Computer Networking with Foundation Year

This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of fundamental computing concepts and allow them to use these effectively and efficiently.  The module will allow you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for both completing your degree and succeeding at your chosen field of work. It is designed to be both easy to follow for students with little or no knowledge of the computing concepts to be covered but also to provide additional benefits for students that already have previous experience in the field of computing. The topics that are covered include Logic and Boolean algebra, Truth tables, Computer Architecture,  Number Systems , Command line management of a computer,  Data processing, Digital Communications , Computer Security and Databases.

This module focuses on how modern software applications are built and structured, with an emphasis on understanding how different layers of hardware and software exchange data over the web via HTTP services.

This module provides you with an introduction to the use of games technology for serious applications, such as simulation, training/education, visualisation, and interactive experiences. Serious applications (also known as serious games) are the use of game technology for non-entertainment purposes, such as education, training, simulations, visualisation of data or an interactive experience. For example, a serious application could simulate a home and educate a user about cybersecurity risks within the home. Applications that use game technology are useful in many areas, such as architecture, engineering, construction, medical, cybersecurity, and sales. Through the exploration of games technology for serious applications you will also develop the academic skills needed to successfully study in higher education. This includes literature searching, academic writing, critical analysis, referencing and working in groups.

In this module you will be introduced to the fundamental principles common to modern programming languages so that you are well prepared to learn to write programs in a variety of languages. Principles include: problem solving, algorithm design and construction (sequence, selection, iteration, object and activity diagrams), variables, data types, assignment operators, logic, the fundamentals of object orientation (objects and classes, attributes and methods, encapsulation), programming pragmatics (style, testing, debugging), and simple data structures (arrays and lists).

Virtualisation is essential to key allow businesses to develop more IT efficient and flexible servers and systems. This module has been designed for students to gain hands on experience of server management and virtualisation by deploying, migrating and testing servers in virtual environments. The module focuses on the importance of testing and securing servers and related technologies alongside learning the role operating systems have in server management. Virtualisation technologies will be used and Cloud Computing will be introduced in this module through hands on activities. In this module, you will learn about the basic technologies and features of the more popular server operating systems. You will also learn about the various server functions and services that can be configure on a server and the role of different operating systems. In addition, you will learn how to install, configure and maintain these servers. A significant emphasis will be placed on practical tasks to gain valuable experience and skills required in industry.

This is a technically orientated module where you will learn the principles of a modern networked environment, and how this extends to the internet. It is a practical orientated view of networks with many opportunities to set up and configure typical network equipment such as switches and routers as used in real networks.

The goal of this module is to give students the skills necessary to plan and implement small and complex networks across a range of applications. The focus of this module is on learning the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small, large and more complex networks. It also gives the students the skills to be able to configure routers and switches for advanced functionality required by converged applications.

This module provides students with the aware of the potential threats that are continuously experienced in computer networks today through hands on practical tasks. Students examine the fundamentals of network security and covers topics such as active and passive attacks on networks, and how to protect. From this module value skills and experience will be learnt regrading steps to take to avoid  a range of security related problems on a computer network.

The module aims to equip students with the advanced skills to design and build appropriate database in the active field of database systems and data management. Typical topics include theory of databases; query planning and optimization; transaction processing and concurrency control; maintenance of data integrity, availability and security; data warehousing and OLAP.

This module provides an in-depth understanding of the physical controls and surrounding processes that need to implement these to reduce cyber risks is critical to every business. This module examines different physical architectures and operations as well as the procedural activities, in order to align with best practice guidelines and ensure protection of services, systems and information.

This module will provide you with a firm grounding in the principles of Professional Databases. The topics you will study include why databases are important, how to design and manipulate a DBMS. This will involve you looking at database design techniques; different models of data and gain a firm understanding of the challenges of working with a multi-user database user environment. The module will give you practical experience of using SQL within a modern relational database management system, such as Oracle.

The purpose of this module is to provide knowledge in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment (VA). The module provides you with a hands-on experience on ethical hacking, security testing, vulnerability assessment, and threat and risk assessment. Security concepts and methodologies (e.g. penetration testing, VA) are extensively covered in this module as part of the technical skills required. The module addresses how threats can seriously compromise a network and its systems, and investigates the mitigation techniques that are available to protect against such threats. The module will involve you performing ethical hacking tasks with the emphasis on ‘ethics’ throughout your work. You will be working within a safe and controlled environment and abide by the terms of the Ethical Agreement of this module.

This module allows you to further develop an understanding of Web Development. The lecture material covers the technologies involved in the production and support of secure, dynamic websites using a server-side scripting language and a database. During workshop sessions, you have the opportunity to practice lecture-taught material to develop your own website.

In this module you will start by looking at the Professional issues related to working in the Computing and IT industry. You will consider professional conduct and the social, legal and ethical implications related to the profession – in-line with BCS guidelines. In the first semester you will also start to consider the subject of your final year project. Following discussions with staff members you will produce a project proposal document and start a literature review on your chosen topic. You will be assigned a project supervisor who will meet with you at regular intervals to provide you with feedback on your work as it progresses. In your second semester you will continue to work individually on the main part of your final year project with regular meetings with your supervisor. This supervisor plus another member of staff will assess your project.

This module builds on 5CS029 - Sensors, Actuators and Smart Environments. You will learn about wired and wireless communications technologies and routing protocols, security of embedded systems, sensor networks and integration with the cloud.

This module aims to provide an in depth understanding of web application development, and emphasises the importance of architectural patterns and Service Oriented Architectures in Web Development. It also takes a look at current and emerging web technologies.

This module builds on High Performance Computing and Database modules to provide understanding and knowledge of the essential concepts, theories and practices of Big Data. This will include Distributed System, latest advances and techniques in processing and managing big data.

This module provides students with the environment to learn key theories and methodologies before place this knowledge into hands on tasks to conduct a safe and sure computer forensic investigation.  This module covers the phases of an investigation from seizure, evidence handing, data presentation, investigation, interpretation and report/documentation of findings. You will use a range of operating systems and technologies that might shore digital evidence that might be seizure and used to determinate cybercrimes have been committed. You will gain hands on experience of using best practice software, tools and techniques that are using in the digital forensics industry to understand how data is stored and received from electronic devices.

This module is designed to provide the student with an awareness of both current and upcoming trends/developments within the computer science industry. This includes recent technology developments, along with evolving technologies and those currently at a research stage. With this foundation, the student will be able to appraise the viability of future 'Blue Sky' technologies, with some consideration towards their impact on Human Computer Interaction