UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Burnley College
Wigan and Leigh College
3. University Department/Centre
Computing
4. External Accreditation
No
5. Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Computing
(Top-up)
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time
Part-time (by infill into FT classes)
7. UCAS Code
004G W67 (Wigan)
G403 C30 (Burnley)
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Computing
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
February 2013
11. Aims of the Programme
Computing is a creative activity which applies appropriate technology to the solution of
problems. Computing professionals are involved in the investigation and analysis of
problems, the design and evaluation of feasible solutions and the implementation of the most
cost effective. They must communicate with a wide range of people, (Managers, users and
colleagues) and be aware of the business implications of the decisions made. They must be
aware of appropriate tools and techniques, and skilled in their application.
Creativity, communication and problem solving underpin the application of various
technologies. This course provides a broad range of topics from which students can select the
most relevant and interesting.
This course is aimed at part-time students, direct entrants and students who want to construct
a programme of studies that is coherent, but tailored to their individual needs and interests.
Common Computing Aims
 To develop the skills and understanding of theory necessary for the graduates to be
employed in a Computing environment
 To encourage and enable students to become independent learners.
 To develop critical evaluation, communication, enterprise and self-management skills.
 To produce graduates with the skills and confidence to solve problems independently and
as part of a team
 To provide an opportunity for students to develop transferable skills and enhance subjectspecific expertise by undertaking a Computing Specific Project
Course Specific Aims
 To provide students with the opportunity to design an interesting and relevant individual
programme of study in computing.
 To produce graduates with coherent skills and knowledge across a range of applications
of computing
 To provide an opportunity for FD students to achieve their potential as graduates
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
The successful student will be able to
A1. Explain, evaluate and apply techniques and methods to solve a range of computing problems
A2. Evaluate and apply project management tools and techniques
A3. Evaluate analysis, design and implementation tools.
A4. Evaluate a range of computing-related technologies
Teaching and Learning Methods
Acquisition of knowledge is mainly supported through lectures and directed learning. The role of
directed learning increases as the course progresses. Understanding is reinforced through practical,
tutorial and seminar work. This may involve a series of small exercises, extended case studies or
discussions. Drop-in help sessions are provided to support particular areas.
Assessment methods
Informal and formative feedback is provided in tutorial, seminar and practical classes through class
discussion and individual advice. Formal assessment is through practical and written coursework, and
time-constrained examinations, which may include on-line multiple-choice exams, traditional
examinations, open-book examinations and partially-seen questions.
B. Subject-specific skills
The successful student will be able to
B1. Solve technical and human problems relating to the development and use of IT-based systems
B2. Use analysis, design and implementation tools to develop a range of IT systems
B3. Analyse requirements and information from a variety of sources.
B4. Design and develop a range of computer-based systems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Computing is a highly practical subject. Skills are developed in a co-ordinated and progressive
manner during the top-up year, to a level necessary for graduates to be employed as computing
professionals three years of the programme. Some practical work demonstrates advanced
techniques, while extended practical work enables students to exercise creativity and develop their
own solutions. Lectures, sometimes involving on-line demonstration, are supported by tutorials,
seminars, practical exercises and directed work.
Assessment methods
A variety of methods are used to assess technical and personal practical skills. These include
laboratory exercises, oral presentations, formal reports, and implementation exercises with supporting
documentation demonstrating a professional approach and evaluating methods and products.
C. Thinking Skills
The successful student will be able to
C1. Investigate complex situations thoroughly and impartially
C2. Locate, evaluate and integrate information from multiple sources
C3. Evaluate ideas, methods and systems
C4. Analyse and solve problems
Teaching and Learning Methods
Intellectual skills are developed through practical work, tutorial and seminar work and coursework
assignments. Discussion among students and with staff during tutorials and supervisory meetings are
key methods for the development of thinking skills. Problem-solving is developed in practical classes,
seminars and tutorials. Throughout the course, students practise problem-solving individually and in
groups. Students research, apply and evaluate information during the professional skills module and
during the problem-solving project.
Assessment methods
Staff in class and in supervisory meetings provide informal formative feedback. Intellectual skills are
partly assessed through formal examinations but assessment of coursework and practical and
theoretical project work is the main vehicle for assessment of the higher order skills. A variety of
assessment methods are used, including formal reports, essays, and oral poster presentations.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
The successful student will be able to
D1. Communicate effectively with clients, users and developers
D2. Learn and work independently and as part of a team
D3. Operate within an ethical and legal framework appropriate to computing professionals.
D4. Plan, perform, manage and report on a relevant project
D5. Identify and set personal goals relevant to long-term educational and career planning
Teaching and Learning Methods
A major individual project, supported by supervisory meetings, reinforces and extends the student’s
abilities: they research topics relevant to their project, write a paper summarising and evaluating their
findings, plan and monitor their progress, solve problems and write an extended report.
Assessment methods
These skills are assessed through written coursework in many modules, but particularly the individual
project, where students write an academic article and a project report, are interviewed, and give a
poster presentation.
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 6
14. Awards and Credits*
Module
Code
CO3808
Module Title
Double Project
Credit
rating
40
CO3402
CO3601
CO3604
CO3701
CO3717
CO3708
Object-Oriented Methods
Systems Concepts
E-Business
Advanced Database Systems
Games for the Internet
Database Driven Web sites
20
20
20
20
20
20
BSc (Hons) Computing
Requires 120 credits at Level 6
15. Personal Development Planning
The course will enable students to:
 Develop skills of reflection on their academic, personal and professional development
 Increase their own self awareness of their own skills, qualities, attitudes and capabilities
 Improve their own learning and performance by taking responsibility for their own
development and developing the necessary skills for independent learning;
 Identify their own strengths, weaknesses and needs and direction for change
 Set goals and plan action for developing, monitoring and reviewing their own progress
 Compile their own records of learning experiences and achievement, including progress
reviews, personal reflections and action plans
 Plan realistically for their career progression and manage their own career development and
lifelong learning.
The approach used will start with the admissions interview which will discuss the appropriateness
of the course in the context of the applicant’s career aspirations and previous studies.
Tutorial sessions will be utilised to monitor PDP file building, critical evaluation of own
performance, review assignment grades and feedback and to advise on project planning for the
double honours project. Additionally, tutors will encourage and advise students to reflect on their
performance in lab sessions and to identify activities outside of class contact to address
weaknesses.
A major part of the student induction for this top-up program will be to introduce and develop the
PDP file and process for each student. The induction program will focus on critical evaluation and
higher research skills required for level 3 modules. It will emphasise the expectations and
requirements of a final year degree programme, and this will then be followed up in weekly
tutorials, which will be broken in to group and individual meetings to discuss strategies and
individual review. An induction timetable identifying the outline of the induction is attached to this
document.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
The minimum entry requirement for this top-up degree qualification is an FdSc Computing
qualification gained with merit profile. Any equivalent will also be considered by the admissions team.
All applicants are interviewed to assess their suitability. Students’ previous studies must meet the prerequisites of their programme.
Candidates with an HNC BIT or HNC Computing can top-up to a Foundation Degree on a part-time
basis over one year and then join this degree top-up program. In exceptional circumstances where
students have not achieved a merit profile, their ability to cope with the course will be carefully
assessed during the interview process.
17. Key sources of information about the programme



Burnley College Web Site
(http://www.burnley.ac.uk/website04/he/courses2009/computing_engineering.html),
Wigan and Leigh College Web Site (http://eportal.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/),
UCLan CEPS Web Site (www.uclan.ac.uk/computing)
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
understanding
LEVEL 6
A1
CO3402
CO3601
CO3604
CO3701
CO3717
CO3708
CO3808
Object-Oriented Methods
Systems Concepts
E-Business
Advanced Database Systems
Games for the Internet
Database Driven Websites
Honours Degree Project
O
O
O
O
O
O
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Subject-specific
Skills
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
B3
X
X
X
X
X
Thinking Skills
B4
C1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
C2
X
X
X
C3
C4
D1
D2
D3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Note:
Burnley Programme: CO3601, CO3604, CO3717, CO3708, CO3808
Wigan Programme: CO3601, CO3701, CO3708, CO3808 and one of CO3402 or CO3604
Note:
Other skills relevant to
employability and
personal development
Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
X
X
X
D4
D5
X
X
X
X
X