Computer Science

The aim of the module is to introduce the application of information, information systems and information technologies within organisations and understand the impact of such systems on organisational performance. Students will develop an understanding of the project lifecycle focussing on the importance of the customer and will look at the process involved in creating information systems by learning how to investigate and define customer requirements and understand future needs. Undertaking this module gives students an introduction to information systems and organisations, giving them the skills to work effectively within an IS organisation on projects and giving them the base for understanding other IS modules within the degree programme.

Using inspirational demonstrators from both academia and industry, this module provides an overview of a range of innovative systems and applications in the fields of computer science, cyber security, psychology, social sciences, digital media and business decision making.  It will also facilitate hands-on experience on the choices and applications of innovative systems to interdisciplinary fields.  This module is suitable for students from technical programmes and from psychology, business, digital media and social sciences.

This module will introduce technical students to programming and testing concepts. Students will develop an understanding of the general principles of how programs and projects are delivered within the IT services industry and the application of the concepts of testing and programming. The module will develop introductory skills using a specific but not defined programming language and platform. Undertaking the module will develop the student’s skills in developing and testing programmes using industry techniques.

This module imparts an understanding of analysis and design concepts that are essential for developing and implementing software and database systems.  Design concepts and procedures such as Business Rules, Requirements Analysis, Data Modelling, Relational Data Modelling, Object Orientated Analysis and SQL will be explored.  Students will also learn how to apply Unified Modelling Language (UML) within different computing scenarios.

The aim of this module is to introduce concepts of IT security in order to understand the security threats to an IT system and the operational impact of these threats on an organisation. The module will explore different protection methods for data and develop knowledge of security policies and procedures, including risk assessments, and how these procedures can be implemented and maintained. This module will introduce topical case studies of attacks on organisational information systems, highlighting the business consequences.

This module imparts an understanding of operating systems including concepts such as scheduling, concurrency and synchronisation, memory management, input and output systems, kernel security and file systems. Fundamentals of data structures and core algorithms and analysis are also explored.

This module will teach the design concepts of object orientated programming and creativity and ideation techniques.  This module will develop the student’s skills in analysing business and technical requirements to select and specify appropriate technology solutions; capturing client requirements and producing the solutions architecture and software design. Systems Development: The concept will be tested with reference to the business case.

The aim of this module is to develop student understanding of the skills and competencies required in both academic and professional environments.  Students will work individually and in teams to develop the knowledge and skills required to plan, design and conduct a research project.  Students will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities which will build industry awareness at a national and international level; enhance communication and negotiation skills; and increase awareness of the importance of evidence based thinking and reflective practice.  This module provides the foundation for continuing personal and professional development building confidence to provide students with the potential to maximise academic and career aspirations.

This module will build on the knowledge technical students obtain in the introduction to programming and testing module. This module presents a systematic approach to software testing as an extension to Software Design and a precursor to Software Development. Agile methodologies will underpin the Design, testing and development modules. This module prepares students to work in testing roles.

Organisations are increasingly relying on their information systems and thus there is a corresponding need to ensure that the underlying network infrastructures are secure.  This module develops essential concepts and skills relating to the ability to design, implement and support of the security of networked devices and to embrace current best practices in network security.  It will develop an applied working knowledge of network security principles, tools and configurations.

The module identifies modern network security threats and the impact they have within an organisational context. It will then explore how to secure network devices, how to deploy authentication, authorisation and accounting and how to deploy network security technology such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Cryptography, LAN security considerations and the implementation of endpoint and layer 2 security features will be explored. Methods for implementing data confidentiality and integrity will be described along with the implementation of secure Virtual Private Networks.

The module develops theoretical and practical skills in software engineering principles including abstraction, encapsulation, aggregation and inheritance. Students will learn the processes from analysis to design, implementation, testing and documentation together with software quality principles. 

This module provides an opportunity for students to work as part of a collaborative team to manage and complete a substantial project for a given scenario.  Students are expected to utilise and extend the knowledge and understanding imparted previously and contextualise the material already covered.

The aim of this module is to further develop student understanding of IS Security.  The main focus of this module will be to explore key themes, trends and issues in cyber-security, policing and governance of the internet and business vulnerabilities.  The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse risk management, information risk assessment, risk mitigation, management standards and methodologies, implementing a risk management strategy and business continuity planning.

• Secure Systems Architectures 30 credits
• Artificial Intelligence 15 credits
• Web and Mobile Application Development 15 credits
• Servers, Data Centres and Smart Systems 15 credits
• Information Management and Data Analytics 15 credits

This module will build on the knowledge technical students obtain in the introduction to programming and testing module. This module presents a systematic approach to software testing as an extension to Software Design and a precursor to Software Development. Agile methodologies will underpin the Design, testing and development modules. This module prepares students to work in testing roles.

Organisations are increasingly relying on their information systems and thus there is a corresponding need to ensure that the underlying network infrastructures are secure.  This module develops essential concepts and skills relating to the ability to design, implement and support of the security of networked devices and to embrace current best practices in network security.  It will develop an applied working knowledge of network security principles, tools and configurations.

The module identifies modern network security threats and the impact they have within an organisational context. It will then explore how to secure network devices, how to deploy authentication, authorisation and accounting and how to deploy network security technology such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Cryptography, LAN security considerations and the implementation of endpoint and layer 2 security features will be explored. Methods for implementing data confidentiality and integrity will be described along with the implementation of secure Virtual Private Networks.

The module develops theoretical and practical skills in software engineering principles including abstraction, encapsulation, aggregation and inheritance. Students will learn the processes from analysis to design, implementation, testing and documentation together with software quality principles. 

This module provides an opportunity for students to work as part of a collaborative team to manage and complete a substantial project for a given scenario.  Students are expected to utilise and extend the knowledge and understanding imparted previously and contextualise the material already covered.

The aim of this module is to further develop student understanding of IS Security.  The main focus of this module will be to explore key themes, trends and issues in cyber-security, policing and governance of the internet and business vulnerabilities.  The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse risk management, information risk assessment, risk mitigation, management standards and methodologies, implementing a risk management strategy and business continuity planning.

• Secure Systems Architectures 30 credits
• Artificial Intelligence 15 credits
• Web and Mobile Application Development 15 credits
• Servers, Data Centres and Smart Systems 15 credits
• Information Management and Data Analytics 15 credits

This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite.

In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase. 

This module explains how concepts and techniques from networking, operating systems and object-orientated programming can be combined to develop distributed systems.  The module will impart a detailed understanding of event ordering, logical and physical clocks together with the practical facets of distributed system structuring using the client-server approach.

The Computing Project provides the opportunity to undertake a major computing related problem in an approved topic area relevant to the programme of study.

• Information Futures 15 credits
• Strategic Innovation Management 15 credits
• Insight Management 15 credits
• Cloud Computing and Infrastructure 15 credits
• Intellectual Property and Information Rights 15 credits
• Globalised Crime, Organised Crime and Cyber Crime 15 credits

The law has often been required to adapt to new and emerging technologies. Recently, however, the pace and scale of technological change has far exceeded anything previously encountered. Data and data processing now underpins the global economy. Sophisticated surveillance and analytics pose a substantial threat to any concept of personal privacy, but also promise previously unattainable levels of crime detection and anti-terrorist security. In this module, we examine the response of lawmakers, regulators and the courts to the fundamental legal challenges posed by technology, ranging from ownership of online content to the attribution of liability for harm caused by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite.

In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase. 

This module explains how concepts and techniques from networking, operating systems and object-orientated programming can be combined to develop distributed systems.  The module will impart a detailed understanding of event ordering, logical and physical clocks together with the practical facets of distributed system structuring using the client-server approach.

The Computing Project provides the opportunity to undertake a major computing related problem in an approved topic area relevant to the programme of study.

• Information Futures 15 credits
• Strategic Innovation Management 15 credits
• Insight Management 15 credits
• Cloud Computing and Infrastructure 15 credits
• Intellectual Property and Information Rights 15 credits
• Globalised Crime, Organised Crime and Cyber Crime 15 credits

The law has often been required to adapt to new and emerging technologies. Recently, however, the pace and scale of technological change has far exceeded anything previously encountered. Data and data processing now underpins the global economy. Sophisticated surveillance and analytics pose a substantial threat to any concept of personal privacy, but also promise previously unattainable levels of crime detection and anti-terrorist security. In this module, we examine the response of lawmakers, regulators and the courts to the fundamental legal challenges posed by technology, ranging from ownership of online content to the attribution of liability for harm caused by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.