The computing project
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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Summary
The computing project is a compulsory Level 3 course in many of our computing and ICT qualifications. It offers practical experience of independent learning and reflective practice. You’ll apply advanced principles and techniques to solve problems in the context of a project topic that you have defined, and write up your experience and your findings in a substantial report. You’ll also be responsible for the management of your project with the help of an individual supervisor. You will need to have completed at least one Level 3 computing course before starting M450.
Course content
This course enables you to acquire skills and experience in formulating and completing an individual project of your choice in any area that you have studied at this level. You’ll develop your project topic, carry it out and refine it, and then write it up. A tutor will advise and guide you, but you will be expected to produce your work independently, without close supervision. The emphasis is on you being a reflective practitioner, developing not only the technical aspects of your project but also justifying your approach and reviewing and thinking about what you have learnt. There are guidance notes and a website but no teaching materials associated with this course. You’ll be expected to use the course materials and software associated with the Level 3 courses you have taken.
Project work at this level is a challenge, but one that you should now be ready to tackle and enjoy. Engaging with a project offers you an opportunity to bring together and apply knowledge and understanding you have gained from your OU study. Your tutor will act more as a mentor to whom you will be expected to bring ideas and suggestions. He or she may suggest possible avenues for exploration or approaches to think about, but you will have to make your own decisions and be able to justify them. You’ll also be responsible for the management of your project, though you will be supported by the tasks we set you along the way.
Your first task will be to choose an area in which you want to undertake project work. It is important that you should build on the Level 3 courses you have taken, and that you indicate clearly to us which area you want to work in so that we can assign you an appropriate tutor.
You’ll then specify a detailed proposal and plan how to execute it. You will need to set realistic goals, exploring and securing the resources you will need.
You will then plan and carry out the project and write it up. You will need to monitor your own progress and adapt your plans accordingly as the project unfolds.
Finally, you will be asked to look back over your work, evaluate how you tackled the project as a whole and identify what you have learned from your approach.
During the process of planning and executing your project, you will be set tasks through tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), which will help you plan and make steady progress. You’ll also need to write a final project report as a deliverable.
Vocational relevance
The course will give you the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and carry out the activities for a project that meets the relevant accreditation requirements of the British Computer Society.
Entry
You are expected to have completed successfully at least one Level 3 computing course before tackling the project
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
You will need to access the course website and complete and return the form you will find there to register your project area. You will then need to think about a topic for your project. There will be an online forum where you can discuss your choice of topic with an experienced tutor. The course website also contains some sample projects.
Qualifications
M450 is a compulsory course in our
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Business (B35)
- Shortened BSc (Honours) Computing and its Practice (B40)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Design (B44)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Psychological Studies (B49)
M450 is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences (B14)
- BSc (Honours) Information Technology and Computing (B13)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course 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 course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
All course materials will be delivered via the course website with any written components available as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader, however you should have no particular problems if you have already completed a computing course at Level 3. You will need to retain your course materials from related Level 3 courses.
Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course website; online forums; all course materials including assignments will be delivered online.
You will need
You require internet access at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments and keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have support from a tutor who will guide your studies and provide you with feedback on your assignments.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course 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 must use the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
The TMAs are designed to help you develop and refine your project in preparation for submitting your final project report as your ECA.
Professional recognition
M450 is a required course for recognition from the British Computer Society and the course has been designed to meet the BCS requirements for an individual project. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that your study profile satisfies current rules and regulations. Please look at Recognition Leaflet 3.7 Computing which you can access from StudentHome for further details or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
Study explained
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Student Reviews
The biggest problem to face students taking this course is deciding what to base their project on. However, once that ...
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