Recommended Study Sequence

As a first unit in computer programming, Programming Fundamentals covers basic computer architecture, basic data and file structures, concept of algorithms, programming constructs, programming language features and functions, program design, test design, basic documentation. A high level programming language is employed to solve problems in a structured manner.

This unit provide students with an introductory understanding of a range of communication theories and practices necessary for academic work and professional success.

This unit provides an introduction to systems analysis and design. Incorporating systems concepts, theories and methodologies, this unit provides students with elementary problem solving experience in computerised information systems. Students will gain the ability to derive systems requirements from problem definitions and to produce system models using process, data, object and network modelling. Design and implementation issues include, (but may not be limited to), elementary database design, input, output and user interface design and prototyping. Students are also introduced to roles and responsibilities in information systems development, selection of packaged solutions and the principles of software quality.

This Level 1 unit introduces students to various statistical techniques supporting the study of computing and science. Presentation of the content will emphasize the correct principles and procedures for collecting and analysing scientific data, using information and communication technologies. Topics include describing different sets of data, probability distributions, statistical inference, and simple linear regression and correlation.

This introductory unit in computer systems networking covers basic networking topologies, Ethernet fundamentals, ISO OSI layers, routing, switching and sub-nets, the Internet architecture, networking protocols including TCP/IP, important networking devices such as repeaters, hubs, bridges, routers and gateways, basic management and security issues. This unit is also the first of three units which will prepare students for industry based networking certification.

Analysing and modeling requirements using the object-oriented (OO) approach is the core strength of this unit. The Unified Modifying Language (version 2.0) is used as a modeling standard for creating OO models in the problem space. This unit consolidates and extends the knowledge gained by students in Introduction to Analysis and Design unit and applies it to practical OO analysis work through a case study.

The main purpose of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity to gain a basic knowledge of database design and development including data modeling methods and techniques and database implementation using a database management system

Building on material covered in Programming Fundamentals this unit introduces students to the basics of developing interactive and dynamic web applications from both the client and server perspective. The unit covers web site design, web site development, web page accessibility and usability, XHTML, CSS, client side and server side scripting, database interaction, web site promotion (SEO), legal issues and web security.

This unit builds on the programming foundation laid in the unit Programming Fundamentals. Utilising an object-oriented language it continues the development of programming skills and methodologies required for professional programming and for further study in later computing units. Topics covered include object-oriented programming techniques of encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism, programming concepts including pointers, references, multi-dimensional arrays, strings, file I/O, and abstract data types.

This unit provides students with an in-depth understanding of the applications of computer networks and the concept of internetworking through the TCP/IP suite of protocols. Some of the network security threats along with their appropriate counter measures are also discussed. The main focus of the unit is on communication and network devices.

In this unit students will learn how to build a Web based information systems using programming, database, networking and web technologies that they have learned in other units. Students will learn about various web system architectures and development methodologies that can be used when developing web based information systems. Students will also learn about how to model, design and implement different aspects of Web based information systems.

The fact that computers work at all in the way they do is due to the formal mathematical structure that is used in their design. The same holds for establishing important matters such as the reliability of our computer networks. This unit presents, in their computing context, a range of mathematical concepts that are essential for understanding a number of topics concerning computers: the ways they work, they ways they interact, and the ways we interact with them.

A key component to the discipline of Information Systems is the understanding and the advocacy of the user in the development of IT applications and systems. IT graduates must develop a mind-set that recognizes the importance of users and organizational contexts. They must employ user-centered methodologies in the development, evaluation, and deployment of IT applications and systems. This unit examines human-computer interaction in order to develop and evaluate software, websites and information systems that not only look professional but are usable, functional and accessible.

This is a final year unit that builds on foundation and intermediate computing units by preparing students for professional experience. The unit covers ethics and professional code of practice, legal, social and environmental issues relating to computing, I.T. and communications technology, security, privacy and freedom of information, team dynamics, project scheduling and management, project cost/benefit analysis, and quality assurance for systems and applications. This unit is a pre-requisite to the capstone project, covered in Professional Experience.

This unit provides the knowledge of the internal structure and functionality of Operating Systems. An operating system defines an abstraction of hardware behaviour and provides a range of services more suitable for ICT application development than what raw hardware could deliver, in terms of convenience, efficiency and security. It is important that ICT Professionals have some understanding of how these services are realized. For ICT Professionals whose role includes supporting the operating system this unit provides the introduction to the relevant theory and practice.

This unit acts as a single capstone unit and through the medium of a specific project, provides opportunities for students to experience the range of issues in requirements definition, analysis, design and implementation, relating to the development of a software product.