BSc (Honours) Computing and IT: pathway

Stage 1

You’ll start your Stage 1 studies with My digital life (TU100)My digital life::While you’re learning about tomorrow's technology why not help create it? My digital life takes you on a journey from the origins of information technology through to the familiar computers of today, and on to tomorrow’s radical technologies. You'll get hands-on experience of the ubiquitous computing approaches that will become increasingly common over the next decade. You'll also learn about the profound social and technological changes associated with information technology – changes that will affect every one of us. This key introductory Level 1 course will help you prepare for these changes – think of it as an online survival kit for the twenty-first century.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,TU100,,1 (60 credits), which gives you hands-on experience of designing, building and programming the small, ubiquitous computers that will become increasingly common over the next decade. You’ll also learn about the profound technological, economic, political and ethical changes brought about by information technology that will affect every one of us.

Next, you’ll develop your mathematical skills, choosing one of two 30-credit modules – Using mathematics (MST121)Using mathematics::This broad, enjoyable introduction to university-level mathematics assumes some prior knowledge, as described on our MathsChoices website. The course shows how mathematics can be applied to answer some key questions from science, technology, and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental techniques, including calculus, recurrence relations, matrices and vectors and statistics, and use integrated specialist mathematical software to solve problems. The skills of communicating results and defining problems are also developed. This is not a course for beginners – at the MathsChoices website (mathschoices.open.ac.uk) there are quizzes, sample material and advice to help you determine if this course is right for you.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,MST121,,1 or Discovering mathematics (MU123)Discovering mathematics::This key introductory Level 1 course provides a gentle start to the study of mathematics. It will help you to integrate mathematical ideas into your everyday thinking and build your confidence in using and learning mathematics. You’ll cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques, and be introduced to mathematical modelling. Formal calculus is not included and you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of algebra. The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics courses, such as Using mathematics (MST121). It is also suitable for users of mathematics in other areas, such as computing, science, technology, social science, humanities, business and education.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,MU123,,1 – to underpin your further study of computing and enhance your employability.

Finally, the 30-credit module – Technologies in practice (TM129)Technologies in practice::This course provides an opportunity to sample some of the key areas in computing and information technology. You will be introduced to three topics as tasters for your future studies and career: networking, Linux and robotics. Studying these topics will enable you to develop essential skills if you are considering future employment in the computing and IT industry. You will be applying what you learn to develop a portfolio, to demonstrate your skills and understanding in these areas to potential employers. By studying this key introductory Level 1 course you can also begin to explore where your future career ambitions or interests might lie.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,TM129,,1 – will offer you an opportunity to sample some key technologies enabling you to develop essential skills and to explore where your future study and career aspirations may lie.

Stage 2

At Stage 2, you’ll begin your specialist studies in digital technologies with Communication and information technologies (T215)Communication and information technologies::Digital communication and information technologies have become fundamental to the operation of modern societies. New products and services are rapidly transforming our lives, both at work and at play. This course helps you to learn about these new developments, and equips you with the understanding and skills to continue learning about them in the future. You will study the core principles on which the new technologies are built and, through a range of online and offline activities, investigate new topics and technologies. After studying the course you’ll be in a better position to appreciate the potential of the new technologies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,T215,,1 (60 credits) – learning about the core principles upon which new technologies are built. You’ll be introduced to the key concepts, issues and technologies associated with online communication and collaboration. You’ll also gain an understanding of the ways in which data is stored, manipulated and transmitted; and discover how new processes and services are transforming our lives. 

The 60-credit networking option, Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216)Cisco networking (CCNA)::Cisco Systems are market leaders in supplying networking equipment for the internet. They also have a well-established educational programme for network professionals. As a Cisco Academy, The Open University offers the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Exploration curriculum, which provides the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to configure a LAN/WAN using Cisco equipment. You’ll also gain hands-on experience of configuring networks at four compulsory day schools. When you’ve completed the course you should be well prepared for the industry-standard CCNA certification examination. You’ll need to make your own arrangements to sit this – there are exam centres all over the world.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,T216,,1, will give you the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to configure a LAN/WAN using Cisco equipment (which should also leave you well prepared for the industry-standard CCNA certification examination). You’ll gain hands on practical experience of configuring networks at four compulsory day schools.

Stage 3

Stage 3 studies build on the knowledge, skills and understanding of the specialist subjects you studied at Stage 2. Currently you can choose three 30-credit modules from the following:

Ebusiness technologies: foundations and practice (T320)Ebusiness technologies: foundations and practice::Ebusiness is booming as organisations strive to gain efficiencies through improved workflows, resource management, just-in-time provisioning and business relationships. This course explores the driving forces behind such developments, introducing fundamental technologies and protocols upon which new systems and services can be built – including Service Oriented Architectures (SOA), web services, XML and associated security standards. Case studies illustrate a range of business models and the business strategies behind the deployment of web services as well as providing insights into future developments. You'll explore the evolution of ebusiness surrounding ICT developments; use software tools to create schemas and web services; deploy collaborating applications; and consolidate your learning in a final project.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,T320,,1 – explores the driving forces behind developments in ebusiness, introducing the fundamental technologies and protocols upon which new systems and services can be built.

Fundamentals of interaction design (M364)Fundamentals of interaction design::From websites and phones to video games, ATM machines and drinks dispensers, interactive products are very much part of everyday life. But how many are easy, satisfying and enjoyable to use? Fundamentals of interaction design studies the factors, techniques, tools and theories that affect the design of such products. It will teach you a variety of topics, from computing, psychology and graphic design to entertainment, informatics and usability. You’ll learn about the theory underlying interaction design, and acquire practical skills that will equip you to analyse, design, and evaluate the interactive products you use every day.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,M364,,1 – You’ll acquire the practical skills and theoretical tools to analyse, design and evaluate interactive products that surround our everyday lives – from websites to drinks dispensers.

Keeping ahead in information and communication technologies (T324)Keeping ahead in information and communication technologies::Keeping ahead in information and communication technologies (ICT) not only means keeping up to date with rapidly changing technologies. It also means successfully using these new technologies in complex systems in which people play a major part. Therefore this course addresses the two important questions: How do you keep up to date and how can you analyse ICT systems and take account of social factors? This course will equip you with the skills to tackle these questions, in the context of studying several contemporary ICT systems. By the end, you should be well-placed as an independent learner to ‘keep ahead in ICT’.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,T324,,1 – You’ll Investigate how to keep pace with rapid changes in ICT, and how to use ICT successfully in complex systems where people play a major part.

Natural and artificial intelligence (M366)Natural and artificial intelligence::Don’t expect a conventional computing course with this one! It deals with one of humanity’s oldest dreams: creating machines with powers and mental abilities similar to our own. You’ll examine work at the frontiers of research in computing, where ideas from biology are inspiring computer scientists to find new solutions to old problems – particularly in the quest to build truly intelligent computer systems. The course begins with a survey of traditional and modern approaches to artificial intelligence, bringing out the concepts that underlie them, and then explores the theory and applications of two classes of system inspired by biology: neural networks and evolutionary computation.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,M366,,1 – You’ll explore one of humanity’s oldest dreams – the creation of intelligent machines – taking in ideas from biology and philosophy as well as computing and technology.

Technologies for digital media (T325)Technologies for digital media::Downloading mp3 music files; exchanging digital photos; reading, watching and listening to news and entertainment on the web or your mobile phone … digital technologies are changing the way we conduct our private, social and business lives, and transforming our experience of media out of all recognition. This course investigates how this has come about, looking at the technologies behind digital media as well as some of the social, ethical and legal issues they raise. By the end of your studies, you’ll understand the possibilities and limitations of the technologies, the direction in which they’re taking us, and how to keep on top of future developments.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,T325,,1 – Digital technologies are transforming our experience of media. This module will enable you to understand how, and looks at related social, ethical and legal issues.

You’ll conclude your studies with an individual project on a topic of your choice, The computing and IT project (TM470)The computing and IT project::The computing and IT project enables you to explore computing, information and communications technologies in substantial depth and it is the compulsory project module for our computing and IT qualifications. It offers you practical experience of independent learning and reflective practice. You’ll apply advanced principles and techniques to produce a solution to a problem which you have defined and write up your experience and findings in a substantial report. You’ll also be responsible for choosing your own topic, carrying out the project and writing it up, with the help of a supervisor to advise and guide you.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-3,module,TM470,,1 (30 credits), which you’ll research, develop and write up – presenting your findings in a substantial report that you can show employers as a portfolio of your work.