Business Computing BSc Honours

The rapid growth of data and its increasing complexity require businesses to adopt efficient computing solutions for data management and analysis. This module equips you with essential skills to design and implement data-driven applications that support business operations, including planning, customer management, and decision-making. You'll learn to work with modern tools such as Python, SQL, and Excel for data processing, storage, and retrieval, gaining hands-on experience in solving real-world business problems.

This module establishes a mathematical foundation for students pursuing studies in business computing and analytics. It covers key topics including algebraic expressions and their operations, equations, functions and graphs, as well as probability and statistics. The module is designed to prepare you for Level 5 modules in areas such as business computing, information systems, data science, and decision-making science.

This module aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of how information systems (IS) transform and enhance modern business operations. You'll explore various types and levels of IS, including distributed, networked, and cloud-based systems, while analysing their evolution through advancements such as IoT, cyber-physical systems, and smart manufacturing. The module also examines the ethical and legal challenges businesses face, alongside their corporate social responsibility, in a globalised context. You will delve into the application of IS in production, operations, and supply chain management, focusing on how smart/innovative technologies improve efficiency, quality control, and branding strategies. Additionally, the module investigates the evolution of digital marketing, emphasising how AI, big data, and machine learning enhance customer targeting while critically addressing the ethical implications of these practices. This integrated approach will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical insights necessary to navigate the complexities of technology-driven business environments effectively.

This module introduces the concepts of information systems requirements and the activity of visual modelling for the purposes of requirements specification in software development. You will learn the fundamental concepts and theories relating to requirements elicitation as well as some of the tools and techniques that are used to elicit and model requirements. You'll develop the ability to form, represent and communicate abstract models and use this skill and the knowledge gained from the module for specifying user and systems requirements for an information system.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to data modelling and database architecture. It covers foundational concepts such as relational database modelling and the use of Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams for conceptual and logical database design. You'll gain hands-on experience with Structured Query Language (SQL), learning to perform key operations, including creating, reading, updating, and deleting (CRUD) data within a database. Through a combination of lectures and practical computing sessions, you'll become proficient in using standard database management systems and developing database-driven applications with practical programming examples. Additionally, the module explores contemporary Big Data technologies, introducing you to NoSQL databases and their applications in handling complex, large-scale data sets.

This module introduces web technologies and covers theoretical and practical concepts of web development. It covers a variety of commonly used Internet programming languages. You'll gain practical experience of web page development, and you'll be expected to write programs and web pages conforming to given guidelines.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of what Agile Project Management is, adapting an Agile approach, and an understanding of respective methods, practices and frameworks. You'll develop an appreciation of the importance of project management and be able to use relevant software tool(s). You'll collaborate as part of a team to produce the project deliverable (a high-level software prototype) using an Agile approach.

The aim of this module is to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the object-oriented paradigm. You will acquire the required theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills that will allow you to develop object-oriented web-based solutions for BIS. You will learn how to undertake the analysis, the design and the development of business systems using object-oriented principles in order to produce quality systems in a productive way. Furthermore, you will learn a tool that will allow you to create web-based object-oriented programming applications.

This module will present and analyse major developments and issues in entrepreneurship and enterprise, underpinned and supported by information communication technologies, especially by cloud computing, the internet and enterprise systems. It will also encourage a mind-set in creative thinking in seeking opportunities for new information-driven start-ups and provide a critical assessment of their impact.

This module enables you to create engaging data visualisations to effectively communicate the results of data analysis to a diverse audience. You'll learn how to encode information in visual form and will create infographics and dashboards. You'll also learn to use the power of storytelling to create engaging data narratives. We use a mixture of open source tools, such as R and ggplot2 and commercial tools, like Microsoft Power BI or similar.

This module provides an understanding and hands-on experience in the fields of machine learning and data mining, covering the full life-cycle from preparing data to validating and optimising the learned model. The module covers different algorithms and approaches to machine learning and data mining, and the issues of using them on data sets of different sizes and complexity.

This module introduces you to the Operational Research (OR) techniques, commonly used for business analytics, such as Linear programming, forecasting, simulation and decision making. It helps you to develop and analyse analytical models that support making effective business decisions.

This module teaches the foundations of business process management with a focus on analysing and optimising business processes using process mining and other cutting-edge techniques. You'll develop a practical understanding of how organisations operate and optimise workflows, preparing for roles where the ability to map, analyse and improve processes is crucial.

The module introduces you to the theoretical aspects of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX) as well as provides a practical understanding of current principles of effective interface design. The module equips you with the practical skills needed for the design and evaluation of interactive systems using a user-centred approach. It provides an understanding of the relevance and application of human abilities and limitations to the design of interactive systems and how context influences the human system interaction.

This module allows you to demonstrate in applied, written and oral forms the effective use of competences required to achieve the degree of study. It requires you to combine previously acquired knowledge and techniques, with new knowledge/ideas gained from investigation and research, and produce an extended piece of work related to your degree of study. You'll be required to demonstrate pertinent knowledge of Information technologies, data technologies and business networking including digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence to support the design development and management of digital businesses and enterprises.

Apply prompt engineering  to build business generative AI models. This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate AI and generative AI into your business operations, processes and strategies. You will explore AI not only as an automation tool, but as a strategic enabler that transforms business operations, enhances innovation capabilities, and advances your career in an AI-business driven world.

Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) in general are now regarded as a key strategic resource by many businesses. Indeed, IS/IT can be so critical as to disrupt classic business models, threatening traditional revenue streams and even driving industry sectors to extinction. This module offers you an opportunity to explore how organisations (small to large) exploit and use IS strategically in order to enhance organisational performance. You'll utilise strategic tools and frameworks for strategic planning and for developing a digital strategy, and will learn fundamental concepts relating to strategy development and IS/IT management.

This module bridges the gap between theory and practical applications of Information Systems Security and Business Assurance. The module examines the issues involved with recognising security threats to computer systems and networks, their consequences, and methods of mitigating such threats. It provides an overview of physical and logical security, including access controls, systems security configuration and development, and business assurance risk management, operations and administration to comply with policy, legal and legislation.

This module provides an in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art in Big Data Analytics. In addition to providing an overview of key concepts and technological trends, the module explores how Big Data systems are implemented and utilised in the business context to derive important insight and support real-world decision making. Furthermore, the module will cover key technical challenges to Big Data Analytics, including issues relating to data governance and data quality.

The module addresses the requirements and opportunities of the burgeoning Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Digital Marketing, Social Media and Web Analytics industry by exposing you to the theory and practice of the field. This module gives you theoretical and practical knowledge of how to effectively promote an interactive multimedia product (including web pages) in terms of SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing. It discusses different web marketing models and compares them with traditional marketing models. Furthermore, this module discusses security and privacy issues in relation to web analytics and social media.

Recent advances in AI and Machine Learning make traditional financial services more accessible and play a crucial role in promoting financial opportunities for businesses. You'll explore the significant impact of FinTech on businesses, industries and financial markets through real-life examples and case studies. You'll learn how FinTech is reshaping the future of finance industry by using innovations to meet the evolving needs of businesses and enhance your employability in FinTech related job roles.