learning outcomes