Computer Systems Engineering, BSc (Hons)

This is the course for you, if you are interested in

IT systems grow increasingly complex involving multiple processing and communication components on a huge scale. This course gives you:

• an in depth understanding of how systems work
• the skills to develop software system components and integrate hardware and software components together.

This course develops and impressive depth of technical understanding. You will be highly sought after in the employment market upon graduation.

Why choose this course?

• It is accredited by the bcs, The Chartered Institute for IT to Chartered Engineer (CEng) and IT Professional (CITP) status.
• You will have the opportunity for a year-long paid work placement. The School has strong links with local industry representatives such as:
  • Siemens
  • Her Majesty's Governments Communications Centre (HMGCC)
  • Experian
  • Excel.
• Our Computer Society will enable you to share ideas with other computer games students throughout the country.
• This course shares a common first year with:
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Networks)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Forensic and Security).

This will provide you with the flexibility to review your pathway once you've started studying.

• Our student work can be ground-breaking, innovative and consistently attracts industry attention

Questions? Just ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200

The Computer Systems cluster of courses focuses on behind the scenes infrastructure aspects of computer systems. You will learn about the:

• infrastructure components involved in networks, communications and operating systems
• types of systems that they support.

There are approximately 40 places available across this cluster of courses. You will share a common first year with BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Networks) and BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Forensic and Security). This will enable you to review your pathways at the end of Year One.

What will I study?

Year One

• Foundation in Computing and Technology (40 credit points)
• Systems Programming
• Systems Technology
• System Analysis and Design with Professional Development (40 credit points)

Year Two

• Software Design and Implementation Two
• Network Design and Administration
• Communications Technologies
• Distributed Network Architectures and Operating Systems
• Information and Database Engineering
• Practical Project Management

Year Three
Optional work placement year.

Final year

• Project
• Advanced Analysis and Design
• Service-Centric and Cloud Computing
• Wireless and Mobile Communications

One from the following optional modules:

• Security Technologies
• Advanced Software Engineering
• Information Systems Management
• Mobile Platform Development
• Communicating Science and Technology
• Professional Practice.

For further information, download the module descriptions document

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on a variety components including the following.

Coursework and Practical 69%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Oral presentations
• Reports

Written 31%

• Exams
• Written tests

How will I learn?

Scheduled contact time in lectures and seminars is around 12 hours per week. These will be held on Clifton campus. Lectures are spread between various buildings on campus, including:

• Erasmus Darwin
• George Eliot
• Computing and Informatics Building.

See the Clifton campus maps and travel information.

What's included in the course fees?

Your course fees cover all the facilities and support you need to succeed.

• We provide extensive computing facilities. Some of which are available twenty-four hours a day and include technician support.
• Most major software is available across the campus machines, including Adobe Master Collection Suite (exception is Encase which is housed in our specialist isolated Networking and Forensics labs).
• We provide dedicated online storage to support backup of work.
• You will be provided with free or discounted personal copies of all software used on the course except Encase.
• You will have Microsoft Academic Alliance membership, which gives you free copies of all Microsoft developer software including operating systems, Visio and Project.
• We will provide you with a free personal copy of 3D Studio Max.
• Extensive equipment will be available for you to loan for your coursework and project work. For example, you can borrow cameras, phones and games consoles.
• You will also have access to extensive free training software including tutorials on 3D Studio Max, Flash, Photoshop, TCP/IP Packet analysis, Java, Javascript, HTML5, Oracle.

Accreditation

As well as being accredited to Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status this course also has the CEng (partial fulfilment) status which is the first steps to chartered status (the letters CEng after your name). Accreditation provides proof of your experience, ability and breadth of knowledge and could make all the difference in helping you to take the next step forward in your career. This indicates that you are part of a technological elite that can typically lead to higher earning potential and improved career prospects.

Who will teach me?

We have 35 full-time Computing and Technology academic teaching staff. Our staff and students have excellent support from our four dedicated technicians.

We have a rich mix of knowledge ranging from software development for different types of system through to hardware aspects such as networking. This involves many uses of computing and considers all aspects including security and management. Our knowledge is built up and maintained through our wealth of industrial experience, our industrial links and our research activity. These are the ingredients for ensuring the relevance and vitality of your course.

Much of our research is internationally recognised, particularly in the areas of Games for Learning and in Security. For example, Prof David Brown leads several projects, funded by the European Union, in games and assistive technology while Prof Paul Evans’ innovative developments in security are supported by USA Dept of Homeland Security.

We engage fully in our subject area and this engagement feeds directly and indirectly into our teaching. Other examples of our activity are:

• developing patents (for example, in voice signal processing)
• involvement in the GameCity Festival
• organising conferences on Interactive Technology and Games and on Intelligent Environments
• working with local companies on funded projects e.g. enhancing the capability of the press association to search their image database
• publishing novel findings in research publications on for example financial prediction, mobile communications, detection of human behaviour patterns.

For information on International student support or to see our academic terms times please visit our International student pages.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

The School of Science and Technology is a stimulating and creative environment which equips students with the knowledge and transferable skills to put them ahead of the graduate crowd.

We provide facilities that enhance the quality of our education and push the boundaries of our research. You will have access to specialist centres including:

• games console laboratories
• networking and security laboratories
• human-interactive technology
• stereo-projection.

You will also enjoy working with the latest software. Examples include:

• EnCase
• 3D StudioMax
• XNA Xbox development suite
• The Adobe Creative Suite (Flash, After Effects, Photoshop)
• the Unreal and Half-life Games Engines.

Across NTU, we have a range of first-class facilities that you would expect from a university with high quality teaching and world-leading research. These include:

• a British Olympic Association-approved environmental chamber
• a crime scene training facility
• a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.