BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

This unit is aimed at practitioners who need sufficient knowledge of architecture to make decisions on the selection/specification of systems and to use computer hardware and software effectively. Students will be shown how to use operating systems to create their own operating environment and participate in its development.

Being a core unit, this unit seeks to provide the fundamental ideas and opportunities to develop and reinforce basic programming skills. Students will develop programs of increasing complexity, and although the content could be delivered from a range of languages or platforms, the unit aims to deliver skills and knowledge which will easily transfer to other areas of the programme.

Organisations have always depended on information to ensure success. Over the years organisations have changed their information systems from dealing purely with data processing to strategic and decision support. Managers need information to plan successfully in the short, medium and long term. It is also recognised nowadays that information is required at all levels in an organisation and that information itself can have many sources. The importance of valid information in gaining competitive advantage needs to be stressed. Students will gain an understanding of the ways in which data can be processed and the applications that support organisations. They will also be asked to evaluate the capacity of an information system to satisfy the needs of the user.

The aim of this unit is to develop the student's practical ability to communicate and interact using current Internet and multimedia tools and to allow students to produce innovative multimedia solutions for a range of commercial needs. This area is rapidly developing and skills which appear advanced today may well be commonplace in a few years time.

The importance of networked solutions in the business world grows year on year. The increasingly sophisticated technologies and widening user base means a fundamental understanding of networks is essential for many. The aim of this unit is to provide a rigorous introduction to networks, and practical experience in installing users and software on a network. This unit will clarify the issues associated with network use and how this has developed. It will identify the architectural concepts behind networking and help develop the preliminary skills necessary to install and manage networks.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with an awareness of a wide range of problems within computing, the way that problems and solutions can be modeled and techniques to solve them. They will be introduced to the concept of a business model and will be shown how to use spreadsheets to model current and future situations. The unit also provides students with the opportunity to perform some coding: albeit within the framework of appropriate mechanisms. Although a third-generation programming language is the most appropriate, centre could consider spreadsheets, databases, 4GLs or knowledge-based expert systems as alternatives.

The aim of this unit is to help students integrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired during the course to produce a software-based solution to a realistic problem. Students must produce a software application. This is a major piece of work that should demonstrate the performance expected at an Higher National Computing/Software Engineering level. The problem may be work-based, college-based or a student interest but it must be developed in accordance with the unit's frameworks and constraints. This will develop the ability to produce an acceptable and viable software solution to an agreed specification within a defined timescale and constraints.

This unit is an introduction to some of the mathematical concepts and techniques which will be required by software engineers. Topics such as linear algebra, concept of probability, matrices, vectors, sets, prepositions in mathematical notation will be covered.

Communications systems including networks, telecommunications and digital broadcasting are pivotal to the development of modern information and transaction systems. Managers need to be involved in specifying and evaluating such systems. This unit will provide the required knowledge to specify and manage communication networks in the light of the needs of the organisation. It will also provide skills which will enable the practitioner to make informed decisions on communication strategies in the workplace.

This unit provides students with a range of experience in using the algorithms and data structures that underpin much of today’s computing. The various techniques presented should be seen in the context of solving problems using computers. Topics such as ADT (abstract data types) and various data structures will be covered. Students will learn to evaluate and implement various data structures and justify the selection of an appropriate data structure/algorithm.

This unit will give students the ability to compare the different life cycle models. It will provide the foundation of systems analysis and design by covering requirements analysis for both commercial and technical applications. It will also introduce the data and functional modeling techniques which students can be expected to use. The unit provides the opportunity for students to implement the data model using a proprietary database.

An understanding of databases is fundamental to the development of any significant information system. Database systems are predominant in the world of IT and continue to demand more complex data structures as applications get increasingly sophisticated. The aim of this unit is to provide an essential knowledge of database systems including basic design principles, practical implementation and development skills for both system designer and software engineer.

The unit will enable students to learn about quality assurance through the maintenance of an existing computer system. It will deal with the quality assurance and professional issues related to computer systems implementation and management. Appropriate system development method will be used as a vehicle to cover the units requirements.

This module aims to help student to understand and use object-oriented programming concepts. It will cover object-oriented programming design method (eg OMT) and principles. Topics will include Classes, Objects, Methods, Inheritance, Reusability & Polymorphism etc.

This unit will form a central part in the development of the student’s ability to link and integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to produce a practical solution to a realistic problem. The unit will encourage teamwork but assessment will be based on the individual work.

Student(s) will undertake a complete and realistic project and successfully complete it within the time constraint imposed, working within a group and individually when necessary. The project will span all the lifecycle stages for the development of software, from planning to implementation and maintenance. The problem may be work-based, college-based or student interest but it must be developed in accordance with the unit’s frameworks and constraints.