Overview

This is the Digital Age and Computer Science lies at the heart of the Digital World. Computer Science Professionals play an integral part in the shaping of the exciting digital world of today and will continue to play a key role in shaping the future world that you will work, play, communicate and live in.  

Computer Science provides you with expertise in a variety of exciting disciplines such as programming, networking, analytics, and cloud computing.  One of the most important aspect of computer science is problem solving; an essential skill for life.  When you develop knowledge and skills in these areas you will belong to a group of talented people, with highly sought-after qualifications and competencies.

Computer Science qualifications are global as they have no boundaries.  A degree in computing will provide you with the opportunity to work in in a wide variety of sectors for companies at home and abroad.  Future opportunities in computing are varied and with a computing degree your future in a creative, innovative industry is assured.

An exciting feature of this programme is that it incorporates work placement.  This provides you with the opportunity to build practical skills in industry and gain ‘real-world’ experience that will provide you with a smooth transition to the workplace upon graduation.

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) will prepare you for a career in a wide variety of sectors.  You will build skills, competence and knowledge in current technologies, gain practical work experience and specialise in Data Analytics - a fast-growing area in the Computing sector.

Data Analytics

The Digital Universe is growing at a phenomenal pace. Big Data comes from everywhere, posts to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, mobile phones GPS signals, your online footprint and many more.  As a result, there is a high demand for graduates in Data Analytics to support this rapidly growing phenomenon.

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) will provide you with the technical skills to investigate large amounts of data to uncover hidden patterns, correlations and other insights.

With these skills, you will analyse data and get answers from it almost immediately.  
As a graduate of this discipline you will have a clear understanding of the practical and theoretical foundations of data analytics.  

You will experience using current technologies for interpreting, analysing and visualising Big Data to solve problems involving big data sets.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.

Course Content

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) has the following content:

NB: Year 3 of this programme consists of a work placement.

• Computer Architecture

• Fundamentals of Information Systems

• Information and Communication Technology Essentials

• Introduction to Cloud Computing

• Introduction to Web Development

• Logic & Problem Solving

• Mathematics and Statistics for Computing

• Programming Fundamentals

 Year 2

• Algorithms and Data Structures

• Data Communications & Networks

• Database Systems

• IT Project Management

• Object-Orientated Programming

• Operating Systems

• Software Engineering

• Web Development

Year 3

• Advanced Web Development

• Foundations in Data Science

• Systems Analysis & Design

• Work Placement / Projectt

Year 4

• Big Data: Achieving Scale

• Cyber Security

• Data Mining & Big Data Analytics

• Project

Teaching and Assessment

Throughout the programme, learners will experience a varied range of teaching and learning strategies. Modules will be delivered through a mix of lectures and hands on lab sessions, with tutorials in place to support where necessary. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills by allowing the students to examine problem descriptions and try possible solutions in lab scenarios. This teaching approach is reflected in the assessment of modules with a mixture of individual projects, lab based exams, group assignments, continuous assessments, reflective reports and group project work. These assessments will also be accompanied by end of year examinations.

Structure

This four year, full-time course is divided into eight mandatory modules in year 1 and eight mandatory modules in year 2. In year 3, students will undertake three taught modules before undertaking a 10 week work placement. In year 4, students will undertake three modules, before undertaking a capstone project.

The BSc (Hons) Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) students specialise in Data Analytics and Big Data. A key focus of the programme is to provide graduates with a systematic understanding of the principles, theory and application of computing.

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) programme has been prepared in line with current developments within the ICT sector and is informed by stakeholder feedback from Government and employers. A key feature of the proposed programme is its enhanced focus on employability.

As mentioned, an exciting feature of this programme is that it incorporates a core 10 week work placement.

Through this work placement graduates of this programme will have the opportunity to get the required practical experience and skills in relation to the programme content that should ensure a smooth transition and further progression within the workplace after completion of the final year of the programme.

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.

Career Opportunities

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics & Big Data) is intended to position graduates for recruitment into positions in the areas of:

• • Data Administrator
  
• • Data Analyst
  
• • Database Engineer
  
• • Database Support Engineer
  
• • Systems Engineer
  
• • Big Data Engineer
  
• • Data Architect
  
• • Business Intelligence Analyst
  
• • Database Developer
  
• • SQL Database Administrator
  
• • NoSQL DB Administrator
  
• • MySQL DB Administrator
  
• • SQL Analyst
  
• • Data Warehouse Engineer