Thinking about a career in computing? With a degree from the range of computing programmes at UEL, the future’s bright!

Computer information systems are an important part of our lives. Well-engineered, reliable and usable information systems play a crucial role in the survival of most organisations, especially Business organisations. Thus, people who can design, implement and maintain these ever-evolving computer information systems are in constant demand. Studying in the Business Information Systems (BIS) field of computing is challenging and enjoyable, and can lead to a rewarding career. At UEL, you can study a specialised degree in Business Information Systems

Due to the range of computing academic fields available at UEL, this programme allows you to study a variety of subjects, including the development of information systems, computer programming, internetworking and the business contexts in which computer-based information systems are used. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of practical-based skills, including the opportunity for one year work experience (for London campus students only), which will provides a solid foundation for a career in the field of computing.

Programmes in the field of computing are three or four years in length, as the sandwich degrees include a one-year work placement. If you want to change to one of our other specialised degrees, or to a more general Computing degree, this is easy to arrange. Students are able to work in groups to develop computer-based solutions to real-life situations, and encourage doing so in co-operation with local companies.

As well as the usual teaching and learning facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, lecture and seminar rooms and well-resourced library, students have access to a wide range of computing resources. Specialised labs are used for the study of computer networking and operating system such as Windows and UNIX environment. Students are provided with software tools for programming, database development, computer-aided software engineering, Internet access and Web-based development. The virtual learning environment UELPlus is used to give extra support to students and allow easy communication between students and staff. The placement year (which can take place abroad) is the ideal opportunity to add to the skills gained during the first two years of the programme.

A variety of assessment methods are used. Some modules are entirely assessed by coursework, although most are assessed by the combination of coursework and examination. Coursework assessment can take a number of different forms, including presentations, software demonstrations, research-based assignments and practical exercises involving system or program specification, coding and testing, and might be carried out individually or in group. Examinations might be multiple choice tests or more traditional unseen questions.

On the sandwich programme (if you are a London campus student), students have the option to undertake a 48 weeks industrial placement during the third year. This placement is normally paid. The School has long-standing links with a large number of well-known employers who can provide UEL students with worthwhile work experience. Many students are offered permanent employment by their placement organisation when they graduate. In addition to enhance employment prospects, the placement provides a valuable learning experience, the results of which feed into our students’ final year of study.

This does not apply to our collaborative franchise programmes as many of these have local arrangements. 

Students complete a project in their final year. This is a major piece of work that allows students to choose the direction of their study, to develop their own ideas and to integrate the various subjects studied.

In addition to the IT-related skills and knowledge acquired during your studies, you will be develop a wide range of personal and professional skills including communication, presentation, negotiation, team working and time management. These sought-after skills will be useful throughout your working life and will increase your chances of finding a well-paid and interesting job after graduation.

• Gain appropriate knowledge and skills base to pursue a career managing and developing information systems in a contemporary business context.
• Gain an understanding of the operational, strategic and practical issues in information systems currently relevant to small, medium and large enterprises.
• Be aware of the management, economic, legal, social, professional and ethical issues relating to information systems.
• Learn and work both independently and within groups.
• Develop the necessary study skills and knowledge to pursue further study.

Knowledge

• How to design (Maj, J and Min) and implement information systems
• How computer hardware (Maj, J) and software (Maj, J and Min) work together to provide a platform for information systems
• How information systems can be used in a business context. (Maj, J and Min)
• How IT project can be strategically managed and developed (Maj).

Thinking skills

• Problem solving (Maj, J and Min)
• Evaluation and critical analysis (Maj, J)
• Self-appraisal and review of personal practice. (Maj)

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Use of range of specialised computer technology, such as databases (Maj, J), website (Maj) and other development packages (Maj, J and Min).
• Preparation of essays, reports and presentations (Maj, J and Min)
• Production of major self-directed project. (Maj)

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Communication Skills (Maj, J and Min)
• Time management (Maj, J and Min)
• Learning and working both independently and in groups (Maj, J and Min)

The expected duration of this programme is three years when attended in full-time mode or five years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one field with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

Single 120 credits at levels one, two and three
Major 80 credits at levels one, two and three
Joint 60 credits at levels one, two and three
Minor 40 credits at levels one, two and three.

Modules are defined as:

Core Must be taken
Option Select from a range of identified module within the field
University Wide Option Select from a wide range of university wide options

The following are the core and optional requirements for the single and major routes for this programme.

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)

Knowledge is developed through

• Participation in lectures, tutorials and workshops
• Directed and general reading
• Primary and secondary research, e.g. using internet or Learning Resource Centre

Thinking skills are developed through

• Successful completion of set assessment tasks
• Self-appraisal and self-evaluation
• Critical evaluation of concepts, assumptions, arguments and data

Practical skills are developed through

• Use of general IT applications such as word processors and spreadsheets
• Use of specialised IT applications such as program development environments and CASE tools
• Investigation of website development

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Working in groups to complete work set, such as presentations
• Working during sandwich year as placement student
• Managing time to complete assessments by deadlines

Knowledge is assessed by

• Examinations, both unseen and based on previously supplied case studies
• Multiple choice tests
• Extended essays and reports

Thinking skills are assessed by

• All assessment tasks set, particularly those requiring critical evaluation
• Self-appraisal of performance
• Use of appropriate problem solving skills

Practical skills are assessed by

• Assessment tasks requiring use of general and specialised IT applications
• Use of equipment in practicals and presentations

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Evidence of group and team working
• Completion of placement year
• Ability to work to time constraints