Computer Science with Foundation Year

We'll help you develop core academic skills such as using electronic resources, planning and note-taking, communication skills related to essay and report writing and delivering presentations.

You'll learn to manage your time, prioritise tasks and manage stress, and become more confident in engaging with collaborative learning, debates, discussions and critical reflection.

You'll develop the essential skills for crafting software artefacts suitable for real-world organisational or commercial purposes. Delve into three key phases of software development: problem specification, programming and architectural design.

During the initial stage, you'll learn how to analyse computing problems, incorporating requirements analysis and domain analysis. You'll then focus on the design and programming of the software solution, emphasising the creation of clear, readable code and the implementation of processes for behaviour and unit testing.

You'll also consider the foundational principles of development practices, including standards, software components and protocols. The exploration of software architecture aspects such as architectural analysis, architectural styles and version control begins here, setting the foundation for handling more extensive software projects in the future.

The ubiquity of the Web and the Internet has become integral to contemporary living, serving as a vast information reservoir and fostering innovative, interactive approaches to computing activities that cross platforms from desktop and mobile to the Internet of Things (smart; homes, car, cities) for both personal and collaborative experiences.

The ways in which we design for, develop and deploy these applications constantly evolves, due to the increasing changing needs of users, society and enterprise. With this in mind, developers need to evolve the way that they design for future platforms.

You'll be provided with a firm grounding in web technologies within the context of a range of platforms from mobile to smart devices. This is combined with a more theoretical understanding of important web technology issues surrounding design and security which are then enhanced through applied examples. 

You'll first learn to design and develop for the web using modern, industry aligned approaches, refining your skills creating web-based applications.

You'll be given the autonomy to navigate the vast landscape of Computer Science according to their specific interests and aspirations. 

You'll be encouraged to synthesise theoretical knowledge with practical application, honing critical problem-solving skills and cultivating a holistic understanding of their chosen field. This hands-on, self-directed approach not only mirrors the real-world challenges and opportunities that awaits you in the professional realm but also nurtures a sense of responsibility and initiative.

Whilst you work individually on your chosen project, the diversity of projects undertaken by you contributes to a rich and dynamic learning environment, where peers can share insights, collaborate on interdisciplinary aspects and collectively broaden their understanding of Computer Science.

You'll be equipped with a specialised skill set but also instils in you a lifelong passion for continuous learning and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of Computer Science

The web is now a ubiquitous medium that crosses platforms from desktop and mobile to the Internet of Things (smart; homes, car, cities) for both personal and collaborative experiences.

The ways in which we design for, develop and deploy these applications constantly evolves, due to the increasing and changing needs of users, society and enterprise. With this in mind, designers need to evolve the way that they design for future platforms.

With a rise in web-based solutions, data driven philosophies are founded upon a platform agnostic approach to designing for the web. This data needs to be stored securely, parsed and presented to the user in a way that builds trust, and is interactive and insightful.

You'll focus on modern web applications in the era of cloud computing.

You'll be introduced to the fundamentals required to develop software artefacts fit for real-world organisational and commercial purposes. 

Explore three stages of software development: problem specification, programming and architectural design.

We'll look at problem decomposition and programming, mathematical algorithms and computing problems, writing modular code and adopting relevant stylistic conventions and testing in project planning and implementation.

You'll be encouraged to engage in a comprehensive audit and introspection of your computing skills and career aspirations. The aim is to create a dynamic learning environment that empowers you to not only understand you current proficiency in computing but also to reflect upon and refine your career goals throughout your academic journey.

Learn the basics of computer networking, both from a technical approach and a holistic viewpoint. Enhance your problem-solving abilities, refine your communication skills and acquire a keen attention to detail.

You'll be equipped students with a well-rounded toolkit that goes beyond the technical aspects of computing, preparing you for the multifaceted challenges in your future careers.

You'll also actively participate in a Professional Challenge Project or undertake a meaningful work placement.

Discover the processes of interface design, evaluation and user experience.

You'll cover computer users, interaction technology and concepts, interaction applications, and the context of computer use. 

Learn about user interface design using prototyping, and about methods for evaluating user experience. Practise key design and evaluation techniques in the context of your assessments.

In the UX Team Project activities, you'll learn how to work in teams and apply Agile development methods to deliver a UX solution. This may be employer led and be accompanied by a live brief. 

You'll gain both a theoretical understanding and hands-on experience related to the current best practices in software engineering.

We'll look at the principles of software engineering principles, development of artefacts, design quality, technical evaluation and testing.

You'll be equipped with the comprehensive skillset that reflects the latest and most effective approaches in the field of software engineering including requirements in engineering and modelling, configuration and testing techniques.

You'll develop computational thinking as fundamental problem solving expertise within the realm of core computer science knowledge, expected of and utilised by all computing practitioners.

Study the core algorithms and data structures and be introduced to algorithm analysis and basic computability.

Learn about data types such as stacks, queues, trees and graphs, understand time and space complexity, write and explain commonly used algorithms, use a variety of different data structures and understand the concepts of computability and complexity.

Delve into the computational facets of data representation and fostering familiarity with established, proven solutions to recurring problems encountered in various computing contexts and practical applications.

Networks are integral components of most computer systems. You'll be  introduced to the fundamentals of networking and networked systems, with the necessary knowledge to explore computer network standards and protocols with a specific focus on security considerations.

Delve into practical skills required to design a network tailored to a particular business scenario, emphasising the importance of incorporating robust security measures. 

You'll obtain a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to enable you to not only comprehend networking concepts but also apply them in real-world scenarios, ensuring the creation of secure and efficient computer networks.

Through the lens of agile methodology, you’ll engage in a programme specific group project immersing yourself in a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Your understanding of social, professional, ethical and legal dimensions of computing will be reinforced as well as a focus on equality and diversity. This module acts a crucial preparatory step for your final year project and introduces vital elements such as teamwork, project planning and investigative skills.

You’ll have opportunities for reflection, fostering the development of personal and communication skills crucial for effective teamwork and future employability.

You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a  professional placement, where you’ll focus on developing important employability skills and industry knowledge.  

Delve into the essential underlying technologies that underpin mobile applications, enhancing development skills to create software tailored for mobile devices.

You'll be equipped with the proficiency to conceptualise and design successful mobile applications.

Bring together your learning across previous modules and your elective specialist modules to take on an independent project.

You'll demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in a specific subject area, define problem boundaries and investigate plausible solutions with reference to wider social and cultural contexts.

The goal is to deliver a software artefact that has real context.

You'll communicate your findings in oral and written forms.

Cover the main elements of intelligence and intelligent systems, focussing on machine learning.

Explore ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) regulations from human and machine contexts.

You'll explore how to design a business around AI and AI trends and measure the impact of using such technology.

Get hands-on experience in machine learning algorithms and techniques such as regression/clustering, reinforcement learning and deep learning.

You'll study various real cases of using AI in detecting fraud and fake news, healthcare and battling against chronic diseases.

Explore topics from a range of application areas and work with real data to explore and solve known problems with the analysis of different types of datasets through a practical approach to learning by exploring topics through the study of applied examples.

You'll be prepared for roles which combine data analysis with data-driven decision making and be introduced to the basics of big data processing.