A postgraduate course in Computing and IT.

This course is an introduction to object-oriented software development – its principles, benefits, techniques and practical applications. You will acquire practical skills in applying object-oriented analysis and design, and explore many established techniques and current issues in object-oriented software development. The course covers topics such as domain modelling, requirements analysis, specifying the software, design, design patterns, implementation in Java, testing and component-based architectures. UML notation is used throughout. Although this is not a programming course, Java technology is used throughout to explore issues related to design and implementation.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

The course introduces key aspects of the object-oriented software development and discusses current issues in the object-oriented approach – particularly novel development processes, patterns, components and architectures. The course is primarily for:

• analysts, software designers and programmers who need skills in object-oriented software development
• managers and project leaders who need to understand the object-oriented approach to software development
• anyone engaged with software systems who is interested in learning about object-oriented software development.

Entry

There are no entry requirements, but we do assume that you have already studied to HNC/HND level or have equivalent experience from your employment. You should have experience of programming and programming environments, as the course gives no introduction to the basic concepts of programming and algorithms. You need a basic knowledge of the use of a personal computer and an internet browser. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

If you would like more information about the Postgraduate Computing programme as a whole, you can visit the programme website. This site includes additional information about the programmes, details of new courses and qualifications that are being planned, some samples of study materials, FAQs and links to descriptions of all current courses and related qualifications.

You do need to have a reasonable standard of spoken and written English to study successfully with us. Poor language skills will make study more difficult, and it will take longer. The normal requirements for English language skills are explained on our website.

If you have any doubts about whether your level of English is good enough for you to study this course you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.

Discount for Open University Graduates

If you are a graduate of The Open University (holding either an undergraduate or masters degree), you are eligible for a discount of £100 towards the cost of this course. You can claim this discount when you register, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Qualifications

M885 is a compulsory module in our:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development (D69)
• MSc in Software Development (F26)

M885 is an optional module in our:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (C69)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
• MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
• MSc in Information Systems (F37)
• MSc in Management of Software Projects (F43)
• MSc in Technology Management (F36)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content.  To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

The course makes extensive use of diagrams. Part of the assessment requires access to electronic material. The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) from the dedicated website. Therefore, you might need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If you have a computer with screen reading and synthetic speech facilities you will need to check that these will work with the study material and chosen software well in advance of starting the course.

Study materials

What's included

Course books, supplementary texts, dedicated website and optional online forums.

You will need

Access to the internet is essential, since some study materials are available only on the M885 website. You also need to use the internet to submit your assignments to your tutor. In this course, you are not required to use a specific UML case tool. You can use any UML tool that you are familiar with, or even a graphical editor, as long as you manage to export UML diagrams into your TMAs. You will be provided with a list of free tools that you may wish to consider.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will be able to contact your tutor by telephone, email and post. There is usually a lively student online forum. Contact the Postgraduate Technology & Computing (PTC) Office (telephone +44 (0)115 971 5566, or email us) if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

You will take your examination in one of the University’s examination centres.

To prepare for the assignments, you may wish to take the Safari tutorial. Safari is an interactive online tutorial on searching, evaluating and managing information. Once in Safari, go through the tutorial, focusing on Sections 3, 4, and 5 – Planning a Search, Searching for Information and Evaluating Information. You should spend about an hour on this activity. If for some reason you cannot currently access Safari, you will be able to complete this activity at the start of the course.

Professional recognition

BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT offers exemption from some of its membership requirements for holders of an appropriate MSc in Computing from The Open University. M885 can form part of such an MSc. For more details you can download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. BCS regulations are on their website.  

Future availability

The details given here are for the course starting in November 2013. We expect it to be available once more, in 2014.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Exploring mathematics (MS221)
• Using mathematics (MST121)

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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