Which Course?
Where Does Your City University
Degree Lead?
Dr. Sebastian Hunt
Associate Dean
Three-Year Degree Structure
• The First-Year: Part 1
• Teaches you the foundations of computing and their
applications
• The Second-Year: Part 2 worth 40%
• Teaches you the core knowledge and skills that you need
• (The Placement Year (where applicable))
• The Third-Year: Part 3 worth 60%
• Teaches you the advanced topics with which you
specialise
Part 1: Common First Year
• Teaches you the basic computing skills
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Programming in Java
Systems Architecture and Software Engineering
Mathematics for Computing and Databases
Computation & Reasoning (Artificial Intelligence)
Business Systems & Databases
• Then you decide
• By the end of Part 1 you will know your strengths and where
your interests lie
Part 2: Choose & Consolidate
• Common modules
• Professional Development in IT (portfolio)
• Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
• Networks & Operating Systems
• One stream module
• Data Structures & Algorithms or Human-Computer
Interaction
• Two specialist modules on your chosen specialism
• Team Project
• Simulates a real world industrial project
Part 3: Advanced Topics
• Modules on advanced topics to enhance your degree
• Research-based and focused on current industry topics
• Modules are unique to City’s staff and expertise
• More flexible delivery
• Electives - you choose 4 of the 5 taught modules
• Individual project
• Project on a single topic with a focused supervisor
• Do what most interests you - develop new products,
work with a client, or undertake research
Elective Modules
• Examples of the over 20 available
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Data Mining
Electronic Commerce
Requirements Engineering
Advanced Databases
IT Security
Advanced Human-Computer Interaction
Pervasive Computing
• Can also take some Part 2 specialist modules from
other degrees
Computer Science
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science
• Computing and programming as a science
• Functional programming, compilers and theory of
computation
• Programming technologies
• Be at the forefront of the development and
application of programming technologies
• Available as
• Three or four year degree (with placement or
professional pathway)
Software Engineering
• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
• Developing large complex, reliable, software systems
• Delivers key development skills
• Requirements analysis, systems design, metrics and
testing
• Taught by research and industry leaders
• Available as
• Four-year degree (with placement or professional
pathway)
Business Computing Systems
• BSc (Hons) in Business Computing Systems
• Provides bridge between business and computing
• Not a business degree
• Computing degree - computing in business
• A coherent hybrid degree
• Targeted at key roles in IT industry such as business
analyst, systems analyst, systems integrator
• Available as
• Three-year degree or a Four-year degree (with
placement or professional pathway)
Games Technology
• BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Games Technology
• Comp. science applied to develop computer games
• Games industry generates more money than film
industry.
• Needs graduates with knowledge applicable to games
development
• C++, games AI, physics, graphics...
• Available as
• Three or four year degree (with placement or
professional pathway)
Where Does Your Degree Lead?
• City focuses on educating professionals.
• Employability is a key part of what we are about.
• We aim to prepare you for a wide range of
IT roles
• But many of the professional skills apply
equally well outside of IT
• Our graduates also go into other industries, e.g.
finance, management, engineering.
Software Developer Roles
• Construct bespoke software and software for sale
(Datamonitor predicts $457Bn worldwide by 2013).
• More than (just) programming – high skill, high value.
• Requirements analysis, systems design, metrics and testing
• Job titles include:
• Programmer, software developer, software engineer.
• Relevant degrees include:
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science
• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
Technologist Roles
• The industry also employs professionals with
expertise in a specific area. For example:
• Fraud detection, helpdesk systems, business intelligence.
• Job titles include:
• Technologist, AI developer, systems architect.
• Relevant degrees include:
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science
• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
Creative Industry Roles
• The ‘creative industries’ are the second largest
sector in London after financial services.
• Work in films and games is IT-intensive.
• Technologists need to be able to work with ‘creatives’.
• Job titles include:
• Games programmer, graphics programmer, AI programmer.
• Relevant degrees include:
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with Games Technology
Analyst/IT Consultant Roles
• The reason many IT projects fail is because the
business problem the IT is to solve was unclear.
• Clear specification of client’s business objectives.
• Translate business problem to technical problem.
• Provides bridge between business and computing.
• Job titles include:
• Systems/business analyst, IT consultant.
• Relevant degrees include:
• BSc (Hons) in Business Computing Systems
Expectation Management
• To succeed you need to offer something employers want
• A degree certificate is not a golden ticket but it does indicate
problem solving skills, intelligence, creativity, etc.
• These are the abilities that employers hire graduates for
• Project and placement work can show what you can do
• The theory taught allows you to cope with change
• A degree course is like a gym membership
• We can show you how to use the opportunities and
support you in your learning…
• But if you don’t use it, nothing will happen!
Any Questions?
[Time for Coffee???]