Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

The aim of this certificate is to equip you with the basic skills and knowledge that you will need to underpin a career in the computing and IT sector. It will develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental technologies, techniques and trends of modern digital technology and introduce you to some of the issues involved in their application. You will gain some practical experience in the use of a modern programming environment and ubiquitous computing devices.

Depending on which options you choose you will also gain valuable transferable skills and be prepared for further study in not only computing and IT but also a complementary subject.

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will have an:

understanding of some fundamental principles, concepts and techniques underlying computing and IT and your second subject
awareness of the range of models and languages to support the analysis and design of computing and IT systems
awareness of the principal theories, methods, models and approaches that can be deployed in your second subject area
awareness of the range of situations in which computing and IT systems are used, including in your second subject area, and the ways in which people interact with them
awareness of the ethical, social and legal issues that can be associated with the deployment of computing and IT systems, including in the context of your second subject area
awareness of major trends in computing and IT and of the implications of these trends and of their impact on your second subject area.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

apply key concepts from computing and IT and from your second subject area in specified contexts
apply appropriate techniques and tools for problem solving, designing and testing ubiquitous computing systems and in your second subject area
carry out a project in ubiquitous computing that applies and extends your know ledge and understanding.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

develop and test a simple computer system
plan and organise your work appropriately
undertake ongoing learning in order to keep up to date with computing and IT and your second subject area
identify the ethical, social and legal issues that may arise during the development and use of computing and IT systems particularly in the context of your second subject area
use ICT tools and numerical skills, as appropriate, to help you learn effectively.

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

communicate information, arguments ideas and issues clearly and in appropriate ways
work in a group, communicating effectively in a distance setting where the communication is computer-mediated
work independently, planning, monitoring and reviewing your own learning
find information from a variety of sources, using information technology where necessary
use appropriate numerical techniques to solve problems.