Which Course? Where Does Your City University Degree Lead? Dr. Sebastian Hunt Associate Dean.

Which Course?Where Does Your City

University Degree Lead?

Dr. Sebastian Hunt

Associate Dean

Three-Year Degree Structure• The First-Year: Part 1

• Teaches you the foundations of computing and their applications

• The Second-Year: Part 2 worth 40%• Teaches you the core knowledge and skills that

you need

• (The Placement Year (where applicable))

• The Third-Year: Part 3 worth 60%• Teaches you the advanced topics with which you

specialise

Part 1: Common First Year

• Teaches you the basic computing skills• Programming in Java• Systems Architecture and Software

Engineering• Mathematics for Computing and Databases• Computation & Reasoning (Artificial

Intelligence)• Business Systems & Databases

• Then you decide• By the end of Part 1 you will know your strengths

and where your interests lie

Part 2: Choose & Consolidate• Common modules

• Professional Development in IT (portfolio)• Object-Oriented Analysis and Design• Networks & Operating Systems

• One stream module• Data Structures & Algorithms or Human-Computer

Interaction

• Two specialist modules on your chosen specialism

• Team Project• Simulates a real world industrial project

Part 3: Advanced Topics• Modules on advanced topics to enhance your degree

• Research-based and focused on current industry topics• Modules are unique to City’s staff and expertise

• More flexible delivery• Electives - you choose 4 of the 5 taught modules

• Individual project• Project on a single topic with a focused supervisor • Do what most interests you - develop new products,

work with a client, or undertake research

Elective Modules• Examples of the over 20 available

• Data Mining• Electronic Commerce• Requirements Engineering• Advanced Databases• IT Security• Advanced Human-Computer Interaction• Pervasive Computing

• Can also take some Part 2 specialist modules from other degrees

Computer Science

• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science• Computing and programming as a science• Functional programming, compilers and

theory of computation

• Programming technologies• Be at the forefront of the development and

application of programming technologies

• Available as• Three or four year degree (with placement

or professional pathway)

Software Engineering

• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering• Developing large complex, reliable, software

systems

• Delivers key development skills• Requirements analysis, systems design,

metrics and testing• Taught by research and industry leaders

• Available as• Four-year degree (with placement or

professional pathway)

Business Computing Systems• BSc (Hons) in Business Computing Systems

• Provides bridge between business and computing• Not a business degree• Computing degree - computing in business

• A coherent hybrid degree• Targeted at key roles in IT industry such as

business analyst, systems analyst, systems integrator

• Available as• Three-year degree or a Four-year degree (with

placement or professional pathway)

Games Technology• BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Games

Technology • Comp. science applied to develop computer games

• Games industry generates more money than film industry.• Needs graduates with knowledge applicable to

games development• C++, games AI, physics, graphics...

• Available as• Three or four year degree (with placement or

professional pathway)

Where Does Your Degree Lead?• City focuses on educating professionals.

• Employability is a key part of what we are about.

• We aim to prepare you for a wide range of IT roles• But many of the professional skills apply

equally well outside of IT• Our graduates also go into other industries,

e.g. finance, management, engineering.

Software Developer Roles• Construct bespoke software and software for sale

(Datamonitor predicts $457Bn worldwide by 2013). • More than (just) programming – high skill, high value.• Requirements analysis, systems design, metrics and

testing

• Job titles include:• Programmer, software developer, software engineer.

• Relevant degrees include:• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering

Technologist Roles

• The industry also employs professionals with expertise in a specific area. For example:• Fraud detection, helpdesk systems, business

intelligence.

• Job titles include:• Technologist, AI developer, systems architect.

• Relevant degrees include:• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering

Creative Industry Roles• The ‘creative industries’ are the second largest

sector in London after financial services.• Work in films and games is IT-intensive.• Technologists need to be able to work with

‘creatives’.

• Job titles include:• Games programmer, graphics programmer, AI

programmer.

• Relevant degrees include:• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with Games

Technology

Analyst/IT Consultant Roles• The reason many IT projects fail is because

the business problem the IT is to solve was unclear.• Clear specification of client’s business objectives.• Translate business problem to technical problem.• Provides bridge between business and computing.

• Job titles include:• Systems/business analyst, IT consultant.

• Relevant degrees include:• BSc (Hons) in Business Computing Systems

Expectation Management• To succeed you need to offer something employers want

• A degree certificate is not a golden ticket but it does indicate problem solving skills, intelligence, creativity,

etc. • These are the abilities that employers hire graduates

for• Project and placement work can show what you can do• The theory taught allows you to cope with change

• A degree course is like a gym membership• We can show you how to use the opportunities and

support you in your learning…• But if you don’t use it, nothing will happen!

Any Questions?

[Time for Coffee???]