Course description
What is the course about?
The course includes the following topics together with many others
-Advanced techniques for development of computer software
-Management, development and maintenance of e-commerce applications
-Development of knowledge and skills in the use of systemic multiperspective methodologies in information systems development and business analysis
-Use of advanced computing facilities and professional software tools for e-commerce applications/software systems development
What are career prospects of the course?
-The course offers a variety of career opportunities, e.g.
-E-commerce application developer
-Software system analyst/programmer
-Project management
-IT management
-Software quality assurance
-System design
-Further study for PhD
-Companies employing students from the course include BT, Marconi
-Communications, Seagate, Unilever, Littlewoods, Tubedale
-Communications, Chance and Hunt, Eli Lilly, and FraserWilliams.
What are the course details?
The disciplines of computing and information technology are ever changing. New advances in techniques and developments such as objectoriented techniques, co-operative working and high speed networks are becoming ever more important. It is therefore essential for graduates to maintain and update their skills in order to meet the changing needs and demands of the computing and information technology industry and to enhance their career prospects.
The programme learning outcomes define that at the end of the course, students should:
-Be aware of current and developing principles and practices within the Computing Industry
-Have widened and deepened their knowledge and skills in the areas of Computing and Information Systems
-Have been exposed to and applied a range of tools and techniques currently being used in the development of computer-based information systems
-Have a clear understanding of how to effectively manage Information
-Technology and its users in the workplace
-Be aware of the need for innovation when applying computer-based solutions to business problems
-Have critically analysed a range of applications domains, including their own experiences of computing with a view to identifying areas of change, innovation, strength and weakness, both corporate and individual
-Be able to understand current research issues in the relevant aspects of
-Computing and Information Systems
-Be able to study independently and have developed research methodology skills
-Be able to work more effectively as part of a team or as a team leader
The course consists of the following core and option modules delivered in the semesters of each academic year:
SEMESTER 1 CORE MODULES
-Software Engineering Technology
-Research Methods
SEMESTER 1 OPTION MODULES
-Database Design and Technology
-Computer Networks
-Multimedia Systems Development
-Multimedia Technology
-Systems Maintenance
-Computer Security
-Software Development-Java
-Forensic Computing
SEMESTER 2 CORE MODULES
-Information Systems Development and Management
-Computer Systems Technology
SEMESTER 2 OPTION MODULES
-Business Analysis
-Innovation and IT Management
-Decision Support Systems
-Knowledge-Based Systems
-Human Computer Interaction
-IT Supported Risk Assessment
-Multimedia Database Systems
-Wireless Networks
Project Dissertation
The course combines two major subject areas, namely Computer Systems and Information Systems Management, which is run by the school of Computing and Mathematical Sciences in conjunction with the Liverpool Business School. Within these subject areas, the four core modules have been designed to offer a study of current developments in the software and hardware aspects of computer systems and their applications, together with an analysis of the means by which the information and management requirements of an organisation are met by these systems.
In addition to the core modules, a minimum of four options must be selected from the above lists of option modules. As a particular example, the core modules, together with the options on Computer Networks,
Computer Security, and Knowledge-Based Systems, will provide a 'Computer Systems' based specialism.
In Semester 1, full-time students normally study two core modules listed above and two option modules selected. Part-time students normally study one core module in the first year (Software EngineeringTechnology) and one option module, and the other core module (Research Methods) and another option , module in the second year.
In Semester 2, full-time students normally study the two core modules listed above and two option modules selected. Part-time students normally study the two core modules in the first year, and two option modules in the second year.
For Project Dissertation, students normally complete their projects by the end of August, after the completion of all the four core and four selected option modules.
Some details of the core modules and the brief summaries of the option modules for the course are given below:
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
This module provides a critical examination of the software development
process through a study of a range of representative and emergent life cycle
models, associated tools and techniques. It promotes the use of support
tools, techniques and methodologies in the specification, design,
implementation and management of software systems and e-commerce
applications, and examines current research issues in Software Engineering.
Topics studied include a review of the software development process and
its management, requirements engineering, design methodologies,
CASE tools, and relevant research issues.
RESEARCH METHODS
This module provides a grounding in research methods as they apply to
research in computing and information systems. It outlines essential
considerations when conducting experimental research, survey research,
field research, etc., and allows an opportunity to analyse research papers
and develop familiarity with research areas and approaches. It also
provides students with an opportunity to plan and develop an individual
research strategy suitable for a Master's dissertation.
Topics studied include a variety of research methods and processes,
general components of surveys and field studies, issues in problem
analysis, topical research sources, and the requirements of a dissertation.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT
This module studies the development and maintenance of information
systems and e-commerce applications within organisations, assesses
the usefulness of various approaches to information systems
development and e-commerce applications, and considers the associated
managerial issues.
Topics studied include strategic issues in the management of information
systems and e-commerce applications, methodology support for their
development and maintenance, and the use of automated support tools
for systems development.
COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY
This module studies the techniques and concepts used in the
development of computer based information systems and e-commerce
applications. It examines recent developments in hardware technology
and applies these to information requirements. It evaluates the effect of
the distribution of information and its consequence on the design of the
supporting computer based distributed solution.
Topics studied include computer systems architecture, computer
networks, distributed systems concepts, their architectures and
associated management. Performance and reliability issues are discussed
using case studies, and current research issues are also examined.
FORENSIC COMPUTING
This module is intended for post-graduate students interested in the field
of forensic computing. The purpose of the module is to provide the
fundamental technical concepts and research issues essential for
computer forensic investigations within the organisation, law
enforcement or national security.
DATABASE DESIGN ANDTECHNOLOGY allows students to gain skills in
the development of database applications and to acquire an
understanding of advanced databases.
COMPUTER NETWORKS enables students to develop effective network
architectures at hardware and software levels and to gain practical
experience in communication protocols.
MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT offers understanding and skills
in multimedia programming and design, and introduces recent
developments in the subject area.
COMPUTER SECURITY develops an understanding of security threats
and vulnerabilities related to computer systems and e-commerce
applications, and assesses the applicability of various protection
techniques.
SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE allows students to acquire the techniques of
systems maintenance involving all the stages in the life cycle of a
systems maintenance project.
MULTIMEDIATECHNOLOGY this module offers an understanding of the
current hardware for sound and video, and relevant software
development tools for supporting the development of general integrated
multimedia applications. It also covers the critical evaluation of
multimedia technologies and associated standards.
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - Java develops the skills needed for the
design and implementation of object-oriented applications using the Java
programming language.
INNOVATION AND IT MANAGEMENT develops an understanding of the
relationship between management and IT, and appreciates the
importance of technical and economic change, innovation, and
enterprise.
Business Analysis looks at the development of skills in the use of
systemic multi-perspective methodologies in business analysis, the
associated management cybernetics and their roles in re-engineering
business processes. These are studied in the context of the "informated
business" and the consequent synthesis of hard and soft systems
approaches to the effective deployment of information technology in that
context.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS provides students with knowledge and
experience in the development and operation of decision support
systems for enterprises.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS provides an understanding of
knowledge-based information systems and the corresponding problem
solving technologies.
HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION provides students with design
principles of user interfaces and multimedia techniques for building
systems with good interactivity and usability.
IT SUPPORTED RISK ASSESSMENT covers risk assessment techniques
for a variety of business undertakings to minimise risks in projects and in
enterprises.
MULTIMEDIA DATABASE SYSTEMS offers an understanding of the
characteristics of multimedia data and its use in computer systems, and
current trends in multimedia database systems.
WIRELESS NETWORKS offers an advanced understanding of the theory
and practice of building wireless networks and an in-depth study of the
requirements of wireless communications as well as current research
topics in the field.
