Module Descriptors
COMPUTER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT (BLENDED LEARNING)
COCS40728
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Janet Francis
Email: J.Francis@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 21.5
Independent Study Hours: 128.5
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- Coursework - Three (1000 word each) long answers questions relating to workplace (where appropriate) or to a scenario weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
Understanding the roles of a software developer in terms of the Software Development Life Cycle
Why systems fail
End to End Systems Development
Approaches, tools, techniques and methods – structured versus agile
Understanding the systems development process end to end
• in the context of design
• impact of existing infrastructure
• secure development practises and standards around reliability resilience and security
• Testing methods
• Configuration and Deployment to end users
• User training
Why systems fail
End to End Systems Development
Approaches, tools, techniques and methods – structured versus agile
Understanding the systems development process end to end
• in the context of design
• impact of existing infrastructure
• secure development practises and standards around reliability resilience and security
• Testing methods
• Configuration and Deployment to end users
• User training
Module Learning Strategies
Module Launch (10 hours)
There will be a module launch during which 10 hours of face to face contact will be devoted to tasks which are designed to provide useful insights into the module content and purpose. This will include role play and group work.
Guided Learning (11 hours)
A module tutor who is part of the teaching team of the module will be allocated to you and you will meet them during the launch. Following the launch, there will be some materials on the VLE which are designed to guide your learning. Additionally, there will be at least one hour per week of contact time for the eleven weeks following the launch. This will be used for learning guided led by your module tutor. It will be a face to face presentation if you are on day release. For online learners it will be flipped classroom approach with group (up to 20) seminars.
Reviews - Either:
Tutorial reviews for online learners (0.5 hour per student)
Online learners will have 2 tutorial sessions with their module tutor during the course of the module. These will be individual or small group sessions during which your module tutor will be able to answer any queries that you have regarding module work. The review weeks are listed in the module handbook and mentors will be invited to join the call and provide feedback.
Or
Tutorial sessions for day release learners (at least 0.5 hours per student)
There will scheduled tutorial sessions (up to 20 students) during the 11 weeks following the launch which will take the place of the tutorial reviews for day release students
Independent learning (128.5 hours)
The module leader will provide resources through the virtual learning environment which will include videos and presentations as well as links to useful websites. Other academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area. Module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you may contact your module tutor for assistance.
Part of your independent learning will take place in your workplace under the guidance of your mentor. You will complete a work-based learning agreement to ensure that arrangements are in place at your workplace to facilitate this work-based learning. You are encouraged to endeavour to apply your growing academic knowledge to improve your work practice and to reflect on your work-based experiences to improve your learning.
You will be required to complete assignment work during independent learning time. Assignment work for a 15 credit module at level 4 should take around 50 hours to complete.
Additional help with learning
You will have access to the departmental librarian and you will also have an academic coach who will organise group coaching sessions to guide you through your academic journey with us. As a student, you are more than welcome to visit the university at any time and to use the resources. During time at the university, you may arrange to meet your module tutor or academic coach for additional help.
There will be a module launch during which 10 hours of face to face contact will be devoted to tasks which are designed to provide useful insights into the module content and purpose. This will include role play and group work.
Guided Learning (11 hours)
A module tutor who is part of the teaching team of the module will be allocated to you and you will meet them during the launch. Following the launch, there will be some materials on the VLE which are designed to guide your learning. Additionally, there will be at least one hour per week of contact time for the eleven weeks following the launch. This will be used for learning guided led by your module tutor. It will be a face to face presentation if you are on day release. For online learners it will be flipped classroom approach with group (up to 20) seminars.
Reviews - Either:
Tutorial reviews for online learners (0.5 hour per student)
Online learners will have 2 tutorial sessions with their module tutor during the course of the module. These will be individual or small group sessions during which your module tutor will be able to answer any queries that you have regarding module work. The review weeks are listed in the module handbook and mentors will be invited to join the call and provide feedback.
Or
Tutorial sessions for day release learners (at least 0.5 hours per student)
There will scheduled tutorial sessions (up to 20 students) during the 11 weeks following the launch which will take the place of the tutorial reviews for day release students
Independent learning (128.5 hours)
The module leader will provide resources through the virtual learning environment which will include videos and presentations as well as links to useful websites. Other academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area. Module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you may contact your module tutor for assistance.
Part of your independent learning will take place in your workplace under the guidance of your mentor. You will complete a work-based learning agreement to ensure that arrangements are in place at your workplace to facilitate this work-based learning. You are encouraged to endeavour to apply your growing academic knowledge to improve your work practice and to reflect on your work-based experiences to improve your learning.
You will be required to complete assignment work during independent learning time. Assignment work for a 15 credit module at level 4 should take around 50 hours to complete.
Additional help with learning
You will have access to the departmental librarian and you will also have an academic coach who will organise group coaching sessions to guide you through your academic journey with us. As a student, you are more than welcome to visit the university at any time and to use the resources. During time at the university, you may arrange to meet your module tutor or academic coach for additional help.
Module Assessment Details
COURSEWORK WEIGHTED AT 100%
Three long answer questions relating to the workplace (where appropriate) or to a given scenario (1000 words each) and testing all learning outcomes
Three long answer questions relating to the workplace (where appropriate) or to a given scenario (1000 words each) and testing all learning outcomes
Module Resources
You will need access to these resources:
The VLE
An ICT Workplace environment. A Work-Based Learning Agreement will be completed for this module to ensure that the student will have access to the required resources in the workplace.
The Internet and office software
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying this module.
The VLE
An ICT Workplace environment. A Work-Based Learning Agreement will be completed for this module to ensure that the student will have access to the required resources in the workplace.
The Internet and office software
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying this module.
Module Texts
SIAU, K. (2010) Systems analysis and design: people, processes, and projects, Armonk, NY : M.E. Sharpe, Inc.,
DENNIS, Alan (2015) System Analysis and Design, 6th Edition, Wiley
DENNIS, Alan (2015) System Analysis and Design, 6th Edition, Wiley
Module Learning Outcomes
1. UNDERSTAND ALL STAGES OF THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE AND THE TASKS THAT A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER PERFORMS IN EACH STAGE
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
2. RECOGNISE, DESCRIBE AND JUSTIFY THE USE OF AN APPROPRIATE APPROACH IN A GIVEN SCENARIO UNDERSTANDING THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AGILE AND STRUCTURED SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES
Analysis
Application
3. EXPLAIN KEY CONCEPTS IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS QUALITY, RELIABILITY, RESILIENCE AND SECURITY
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
2. RECOGNISE, DESCRIBE AND JUSTIFY THE USE OF AN APPROPRIATE APPROACH IN A GIVEN SCENARIO UNDERSTANDING THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AGILE AND STRUCTURED SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES
Analysis
Application
3. EXPLAIN KEY CONCEPTS IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS QUALITY, RELIABILITY, RESILIENCE AND SECURITY
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning