Computer Science BSc (Hons)

This module will give you a foundational knowledge of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and related Microsoft Azure services. This module will help you demonstrate knowledge of common ML and AI workloads. In addition, ‘AI Fundamentals’ will guide you through hands-on sessions and workshops on how to implement common ML and AI workloads on MS Azure.
‘AI Fundamentals’ will prepare you for later modules, as well as for a placement in your third year. Employers look for skilled graduates with industry-recognised and technology-based certifications such as the MS Azure AI Fundamentals AI-900. Employers are seeking talented individuals who can work as members of a team in understanding, analysing, and designing AI solutions leading to sustainable growth, change and impact and applying effective, responsible and ethical AI-enabled techniques.

During ‘AI Fundamentals’, students will work through a series of workshops and exercises relying on state-of-the-art AI technologies and Cloud Computing such as MS Azure. Furthermore, students will make use of Northumbria’s state-of-the-art computer labs. Students will also critically engage with research outputs as part of their research-rich learning.

‘AI fundamentals’ lectures and workshops will help students prepare for the AI Fundamentals certification exam (AI-900). This certification can be used to prepare for other Azure role-based certifications like Azure Data Scientist Associate or Azure AI Engineer Associate which are much sought-after by recruiters.

Thinking like a computing professional means more than being able to program a computer. It requires solving problems at multiple levels of abstraction. Before any programming begins the solution to the problem must be understood. Using real world case studies, in this module you will develop skills to decode client’s problems developing skills of abstraction and systems design to specify solutions. A key skill employers seek is the ability to solve problems, in this module you will develop computational thinking to achieve this. Computational thinking is a range of mental tools such as algorithms, modelling, logic, generalisation, decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition and others that reflect the full breadth of Computer Science. Computational thinking is about solving problems, designing systems and understanding human behaviour. This module will teach you to reformulate seemingly difficult problems into solvable ones by using processes such as reduction, embedding, transformation or simulation.

Computational thinking can be applied to a wide variety of subject areas beyond computing, to the sciences, the arts and business. Whether developing a start-up for the latest sustainable product or fighting for social justice you will learn to be able to apply computational thinking’s vocabulary (for example algorithm, precondition, non-determinism, etc.) to many non-digital problems. In this module you will learn not to program but to conceptualize. You will learn not by rote skill, but instead by leveraging fundamental principles, by engaging with ideas not artefacts, and by embedding learning and exploration in your experience. Computational thinking has implications for everyone, everywhere and it will be integral to your future in both digital and real-life endeavours.

During ‘Computational thinking’ you will work through a series of exercises, making use of Northumbria’s state-of-the-art computer labs and digital security lab. You will also critically engage with research outputs as part of your research-rich learning. The principal elements of assessment will involve decomposing and analysing a real-world problem correctly, and identifying a solution before trying to design and implement it.

What is a ‘good’ technology? This module will provide an introduction to the range of effects, opportunities and unintended consequences, that computing has upon society. The design decisions taking in developing technologies can have far reaching consequences across all areas of society, from big philosophical questions such as ‘can computers ever be sentient’, to shopping for groceries, and biohacking.
This module will provide a foundation in concepts such as the forms of harms which can arise from the design, development, and use of technologies, including algorithmic harms, and compounding existing inequalities. Conversely you will be familiarised with where disruption provides new opportunities and challenges society to re-evaluate the status quo. This is approached through a framing which considers broader attitudes towards technology, sustainability, what drives the development of technology for profit, and how users may stage resistance against authority/power using computers. Topics include algorithmic harms, the digital citizen and pro/anti-social behaviours, morality and ethical design, and future of a digital society.
During ‘Computers & Society’ you will engage in research-rich critical analyses of harm arising through the development of technology, learn how to develop evidence-driven arguments, and position yourself as a responsible computing professional by identifying what harms you might unintentionally contribute to, and how you might avoid or mitigate doing so.

This module aims to provide you with a theoretical and practical foundation required to understand the fundamental underpinnings of a computing system. You will be introduced to the basic concepts and first principles involved in computer software, information representation and the operations and components used in computer system architectures. You will gain an understanding of the underlying theory of computation as well as the major computational and programming paradigms. To complement this theoretical underpinning, you will also study the standard von Neumann computer architecture and von Neumann machine programming.

This module will help you develop logical reasoning, computational thinking and problem-solving skills employers look for. An introductory understanding of computer architecture and assembly programming improves your career options in areas such as embedded systems. Practising and developing mathematical skills and problem-solving improves your employability and allows you to develop this area further at later stages of the programme. A broad understanding of the theoretical principles of computing allows you to extend this understanding into areas of theoretical research. It also allows you to engage with wider discussions in the computing community. The module examines current computational paradigms and principles of design of computer hardware and their environmental impact.

This module focuses on core data concepts, and the design, implementation and use of database systems. It introduces database systems, the tools for manipulating data in databases, and design principles that ensure data security and integrity. Topics include database management systems architecture, data modelling and database design, query languages, data preparation and cleansing techniques and security, legal and ethical issues concerning the use of databases in society. You will consider issues such as the sustainability of data, and the ethics of responsible data capture and use.

You will work with database systems and data services used in industry. The module follows some of the same topics as the MS Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification course, therefore students may wish to pursue this certification during their programme.
During ‘Data Fundamentals’ you will work through a series of exercises, making use of Northumbria’s state-of-the-art computer labs. You will also engage with research outputs as part of your research-rich learning. One assessment component (50%) will be a written report that demonstrates your understanding of ethical, legal and security related issues concerning data and databases, based on current research. The other assessment component (50%) will be a practical assessment that assesses your knowledge and skills relating to key data concepts, analysis, and techniques.

‘Data Fundamentals’ will prepare you for later modules such as ‘Data Mining’, as well as for a placement in your third year. Employers are looking for skilled graduates who have technology-based certifications such as MS Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) that validate their skills in analysing data and applying effective solutions to computing problems.

During this module you will learn how to create software using a high-level programming language such as Python. You will learn to select and apply standard programming structures for appropriate situations. The module will cover the use of variables, conditions, loops, subprograms, abstraction mechanisms and structured data types. You will learn to apply your skills using a professional development library, such as Flask, to build interactive user interfaces.

You will practise solving problems by breaking them down into smaller tasks. As well as constructing software that works, you will also start to consider the quality of your code and produce software that is reliable and maintainable by working to professional standards. You will learn to test, debug and maintain software of an appropriate size and to manage your time in constructing well-structured software products. We will study one programming language in detail on this module. This course will powerfully contribute to your employability by beginning your journey into software development, a skill which many employers will test before interview. As the course develops you will get to use professional software development libraries to aid your graduate employability. You will be encouraged and supported to go beyond the essential skills in and advance your development experience.

During ‘Programming’ you will work through a series of exercises, making use of Northumbria’s state-of-the-art computer labs and digital security lab. You will also critically engage with research outputs as part of your research-rich learning. The main elements of assessment are a set of programming assignments that will bring together all your new skills and techniques.

You will develop your understanding of academic conventions in UK higher education aligned to your level of study, including expectations around critical analysis, structure, argumentation, evidencing, and referencing. The module focuses on developing communication strategies that will help you express your ideas clearly and coherently in written assignments and spoken activities. You will also reflect on your current academic and language skills and develop strategies for development ahead of your assessments.