Information and Communications Technology, BSc (Hons)

New personal communication devices and smart networks are changing the way we live, work and interact. This degree focuses on modern system-orientated computing applications and provides you with the opportunity to become a leading expert within this field.

This course is designed to provide a broad and solid introduction to modern system-orientated ICT applications, such as those employed in the expanding fields of:

• mobile communications
• mobile computing
• wireless networking
• rich media technologies.

New personal communication devices and smart networks will change the way we live, work and interact. By studying this course you have the chance to become a leading expert within this field.

Why choose this course?

• It is accredited by the bcs, The Chartered Institute for IT to Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status. Recent research shows that professionals with BCS' CITP are the top earners in the UK IT industry.
• You will have access to modern facilities.
• This course shares a common first year allowing you the flexibility to review your pathway once you've started studying.
• There's the opportunity for a yearlong paid work placement, recent examples have included Hewlett Packard and Siemens
• Our student work can be ground-breaking, innovative and consistently attracts industry attention.

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

This cluster of Information Technology courses has the greatest breadth. It covers the following subjects to varying degrees of depth:

• networking and communications technology
• business and information systems
• interactive / multimedia development.

By sharing a common first year of study, you have the option to review your course and change your pathway at the end of your first year. Other courses within this cluster include:

• BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology
• BSc (Hons) Information Systems
• BSc (Hons) Computing.

There are approximately 70 places available across this cluster.

What will I study?

Year One

• Foundation in Computing and Technology
• Web-based Programming
• Internet Technology
• System Analysis and Design with Professional Development

Year Two

• Communications Technologies
• Internet Applications Development
• Interface Technology and Design
• Rich Media Technology
• Understanding the IT Industry
• Practical Project Management

Year Three
Optional work placement year.

Final year

• Project
• Wireless and Mobile Communications
• Mobile Platform Development
• Advanced Imaging and Display Technology
  

You will also need to choose from one of the following optional modules:

• Security Technologies
• Business Analysis
• Information Systems Management
• Serious Games
• Communicating Science and Technology
• Professional Practice.

For further information, download the module descriptions document

Coursework and Practical 77%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Oral presentations
• Laboratory exercises and reports

Written 23%

• Exams
• Written tests

How will I learn?

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

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

See our 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.

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

Who will teach me?

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

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 Students' 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. Students have access to specialist centres including:

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

Students 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.