Birmingham City University Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Foundation Degree Programme
Programme Specification
FdSc Information and Communications Technology Date of Course Approval/Review
Version Number
Version Date
7 May 2009
2.02
11 June 2009
CONTENTS Definitive Documents and Version Control ............................................................................ 1 Programme Specification ...................................................................................................... 2 Programme philosophy and aims .......................................................................................... 3 Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 4 Learning, teaching and assessment methods........................................................................ 6 Programme structure ............................................................................................................. 7 Support for Learning .............................................................................................................. 8 Criteria for admission ............................................................................................................ 9 Methods for evaluation and enhancement of quality and standards .....................................10
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Definitive Documents and Version Control This document has a version number and reference date in the footer. The process leading to the introduction of new courses, major changes to courses, and minor changes to courses and modules follows the appropriate formal procedure as described in the Faculty’s Academic Procedures and Quality Manual. On the front sheet of this document, the date of course approval/review refers to the most recent full approval/review event. The version date will be that of the most recent event at which formal consideration was given to course changes. Further details about the course and document development may be obtained from minutes of the approval or minor changes board. A history of the document since the last full approval/review event is summarised in the table below and further information relating to past versions can be obtained from the Faculty Office. Version 2.01 2.02
Event Approval meeting Approval meeting - conditions
FdSc Information and Communications Technology Version: 2.02 Version Date: 11 June 2009
Date of event 7 May 2009 7 May 2009
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Authorised by Dean of Faculty Panel Chair
Programme Specification FdSc Information and Communications Technology Date of Publication to Students: September 2009 NOTE: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detail on the specific learning outcomes, indicative content and the teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found (1) at https://mytid.bcu.ac.uk, (2) in the Module Specifications and (3) in the Student Handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked within independent review processes undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Awarding Institution / Body:
Birmingham City University
Teaching Institution:
Birmingham City University
Interim Awards and Final Award:
Cert HE / FdSc
Programme Title:
Information and Communications Technology
Main fields of Study:
Networking, operating systems, internet, database, business
Modes of Study:
FT/PT
Language of Study:
English
UCAS Code:
G421
JACS Code:
H640
Professional Status of the programme (if applicable): The previous version of this programme has been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in partial fulfilment of the academic requirements for IEng, to include the intakes to 2010. Subject to approval by Senate, this version of the programme will be submitted for re-accreditation by the IET.
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Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes: •
e-skills UK Foundation Degree Sectoral Framework for IT Professionals
•
QAA Subject Benchmark – Engineering, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
•
Foundation Degree Qualification Benchmark, (2004), Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
•
Institution of Engineering and Technology guidance
•
British Computer Society, Skills Framework for the Information Age
Programme philosophy and aims The Foundation Degree in Information and Communications Technology is a technology-based course with a strong work based emphasis which has been crafted to reflect the diversity of challenges that ICT technicians face working in modern business organizations integrating ICT into their operations. This course places core enabling technologies including networking, operating systems, internet and database, in a business environment context. It is a vocational higher education qualification, combining specialist education within both academic and practical contexts and providing students with the specialist technical knowledge and skills needed by employers at the associate professional and higher technician level. It also provides the opportunity for successful ICT foundation degree graduates to progress to the final year of the BSc ICT honours degree. The aims of the programme are to provide:
a curriculum with a vocational emphasis which provides a broad range of subjects to facilitate the development of technical knowledge together with business skills and abilities, a wide range of marketable skills and knowledge leading to employment opportunities in a variety of technical and associated professional roles, and opportunity to acquire skills necessary for lifelong learning.
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Intended learning outcomes and the means by which they are achieved and demonstrated: Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge and Understanding Upon successful completion of the programme, students should be able to: KU1.
describe the key principles and techniques upon which ICT is based, and know how these are used;
KU2.
recognise the concerns and requirements of business regarding its ICT systems;
KU3.
demonstrate understanding of the responsibilities of, and ethical and professional issues facing, an IT professional.
2. Intellectual Skills Upon successful completion of the programme, students should be able to: IS1.
recognise and apply appropriate analytical, modelling and operational techniques for a diverse range of work related practical issues and problems;
IS2.
recognise and classify business requirements and technical issues, devising ICT solutions using industry recognized methodologies and good practice;
IS3.
recognise the effect IT systems have on the natural and human environment, and plan appropriate action to mitigate or reduce any negative effect;
IS4.
make reasoned choices between, and offer alternatives for, relevant techniques for the implementation of ICT;
IS5.
proficiently use information and materials from a variety of sources necessary for independent enquiry and learning;
IS6.
transfer academic and key skills to new ICT problems and environments
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3. Practical Skills Upon successful completion of the programme, students should be able to: PS1.
troubleshoot and diagnose ICT systems using appropriate procedures and tools;
PS2.
collect relevant information to elicit user requirements and convert these into a suitable systems design;
PS3.
utilise appropriate laboratory equipment and software tools to safely execute applied experiments;
PS4.
set-up and administer ICT systems for effective use;
PS5.
implement ICT applications using appropriate methodologies, tools and techniques.
4. Transferable/Key Skills Upon successful completion of the programme, students should be able to: TS1.
manage their time, prioritise activities and work to time-scales;
TS2.
reflect upon their work, and plan for personal and career development;
TS3.
work with, and relate effectively to others;
TS4.
communicate effectively, using written and oral means;
TS5.
make effective and appropriate use of ICT tools such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentation packages, email clients, web browsers and other information retrieval systems.
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Learning, teaching and assessment methods used Assessment and associated learning will be driven at a course level by large and fully integrating real-world projects, with multiple, varied and related deliverables spanning the different module areas. To aid the learning process and encourage students, techniques including templating, lab sheets, formative tasks decomposed from larger assessment requirements, multiple small deliverables, individual and group presentations, vivas and interviews, online and practical testing, report, logbook, and reflective diary writing, and planning, monitoring and control activities will be built into these driving projects. The intention is that students will demonstrate the meeting of course learning outcomes through these large projects, which will encapsulate all the lower level module learning outcomes. For the type and level of student attracted to this course, guidance and scaffolding is extremely important and therefore it will be very significant in year 1 and then reduced during year 2 to prepare students for work or year 3 of the BSc. Attendance will be particularly encouraged, as the technical requirements of this course have a hands-on emphasis and development of these practical skills are best acquired in our well-equipped labs and with the support of experienced and skilled professionals. Additionally, as students need to work with others in teams and also need to be properly prepared for study and work in a real business, we will also use this to attempt to engender an appropriate businesslike culture. To accommodate flexibility and individual circumstances, there will also be a significant online presence for this course, providing materials and support. To deliver this teaching and learning approach, there are five key requirements: (1) The basic teaching structure of this course will be contained in three full days each week; day 1 for information transfer and learning management activities, and days 2 and 3 for practical hands-on work in a suitably equipped computer/networking lab; (2) a significant emphasis will be place on the learning management activity (day 1), an extra weekly timetabled slot where students will be supported and developed as they review, plan and control their week to week learning activities; (3) team teaching will be adopted in the two lab days on this course, with multidisciplinary staff each covering multiple course subject areas. To provide students with additional practical hours, support will also be provided from lab/ICT technicians, academic development advisors and FdSc ICT graduates; (4) web-enabled and accessed systems and resources which connect and support the teaching, learning and assessment across the whole course; (5) the work-based element of the course will be delivered via a work-based project, which will combine points 2-4 and additionally utilise the support of local companies with visits from supervising staff.
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Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards The structure of the course, the modules, levels and credit values, and the awards which can be gained are shown in the details and diagram below. The FdSc programme is normally studied over two years full-time or three years parttime, and students may move between full- and part-time modes of attendance. The course is divided into study units, called modules, of 15 or 30 credits each. Students complete 120 credits at each of levels 4 and 5. Each 30 credit module represents 300 hours of student learning and assessment.
FdSc Information and Communications Technology Level 5 Year 2 30 Credits Work-Based Project FD2 CMP5211
30 Credits Databases & Enterprise Systems FD2 CMP5210
Award FdSc (240 credits) 30 Credits 30 Credits Switched LANS and WANS FD2 CMP5109
Infrastructure Services FD2 CMP5109
Level 4 Year 1 15 Credits
15 Credits
30 Credits
Inside Business FD1 CMP4130
ICT Programming FD1 CMP4131
Web Technologies FD1 CMP4132
Computer Network Basics FD1 CMP4133
Supporting ICT Clients FD1 CMP4134
Enterprise Systems Theme
Networking Theme
Infrastructure Management Theme
ICT Industry Theme
Award Cert HE (120 credits) 30 Credits 30 Credits
For progression to year 3 of the BSc ICT degree programme, students who graduate from this foundation degree will need to undertake a bridging programme that covers the content of the year 2 business module.
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Support for Learning including Personal Development Planning (PDP) Students are encouraged to identify and, with guidance, to reflect on their own learning needs and are offered the following support as appropriate to meet those needs: •
an induction programme dealing with orientation and the dissemination of essential information, including an introduction to PDP;
•
a dedicated Learning Centre with open access learning materials, resources and full-time staff specialising in a variety of support areas;
•
a Student Handbook, containing information relating to the University, Faculty, course and modules;
•
access to administrative staff and to academic staff, including the Tutors, Course Director and Programme Manager, at reasonable times;
•
support staff to advise on pastoral and academic issues, and to offer support and assistance with the keeping of Students’ Progress Files;
•
access to Faculty resources, including a range of IT equipment and the services of, and guidance from, IT support staff;
•
access to the University’s Student Services, including those offered by the careers service, financial advisers, medical centre, disability service, crèche, counselling service and chaplaincy;
•
resources for Professional Development Planning (PDP) to enable reflection on learning, performance and achievement and to plan personal, educational and career development. The university offers a range of on-line courses (www.moodle.bcu.ac.uk) to support PDP topics including: Reflection, Career & Employability, Action Planning, Self Awareness and Self Employment.
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Criteria for admission Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows: Entry requirements are in accordance with section D of the University’s Academic Regulations and Policies. All applicants must have GCSE (grade C or above) in Mathematics and English Language, or equivalent. In addition, applicants should have one of the following, for which the typical tariff offer is 120 points for Curriculum 2000, or equivalent for other qualifications. Actual tariff offers may vary from 120 points.
Qualification Curriculum 2000, A Levels
Curriculum 2000, AVC. Irish Leaving Certificate Scottish Certificate of Education International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate BTEC/Edexcel National Certificate/National Diploma A pass in a recognised Access or Foundation Year course An appropriate Advanced General National Vocational Qualification A professional qualification of an appropriate standard A qualification deemed equivalent to one of the above
Requirements Five GCSEs/GCEs including at least one subjects at A2 level. Points tariff can include AS level One 6-unit AVCE. Passes in three subjects at the higher grade. Passes in three subjects at the higher grade.
Applicants with relevant studies are encouraged to apply for Foundation Degree Entry. Other learning and experience may be considered for entry to the programme. A student may be allowed entry to the course if he or she does not have the standard entry qualifications but can provide evidence of necessary knowledge and skills to successfully enter and complete the programme. Applicants with a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma, including Merits, in an appropriate subject, or an equivalent qualification, may be offered entry with advanced standing. Students of the FdSc ICT who successfully complete the bridging programme in addition to the FdSc will be offered entry to level 6 (full-time year 3) of the BSc (Hons) ICT. UCAS applicants are invited to register for one of the TEE’s special programme of UCAS visit days held throughout the academic year. UCAS visit days include a tour of facilities and an introduction to the TEE’s courses and activities. Meetings are arranged between course tutors and prospective students to ensure opportunity is provided for individual questions and clarification of the course content.
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Methods for evaluation and enhancement of quality and standards including listening and responding to views of students
The following faculty committees are involved in evaluation and enhancement of quality, standards and student experience: Board of Studies, Faculty Board, Learning and Teaching Committee, Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Committee, Student Experience Committee. Review and evaluation processes in which students are involved include annual course and module reviews, course review and re-approval events, professional body accreditation visits and external examiner visits. Mechanisms for student input include meetings with course tutors, feedback questionnaires, faculty and university student satisfaction surveys and representation on the faculty committees referred to above. External examiners are members of examination boards and their remit includes meeting students and monitoring and reporting on academic standards.
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