Anglia Ruskin University
QualificationOn successful completion of the programme you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Computing (Information Management).
Awarding Body Anglia Ruskin University Course Description
The programme is designed to enable you to achieve a full undergraduate honours degree in Computing (Information Management) by undertaking a rigorous study of current theories, techniques and issues and acquiring the practical skills that are essential within the rapidly changing environment so that you can pursue a related career or further relevant academic study.
You will be provided with opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills in computing in a flexible way. Learning materials have been developed to allow you to maximise the time you have available for study and the programme delivery provides additional support through either online or structured tutor lead sessions. The curriculum provides a broad based experience exposing you to a range of relevant aspects of computing in a progressive way.
The focus of the Information Management route is the use of computer technology to provide information that can be used to support the operation of companies and organisations both large and small. Mode
Online distance learning Course Content (Modules)
Level 4
Employability, Professional Development & Study Skills
The module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to assess and develop an understanding of your own responsibilities in or when entering the workplace, and assess
and develop your communication skills and personal learning style.
The module describes concepts relevant to the review of your personal and professional development. This allows reflection on your current or previous employment, and enables you to further enhance your skills. Other concepts covered in this module include the dynamics of working with others, strategies for problem solving, and developing interpersonal and transferable skills.
Computer Technology
This module is designed to enable you to understand computer systems, including hardware, systems software and basic networking concepts, and to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations when building, configuring and maintaining computer systems.
The module covers the basic concepts of a stored programme computer, the environments in which computers work and the function of standard hardware components. You will be given an overview of systems’ design, with a focus on the computer technology needed to meet the users’ requirements.
The building, commissioning and maintenance of computer systems are discussed alongside health and safety aspects. The module will also look at the purpose and function of operating systems and various modern operating systems will be compared. Finally, since almost all computers are now connected, there is an overview of the basic concepts of networking.
Website Design
This module is designed to enable you to develop an understanding of both the practical and theoretical concepts and processes of modern website design. During the module, you will: investigate the principles involved in good web page design including standards, usability, content ideas to keep users returning to sites, identifying target user types and their requirements, the issues of accessibility, browser compatibility and adapting the web page design to suit the target audience rather than just the designer’s ideas.
You will also explore the common technical infrastructure and protocols currently used across the World Wide Web as well as the client- server relationship. You will explore the process of website implementation through the use of current implementation tools and languages to
develop a standards-based, accessible website. Emerging web techniques and technologies will be explored and you will apply your own creativity in designing, implementing, testing and documenting a website for a given organisation.
Information Systems in Organisations
The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic concepts of information systems and their occurrence in organisations, and how they are used to help you manage the business functions’ needs. The module describes the topology of organisations and how these are divided into separate business functions, and levels of management, which together determine their information needs and the types of information systems to be used.
The module also covers a number of common business processes and their respective data inputs and outputs, and how these are transformed into useful information. Methods of data collection are also considered so that information system requirements can be established. The module also considers issues relating to information reliability and
effectiveness such as validity and accuracy.
Database Design
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts and issues relating to relational database design and use as well as the practical skills to translate that understanding into a solution design. You are first introduced to the importance of the database approach to enterprise data storage, analysis and manipulation compared with the file-based system approach. The importance of database systems and their use in our day-to-day life is demonstrated and discussed through a range of examples. You are then introduced to the fundamentals of database systems. The principles of the relational model and the theory that supports its definition and manipulation are explained. You will be able to apply the relational data model and be proficient in manipulating database systems. Among the topics covered are: Principles of data models and multi-level architectures; relational data model; user requirements; database conceptual design; database logical and physical design.
Online distance learning
Software Engineering
This module will enable you to understand the role of Systems Engineering processes in the development of quality software.
You will explore the differences between a
programming and an engineering approach to software development, and will be able to create models of software, data and processes using object oriented modelling approaches. The module will also enable you to demonstrate skills relating to the quality processes of software engineering. These processes will cover the role and the importance of documentation, the role of quality assurance and how models and documentation play a critical role in quality assurance processes. The role of testing and the various stages and types of testing will be discussed and will be related back to the engineering approach to software development.
Level 5
Programming
This module is designed to enable you to understand the basic concepts of Object Orientation Systems, which include: Classes, Objects and Message sending. These are to be studied using diagrams, examples and case studies. Object Diagrams are used to provide an introduction to the more abstract ideas of Classes and Inheritance.
Programming concepts are presented using an object-oriented approach and you learn how to develop programmes using object-oriented techniques. The subject covers class design, the use of inheritance in class design and the use of aggregation techniques. You learn to develop small applications consisting of a number of classes.
Systems Analysis & Design
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop a sound understanding, both theoretical and practical of approaches to analysis, common methodologies, and the tasks of systems analysis and design.
You will initially review a number of
different lifecycle models including
Systems Development Lifecycle, Rapid Application Design, Spiral Life Cycle and Agile Development. Then, you will be exploring various fact-finding techniques (e.g. interviews,
observation, investigation of documentation, questionnaires and focus groups) to gather essential information. Using the newly acquired knowledge, you will then develop your ability to identify stakeholders and specify user requirements (e.g. scope, inputs, outputs, processes, process descriptors, consideration of alternate solutions).
You will also be introduced to elementary analysis and design techniques. You will then develop a working knowledge and understanding of these techniques, and have the ability to document your investigation results using systems analysis and design methodology.
Database Implementation
This module is designed to build on your understanding of relational databases (e.g. relational model, data modelling, and logical database design) and extend it with conceptual and practical techniques like the fundamental and underlying principles of database implementation, physical database design, and programming and development.
You will explore the issues involved in choosing storage formats for attributes from a logical data model; designing physical records, renormalisations and using and selecting indexes. You will also look at the issues involved in implementing a relational database system for an organisation.
You will be equipped with both design and implementation skills to formulate practical solutions to real world information system problems, based on databases. You will acquire the skills to manipulate data in SQL including the insertion, updating and deletion of data, the processing of both single and multiple tables.
Data Communications
This module is designed to enable you to understand data communications concepts, current implementations of these concepts and the application of data communications to providing networked services.
This module covers the basic technologies most commonly used in data communications and computer networks. It explains the principles of data communications via a detailed examination of the most commonly used systems and protocols.
Quality Systems in IT
The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the importance of the quality process as applied to IT related systems development.
The module describes the critical importance of quality in IT systems development to the success of the project. It describes the quality standards associated with quality assurance, and the risks associated with IT systems development, including financial, legal, natural causes, accidents, and project failure. The module covers the International Standards Organisation (ISO), its role, the standards definitions, including ISO 31000 and ISO 9000, and other relevant organisations. It also provides an overview of the standard quality control documentation and its role and criticality to quality systems in IT.
Strategic Information Systems
The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the role of information systems in business organisations from a strategic perspective. It builds on the basic concepts of the Information Systems in Organisations module at Level ARU1.
The module describes introductory information system concepts in the context of their strategic importance to business organisations which operate in a competitive environment. Porter’s five forces model is used to describe the nature of competition. Information system strategy and business strategy are explained in terms of their alignment. Generic information system strategies and strategic tools are introduced. Information system trends are introduced alongside BI, CRM, ERP and BPI. A framework for electronic business is introduced alongside B2B, B2C and supply chain
management. The role of information systems within e-commerce is explained.
Level 6
Advanced Database Concepts
This module is designed to build on existing knowledge of relational databases and Structured Query Language (SQL) to provide you with the opportunity to gain an insight into some of the recent practical and theoretical developments in database technology. The main purpose of the course is to introduce you to advanced technologies in object-oriented databases, data warehouse,
distributed databases, multimedia databases, and special-purpose databases. You will initially review issues in transaction management and the limitations of Relational Databases. You will then explore issues in the design and development of Object-Relational / Object-Orientated databases. You will also examine the main techniques for developing data-warehouses including data warehousing concepts; types of data warehouse; designing a data warehouse; building a data warehouse; using a data warehouse.
Research Skills
The aim of this module is to equip you with the knowledge and research skills needed to select a research question and design a research proposal for a chosen topic of interest. The meaning of research and the scientific method are covered. Various approaches to research will be discussed including quantitative, qualitative, action research and the use of live projects. The identification of appropriate topics and development of a research proposal is covered. The use of literature, searching, writing literature reviews and applying the current body of knowledge to the topic are covered. The meaning of “research” is considered broadly. At this level of study, the application of current knowledge to a novel and complex situation is considered to be research and the majority of real world computing problems are considered to be complex and novel.
Current Trends in Networking
This module aims to deal with selected, advanced topics in networking and data communications.
The focus is on leading edge commercially available networking technologies and as such the exact content of the module will change from time to time in order to remain current. The technologies under discussion will be considered against the issues that they try to address and against previous technologies in the same area. A wider view of networking is taken in that topics like digital television and radio may be considered alongside conventional data communications and networks. The impact of new uses of communications technology will be considered, both on the users and society in general and on the networking technology and infrastructure.
You will gain an insight into the leading edge of commercially available and emerging network technology and their application in real world situations to solve communication problems.
You will also develop an understanding of the pervasive nature of computer networks and the variety of technologies available to deliver data
communications in differing situations.
Understanding Systems
This module will enable you to understand what a system is and relate this understanding to the development of Information Systems. The aim of the module is to enable you to understand the role of the systems approach in analysing and understanding problem areas, placing the focus on a wider area than just a computer system. The module will show that for any major software development the factors, perspectives and the interconnections need to be identified and understood if the development is to be successful. By going through the process of identifying systems, their components, the perspectives and stakeholders involved you will learn that identifying, analysing and designing systems is a complex process and understanding the complexity involved has a direct relationship to the success of the system development. The module will explore the types of systems that can be identified such as open systems, closed systems, dynamic systems, social systems, human activity systems. The module will enable you to understand that the tools and techniques involved in the systems approach will provide a rich toolkit to analyse complex situations.
Management in IT
This module is designed to provide you with the generic skills, knowledge and understanding required by a Technology/IT Manager. The module will look at the role of a Technology/IT Manager from two viewpoints. The first viewpoint is the role the Technology/ IT Manager will play in the Management Team of the organisation. The second viewpoint is the role the Technology/IT Manager will play in managing a Technology/IT Department. The module will consider the various ways that the staffing of a Technology/IT Department can be provided. This will cover direct employees, contractors, consultants, outsourcing approaches. The module will consider
recruitment, retention, development of staff
and redundancy.
The module will enable you to understand the relationship of a Technology/IT Department to the rest of the organisation, and will also cover new technology/IT systems, budgeting, and the strategic planning process.
Practical Project
The Practical Project gives you the opportunity to plan and execute a substantial piece of independent work. The subject matter is chosen by you, but it must be aligned to at least one of the taught modules studied earlier in the degree programme.
The work takes the form of an experiment, an investigation, a development, the solution of a problem, or some combination of those. The practical work is supported by detailed study of academic literature and technical resources. You are responsible for searching, selecting, and reviewing academic and other source materials. Students who do not wish to create physical IT artefacts such as software may design their project as a literature-based analysis with no hands-on element. You are also encouraged to gather primary data through surveys or interviews.
You are responsible for the full sequence of project tasks, from concept to delivery. A supervisor will guide you along, especially in the critical early stages when the biggest decisions are usually taken. The supervisor reviews and approves the project concept and a short specification document, then reviews each draft chapter of your report. The process also includes an ethics review.
Assessment
You will undertake a range of assessments, including case study and scenario based assignments, examinations, website design, implementation and testing, group assignments as well as a Practical Project.
Duration of Programme
This course is expected to be completed within 4.5 years. However, our online distance learning students have flexibility in setting their own pace of study, which means that the course can be completed in a minimum period of 3 years.
Entry Requirements
For the full degree:
• Two Subjects at GCE A level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent; or
• Completion of a recognised Access Programme or equivalent.
• English ability equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 if English is not the first language.
• A personal statement (of between 350-500 words) that addresses your motivation for
undertaking the programme, references, relevant prior experience and qualifications. Or, for the final year top-up:
• BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Computing & Systems Development, or equivalent.
• English ability equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0.
Applications without these qualifications may be considered on their own merits, and you are encouraged to submit an application.
What’s Included
RDI’s virtual learning environment ilearn is used to deliver all resources for this course including:
• Study materials - Access electronic copies of your learning materials and important information, such as assessment instructions, whenever and wherever you are.
• Tutor support - Tutors use live chats and forums to stimulate discussions, request input and highlight external sources.
• External resources - Links to external sources can include key journal articles, your university’s online library, sites of topical interest, etc.
• Discussion with other students - Forums allow students to come together, share thoughts and ideas and you can initiate topics that you want to discuss with your fellow students.
Workload
We recommend an average of 12-15 hours study time per week for this programme.
Exemptions
Exemptions may be granted in respect of other qualifications subject to the University’s APCL regulations. It is not intended to provide