Software Engineering (with Foundation Year)

Be choosing to study our Software Engineering degree, you will gain the skills ready for work in an industry that is experiencing rapid growth and demand. You will be prepared for work in a variety of sectors including but not limited to, business and economics, healthcare, industry and communications.

You will:

• Benefit from an inclusive and friendly environment

• Be allocated a personal tutor to support you throughout your journey

• Have the opportunity to undertake placements.

• Benefit from guest speakers due to strong industrial links that support the degree.

You can also choose to study this course without a foundation year, UCAS code: - or with an industrial placement year, UCAS code:

Key Course Features:

• You will have the opportunity to complete an industrial placement, providing you with first-hand experience within the workplace.

• This degree will provide an opportunity to participate in the CISCO Academy Programmes and qualify for CISCO accreditation.

• This course responds to identified skills gaps, providing you with the critical understanding, knowledge and skills needed for successful employment.

• Personal development planning is integrated throughout the course to develop the skills framework necessary for effective personal, academic and career management.

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
The foundation year provides students with the knowledge and confidence in the use of formula, data manipulation and representation. You will gain an understanding of the core hardware and software associated with the use of computer systems, as well as keeping up to date with current developments in technology. There will be numerous opportunities to work on practical activities such as robots, CAD design which will be further developed at degree level.

MODULES
Computing Mathematics
Computer Hardware and Software
Developments in Technology
Design and Technology
The Skills You Need
Contextual Studies

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
Level 4 contains essential fundamental material which is relevant in all of our computing programmes. You will learn both subject-specific skills along with transferable skills which will increase your employability prospects.

With the support of your tutors, you will learn about some of the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to computing and computer applications. You will be able to demonstrate skills that underpin good practice in the field of computers and computational methods, e.g. laboratory tasks involving the creation of simple programs and the use of operating systems.

This will help develop your understanding of hardware issues, including interfacing and data communications, and their impact on the overall design and performance of computer-based systems.

Modules
Database Systems
Software Development Methodologies
Information Security and Governance
Quantitated Methods
Programming Fundamentals
Computer Systems and Architecture

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)
Level 5 continues teaching you the fundamentals of the discipline, and more specialist modules start to be introduced. You will also undertake a group project where you will gain important skills in project management techniques and the professional and ethical issues of project management.

You will also deepen your knowledge and understanding of computing concepts and approaches for complex problems through the application of several existing artificial intelligence techniques for learning and optimisation targeting real-world problems.

Modules
User Experience Design
Full-Stack Development
Secure Software Development
Systems Engineering and Project Management
Cloud, Distributed Architecture and Security
Group Project

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)
Once you reach your final year, you will further develop your skills through taught modules and research, with a focus on the latest developments in your chosen discipline.

You will also undertake an individual final year project, which will help prepare you for the kind of tasks and situations you may encounter in the workplace. The final year practical and project work will further develop your analytical skills through the analysis and appraisal of current and emerging technologies, taking into account their impact on society.

Modules
DevOps
Data Analysis and Visualisation
Defensive Security
Emergent Technologies
Project

There is an option to start the programme at Foundation Level, while some students may benefit from the experience gained from an additional, but optional industrial placement year.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching

The computing programme suite utilises a variety of industry standard tools and software in combination with a number of teaching methods designed to deliver industry relevant skills and empower students to take their work further where applicable. All Staff members have embraced the active learning framework (ALF) and there have been a number of enhancements to teaching and learning.

Assessment

The programme team take a balanced approach to assessment strategy with respect to group work and individual development opportunities. Extensive use of the JIRA project management cloud platform is used to track student progress towards goals and milestones. This has proven to be a beneficial tool with respect to personal development and critical time management skills.

Where applicable, assessments are linked to real-world projects or based on current industry trends and issues. In addition, project modules serve as a platform for enterprise activities. At postgraduate level, assessments are research focused and students are encouraged to experiment with the latest technologies and software whilst embedding best research practice.

Personalised Support

The Computing department at Wrexham University the university employs a long-standing open-door policy, and activate engage with students, alumni and industry using our online Discord community. Additional tools such as Teams and Moodle provide core information and methods of contact. All students are also allocated a personal tutor who are encouraged to meet on a regular basis and extra personalised support is provided for all part time students on VLE.