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.Q62-5,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.Q62-5,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.Q62-5,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.Q62-5,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 software development with two 30-credit modules; Object-oriented Java programming (M250)Object-oriented Java programming::This course teaches the fundamental ideas behind the object-oriented approach to programming through the widely-used Java programming language. Concentrating on aspects of Java that best demonstrate object-oriented principles and good practice, you’ll gain a solid basis for further study of the Java language and object-oriented software development. You’ll need to be confident using a personal computer and have experience of writing small computer programs; the Level 1 course My digital life (TU100) would be ideal preparation. You should also be able to write short explanations of technical ideas in your own words, and be able to communicate with others electronically.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M250,,1 and Software development with Java (M256)Software development with Java::Discover the fundamentals of an object-oriented approach to software development. Starting from an analysis of requirements, you’ll be introduced to up-to-date analytical techniques and processes essential for specifying, designing and implementing a software system, including a graphical user interface. Although the small systems developed in the course have been chosen to facilitate learning, the underlying concepts are widely used by professional software developers. Software models are created with UML and implemented with Java 6, using NetBeans. You need Java experience, preferably by prior study of an OU Level 2 Java course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M256,,1. You’ll learn how to specify and design computer programs, and develop your programming skills using the object-oriented programming language Java. You’ll use industry standard software tools such as an integrated development environment and the Unified Modelling Language (UML); and you’ll also learn about the analytical techniques and processes essential for designing, specifying and implementing a software system including a graphical user interface.

The professional practice option explores the techniques of managing computing projects and IT services – Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)Change, strategy and projects at work::We live in a changing world. Being able to anticipate, make sense of, and manage change is vital to our wellbeing in both our personal and working lives. This is true whether or not you perceive yourself as a manager in the usual sense, because we all need to manage our lives to ensure we benefit from change rather than be disadvantaged by it. This course will improve your understanding of the origins, nature and consequences of change, and help you to plan a change project associated with your workplace. This will develop your project working skills – skills highly valued by employers.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,T227,,1 (30 credits) – and you’ll gain hands on experience of the factors and processes that drive change within the workplace in one of these 30-credit modules; Accreditation of Certificated Practitioners 2 (TM227)Accreditation of Certificated Practitioners 2::This course enables The Open University to recognise and give you credit for specified practice-based qualifications that you already have. If you’re working in computing or ICT, you may have acquired qualifications from leading software or technology vendors like Microsoft. Such vendors offer a portfolio of qualifications connected to a specific job function – for example Systems Administration, Systems Security, Network Engineer or Application Development – certifying that you have reached particular levels of knowledge and competence. As TM227 awards academic credit for qualifications you already have, there’s no additional study involved. However, you are expected to have successfully completed a related OU course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,TM227,,1 or IT project and service management (M258)IT project and service management::Do you want to know more about the issues involved in working in a project team or service team environment in the computing industry? Then this is the course for you. You’ll have practical experience of applying project management techniques and service management concepts to case studies. There will also be opportunities for you to practise your team-working skills by collaborating with other students. By the end of your studies, you will have a better understanding of how IT projects and services are managed, and which principles, concepts and techniques can and should be applied to particular situations.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M258,,1. For this specialism you need to be in work (either paid or voluntary) and have the support of your employer to use your workplace for study.

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:

Developing concurrent distributed systems (M362)Developing concurrent distributed systems::The computing systems that support any large enterprise now use concurrency and distribution. In this course, you’ll look at the theory and practice of developing such systems, and learn about the advanced use of Java – such as Java’s concurrency features and the layered approach for building large enterprise systems – using Java Enterprise Edition as a practical illustration. You’ll also examine heterogeneous and mobile systems and security. The course uses examples, from simple stand-alone systems, distributed systems with web access, and online auction systems. You should be familiar with Java 5.0, perhaps by successfully completing Putting Java to work (M257).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M362,,1 – Study the theory and practice of developing concurrent distributed computing systems, learn about advanced use of Java, and examine heterogeneous and mobile systems and security.

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.Q62-5,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.

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.Q62-5,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.

Relational databases: theory and practice (M359)Relational databases: theory and practice::This advanced computing course offers perspectives on relational databases. It introduces database management systems and the facilities required to store and access large collections of data in a shared user environment. This is followed by a theory of relations, underpinning topics such as data modelling and database architecture; the database language SQL; and the development of a practical database system. Also considered are issues surrounding the on-going development and application of relational database technologies, including the role of JAVA and XML. You should already be familiar with program construction and using files and operating systems, as taught in our Level 2 computing courses.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M359,,1 – Gain an advanced and detailed insight into relational databases – of direct benefit to those interested in the planning, design and operation of a database.

Software engineering with objects (M363)Software engineering with objects::Designing, building and testing software systems can be a complicated process, so where do you begin? This course will provide you with the intellectual tools to make such tasks easier. Building on Putting Java to work (M257) and Software development with Java (M256), you’ll examine the disciplined approach needed to satisfy all user requirements and expectations. Using CASE tools, you’ll study topics including analysis and design in UML and managing the OO software development process. You will also explore how systems can be delivered in a timely and economical manner and be resilient to changes introduced during their operational lifetime.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q62-5,module,M363,,1 – Designing, building and testing software systems can be a complicated process. This module offers you the intellectual tools to make the tasks involved easier.

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.Q62-5,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.