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BSc Computing and Information Technology with Year of Professional Experience

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

BSc Computing and Information Technology with Year of Professional Experience

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Science

Programme Code

CSC-BSC-IT

UCAS Code

GG45

JACS Code

I100 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

A-level: ABB + GCSE Mathematics OR BBB including any computing, mathematical or scientific
subject + GCSE Mathematics.

BTEC Extended Diploma: a non-relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 12 Distinctions and 6
Merits + GCSE Mathematics OR a relevant computing, engineering or scientific BTEC
Extended Diploma with 10 Distinctions and 8 Merits + GCSE Mathematics.

BTEC Higher National Diploma/Foundation Degree: those with good grades in a relevant
Higher National Diploma/Foundation Degree will be considered individually on their merits
for entry to Stage 2.

Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 + Ordinary Level grade C in
Mathematics OR B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in any
computing, mathematical or scientific subject + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary
Level grade C in Mathematics.

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

480

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Sci

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Computing (2016)

Accreditations (PSRB)

British Computer Society (BCS)

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 17-10-13

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The programme is subject to the University General Regulations which can be found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/

Progression from Stage 1 to Stage 2:

At the end of Stage 1, students enrolled on a Computer Science, Software Engineering or Computing and Information Technology programme may choose to swap programme and transfer into Stage 2 of any of these listed programmes subject to meeting the normal Stage 1 to Stage 2 progression requirements of the chosen programme. Students will not normally be permitted to swap from a Bachelors to Masters programme or from a programme with Professional Experience to a programme without Professional Experience.

Year of Professional Experience:

Students must, unless exempted, spend at least 9 months between Stage 2 and Stage 3 in obtaining professional experience in a manner approved by the School.

Normally students may proceed to the Year of Professional Experience if they have no more than one module fail (20 CATs) at Level 2.

Students wishing to apply for exemption from their Professional Experience Requirement must do so in writing to the Director of Education before 1st December in Stage 2. Applications for exemption will be considered by the Placement Adviser and the Director of Education, with advice from the students’ Advisers of Studies or other staff as appropriate. Exemption will be granted only in circumstances where a student can demonstrate either personal extenuating circumstances or the equivalent of a minimum of 9 months relevant previous experience.

Students who have been granted exemption from the Year of Professional Experience will be required to transfer to the equivalent programme and may proceed directly to Stage 3 subject to meeting the normal Stage 2 to Stage 3 placement requirements.

In September, prior to the start of the first semester, students who are unable to secure a placement will be considered for exemption by the Placement Adviser and the Director of Education, with advice from the students’ Advisers of Studies or other staff as appropriate.

Before a student will be deemed 'unable to secure a placement' he/she will be asked to demonstrate a consistent effort throughout the year in obtaining a placement. Normally, this will be interpreted as a minimum of 20 relevant applications to advertised positions, spread across the year. Speculative enquiries to companies not advertising placement opportunities do not form part of this.

Students who, despite repeated attempts, are unable to obtain a suitable placement may be permitted to transfer to the equivalent non-placement programme and may proceed directly to Stage 3 subject to meeting the normal Stage 2 to Stage 3 placement requirements.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The overall aim of the programme is to provide a broadly-based education in Software Engineering and Information Technology, which will produce graduates equipped to undertake software development or manage and support IT infrastructures.

• Embark on careers as professional Software Engineers or Information Technology specialists.

• Understand the fundamental principles of Software Engineering and Information Technology.

• Maintain a rigorous approach to the design and development of software systems and the analysis of their correctness and complexity, which will remain applicable through changes in technology.

• Effectively use, and where appropriate select, develop, deploy, administer or maintain, core information and communication technologies.

• Advocate and adopt a user-centred approach towards the selection, development, deployment, administration and maintenance of information technology systems.

• Exercise high levels of professionalism and an awareness of the wider business and legal environment in which information technologists operate.

• Possess strong interpersonal skills, encompassing team-working skills and effective oral, written, presentation and listening skills.

• Uphold the values, attitudes and competencies needed to undertake CPD and self-directed learning throughout their careers.

• Draw upon practical skills and experience of software development in a business/commercial context.

Consistent with the general Educational Aims of the Programme and the specific requirements of the Benchmarking Statement for Computing, this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme, and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Specifically, students graduating from the programme will have achieved the following learning outcomes, commensurate with degree classification, relating to subject specific knowledge and understanding; intellectual, practical and key transferable skills:

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Collect, organise and manage information across a variety of sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral aspect of Information Technology. Embedded within all modules and strongly embedded within all multimedia and IT focused modules. Practised and developed through assignments, practicals, projects and through study of teaching materials. Assessed as an integral aspect of assignments, practicals, and projects involving a multimedia or IT focus.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed as an integral aspect of most learning outcomes.

Analyse, interpret, synthesise and evaluate information across a variety of sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fundamental aspect of Computing disciplines and strongly embedded within all modules. Developed and practised through engagement within lectures, practicals, assignments and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed as an integral aspect of most learning outcomes.

Critically apply knowledge and understanding of facts, concepts, principles or theories to model and reason about problems and situations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Strongly integrated within all modules and particularly those that adopt a strong problem focused approach. Developed and practised primarily through lectures, assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed as an integral aspect of most learning outcomes.

Analyse and solve problems that require the synthesis of facts, concepts, principles or theories

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral aspect of all modules and particularly those that adopt a strong problem focused approach. Developed and practised primarily through lectures, assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed as an integral component of learning outcomes that require synthesis of knowledge and understanding.

Critically evaluate solutions to problems and develop refined solutions where appropriate

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of all modules and particularly those that involve the design and/or development of solutions to problems. Associated analytical tools introduced within lectures, assignments and practicals and practised within assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed as an integral component of learning outcomes that require synthesis of knowledge and understanding.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories common to all Computing disciplines and specific to the Information Technology discipline.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Principally taught through lectures and directed individual study throughout all Levels. Practised through the application of understanding within assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed within unseen written examination and, to a lesser extent, assignments.

Demonstrate an understanding of best practice and standards relating to the development, deployment, administration and maintenance of Information Technology systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component within all IT-focused modules. Knowledge and understanding of theory taught within lectures and cultivated within assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed within unseen written examinations and projects and to a lesser extent practicals and assignments.

Recognise the professional, moral and ethical issues involved in the exploitation of computer technology and be guided by the adoption of appropriate professional, ethical and legal practices

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Key focus within a number of core modules. Expounded and promoted within lectures and practised within assignments, practicals and projects

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed within assignments and projects.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Define, identify and analyse the requirements that must be satisfied to address Information Technology problems or opportunities faced by organisations or individuals

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of all IT, programming, and multimedia focused modules. Related theory taught and demonstrated within lectures, practicals and assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Practised within assignments, practicals and
projects. Theory and application assessed within unseen written examinations, assignments, practicals and projects.

Design, cost and plan the development and deployment of an Information Technology system

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of most IT focused modules. Related theory primarily taught within lectures, practicals and assignments of core Level 2 and Level 3 IT focused modules. Extensively practised within Level 3 project modules and other IT focused modules to a lesser degree

Methods of Assessment

Assessed within assignments, practicals and
projects, with related theory primarily assessed within unseen written examinations.

Deploy appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of web-based information systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Key aim of web and multimedia focused modules. Related theory taught within lectures and skill practised within assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed within assignments, practicals and
projects, with related theory primarily assessed within unseen written examinations

Operate, upgrade, configure and repair computing equipment, taking into account logical and physical properties

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The operation of computing equipment, e.g. PCs, printers, etc. is a component of the assessment of all modules and often a component associated with the delivery of teaching materials (e.g. use of on-line learning resources, etc.). Positive assessment of this skill is implicit to successful completion of any form of assessment involving electronic dissemination and/or submission. The upgrade, configuration and repair of computing equipment is taught and practised within a core Level 2 IT focused module, primarily through practical sessions and, to a lesser extent, lectures.

Methods of Assessment

Practised and assessed within practicals and
through assignments

Administer and maintain client-server technologies supporting Information Technology systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught and practised within a core Level 2 IT focused module, primarily through practical sessions and, to a
lesser extent, lectures

Methods of Assessment

Practised and assessed within practicals and through assignments and an unseen written examination.

Analyse and evaluate the extent to which an Information Technology system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of all user focused modules. Theory taught within lectures and practised within practicals, assignments and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed through assignments, projects and, to a lesser extent, unseen written examinations

Recognise risks or safety aspects involved in the development, deployment, administration and maintenance of Information Technology systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of some IT focused modules. Risks and safety aspects related to business and enterprise primarily taught within lectures and practised within assignments. Assessed through assignments and within unseen written examinations.

Methods of Assessment

Risks and safety aspects related to user support and computer equipment primarily taught and practised within practicals and assessed through related practical exercises

Effectively use tools that facilitate and document the development, deployment, administration and maintenance of Information Technology systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of all IT and programming focused modules that utilise practicals. Primarily taught and practised within practicals.

Methods of Assessment

xplicitly assessed within a number of core IT focused modules through practicals, assignments and projects, and implicitly assessed as a necessary condition for successful practical exercise completion within other modules.

Identify and evaluate current and emerging technologies and assess their applicability to address organisational or individual needs

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of all user focused modules. Theory taught within lectures and practised within assignments and practicals

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed within assignments and practicals and, to a lesser extent, unseen written examinations

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Work as a member of a development or support team, recognising the different roles within a team and the different ways of organising teams.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Component of all modules that involve group based projects and/or tablet PC interactive learning sessions. Skills developed and practised as part of projects and group based exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Primarily assessed within projects including
through peer assessment

Present succinctly to a range of audiences (orally, electronically or in writing) rational and reasoned arguments that address a given information handling problem or opportunity

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of all modules and strongly integrated into IT/user focused modules and those involving sizeable individual or group based projects.

Methods of Assessment

Practised and assessed within
assignments and projects through
presentations, demonstrations, reports,
dissertations, etc.

Understand, use, evaluate and present information involving a quantitative dimension

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of programming and hardware focused Computing modules. Skill developed within lectures and practised through assignments and practicals.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed within assignments, practicals
and through unseen written examinations

Use ICT to effectively and appropriately search, select, retrieve, integrate, exchange and present information

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of all modules, reflecting the pervasive nature of ICT in terms of current educational delivery and assessment. Significant component of all multimedia and IT focused modules. Developed and practised within assignments, practicals and projects.
Explicitly assessed within some multimedia assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Positive assessment of this skill is implicit
to successful completion of any form of
assessment involving electronic information manipulation

Propose, use, assess and adapt appropriate methods to solve problems in an effective and efficient manner

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Integral component of all modules. Significant component of problem-solving based modules.
Developed and practised through lectures, assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through assignments, practicals,
projects and unseen written examinations

Learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with open-mindedness and a spirit of critical enquiry, managing time effectively and positively acting upon feedback

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fundamental aspect of all modules, reflecting an essential component of a higher education. Practised and developed as an integral component of students’ learning experience as delivered within independent study, lectures, assignments, practicals and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Positive assessment of this skill is implicit to successful completion of any form of assessment of previously unfamiliar material.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Introduction to Software Engineering and Project Management CSC1009 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Reasoning for Problem Solving CSC1017 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Fundamentals of Programming CSC1021 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 50% 0% 50%
Architecture and Networks CSC1022 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Databases CSC1023 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 30% 40%
Professional Computing Practice CSC2011 2 10 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 85% 15% 0%
User Experience Design CSC2038 2 10 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 0% 40%
Information Management CSC2041 2 10 YES 12 weeks Y YES 50% 50% 0%
Software Development - Processes and Practice CSC2043 2 30 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Software Engineering CSC2045 2 30 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 60% 0% 40%
System Administration and Maintenance CSC2046 2 30 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 30% 30% 40%
Year of Professional Experience CSC2034 3 120 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
CIT Project (IT Enterprise Project) CSC3047 4 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
.NET Web Development using Agile Methods CSC3052 4 20 YES 24 weeks N YES 0% 100% 0%
Software Testing CSC3056 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 0% 40%
Software Design Principles and Patterns CSC3031 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 15% 15% 70%
Data Analysis and Visualisation CSC3062 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Network Security CSC3064 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 20% 40%

Notes