You will cover all the fundamentals of computer science and systems administration and become an expert in areas of web design, multimedia and mobile development. You will gain plenty of hands-on experience through challenging projects that develop your creativity and technical skills.
You will have full access to the University’s outstanding IT facilities, which include specialist networking laboratories. We provide professional-level developer software and advanced hardware through accreditations with Cisco and other major companies. Topics include web applications, database systems, programming and software development.
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Year 1 (national level 4):
Gain an overview of basic design principles of systems and software, including modelling principles and the use of tools, and design patterns. Investigates different software processes, data integration, project management and be introduced to software testing methods. Discover key concepts that will allow you to begin to break down programmatical application areas and begin to devise, document, test, develop and improve working solutions for a given problem.
Learn the basic principles of computer architectures. Gain an understanding of the underlying mathematics, operations and components used by computer architectures. Be introduced to the concept of operating systems and the types of hardware that can be attached to a computer to facilitate input and output. Explore in detail the considerations and tasks required to install, manage, and maintain computers both in stand-alone and virtual environments.
Learn the basic principles of programming. Develop your skills in logical analysis into formal representation within structured program code. Cover the core principles of computer programming that underpin all computer science disciplines. Focus on simple data storage and manipulation using the primary programming structures of sequence, selection, and repetition. Develop programs using industry standard techniques.
Be introduced to the fundamentals of client-server web-based development from a programming perspective. Learn key concepts that will allow you to start building dynamic web applications in response to business requirements. Develop web applications using industry standard tools and techniques and use of a range of programming, markup, and query languages.
Develop a sound knowledge of networking protocols and technologies, together with the techniques to install, configure and troubleshoot a network operating system. Acquire the skills to maximise network availability to all users. Learn about client server architectures and cloud computing paradigms.
Get a taste of the development of the web and mobile discipline with an introduction to modern tooling, UI design and rapid prototyping, ideation and the development of rich multimedia assets including audio and video components.
Year 2 (national level 5):
Learn key skills such as self-determination, planning and actioning of goals, time management, independent learning and team working.
This module has been developed with the support of the Institute of Coding, a network of employers, universities, training providers and professional bodies working together to create the skills needed for the digital economy. The module on this programme has been modified as a result of collaboration with a number of industry partners including SAGE and Adlink, to enhance industry relevant employability skills.
This module will move beyond the basic object oriented concepts associated with simple classes and objects to cover a series of more sophisticated object-oriented ideas, including ‘inheritance’ and ‘polymorphism’.
The module provides you with in-depth knowledge of issues associated with the modern software development life cycle, including the application of standard industrial methods to the design, development and testing of complex OO systems, including those with multi-threaded and distributed components.
Create interactive and data driven web applications, using a tiered approach that explores the backend, middleware and front-end components of a modern web application. Utilising a web framework, you will develop systems using a range of languages including HTML, CSS, Javascript and a system language such as C# or Python.
Learn how to design and develop progressive applications using a range of web technologies, libraries and frameworks. Learn how to create intuitive and responsive mobile interfaces, that work well across a range of devices and implement functionality with JavaScript. Examine the importance of source code management (SCM), testing and deployment. Use various industry tools to facilitate continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). Develop evaluation skills in User Experience Design (UXD) and undertake a number of participatory design and early stage techniques including rapid prototyping, wireframing and screen-flow design.
Final Year (national level 6)
Core modules
Undertake advanced study, including a literature review, in order to research and develop to completion a substantial piece of work that demonstrates the range of skills you have acquired. You will also submit a dissertation that describes and evaluates the problem and solution. Past examples include an Android audio application, a Trojan detector and a network monitoring tool.
Analyse, design, develop, test and deploy native mobile applications using Java and Android Studio. You will be introduced to native programming, application build and deployment, the Android ecosystem, security and software engineering in a student led and practical manner.
Learn how to analyse the range of tradeoffs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability. You will also learn how to select the appropriate tools and techniques to address and manage concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and potential attacks. All topics in cybersecurity will be considered taking into account ethical, social and legal constructs.
Learn how to build native mobile applications using a range of tools and technologies. Gain an understanding of the systems involved, from device hardware and software on which information is stored, including the platform storage technologies used to structure and access data, to the media rich interface features needed to create good user experiences which leverage the native mobile platform. Examine a range of development tools, frameworks and languages that will enable development of a modern smartphone application that uses local SDK and cloud-based infrastructure.
Optional modules (choose one)
Gain the knowledge and skills that will enable you to explore and exploit business opportunities for software enterprises.
Develop your knowledge of current AI principles and your skills in this fast-moving area, which is a particular focus of Sunderland’s research.
Undertake a work-based placement to support computing in a school or equivalent learning environment.
Explore solutions related to complex database systems such as: enhanced data models, query optimisation, clustering, scalability, security, forensic investigation, data warehousing, data analysis tools and more
Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.
PPWs present you with real-world problems that must be solved in a working week. The assessments aim to provide you with an experience reflective of the industry you want to enter, and give you meaningful feedback that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills.
Insurance-Single: 300 GBP/year
