Welcome to your Computer Science course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as a Computer Science student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Hi and welcome to Staffordshire University, joining us in the Department of Computing within the School of Digital, Technologies and Arts. We have over 50 years of experience delivering computing degree courses and our staff are enthusiastic, highly qualified academically and/or professional qualifications with a commercial and/or research background.

The department of computing was ranked 5^th best in the country for teaching and learning in the NSS survey, the university is ranked 4^th best in the UK in the Student Crowd University awards.

We are here to help you learn and gain an excellent education so that you have a successful and rewarding future career.

Course Delivery

Your lectures will be delivered live on campus (may be recorded), practical tutorial sessions will also be live on campus.

All learning materials will be hosted on our VLE (Blackboard).

Tutorial (practical sessions) are normally maximum capacity of 25. Lectures can be up to 150 students in the lecture theatre.

Semester one activities

In the first few weeks we will be starting to deliver the technical content of your course and help you build working relationships with the staff and other students. We will also help you solve any issues you have and help you with the transition into higher education and the different methods of learning used, leading onto you becoming an autonomous, self-motivated learner.

Digital technologies – This module enables you to explore the different areas of technology within computing and identify core elements within the field to make an informed choice for purchasing, designing, and developing systems. In addition to these core skills, you will consolidate your mathematical skills to apply them to your chosen specialism.

Networking Concepts and Cyber Security – This course is intended to equip you with not only the knowledge but also the practical skills to be able to create and understand an enterprise grade network. The Syllabus incorporates the content of the Cisco ICND1 qualification (Network fundamentals and routing/switching fundamentals). It also looks at Cybersecurity, which is a growing challenge, in which different stakeholders are involved ranging from individuals up to organizations and governments. Effective information security requires participation, planning, and practice. This part of the module is designed to teach you the essential concepts of cybersecurity which are a gateway for more advanced topics related to information security.

Software Development and Application Modelling – In this module, you will begin an exciting journey of discovery that will lay the programming foundation for your professional career. In the first semester, you will focus on writing programs in Python using the procedural programming paradigm. In the second semester, you will begin to explore the Object-Oriented paradigm using C# as the programming language. On the way, you will also learn about analysing problems, modelling solutions, and testing programs.

Web Development and Operating Systems – You'll start with an introduction to Linux and windows operating systems. In the second semester you will look at web design and programming constructs. You will look at web standards and building web applications that are suitable for their purpose. You will establish a solid foundation in the basic principles of client-side programming for the web including HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and will learn the essential skills necessary to give you confidence in designing, implementing, and testing event-driven web applications. It will discuss current best practice in web development, security issues and hosting. You will also learn about the commercial world of Linux which is an increasingly popular Operating System (OS) for Internet facing services, and learn about Linux commands and Bash Script.

Before you arrive

It would be good if you could review the following videos in preparation for your core modules:

Networking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBWhzz_Gn10

Digital technologies: https://www.ted.com/talks/linda_liukas_crawling_into_a_computer

Cyber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULGILG-ZhO0

Web development: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsQ1tFLwldY

Software development: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8Tko2YC5hA

Please feel free to watch other introductory videos, TED Talks and YouTube are a good starting place. Please do not worry if you do not understand everything, that is what we are going to help you with.

Our library services offer some excellent guides to help you with your studies and workshops sessions can be booked for individual support. Please look at these additional resources that may be of use during your studies:

https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills

Foundation Year Semester One Activities

When you arrive, you will be starting four modules which will run through the year. These modules are designed to begin your journey into both computing, and academia itself.

All our courses in the Foundation Year start from scratch but move forward quickly.

Study Skills and Professional Development – This module is designed to introduce you to the world of academia and provide you with the skills that you will need to successfully read for your degree, and also complete assignments effectively first time!

You’ll be working on building up your research and writing skills to help you through your university journey. In particular you will learn how to approach assignments and to undertake literature reviews and reflective reports at university level.

Web Technology and Programming – This module is your introduction to programming and web-based technologies. This includes an introduction to web design as well as programming constructs.

Group Project – In this module you will be introduced to University-level group work, which will help you in your future Undergraduate modules, and enable you to better understand future assignments and marking patterns.

Here, you will work in a small group to get experience of group work and project management skills as well as a host of other useful professional skills.

Networking, Statistics and Probability – NSP is your introduction to key concepts that you will need to really get to grips with computing itself. These concepts are extremely important as you progress into understanding how computers work and talk to each other!

It is not all about maths! If you are not a maths person - do not panic! Your module tutors will help you with all elements of the module.

You will then move on to studying networking concepts utilising industry-standard Cisco academy training materials.

Throughout your University journey you will be supported by a specifically assigned academic mentor, as well as a team of module tutors who will always be on hand to help you with whatever you need!

You also have a dedicated course leader, and level leader, who you can always turn to if you have any concerns or need anything at all!

Foundation Year Before You Start

Read news articles around digital technologies to get an idea of the latest ideas and innovations.

Consider how technology supports day to day processes and how data is collected and stored.

The following are useful:

The podcast Twit (This Week in Tech) https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech

The British Computer Society Impact page: https://impact.bcs.org/

Clubs and societies

Information about several clubs is available at https://www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/

These are run by our Student Union, a fantastic way to get involved in your student experience and meet people! Don’t forget all students form the union, it only works if everyone is involved!

Equipment and software

Software link: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

A suitable PC/Laptop preferably Windows OS, ideally Intel i5 or equivalent with a minimum of 16GB memory.

Alternatively, a Mac or Linux based machine, warning Macs that are “M” series based are not recommended at present due to virtualisation incompatibility.

Download software

Course Trips

There may be an opportunity for us to run a number of visits, these will be optional and communicated out to you closer to the time.

We hope to offer you opportunities to get involved in several research and commercial guest talks, these are not mandatory to your course but offer an insight into the future of computing.

Keep in touch

Twitter: @staffsnetworks, @staffscomputing

Instagram: @staffs_computing

Meet the team

Dr Russell Campion

Head Of Department - Computing & Esports

Russell started at the University in 1990, studying a BA, then MRes, and finally a PhD before going into full-time teaching. He currently runs the Department of Computing. Previously he has managed the Information Systems group at Stafford befor…

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Christopher Howard

Course Director

Chris is a networking professional with over 30 years’ experience in the technical and academic field. He is currently the course director for Cyber Security and Networks.

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Dr David Dyke

Course Director

David's expertise focuses on control engineering, electrical circuit analysis, analogue electronics and hardware-based digital electronics. His research interests focus on social implications of technology and the use of AI for power systems design.

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Dr Mostafa Tajdini

Senior Lecturer

Mostafa is Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Cyber Security course at Staffordshire University as well an active researcher in Cyber and Network Security. His main area of the interest is Intrusion Detection/Prevention System in IPv6 and Phishing Attack.

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Stephen Cahill

Senior Lecturer

Steve is a Networks and Server Specialist who focuses primarily on teaching Virtualisation and Infrastructure Modules. His area of interest is primarily Hardware Platforms and Monitoring Systems.

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What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September. We are here to help you learn, please ask questions and seek advice as and when needed so that we can make your studies with us fun and lead on to a fantastic career.

If you have any questions, please send them to mynewcomputingcourse@staffs.ac.uk

Computer Science Course Team