The foundation year is designed to prepare you for undergraduate study in computing. During the year you’ll learn the foundations of how to program a computer. You’ll work on practical examples of computing applications and learn to develop simple software programs which gradually increase in complexity. You’ll also work on your mathematical and problem-solving skills, as well as more general study skills.
The Foundation Year includes four integrated units of study:
Module title |
Credits |
Studying Computers
Studying Computers
30 credits
This module is designed to support your learning process by covering basic knowledge and skills necessary for the operation of computer systems and student-centred learning. This will help students in their transition to Higher Education and cover lacks in operative knowledge necessary for students to benefit from the learning environment in the Department of Computing.
Topics Covered:
- Study Skills
- Academic writing model –a way to approach longer writing tasks, e.g. essays, reports
- Paragraphing –producing clear, well-structured paragraphs
- Understanding tasks –making sure you understand exactly what you are being asked to do
- Reading –How to get to grips with difficult academic texts
- Writing style: academic language versus everyday language
- Referencing and bibliography –how to use quotations properly and avoid plagiarism!
- Time management
- Presentation skills –how to prepare and deliver an effective academic presentation
- Use of Computers
- Introduction to Departmental Facilities
- Computing Hardware and networks
- Web Technologies & Coding: Use of departmental server for web publishing
- Service Functionality, Service Interface
- User Experience and design of software artefacts
- Social Issues and Professional Responsibilities
|
30 credits |
Foundations of Problem Solving
Foundations of Problem Solving
30 credits
This module aims to provide basic problem-solving strategies relevant to compute programming, by controlling the definition and use of algorithms to control data and achieve a task. This module is designed to be taught concurrently with the Foundations of Computer Programming module to students with little or no experience with computer programming. It complements the bottom-up tendency of the syntax based Programming module by providing a top-down view of programming.
It is expected that this will increase students interest in and understanding of algorithms, and clarity and efficiency when programming, which are fundamental when pursuing a career in Computing.
|
30 credits |
Foundations of Programming
Foundations of Programming
30 credits
This module aims to give students a basic understanding of computer programming. On completion, students should have the necessary skills to be able to design, build and test a small system in a high-level language that supports object-oriented programming (eg. Python).
|
30 credits |
Foundations of Mathematics for Computing
Foundations of Mathematics for Computing
30 credits
This will introduce you to some basic yet fundamental mathematics that underpins many of the information technology and software systems of today.
|
30 credits |
Teaching style
This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.
The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:
- Year 0 - 23% scheduled learning, 77% independent learning
- Years 1-3 - see individual degree pages
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.
The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:
- Year 0 - 48% coursework, 47% written exam, 5% practical
- Years 1-3 - see individual degree pages
*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for the traditional pathway in 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.
Download the programme specification.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.