This Programme 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 full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
School
Physical Sciences and Computing
External Accreditation
Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Applied Computing
Modes of Attendance offered
Sandwich
Full-time
Part-time
UCAS Code
???
Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
Computing
Other external influences
British Computer Society
Date of production/revision of this form
January 2013
Aims of the Programme
Computing is a creative activity which applies appropriate technology to the solution of problems. Computing professionals are involved in the investigation and analysis of problems, the design and evaluation of feasible solutions and the implementation of the most cost effective. They must communicate with a wide range of people, (Managers, users and colleagues) and be aware of the business implications of the decisions made. They must be aware of appropriate tools and techniques, and skilled in their application.
Creativity, communication and problem solving underpin the application of various technologies. This course provides a broad range of topics from which students can select the most relevant and interesting.
This course is aimed at part-time students, direct entrants and students who want to construct a programme of studies that is coherent, but tailored to their individual needs and interests. It also enables FdSc students to achieve an honours degree after directly entering year 3.
Common Computing Aims
To develop the skills and understanding of theory necessary for the graduates to be employed in a Computing environment
To encourage and enable students to become independent learners.
To develop critical evaluation, communication, enterprise and self-management skills.
To produce graduates with the skills and confidence to solve problems independently and as part of a team
To provide an opportunity for students to develop transferable skills and enhance subject-specific expertise by undertaking a work placement
Course Specific Aims
To provide students with an intellectually challenging programme of study in computing relevant to their individual interests.
To produce graduates with practical skills and knowledge necessary to apply computing to meet industrial and commercial needs
Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Acquisition of knowledge is mainly supported through lectures and directed learning. The role of directed learning increases as the course progresses. Understanding is reinforced through practical, tutorial and seminar work. This may involve a series of small exercises, extended case studies or discussions. Drop-in help sessions are provided to support particular areas.
Assessment methods
Informal and formative feedback is provided in tutorial, seminar and practical classes through class discussion and individual advice. Formal assessment is through practical and written coursework, and time-constrained examinations, which may include on-line multiple-choice exams, traditional examinations, open-book examinations and partially-seen questions.
B. Subject-specific skills
The successful student will be able to
B1. Solve technical and human problems relating to the development and use of IT-based systems
B3. Analyse requirements and information from a variety of sources.
B4. Design and develop a range of computer-based systems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Computing is a highly practical subject. Skills are developed in a co-ordinated and progressive manner during the three years of the programme. At level 4, the focus is on the acquisition of basic skills through laboratory exercises. At higher levels, more specialist equipment is used. Some practical work demonstrates advanced techniques, while extended practical work enables students to exercise creativity and develop their own solutions. Lectures, sometimes involving on-line demonstration, are supported by tutorials, seminars, practical exercises and directed work.
Assessment methods
A variety of methods are used to assess technical and personal practical skills. These include laboratory exercises, oral presentations, formal reports, and implementation exercises with supporting documentation demonstrating a professional approach and evaluating methods and products.
C. Thinking Skills
The successful student will be able to
C1. Investigate complex situations thoroughly and impartially
C2. Locate, evaluate and integrate information from multiple sources
Intellectual skills are developed through practical work, tutorial and seminar work and coursework assignments. Discussion among students and with staff during tutorials and supervisory meetings are key methods for the development of thinking skills. Problem-solving is developed in practical classes, seminars and tutorials. Throughout the course, students practise problem-solving individually and in groups. Students research, apply and evaluate information during the professional skills module and during the problem-solving project.
Assessment methods
Staff in class and in supervisory meetings provide informal formative feedback. Intellectual skills are partly assessed through formal examinations but assessment of coursework and practical and theoretical project work is the main vehicle for assessment of the higher order skills. A variety of assessment methods are used, including formal reports, essays, and oral poster presentations.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
The successful student will be able to
D1. Communicate effectively with clients, users and developers
D2. Learn and work independently and as part of a team
D3. Operate within an ethical and legal framework appropriate to computing professionals.
D4. Plan, perform, manage and report on a relevant project
D5. Identify and set personal goals relevant to long-term educational and career planning
Teaching and Learning Methods
Since students join the course with advanced standing, they are expected to have developed personal and employability skills appropriate level of entry during their previous study. Their essential communication and transferable skills and legal and ethical understanding are developed in the Professional Skills module at level 5 and in context in other modules through tutorial/seminar work and coursework assignments.
Relevant notations to support technical communication are introduced through tutorial and practical work using appropriate tools.
Teamwork skills are enhanced through practical experience during induction exercises in a technical team exercise during induction at the start of year 2 and in software development in year 2. It culminates in the course-specific team project in semester 2 of the Professional Skills module, which requires the students to work in a team to solve a technical problem. Students directly entering the final year will normally have undertaken a team project or work experience. Students without this experience will be encouraged to take the level 5 Professional Skills module.
Whilst professional and ethical issues are addressed as appropriate in all modules, at each level there is a module designed to tackle professional and ethical issues. Concepts that we expect students to have developed prior to joining the course are reinforced in year 2 Professional Skills and applied in the final year Project. These modules offer students a framework to use with issues they will meet in computer-related situations. Such issues are referenced by staff (when appropriate) within all aspects of the teaching. One of the main advantages to having specific modules to focus on these topics is that students begin to become mindful about matters in computing that they have not formerly contemplated, and are then able to apply the newly found professional approach in the other modules on the course.
A major individual project, supported by supervisory meetings, reinforces and extends the student’s abilities: they research topics relevant to their project, write a literature review summarising and evaluating their findings, plan and monitor their progress, solve problems and write an extended report.
Formative assessment during induction week starts the development of the student’s ability to identify strengths and weaknesses and to set and work toward personal goals. This is continued during the Computing Skills and Practitioner Skills modules, where students are encouraged to evaluate themselves and to consider career options. The year 2 Professional Skills module has talks by past placement students and companies to help students assess the benefit of undertaking an industrial placement. In year 2, feedback on assignments is discussed holistically by year tutors to help the students interpret the guidance and translate it into personal action.
Assessment methods
These skills are assessed through written coursework in many modules, but particularly the Professional Skills team project and the final year individual project, where students write an academic article and a project report, are interviewed, and give a poster presentation. In Professional Skills, students hold regular meetings to monitor progress, informally assess individual performance and sign-off work that has met their quality standards. Progress reports are assessed formally. Students are responsible as a team for an assessed literature review and individually for a critical evaluation of the project.
13. Programme Structures*
14. Awards and Credits*
Level
Module Code
Module Title
Credit rating
Level 6
CO3808
CO3809
CO3401
CO3402
CO3509
CO3513
CO3601
CO3603
CO3604
CO3701
CO3708
CO3720
CO3719
CO3811
EL3105
MD3115
CD3120
Double Project
Single Project
Options:
Advanced Software Engineering Techniques
OO Methods in Computing
Network Design
Advanced Network Routing
Systems Concepts
Computers, Society and Law
E-Business
Advanced Database Systems
Database-Driven Websites
Social Interaction Design
Application Development for Mobile Devices
Student Initiated Module Level 6
Computer Vision
UK / China Business Creation
Becoming an Internet Business Whizz
Students can also choose any level 6 module that the course leader deems appropriate for the programme of study
Note: students will be constrained by pre- and co-requisites.
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5 or above
Level 4
CO1404
CO1401
CO1507
CO1111
CO1605
CO1801
CO1301
CO1706
Students must have studied a programme equivalent to: Introduction to Programming
Programming
Introduction to Networking
Computing Skills
Systems Analysis & Database Design
Practitioner Skills
Either
Games Concepts
or
Interactive Applications
10
10
20
20
20
20
20
20
15. Personal Development Planning
The Course Leader will discuss the student’s goals and option choices when the students join the course and at progression, and will advise the students throughout the course.
PDP activities are conducted through meetings with the second year tutorial team. In these sessions, students: identify their skills; evaluate the requirements for personal development, which will include discussion of the feedback they have received on assessment performance; consider long-term goal setting; prepare a progress plan looking to the future; and link PDP with employability and their third year. In conjunction with the Professional Skills module, students undertake a semester-based University Employability Certificate. This enhances the students’ self-awareness and ability to seek employment particularly within computing. Students can take additional assessment to gain a separate University Certificate in addition to their Degree.
To ensure that the course matches their long term goals, students can choose modules to gain skills in starting a business or in teaching, Students can choose 1 elective at level 5 and 1 at level 6; for example to study a foreign language.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
No entry to year 1
Entry to year 2
HE Certificate or equivalent to passing year 1 of a computing-related honours degree.
Entry to year 3 Honours
HE Diploma or equivalent in computing or a closely-related subject [e.g. FdSc Computing or FdSc Software Engineering]
Students with FdSc Pass, must take CO3809 Single Project and either CO2403 Professional Skills or CO2805 Project Skills, and may not take Student Initiated Modules at level 5 or level 6 [CO2806, CO3811]
17. Key sources of information about the programme
Computing Web Site (www.uclan.ac.uk/computing), School Brochure
