Programme Modules
Year one
Information Technology and Professional Skills
To introduce the concepts of information systems and databases and their role in business and commerce. It also aims to explore the use of technology for planning, communication data storage, presentation and related issues, identifying the legal and ethical frameworks.
Software Engineering and Human Computer Interaction
To analyse the concept of software quality and to develop an understanding that the production of software requires an engineering approach. It also presents the essentials of human-computer interaction and shows how to engineer software in order to produce useable, testable and verifiable systems.
Programming 1
This module aims to identify the nature and content of object orientated programming. In particular, the processes of developing programs in the C# programming language will be demonstrated, and the methods of solving particular problems in the practical world will be examined and evaluated.
Programming 2
This module aims to extend understanding of the use of objects in software design and construction and to introduce the concept and principles of Abstract Data Types. It also aims to develop students' ability to design and express algorithms, introducing concepts of space and time complexity. Selected generic algorithms and techniques for data manipulation will be explored.
Quantitative Methods for Computing
This module aims to demonstrate the nature of a reasoning approach to the solution of problems, and to introduce ideas of proof and logic. This entails identifying fundamental terms, concepts and methods where these are relevant to computer applications in the programme.
Computer Systems
This module aims to identify the constituents of a simple computer system including hardware architecture and functionality. It aims to demonstrate the concept and functionality of memory and methods of data presentation. The module also illustrates processes and scheduling of data protection and security procedures and controls.
Stage 2
Internet Development: Coding and Programming
To introduce common approaches used in the coding phase of software development. To promote an understanding of programming concepts in a simple scripting language. To relate organisational goals and tasks to the programmes produced and to website design.
Marketing
This module aims to identify and evaluate methods of identifying market size and structure. To analyse the range of functions designed to promote sales in different market circumstances. To demonstrate the nature of marketing strategy in different industries and to evaluate strategic cost effectiveness.
Business Organisation and Policy
To identify the factors affecting the environment of business of business and the size and structure of companies, including behavioural theories. To demonstrate the ways in which business policies are formulated and how and why organisational change takes place. To illustrate the nature of strategic planning, the optimum size of organisations and conglomerate structures. To consider the impact of government policy towards business structures and practices.
Telecommunications and Networking
To identify the uses and benefit of telecommunications and networking and to determine methods of introducing systems development technology. To demonstrate methods of creating secure networks and data pathway. To demonstrate the importance of the internet and the design of web pages.
Systems Analysis and Design
The aims of this module are to introduce the tasks of elicitation, modelling and validation of the requirements of an information system, and to provide practical experience of implementing a completed system from an object orientated design. It also aims to develop knowledge of software engineering in terms of the management of software development and quality issues including reliability, safety, security and utility of computer systems.
Database Systems Management
This module aims to develop an understanding of the purposes of databases and the methods by which they are established and developed. It also aims to highlight the architecture and uses of databases on the interne and how they improve decision-taking processes in practice. Thus a central aim is to demonstrate the nature of database systems and the technical problems of maintaining and developing their effectiveness.
Stage 3
E- Commerce
This module aims to demonstrate the purpose and scope of e-commerce and the technology involved in its introduction. It also aims to identify the commercial and legal constraints to its development and its potential benefits and profitability. The significance of the internet and collaborative working is also demonstrated.
Advanced Information Systems
This module aims to identify and analyse the nature of advanced information systems and the purpose which they serve. It also aims to demonstrate the technical processes of such systems, and the knowledge orientation, knowledge engineering, data warehousing and data-mining involved.
Strategic Management
This module aims to demonstrate how long term strategic objectives have a significant effect on operational policies and planning processes. To identify the external and internal factors that influence strategic planning, and how they determine strategic processes and decisions. To evaluate the practical limits of quantifying corporate strategy and methods of incorporating flexibility into long-term business planning.
Total Quality Management
This module aims to illustrate the nature of quality diagnosis for different management responsibilities and the methods of integrating quality between functions. It also aims to demonstrate the relationship between organisational culture and total quality management. Additionally, the module evaluates the costs and benefits of total quality management and the techniques of measurement.
Project
Module Description
This module aims to demonstrate by means of a project the nature of a major business problem (or series of related problems) in an organisation and the policies which provide a solution to such problem(s). This is achieved by identifying methods of analysing relevant secondary sources and, where appropriate, primary sources of information, and by constructing a project report of 8,000 words. The module also aims to develop skills in referencing work and constructing a relevant bibliography.
GSM London