Unit descriptions for the INTO Diploma in Computing Science or Business Information Systems

Students are required to obtain 120 credits for progression. One unit is worth 20 credits.  Please see Diploma pathways for specific core units for Computing Science and specific core units for Business Information Systems.

English Language and Study Skills (IELTS 6.5 required for entrance into Year 2)
The aims of the English Language and Study Skills unit are:
i to improve students’ ability to deal with complex academic texts;
ii to develop critical ability in relation to academic writing;
iii to develop fluency and confidence in academic discussion; and
iv to enhance students’ ability to extract information from spoken texts. The unit includes an investigative project involving research and investigation, data collection and analysis and a written and oral presentation of methods and results.

Mathematics for Computing
This unit is designed to provide students with sufficient understanding of basic algebra to give them confidence to embark on the study of computing fundamentals. Various topics in discrete and continuous mathematics which are fundamental to Computer Science are covered.

The Computing Revolution
The unit is designed to provide students with an overview of the history of computing, and an insight into likely future developments. Report writing and team skills are also developed.

Computing Fundamentals
This unit introduces key concepts in discrete mathematics, logic and statistical analysis which are essential for any degree in computing.

Computing Systems 1
This unit is designed to introduce students to some of the principal technologies of contemporary computing systems and to software development in a web context.

Computing Systems 2
This unit is designed to provide students with an overview of the organisational, cultural and technical context of current software development, experience of developing software in a web context, and an introduction to the principal architectures of contemporary computing systems.

Programming
The purpose of this unit is to give the student a grounding in the essential features of object-oriented computer programming using the Java programming language. The unit is designed to meet the needs of a student who has not previously studied programming, although it is recognised that many will in fact have done so in some measure. On successful completion, the student will be capable of developing, testing and documenting simple, but nontrivial, object-oriented programs, and will understand and use appropriate technical terminology in discussing these programs.

Introduction to 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, organisational culture, human resource management, managing change  corporate strategy, marketing, organisation structure, managing finance and budgets, managing operations, managing information systems.

Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting
The aims of this unit are:
i to provide a foundation in the theory and practice of management accounting and finance for students going on to study accounting at a more advanced level;
ii to provide an introduction to the role, context and terminology of management accounting and finance for students following a more general management pathway;
iii to provide a foundation in the theory and practice of financial accounting and
iv to introduce the role, context and language of financial reporting.
The unit assumes no previous studies of accounting and incorporates the following themes: the meaning of accounting, the balance sheet, the profit and loss account, the double entry system, adjustments of accounts, introduction to business games, accounts of limited companies, corporate governance, cash flow statements, interpretation of accounts: ratio analysis, regulatory frameworks (UK, EU and International), valuation and performance measurement, audit and control and corporate social responsibility accounting.

Organisational Behaviour
The aim of this unit is to develop an appreciation of the nature and historical development of organisational behaviour. The unit introduces key concepts, theories, and methodologies in organisational behaviour, and develops the student’s understanding of the linkages between research, theory and practice. It also enables students to develop analytical and academic writing skills. The overall aim is for students to develop an understanding of the structure, function and performance of organisations – with particular reference to the behaviour of individuals and groups who work within them.