1. PRODUCE A FEASIBILITY STUDY WHICH IDENTIFIES AND MODELS ‘AS IS’ AND ‘TO BE’ FUNCTIONALITY FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AND SUGGEST THE BEST SOLUTION BASED UPON CRITERIA SUCH AS COST, FUNCTIONALITY, AVAILABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY, ETC.
Enquiry
Application
Communication
Reflection

2. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF DATABASE ARCHITECTURE AND THE METHODOLOGIES APPROPRIATE FOR THE ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN OF DATABASES
Knowledge & Understanding
Problem Solving
Analysis

3. CREATE, EDIT, COMPILE, RUN, DEBUG, TEST PROGRAMS USING AN APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORTING DATABASE
Application

4. EXPLAIN KEY CONCEPTS IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS QUALITY, RELIABILITY, RESILIENCE AND SECURITY
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning

Individual Work: Python tool development and testing (learning outcomes 1-3) 70% 5000 word report

A 1 hour class test covering computer systems development (Learning outcome 4) 30% 4000 word group report and 20 minute demonstration

The individual work will be a structured report and artefact containing:
• Business process and systems analysis documentation
• Design models for database and interface with associated documentation
• A working database which corresponds to the design
• A Python interface connected to the database developed
• A User Manual and testing evidence
• A report containing a requested query statements and their output with discussion relating to the level and use of the information retrieved
The test will cover all aspects of Computer Systems Development

The content of this module is about understanding the roles of a software developer in terms of the Software Development Life Cycle – this starts with Business Analysis and ends with deployment.

Why systems fail
End to End Systems Development
Approaches, tools, techniques and methods – structured versus agile
Understanding the systems development process end to end
• Requirements Analysis
• 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
The role and use of Databases and Information Systems in Organisations
Introduction to data modelling and entity relationship diagrams via a CASE tool
Introduction to the corresponding documentation around data modelling
entity descriptions, Data dictionaries, entity life histories
Database Administration
Database security and recovery
Variables & data types
- Input & output methods
- Sequence
- Selection and Boolean expressions
- Iteration (deterministic and non-deterministic)
- Methods and parameters
- Exception Handling and debugging
- Arrays and array lists

Learning Strategies Module Launch (30 hours)
There will be a module launch in each term during which 10 hours of face to face contact will be devoted to undertaking tasks which are designed to provide useful insights into the module content and purpose for that term.

Guided Learning (30 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 ten weeks following the launch. This will be used for learning guided led by your module tutor. It might be undertaken as face to face classroom teaching if you are on day release. Alternatively, it might be a flipped classroom approach with online group seminars

Independent learning (239 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 work complete assignment work during independent learning time. Assignment work for this module should take around 100 hours to complete.

Formal Formative Reviews (1 hour) per student
You will formative reviews with your module tutor during in each term.

Additional help
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.

Chiang, R, Siau, K., Hardgrave, B. C. (2009) Systems Analysis and Design : Techniques, Methodologies, Approaches, and Architectures (Available as e-book in University library), , M.E. Sharpe, Inc eISBN: 9780765623768
(Edition: 4)

Riordan, R.M., (2005), Designing Effective Database Systems (Available as e-book in University library), Addison-Wesley Professional, ISBN-10: 0321290933 (Edition: 1)

McGrath, M. (2018) Python in easy steps, 2nd Edition - covers Python 3.7 ISBN-10: 1840788127

Paul, D. (2014), Business analysis, 3rd edn, BCS, Swindon. ISBN: 178017277x; 9781780172774.

Cadle, J., Paul, D., and Turner, P. (2014) Business Analysis Techniques: 99 Essential Tools for Success. BCS, Swindon. ISBN 1906124236 (Edition 2)

Course texts
WWW
Library
Material on Blackboard.
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. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Database all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.

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