Computing Foundation Year Project

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 3
• Convenor: Gordon McIntyre
• Assessment: a 500-word project outline (10%), 500-word project progress report (10%) and 1500-word report (80%)

This module allows you to build on your knowledge of IT and information systems, and demonstrate how these systems are used throughout organisations.

You will undertake a small research project into the use of IT in a small-scale organisational context (e.g. a charity, school or library). You are asked to identify system inputs and outputs, document the main processes of the system, identify the main data objects involved in the system and enumerate the hardware, software and human assets that comprise the system. You will also make an appraisal of the quality and efficiency of the system, and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

As part of this module you will receive support in basic research skills, report writing and self-directed learning.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction to the project
• IT in organisations
• Academic skills for project writing

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• understand the use of IT in a small organisational context
• break down an IT system into its constituent parts
• understand the relationship between different parts of an IT system
• draw and document IT systems.