Course modules
The Computing Integrated Foundation Year includes five modules:
Foundations of Computing (40 credits)
Consider a wide range of perspectives related to the field of computing to help prepare you for your degree study. Understand how a modern computer works and how this has developed over time, leading to the adoption of the Von Neumann architecture. Comprehend various ways of programming a computer using a modern compiled software language.
Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
Develop the necessary skills for study at university. Enhance your academic writing, communication, and presentation skills. Reflect upon your development, career aspirations, and personal goals.
Project (20 credits)
Investigate a topic area related to your degree programme, and produce either a portfolio, practical project, performance, artefact, video, website, essay, or analysis of data/report. Engage in lectures, tutorials, lab, and/or practical sessions with subject specialists. Gain experience of researching your subject area and further develop your critical thinking, writing, time management, and organisational skills.
Fundamentals of Computer Networking and Security (20 credits)
Study the components of a computer network, install and power up virtual machines and describe threats to their security and well-being. Develop your confidence when working with networks, virtualization, and security. Enhance the skills vital to becoming an IT professional, including communication skills, operation procedures, and ethical and legal considerations.
Practical Maths (20 credits)
Consolidate your numeracy skills and see how to apply them to real-life scenarios. Consider how statistical results are presented, calculated, and misrepresented. Study the foundations of numeracy, including powers, roots, fractions, percentages, standard form, area and volume, ratio, and proportion.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.