Anglia Ruskin University

Course overview

This course is for graduates whose first degree is in a non-computing discipline. The principal areas of focus are programming, networking, hardware and analysis. Your skills in these areas will be developed to a level sufficient for you to apply them in a professional environment. You may already be employed within an IT environment, and would like to gain some formal qualifications to enhance your position. Alternatively, you may have no computing experience whatsoever. This course is flexible enough to meet your demands in either case.

Whatever your current situation, this course will give you a depth of understanding that will enable you to evaluate alternative solutions to a range of computing challenges. It's about equipping you with a set of skills that are likely to prove attractive to potential employers in a range of sectors.

The aims of this course are to enable you to:

• Gain an in depth knowledge and understanding of the Information Technology subject area
• Apply your knowledge in both routine and complex situations in a wide area of the subject domain
• Implement software, technology and systems in a competent, safe and ethical manner
• Recognise the professional moral and ethical standards of the computing profession and act within such boundaries
• Work independently and in a team, both as a team member and a team leader
• Understand, critically appraise and contribute to research in the information technology domain
• Have an awareness of the need for continuing professional development both for yourself and when mentoring others.

Additional course information

Principally this course will provide you with the specialist knowledge and skills in programming, networking, hardware and analysis that are needed in the computer industry.

Our course will also enable you to evaluate alternative solutions to computing systems problems and to make choices between such solutions. Students will be able to assess the work of others, based on mastery of the fundamental principles of the subject.

Many staff involved in computing/IT may not have any directly relevant education. The course provides the opportunity to understand the fundamentals of the subject and its application to today's practice, thereby providing a more efficient service to their employer. It gives greater insight into the potential application of IT within their work place and the ability to choose more effectively any new technologies being considered for implementation.

As well as covering programming and software engineering skills, our course offers study of the following key areas: Computer Architecture, Networks and Servers, Systems Analysis and Database Design, Object-Oriented Design and Programming.

In all of these areas the aim is to equip you with a deep understanding of all these areas with the intention that you will have studied the key topics in sufficient depth for the knowledge and understanding gained to be immediately useful in employment without significant further training.

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an in depth and systematic knowledge of the concepts and theory of Information Technology
• Demonstrate an awareness of current research and developments within the discipline which you may then evaluate and critique
• Recognise your obligations to function in a professional, moral and ethical way
• Interact with others to manage the implications of ethical dilemmas computer technology and scenarios produce and proactively formulate solutions
• Exhibit an in depth and comprehensive understanding of computing technology and methodologies
• Undertake the analysis of complex computing scenarios even when the scenario is incomplete or contradictory and communicate the outcome in a coherent, complete and useful form
• Utilise your knowledge of the computing discipline, both at a fundamental and a leading edge level.
• Act autonomously at a professional level when developing computer based solutions particularly when involving complex and unpredictable scenarios

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods including written coursework (individual and group), examination, presentation and Dissertation.

Facilities

Students have access to computing laboratories and specialist software.

Associated careers

Study on this course provides foundation for a variety of IT-related career roles, including software project management, software engineering, systems analysis and design, database administration, network management and technical support.

Entry Requirements:

An honours degree (2:2 or above) in a non-computer science related discipline. Some basic computer literacy is expected