Business Computing with Foundation BSc Honours

This module introduces the concepts of computing hardware and software, computer architecture and their uses for electronics and media. It also covers the fundamentals of computer networks, standards, protocols, interfaces and network security issues. The tutorial and laboratory exercises are designed not only to support the lectures but also to provide hands-on experience, skills and understanding of important aspects of computer systems and networks.

Critical thinking is fundamental to our ability to progress in an increasingly complex and changing world. It is an essential skill across a range of academic and practice-based disciplines.

This module helps you understand the importance and function of critical thinking both at university and beyond. By working in partnership with academic staff and peers, you will explore how critical thinking aligns with disciplinary practices, shapes scholarly knowledge, and addresses inequalities. Through problem-posing education and anti-racist practices, you will engage with real-world problems, fostering the ability to create a more just and sustainable world.

This module introduces practical mathematical and numerical problem solving relevant to computer science and engineering. Basic numeracy is revisited, and algebraic manipulation is revised and explored. Methods to take a real-world problem and to formulate and solve both symbolically and numerically are considered. Software tools will be used throughout. An applied, practical and real-world approach is taken whereby you'll gain skills to solve mathematical problems related to all areas of computer science and engineering gaining more confidence with numeracy related problems on your chosen course.

The module will be delivered with a combination of lectures and practical ‘hands on’ face-to-face tutorials. The material covered in this module will give you adequate necessary mathematical background to continue on any undergraduate course with the School.

This module introduces you to computer systems fundamentals and data systems fundamentals. An introduction to statistics is made and in particular how to gather, describe and visualise data collected through a survey or experiment. The aim of the module is to ensure that you have an understanding of the high-level systems and software that support data storage and retrieval to be able to work with such systems and to be able to critically and confidently operate with system stakeholders and technical partners such as data provider, storage, and data processing actors. Concepts of computer systems and data creation, storage, and retrieval systems will be introduced as well as compliance and security. This knowledge will be reinforced by practical sessions where you will create, store and retrieve data using standard tools, as well as have the opportunity to analyse and evaluate typical real-world data lifecycle scenarios. Also the module will provide practical experience in implementing databases and data querying in order to gain better understanding of data systems.

This module introduces you to the key academic, professional, and personal skills essential for success at university. It encourages good practices in writing, presentation, and time management, while also fostering reflection to help you build confidence as you transition to higher education. Open to all students enrolled in courses delivered through Westminster Foundation Pathways, the module provides a creative and supportive environment where you can reflect on and develop their academic and professional journey. You'll work with specialist facilitators who play a crucial role in guiding your academic and professional development.

With a focus on managing academic choices in a higher education setting, the module emphasises the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using methodologies that prioritise equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through these lenses, you'll explore topics that prepare you to address real-world challenges as highlighted in the SDGs in a socially conscious, inclusive, and responsible manner.

This module introduces the concept of software. You are introduced to the software development process and the design of simple programs, firstly using visual methods of problem solving and then using a high-level programming language. The material covered in this module will give you a strong background and understanding to equip you to excel at Level 4 programming modules.

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.