Unit descriptions for Computing and Mathematics

Foundation Computing I
The objectives of this unit are to give students an overview of the systems development process and software, an understanding of programming paradigms and techniques, knowledge of the main components of a computer programming environment and programming constructs, an understanding of testing, verification and reproducibility of behaviour in computer systems.

Foundation Computing II
The objectives of this unit are to give students an understanding of the way in which data can be stored and used, an understanding of how circuits can be produced, an insight into the various modes of data processing, experience of networking and data communications, an overview of the internal workings of the computer and knowledge of a range of operating systems and their uses.

Introduction to Computing for Business
The objectives of this unit are to give students an understanding of the role of ICT within both the working and leisure environments, help students understand the way that the world wide web has impacted on the world, provide an appreciation of the role of ICT in various work disciplines, appreciate the use and organisation of data, introduce the student to the nature of information and how it is used in organisations, introduce a range of software development ideas and technologies and provide experience of web programming.

Introduction to the Study of Business
This unit provides a basic understanding of business and management for those students who will undertake an undergraduate degree involving the study of business. The unit pursues the following themes: models of management, the business environment, managing people, leadership, corporate social responsibility, human resource management, corporate strategy, marketing, organisation structure, managing operations.

Introduction to the Study of Accounting
This introductory unit covers financial, management, social and environmental accounting. No prior knowledge of accounting is needed. It demonstrates some of the basic accounting concepts and procedures used in the preparation of financial statements and helps students with the interpretation of financial performance. It also demonstrates some of the techniques used in management accounting and helps students to understand the role of management accounting in organisational planning, control, decision making and performance evaluation. Students also explore the wider applications of accounting information.

The unit incorporates the following themes: business organisations and finance, starting a business, business growth, large businesses, the role of accounting in business, the balance sheet, the profit and loss account, cash flow, financial reporting by limited companies, understanding financial reports, social and environmental accounts, budgeting, pricing, capital investment decisions, performance measurements and reporting.

Mathematics for Science and Computing
This unit in mathematics is designed for students on INTO Foundation Science and Computing pathways. The objectives of this unit are to provide students with an understanding of the key mathematical topics relevant to Science and Computing. These include trigonometry, integral calculus, functions, logarithms, vector geometry, arithmetic series, probability and statistics and proof by induction.

Advanced Mathematics
This unit is for students wishing to progress onto a Mathematics degree, or who enjoy studying Mathematics. This unit covers counting techniques, statistical concepts and methods, further integral calculus, developing principles and applications of probability theory, the use of simulation models, complex numbers, the concepts of convergence and divergence in geometric series, further coordinate geometry, linear algebra and its applications, modelling using graphs and digraphs.