A Typical IT First Degree Program
These degrees
are typical B.Sc. degrees in Computing & Information Systems and Software
Engineering, both are the main aspects of IT.The ones I am listing here are offered by the
University of Manchester.
| This degree programme is one of several offered by The University of Manchester's Department of Computer Science; a department internationally recognised for both its teaching and research. This four year degree combines academic study with a year of relevant work experience. It takes advantage of the modular structure of degrees within the University to combine a study of the basics that underlie all computing with specialist studies in the area of information systems. An independent assessment of this programme by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) rated the quality of the student experience during this programme as excellent (the highest possible grade). An explanation of this and the full report are available. Both the British Computer Society and the Institution of Electrical Engineers accredit this programme as giving full exemption from their professional examinations.
What are Computing and Information Systems?Computing and information systems are about supporting people working together in organisations to achieve common goals. Whilst this involves a study of the underlying enabling technologies, it is more about handling information within organisations. It looks at the application of information technology (IT) to organise the large volumes of data handled within companies today. This includes consideration of how to analyse the information and present it to the various people who must use it. The emphasis of this degree programme is allowing people to communicate effectively. Why Study Computing and Information Systems with Industrial Experience?As a graduate of this course you will have gained a critical understanding of the strategic consequences of the application of information and communication technologies in organisations and of their wider roles in society. The course will provide you with
Studying Computing and Information Systems with Industrial Experience at ManchesterDuring your first year you study a number of core course units that give you an understanding of the basics that underpin all of computer science. You also take introductory specialist course units that begin your studies of information systems. The second year again has a core of courses that give you a greater depth of understanding of the basics of computer science. You also take specialist courses that increase your knowledge about the role and use of information systems. Additionally there is a chance to study courses from other specialisations, such as software engineering and artificial intelligence. Your industrial placement occurs during the third year. As this is part of your course, a Departmental tutor will visit you during the year and you must write three short reports about the work that you undertake. It is necessary to achieve at least a second class performance in your first and second year before you are allowed to undertake this placement. If you do not achieve this, you will have to transfer to the three-year Computing and Information Systems programme. During the course of the fourth year you apply the knowledge that you have gained in a project. Each student undertakes an individual project from a list of available topics or an approved own topic and has weekly meetings with their project supervisor who is a member of academic staff in the Department. There are no compulsory course units in the fourth year. You are able to choose which of a number of advanced computer science topics to study. However, you must include a minimum number of specialist information systems courses. In all three of your years at the university practical work on high quality workstations will enhance your understanding of the lecture material. First YearYou take the eight core computing course units:
You also take the degree specific course: It is also necessary to take one of the following: You must also take two other flexibility courses selected from the above list or from the course units offered by other departments. For example, a number of students choose to study a foreign language or psychology. During the course of the year a guided group mini-project allows you to experience team working including allocating individual tasks to group members and integrating the individual pieces of work back together. Second YearTopics covered by compulsory computing course units are:
Degree specific topics covered are:
You must also select further courses from those offered by this Department; possible topics include:
You can also take up to two flexibility courses from those offered by other departments; for example, a number of students choose to study a foreign language or psychology. For full details of all the options available you should consult the Departmental syllabus. If you are a European Union resident, there is the chance for you to study at a university within Europe during the second half of your second year. Fourth YearDuring the fourth year you tackle a substantial individual project with the guidance of a personal supervisor who has expertise in your chosen project area. For example, one recent graduate implemented a diary system to track patient clinical and laboratory procedures, another simulated an ambulance command and control system, and a third made a CV/company brokering system for the careers service. Although there are no compulsory course units, you must select a minimum number of taught units from topics such as:
With over forty members of teaching staff who are also active in leading edge research, the courses offered cover the latest advances in most fields. In addition you can, subject to approval, take up to two flexibility courses from those offered by other departments. For example, many students take a management option to enhance their work skills. Consult the Departmental syllabus for full details of all the topics available. Sponsorship and Industrial PlacementYou do not need sponsorship to take this degree programme. However, you must find an approved industrial placement at which to undertake your work experience. The placement tutor in the Department will assist with finding this place. However, it is your responsibility to find a suitable placement. Some students find that the offer of a placement comes with sponsorship. If you are not able to find an industrial placement, you will have to transfer to the three-year Computing and Information Systems programme. Career OpportunitiesThe 1999 "Signposts to Employability" survey of major graduate recruiters rated University of Manchester graduates as more employable than those from any other UK university. This fact is confirmed by the 1998 "first destinations" census of graduates from this department that shows only 1.5% of them still seeking employment in December 1998. This means that many firms actively target our students for sponsorship, summer placements and full time positions after graduation. Traditional careers within computing are open to you; these include analyst, programmer, system designer and software designer. There are also job opportunities in support areas such as marketing, sales, management consultancy and system support. A significant number of our graduates also go on to undertake research and higher degrees. As a student at the University of Manchester seeking employment you will have the support of the University's Careers Service. The 1999 "Signposts to Employability" survey voted this the most efficient of any UK university careers service for the third year running. The University's Careers Service census of first destinations of graduates from this programme, taken in December of the year of graduation, are summarised below. The Careers Service Web server gives further details of these first destinations.
Entry RequirementsFor September 1999 entry, the normal entry requirements for applicants with A-Levels are an approved English language qualification, B in A-level mathematics with a pure element and BB in two other A-Levels excluding general studies. Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate need a total of 30 points with three grade 5s in higher level subjects and either 5 in HL mathematics or 7 in SL mathematical methods. Admission is also possible for applicants without A-Levels or IB. Acceptable qualifications include Scottish Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level). See full details of entry requirements for details of the entry requirements for other qualifications. UCAS Codes
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This degree programme is one of several offered by The University of Manchester's Department of Computer Science; a department internationally recognised for both its teaching and research. This four year degree combines academic study with a year of relevant work experience. It takes advantage of the modular structure of degrees within the University to combine a study of the basics that underlie all computing with specialist studies in the area of software engineering.
An independent assessment of degree programmes in this Department by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) rated the quality of the student experience during these programmes as excellent (the highest possible grade). An explanation of this and the full report are available.
Software engineering emphases a structured approach to the development of information technology solutions. This requires the splitting of the development process into distinct, but related, phases; namely, requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation. Good software engineering also relies on the underpinning techniques of appropriate algorithm and language selection, the development of intuitive user interfaces, and the ability to re-use existing components through techniques such as objected oriented design. Achievement of a structured approach within controlled time scales also involves the significant use of support tools.
To be useful, software engineering must combine technical computing knowledge with an understanding of the business processes to which it is applied. Software engineering also involves non-technical skills such as, the ability to present ideas, an ability to work as a member of a team and the skill to manage a complex project.
As a graduate of this course you will have the knowledge and skill to apply a structured approach to the development and deployment of a solution to a real world problem within a business environment. The course will also provide you with:
During your first year you study a number of core course units that give you an understanding of the basics that underpin all of computer science. You also take introductory specialist course units that begin your studies of software engineering.
The second year again has a core of courses that give you a greater depth of understanding of the basics of computer science. You also take specialist courses that increase your knowledge about the role and use of information systems. Additionally there is a chance to study courses from other specialisations, such as artificial intelligence and information systems.
Your industrial placement occurs during the third year. As this is part of your course, a Departmental tutor will visit you during the year and you must write three short reports about the work that you undertake. It is necessary to achieve at least a second class performance in your first and second year before you are allowed to undertake this placement. If you do not achieve this, you will have to transfer to the three-year Software Engineering programme
During the course of the fourth year you apply the knowledge that you have gained in a project. Each student undertakes an individual project from a list of available topics or an approved own topic and has weekly meetings with their project supervisor who is a member of academic staff in the Department. There are no compulsory course units in the fourth year. You are able to choose which of a number of advanced computer science topics to study. However, you must include a minimum number of specialist software engineering courses.
In all three of your years at the university practical work on high quality workstations will enhance your understanding of the lecture material.
You take the eight core computing course units:
You also take the degree specific course:
It is also necessary to take one of the following:
You must also take two other flexibility courses selected from the above list or from the course units offered by other departments. For example, a number of students choose to study a foreign language or psychology.
During the course of the year a guided group mini-project allows you to experience team working including allocating individual tasks to group members and integrating the individual pieces of work back together.
Topics covered by compulsory computing course units are:
Degree specific topics covered are:
You must also select further courses from those offered by this Department; possible topics include:
You can also take up to two flexibility courses from those offered by other departments; for example, a number of students choose to study a foreign language or psychology. For full details of all the options available you should consult the Departmental syllabus.
If you are a European Union resident, there is the chance for you to study at a university within Europe during the second half of your second year.
During the fourth year you tackle a substantial individual project with the guidance of a personal supervisor who has expertise in your chosen project area. For example, one recent graduate implemented some object oriented case tools, another simulated an ambulance command and control system, and a third made a user interface management system for X applications.
Although there are no compulsory course units, you must select a minimum number of taught units from topics such as:
With over forty members of teaching staff who are also active in leading edge research, the courses offered cover the latest advances in most fields. In addition you can, subject to approval, take up to two flexibility courses from those offered by other departments. For example, many students take a management option to enhance their work skills. Consult the Departmental syllabus for full details of all the topics available.
You do not need sponsorship to take this degree programme. However, you must find an approved industrial placement at which to undertake your work experience. The placement tutor in the Department will assist with finding this place. However, it is your responsibility to find a suitable placement. Some students find that the offer of a placement comes with sponsorship. If you are not able to find an industrial placement, you will have to transfer to the three-year Software Engineering programme.
The 1999 "Signposts to Employability" survey of major graduate recruiters rated University of Manchester graduates as more employable than those from any other UK university. This fact is confirmed by the 1998 "first destinations" census of graduates from this department that shows only 1.5% of them still seeking employment in December 1998. This means that many firms actively target our students for sponsorship, summer placements and full time positions after graduation.
Traditional careers within computing are open to you; these include analyst, programmer, system designer and software designer. There are also job opportunities in support areas such as marketing, sales, management consultancy and system support. A significant number of our graduates also go on to undertake research and higher degrees.
As a student at the University of Manchester seeking employment you will have the support of the University's Careers Service. The 1999 "Signposts to Employability" survey voted this the most efficient of any UK university careers service for the third year running.
For September 1999 entry, the normal entry requirements for applicants with A-Levels are an approved English language qualification, B in A-level mathematics with a pure element and BB in two other A-Levels excluding general studies. Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate need a total of 30 points with three grade 5s in higher level subjects and either 5 in HL mathematics or 7 in SL mathematical methods.
Admission is also possible for applicants without A-Levels or IB. Acceptable qualifications include Scottish Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level). See full details of entry requirements for details of the entry requirements for other qualifications.
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