HND Computing
01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028
| Course Leader | Ian Fitzell |
|---|---|
| Course Team | David W Farthing, Nathan Thomas |
| Awarding Body | University of South Wales |
| Teaching Institutions | Cardiff and Vale College, Merthyr Tydfil College, Coleg Gwent |
| Modes of Study | Part Time, Full Time |
Document Version
| Version | 4 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2022 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
QAA Benchmarks
Educational Aim
The HND in Computing has the following aims:
a. To equip students with computing skills, knowledge and the understanding necessary to achieve high performance in the global computing environment.
b. To provide education for a range of careers in computing at technician, junior or trainee level in a wide variety of organisations.
c. To provide opportunities for students to develop the skills, techniques and personal attributes essential for successful working lives.
d. To provide opportunities for students to enter or progress in employment in computing, or progress to higher education qualifications such as an Honours degree in computing or a related area.
e. To be able to use practical and technological understanding to find ways forward in broadly defined contexts, including in an employment context.
f. To be able to analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant information, concepts and ideas.
g. To be aware of the nature and scope of the computing domain.
h. To understand different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought about computing concepts, and the reasoning behind them.
i. To be able to address broadly defined, complex problems in various computing scenarios.
j. To determine, adapt and use appropriate methods and skills, and to propose solutions to computing problems.
k. To use relevant research or development to inform actions.
l. To evaluate the effectiveness of their actions, methods and results.
m. To take responsibility for planning and developing courses of action, including where relevant, taking responsibility for the work of others.
n. To exercise autonomy and judgement within broad parameters, and to understand the limits of their knowledge.
o. To be able to reflect and to succinctly present rational and reasoned arguments that address a given problem or opportunity, to a range of audiences (orally, electronically or in writing).
Learning Outcomes
| A1 | Of basic mathematical and statistical concepts that underpin the programme of study. |
| A2 | Of current practices in analysis and design tasks and techniques. |
| A3 | Of the principles and role of quality management as applied through the computer applications development life cycle. |
| A4 | Of current practices in software application development process. |
| A5 | Of current practices in website development. |
| A6 | Of the principles and role of computer and communications technology and architecture. |
| A7 | Of the professional, social, legal and ethical issues, and the ability demonstrate an ethical approach to their work. |
| B1 | Able to use appropriate mathematical/analytical methods, and to apply problem solving principles in order to produce solutions to a range of typical computing problems. |
| B2 | Able to analyse and model data and processes for problems of a defined scope, and to design suitable information systems. |
| B3 | Able to evaluate, review or test the quality of computing artefacts. |
| B4 | Able to develop and test computer software components and/or processes. |
| B5 | Able to develop and test website components and/or technologies. |
| B6 | Able to model situations relating to computer systems architecture, and to apply solutions to problems relating to computer systems architecture. |
| B7 | Able to integrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired during the course to produce practical solutions to realistic problems. |
| C1 | Apply mathematical methods appropriate to the computing discipline. |
| C2 | Understand relevant issues such as computer security and privacy legislation, database security etc. |
| C3 | Undertake in a professional manner analysis, design, production and evaluation of solutions to either small-scale unbounded or well-defined, more complex design and implementation problems in areas such as application software development, database development and website development. |
| C4 | Demonstrate engineering skills in terms of: data representation and storage, system hardware, software components, methodologies and tools. |
| C5 | Apply appropriate legal, ethical, social and professional standards to all aspects of work undertaken. |
Course Structure
Level 4 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS1H422 | MOD005305 | Professional Practice in Computing | Running | 10 | specified |
| IS1H428 | MOD009865 | Software Development | Running | 10 | specified |
| IS1S451 | MOD000956 | Information Systems Analysis and Design 1 | Running | 20 | specified |
| IS1S454 | MOD009866 | Computer Systems and Networking Concepts | Running | 20 | specified |
| IS1S455 | MOD009867 | Computer Programming 1 | Running | 20 | specified |
| IS1S456 | MOD009868 | Web Development | Running | 20 | specified |
| MS1S463 | MOD009138 | Problem Solving for Computing | Running | 20 | specified |
Level 5 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS2S551 | MOD000976 | Information Systems Analysis and Design 2 | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S552 | MOD000977 | HND Individual Project | Running | 20 | specified |
| IS2S554 | MOD009869 | Systems Architecture and Modelling | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S555 | MOD009870 | Computer Programming 2 | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S556 | MOD009871 | Responsive Web Development | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S557 | MOD009872 | Mobile Application Development | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S558 | MOD009873 | E-business | Running | 20 | optional |
| IS2S559 | MOD009874 | Creating Virtual Reality Environments | Running | 20 | optional |
| IY2S521 | MOD001007 | Computer Systems Security | Running | 20 | optional |
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Employer Engagement
Employer Engagement will be achieved by:
Visiting Speakers
Visits by employers may be organised as appropriate at each college.
Fieldtrips
Visits to local employers may be organised as appropriate.
Employer Forums
Partner colleges organise employer forums as appropriate. For example, Coleg Gwent has a cross-college ICT and Digital Technologies Employer Forum.
Other
Most modules use case studies, scenarios, and examples from the computer industry to illustrate concepts and their importance. Opportunities for work-related learning activities continue as students engage in and contribute in a positive manner to the solution of world of work tasks and problems.
Where this course is offered for part-time study, many students already work in the computing industry.
Means of Assessment
Learning Support
Induction
Each partner college will plan and run a programme of induction activities during the first week of attendance. Partner Colleges are asked whether they want a USW induction, but none have taken up this offer.
The University’s ICIS system provides access to course information and module definitions.
Personal Academic Coach
Not applicable to franchised courses but each student meets his/her HND project supervisor once a week on average. In addition – each student is assigned a personal tutor at the start of their course, and they meet up with them each week to discuss their progress. This is usually the HND Course Leader at the college.
Learner Analytics
Not available for partner colleges as they generally use their own VLE.
Office hours
Typically, staff are available when not teaching.
Tutorials
Every module has at least one hour of tutorial or lab practical where students are able to practice what they are learning and receive individual support.
Formative Assessment
Lectures and tutorials contain formative exercises to encourage students to experiment and gain practical experience.
Progress meetings
Each student meets his/her HND project supervisor once a week on average. In addition – each student is assigned a personal tutor at the start of their course, and they meet up with them each week to discuss their progress. This is usually the HND Course Leader at the college.
Research Supervision
Each student meets his/her HND project supervisor once a week on average.
Online Resources
Teaching and coursework assessment materials are made available on-line through the University’s virtual learning environment (Unilearn). These materials are usually supplemented by each college’s virtual learning environment.
Modern computing laboratories provide access to specialist resources. Colleges also have centrally managed open-access laboratories for more general work. Each student has an academic e-mail account that is particularly useful when requesting support from teaching and tutorial staff.
Advice Zone
Each college operates an Advice Zone or equivalent. Typically, this falls under the purview of Student Services. In addition, the students can use the USW Advice Zone for any problems they may have and will deal with the USW Advice Zone for guidance on applying for Extenuating Circumstances, Appeals etc.
Disability
Each college has its own DDS Service that can agree an Individual Support Plan. The Plan summarises the support that has been agreed.
IT/Library
Each college has a modern Library that provides access to textbooks, journals, on-line materials, and equipment. In addition, they can also use all USW resources if needed.
Course Exit Points
| Award | Criteria | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Higher National Diploma | 240 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 5 or above and the remaining credits at Level 4 or above | Final |
| Higher National Certificate | 120 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 4 or above and no more than 20 at Level 3 | Exit |
Progression Route
Entry onto the BSc Applied Computing (a one-year top up).Advanced standing entry to BSc Computing year 2 at USW Treforest.Advanced standing entry to BSc Information Communication Technology year 2 at USW Treforest.During the academic year franchise colleges are contacted re: ‘applicant days’ where students can tour the campus, meet other students, meet the staff and also engage in an Informatics related activity and in the past (not at the moment as USW is still using blended learning) attend a final year lectures.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:
The University's minimum admission requirement for an undergraduate degree programme is 80 UCAS points from 6 or 12 unit GCE/VCE qualifications, supported by three GCSEs at grade C or above. Each college will publish specific requirements for UCAS points each year.
Admission to the programme is through gaining one of the following qualifications:
- the published UCAS points; or
- equivalent UCAS points gained from Edexcel National Certificate and Diploma; or
- a pass in approved ACCESS or Foundation Studies Scheme; or
- any equivalent qualifications to the above UCAS tariff.
Plus three GCSE passes at grade C or above in Mathematics (or equivalent) and normally English.
Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable.
Arrangements for entry with Advanced Standing are formally considered under the agreed university procedures.
Those without such qualifications are considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be considered. RPEL and WBL consideration within the university procedures is available. In each case entry is judged on a reasonable expectation of the applicant successfully completing the programme.
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/
Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution
N/A
Methods Of Quality Standards
N/A
Quality Of Standards Indicators
N/A