Faculty of Engineering and Informatics

Programme title: BSc Computer Systems Administration (Not available for intakes after September 2010)

Academic Year: / 2015-16
Degree Awarding Body: / University of Bradford
Partner(s), delivery organisation or support provider (if appropriate): / N/A
Final and interim award(s): / BSc (Honours)
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6]
BSc
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6]
Diploma of Higher Education
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 4]
Foundation Certificate
[Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) /National Qualification and Credit Framework (NQF) level 3]
Programme accredited by (if appropriate): / N/A
Programme duration: / 3 years full time; 4 years full-time including a year of study abroad and/or a work placement; 6 years part-time
UCAS code: / G530 BSc/CSA, G531 BSc/CSA4
QAA Subject benchmark statement(s): / Computing
Date of Senate Approval: / March 2003
Date last confirmed and/or minor modification approved by Faculty Board / June 2015

Introduction

Computers are now an integral part of modern life with continuous improvements in hardware and software technologies, ever increasing areas of application and users from all walks of life. This has led to a demand for computer system specialists who are fully conversant with the needs of all participants and who are capable of creating, and controlling, the networking systems. The BSc (Hons) in Computer Systems Administration offers you the opportunity to become one of these specialists.

This course will allow you to explore every aspect of the system administration process from operating systems to wide and complicated networks of computers. With dedicated facilities and teaching resources, we believe this course will allow you a truly unique experience that will equip you for your career.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

deliver a flexible programme of study that reflects the requirements of the modern computing and systems administration industries, as well as areas of staff expertise and research;
provide a supportive, structured learning environment in which students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills;
develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further programmes of study or to move directly into responsible careers in computing and systems administration or related practices;
develop personally transferable skills to enable graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields;
promote educational opportunities for ethnic minorities, women, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as school leavers and traditionally qualified students.

Programme Learning Outcomes

To be eligible for the award of Foundation Certificate at QCF/NQF level 3, students will be able to:

LO1Demonstrate a core underpinning knowledge related to computer systems administration

To be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education at FHEQ level 4, students will be able to:

LO2Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply fundamental concepts, principles and theories underpinning computing to straightforward situations.

LO3Collect, organise and present data using appropriate techniques, analysing simple computing problems in specific areas.

LO4Demonstrate and apply basic knowledge of the principles of research design, and data collection and skills, to support design.

LO5Plan, undertake and report a simple investigation within a computing environment.

LO6Apply standard laboratory and other methods to obtain and interpret accurate data.

LO7Work effectively as individuals and in groups. Use personal skills to communicate effectively in a range of situations.

LO8Communicate accurately and reliably with a range of audiences using basic theories and concepts of the subjects of study.

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education at FHEQ level 5, students will be able to:

LO9 Apply knowledge and skills in computing to the analysis of complex system design.

LO10Apply knowledge of investigative and research principles to demonstrate an understanding of how to evaluate designs, processes and products

LO11Apply knowledge of relevant software to problems and system

LO12Apply knowledge of system administration to the assessment and management of specific problems and challenges

LO13Use personal and technical skills to communicate effectively within computing environments in partnership with other professionals

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to:

LO14a systematic understanding key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of system administration.

LO15an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within system administration.

LO16an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.

LO17the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary sources.

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to:

LO18demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the student to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques gained during the programme; and to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship, or practice in Computer Systems Administration.

Curriculum

Stage 1

FHEQ Level / Module Title / Type
(Core/
option/
elective) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
4 / Developing Professional Skills / C / 20 / 1, 2 / CM0113L
4 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software / C / 20 / 1, 2 / CM0107L
4 / Formal Foundations / C / 20 / 1, 2 / CM0111L
4 / Introduction to Web Technologies / C / 10 / 1 / CM0211M
4 / Software Development (Part 1) / C / 20 / 2 / CM0116D
4 / Foundations of Human Computer Interaction / C / 10 / 2 / CM0202M
4 / Software Development (Part 2) / C / 20 / 2 / CM0117D

At the end of stage 1, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Certificate of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 120 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Stage 2

FHEQ Level / Module Title / Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) / Core/
Option
(Honours) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
5 / Systems Administration 1 / C / C / 20 / 1,2 / CY0218L
5 / Unix Programming 1&2 / C / C / 20 / 1,2 / CY0219L
5 / SQL: Programming and Administration / C / C / 20 / 1,2 / CM0311L
5 / Computer Communications and Networks / C / O / 20 / 1,2 / CM0315L
5 / Electronic Business / O / O / 20 / 1,2 / CM0223L
5 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software 2 / O / O / 20 / 1,2 / CM0415L
5 / Network Business / O / O / 10 / 1 / CM0219M
5 / How to Run an SME / O / O / 10 / 2 / CY0212M

At the end of stage 2, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Diploma of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 240 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Stage 3

FHEQ Level / Module Title / Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) / Core/
Option
(Honours) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
6 / Final Year Project / N/A / C / 40 / 1, 2 / CM0374K
6 / Concurrent and Distributed Systems / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM0518D
6 / Security, Privacy and Data Protection / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM0349D
6 / Deploying Web Technologies / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM0616D
6 / Information Engineering / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM0504D
6 / Systems Administration 2 / C / C / 20 / 2 / CM0334D
6 / Real Time Systems / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM0506D
6 / Human Computer Interaction (Design and Development) / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM0331D
6 / Web Engineering / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM0330D

Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 300 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Placement and/or Study Abroad

This programme provides the option for students to undertake a work placement or period of study abroad between Stages 2and 3. Students wishing to take this option will be registered for the 4 year programme.

For further information about study abroad opportunities please refer to

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The course is designed to give you a wide experience of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practised in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory sessions. The course is designed to allow you to develop and enhance your practical and inter-personal skills through working in small groups engaging in problem solving scenarios. Project work is included to allow you to demonstrate your ability to solve problems using the knowledge, understanding and skills you have gained during your course.

Each 20-credit module on the course requires you to commit an average 200 hours of study pro rata. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials – while others involve private study. The balance between these forms of study changes as you pass through the three years of the course. There are more “contact hours” (time spent with tutors) in the earlier stages of the course; by the final year you are expected to manage your own learning, under the general guidance of your tutors.

An optional placement year, normally taken between Stages Two and Three, will enable you to extend and apply your learning in an appropriate industrial/commercial context, and gain first-hand experience of how your skills might be applied in the workplace.

Assessment Strategy

The Assessment methods you will encounter are varied and your progress will be reviewed using a mix of formal examinations, reports, laboratory portfolios, essays, oral presentations (either individual or team) and the final year dissertation. Your performance in each module will be assessed using a mix of these assessment systems to allow you to demonstrate the particular module learning outcomes.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Regulations which are available at the following link:

Admission Requirements

Admissions are closed for this programme.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from specified modules or parts of the programme.

Minor Modification Schedule

Version Number / Brief description of Modification / Date of Approval (Faculty Board)
1