Computer Science with Foundation Year

The ability to write computer code is becoming an ever-important skill in many areas, with over 700 separate programming languages being used today (The Coder School 2021).  

• Gain an essential introduction to computer programming. 
• Develop the fundamental problem-solving techniques required to solve computational problems
• Gain knowledge in areas such as media or engineering where it may be necessary to program devices, with no prior knowledge required. 

Understanding fundamental mathematic concepts informed by both industry needs, and benchmark standards is crucial in computer science. 

• Become familiar with the technologies and mathematics underpinning much of computing and media technology 
• Learn concepts such as discrete mathematics and algebra
• Acquire practical understanding through solving mathematical problems that relate to computing and general technology, helping you build a solid foundation of problem-solving skills 

The ability to collaborate, interact and problem solve within a team is an essential skill in a fast-moving technology industry.  

• Explore the foundations of collaborative work practice 
• Learn the importance of teamwork in the digital and technology industries including its context within an academic environment
• Gain practical guidance on current best practice for either running or being part of a successful team 

There is a wide range of technologies used for digital media, starting with historic terms and equipment, moving into current audio and visual technologies. 

• Learn about both hardware and software technologies, gaining an overview of their current application and place within the technical media industries 
• Explore the technology cross over between media, AV, broadcast and computing
• Understand the effect this has had on the structure and process within the industry 

Computing has changed our world more than any other invention of the past hundred years, with over 17 billion devices connected to the internet worldwide (University of the People 2021).  

• Learn the basic concepts and practices in different areas of computing focusing on computer hardware, software, operating systems, computer networks, and cyber security 
• Develop the necessary IT skills required to pursue a career in the computing industry
• Explore different components of computer hardware and their interaction, installation of operating systems, troubleshooting computer networks, necessary measures and components of cyber security. 

Learning academic skills needed for future study lays the foundation for developing a wider range of soft skills, such as articulation and communication, and build the self-confidence needed to succeed. 

•  Study in-depth a topic area that is specifically related to your chosen degree programme 
• Create a report reflecting the skills and knowledge of the degree about specific content
• Choose your project depending on your chosen progression degree. This may be a practical design and build, or a theoretical investigation. 

User Experience is defined as how users think, feel and communicate when they interact with digital products. The success of digital projects depends on understanding and articulating the user’s needs and wants.  

• Explore topics such as ethnography, sociology and cognitive psychology, digital design and more 
• Learn about all the current techniques and tools to design, plan and develop a user research strategy
• Apply those techniques through two main scientific research approaches (Qualitative and Quantitative) to collect user and business needs 

If you think digital networks are important now, soon there will be over 50 billion connections between people, places and things.  

• Complete the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) “Introduction to Networks” course which is the first course in a 3-course CCNA series that is designed to prepare you for entry-level networking jobs
• Learn about networks by using a network simulator
• Explore principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies through various online activities
• Study online materials to understand networks models’ structure and content, testing your knowledge with mini online quizzes 

Problem-solving is the single most desirable and sought-after skill in the computing profession, allowing you to tackle problems in a systematic manner. 

• Develop your problem-solving skills through computer programming and the development of software solutions   
• Gain essential knowledge and highly desirable skills to boost your career aspirations in the computing 
• Put your knowledge into practice by completing weekly lab-based practical sessions 

Databases are a major component of ICT systems. Mobile apps, social networks, video games and most software systems deploy databases or deal with data somehow.  

• Develop skills and concepts required to develop and use relational databases  
• Learn how to write and create programs interacting with databases 
• Build a solid foundation to prepare for modules involving web, internet or software development elsewhere on your course 

In the digital era, new tools are required to process data managed by companies and extract knowledge. This involves the process of collecting, cleaning, processing, analysis and interpretation of data. 

• Explore areas such as statistical analysis, data collection, visualisation and retrieval 
• Gain knowledge on SQL and NoSQL Databases 
• Learn about data mining algorithms such as K-means clustering, Association rules, Regression, SVM, Decision trees, classifiers, time series, text analytics
• Understand the topic of health informatics 

The World Wide Web (WWW) has become increasingly entwined with our everyday lives. It is estimated that over half the world’s population has access to the Internet. 

• Build a foundation for understanding the process of deploying a basic website and learn how to persist information on a server 
• Explore the requirements of designing to current standards such as those established by the World Wide Web Consortium  
• This will include legal, ethical and professional issues as associated with content delivered by a browser to a variety of devices 
• Accessibility will also be covered as part of an essential legal requirement for web communication

Databases form the backbone to the majority of business applications where they are routinely used to manage large quantities of data. 

• Gain an understanding of the issues involved and how they are addressed using modern enterprise database management systems  
• Research novel database management systems such as NoSQL databases but also continue more advanced relational databases by using object-relational mapping libraries 

The Object Orientated paradigm has deeply influenced commercial software development. 

• Explore the best practices for designing and documenting well structured, flexible, scalable and error-free Object Orientated code 
• Learn to deliver enterprise applications that are designed to be deployed as web services
• Understand cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS) 

Organisations adopt analytics to forecast, measure and analyse business operations. Furthermore, it assists in fraud detection, risk and performance management, and customer and/or marketing analysis. 

• Incorporate some advanced analytical and modelling techniques important in today’s business environment
• Understand and analyse today’s business problems and the use of data for decision-making
• Develop suitable models, using popular and high rated industry systems/software where appropriate 

Research skills require the careful construction of coherently written arguments along with the ability to critically analyse a range of sources.  

• Will align you with the forefront of scientific knowledge, and, in doing so, you will hone your research skills 
• Carry out a small research project both individually and as part of a group. 
• Organise and coherently communicate observations synthesised from a body of literature 

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) involves the study of how humans interact with computers and how to design computer systems that are effective for people to use. 

• Explore a range of principles providing a basis for the design of systems that are efficient and easy to use 
• Understand cognitive science approaches and behavioural aspects of HCI 
• Learn to engineer and critically appraise traditional, web and mobile-based interfaces and specify how the interaction could be improved 

From classic websites to back-ends for mobile apps, the web is all-pervasive these days, and thus web development skills are in high demand.  

• Learn how to develop web APIs and web-based clients making use of the data they provide 
• Consider the security aspects of web applications and also how complex front-ends can be built using a browser-based scripting language such as JavaScript 
• Explore location-based applications and web maps as a visual and engaging way to illustrate the concepts learnt 

We are living in an increasingly interconnected digital world. As such, the complexities of managing and creating applications that operate in this domain become ever more complex.  

• Learn how to construct web applications using a modern industry-aligned approach
• Consider conceptual difficulties of scaling and maintaining web- applications
• Understand the overall process and lifecycle of non-trivial web applications 

User Experience strategies are about translating all user and business needs into usable, enjoyable and commercially viable products.  

• Consider web and mobile application plans, design and prototype and test 
• Develop your advanced User Experience skills that you will need to strive in the creative industry arena 
• Learn to build your own digital product 

“The amount of data we produce every day is truly mind-boggling. There are 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created each day” (Forbes, 2018). 

• Explore data mining algorithms, machine learning tools and visualisation 
• Learn about new technologies that have enabled the creation, capture and analysis of data 

The Industrial Consulting Project module will deliver ‘Real-world’ learning which is an important part of Solent University’s Academic Framework which guides us in how learning is designed and delivered.  

• Engage in learning activities influenced by real-world scenarios, preparing you for employment or career progression 
• Develop an insight into becoming a professional working in the digital, computing and technology industries 
• Put the skills you have learnt in to practice by reflecting critically around future innovations in your field of study 

All final year bachelor’s degree students undertake an extended body of work commonly called a Dissertation or Final Major Project (FMP).  

• Define the subject and technical focus of your project. The choice of topic must be drawn from and extend the theory and practice encompassed by your degree title 
• Gather and interpret a range of literature 
• Develop an appropriate project methodology for your research 
• Gain skills in project planning, written and verbal reporting of project outcomes and use of references