Business Computing BSc

About the Course

On this course you will gain a thorough understanding of how information technology and computer-based systems can facilitate the needs of business. Through a mixture of theory and ‘real world’ practice, you will learn how to assess organisational problems and to create the best computing solutions to solve the business needs, enabling the organisation to function effectively and efficiently.

As you progress through the course you will be able to continue with general Business Computing or to specialise in your final year. You can choose from the following specialist options: eBusiness, Human-Computer Interaction or Social Media.

Information Systems and Computing at Brunel

Study at Brunel and you’ll be working with staff internationally recognised for their state-of-the-art subject knowledge. Our Department of Information Systems and Computing (DISC) was ranked top in the country for "Research Power" in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In fact almost 85% of our research was rated ‘World-leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’.

We offer a wide choice of dynamic courses with options ranging from Artificial Intelligence right through to the Social Web. It means we’re always on top of industry developments and future trends.

More than 50 academic staff teach DISC courses, many having a background in the computer industry. Practically all are involved in our applied computing research which includes information systems, software engineering, knowledge-based systems, and simulation modelling.

We also have a high quality infrastructure to match including more than 250 computers and servers for exclusive student use – all running state-of-the-art software. DISC is a member of the Microsoft Alliance, the Apple iOS Academic Developer Programme and is an nVidia CUDA Teaching Center.

 

Aims

This course aims to make you knowledgeable about computing in industrial and commercial organisations – and equip you to assess what computing solution is appropriate in a given circumstance.

It also allows you to focus on an optional specialism (eBusiness, Human-Computer Interaction or Social Media) in addition to the core Business Computing content.

Enquiries

Dr Nayna Patel
Admissions Tutor

School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Tel: +44 (0)1895 265849
Fax: +44 (0)1895 269722
Email: comp.ug.admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Special Features

Emphasis on project work
You will spend a third of the course working on projects both in groups and individually. This is one of the key skills you will need in the employment market. In the first two years, you will design a software solution as part of a team and the final year will be spent on an individual project.

Flexible choices – adapt the programme to your needs
The Business Computing course gives you the choice to tailor your programme to your needs. As the first year of Business Computing and Computer Science covers the same curriculum, students can transfer from Business Computing to Computer Science or vice versa after the first year.

At level three, you can choose the general route (Business Computing) or one of the specialist options: Business Computing (eBusiness), Business Computing (Human-Computer Interaction) or Business Computing (Social Media).

eBusiness
By specialising in e-Business, you’ll learn about the underlying models and latest approaches adopted by companies in building successful e-Businesses.

Human-Computer Interaction
By specialising in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), you will learn about how to understand the user experience, and to use that understanding to help build systems that better meet user’s needs.

Social Media
By specialising in Social Media, you’ll learn about how the internet has rapidly evolved to accommodate services such as Skype, Facebook and Twitter – technologies which are all being exploited by companies for commercial purposes.

Excellent links with business
Our lecturers often work as consultants for major blue chip companies at home and overseas. This means:

• Degrees designed to meet the needs of industry and the marketplace
• Latest commercial world developments included in your course
• Greater choice of high quality, professional placements
• More contacts to help you find a job when you graduate

Accreditation

The course offers full exemption from the British Computer Society’s professional examinations, allowing graduates to attain professional membership of the Society (MBCS) after a shortened period of relevant experience and training. The course also fulfils the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (full IEng accreditation) and part of the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (partial CEng accreditation).

Course Content

Level 1

Our Level 1 course meets the needs of students joining us from a wide variety of backgrounds and with diverse computing experience. These classes build a firm foundation for the rest of your degree by introducing you to the style and ethos of both the School and the computing profession. Foundation units include:

• Systems architecture
• Systems analysis
• Software development
• Relevant mathematics

By the end of Level 1, regardless of your degree programme, you’ll have covered the fundamental concepts of computer science and the computer-based systems necessary in business. You’ll then be ready to explore them in greater depth at Level 2.
See below for typical modules.

Level 2

This consolidates Level 1 learning but places more emphasis on judgement and evaluation skills. You’ll expand your understanding of:

• Processes for developing large and complex software systems
• Roles and technologies to help you control such projects
• Human-computer interface
• How to develop sound criteria such as ‘user friendliness’ – and make reliable and repeatable judgements based on them.

You’ll further specialise in Business Computing and will have covered systems analysis and design by the end of Level 2. You’ll also explore human and organisational aspects of computer-based systems, as well as the changes in processes and technology that organisations must make if they’re to get the best from their information.

See below for typical modules.

Level 3

Final year project
This is a substantial individual project for which you research a business computing topic in-depth. If you’re on a sandwich course it’s quite likely that this project will be of interest to future employers. This is assessed and is worth a third of your Level 3 marks.

Examples of past projects have included:

• Security issues in the development of electronic cash
• Contingency planning for healthcare information systems
• Interface design for a social networking intranet site
• Increasing consumer trust in eCommerce and issues in enterprise systems implementation.

In this final year, you’ll study options to broaden your understanding of computing. You’ll begin to address research-level issues in the area of computing for business.

We revise the options available each year to reflect the range of specialist interests among our staff, and industry trends

Typical modules

Level 1

• Level 1 Group Project
• Introductory Programming
• Data and Information
• Information Systems and Organisations
• Logic and Computation

Level 2

• Level 2 Group Project
• Software Development and Management
• Usability Engineering
• Business Analysis and Process Modelling
• ICTs in Society

Level 3

• Final Year Business Computing Project
• Software Project Management
• Advanced Topics in Business Computing

Level 3 Example Options

Your choice of options will be determined by whether you follow the general Business Computing course or whether you choose to include a specialist option.

For example, if you choose the general Business Computing course, you can choose two options from the following:

• eBusiness
• Human Computer Interaction
• Social Media

If you choose Business Computing with a specialism, such as Business Computing (eBusiness), the specialist module will make up one of your options, and you can choose one other from the list above.

Teaching and Learning

We take great care to make the transition from school or college to university as smooth as possible. Project groups of four students meet for weekly reviews with a personal group tutor. This both ensures continuity and helps you get to know your tutor – something that’s particularly important in your first year.

Overall we take an innovative, dynamic and highly participative approach to teaching that’s supported by state-of-the-art subject understanding and the advice of our Industry Advisory Board.  We are always willing to support and provide practical guidance to students.

How many hours study a week are involved?
About 12 hours of directed study. Our academics are normally also happy to answer queries outside of classes. In addition we expect you to put in an average of 25 to 35 hours of private study weekly.

How will I be taught?

Lectures
These offer a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to computer science, information systems and business computing – a useful framework from which you can pursue more in-depth study.

Laboratory work
This helps you to develop and understand the technical skills for building software using methods and techniques introduced in lectures. You’ll do individual work – but with a tutor always on hand to lead discussion on common issues as they arise.

Small groups
In the first and second years you’ll work on a computing-related problem with regular guidance from a member of staff, who will be available week by week to help your group with any problems. These small-group activities will enable you to develop key professional skills such as report writing, evaluation and, crucially, communication skills.

One-to-one
In your final year you’ll normally have one-to-one supervision for your major project. The department has a team of personal tutors so there’s always someone available to discuss personal or academic problems. If you go on placement, your personal tutor will help you set objectives and monitor your progress – and provide further support if you need it.

Talks from guest speakers
We invite guest speakers from prominent organisations to present on relevant subjects. We also host weekly talks on topical computing research issues. If you go on a Placement,  this will also be an important part of your professional development.

Assessment

This varies from one module to another and may be based entirely on coursework, entirely on examination or on a combination of both. It’s just as important for you to learn how to establish your own criteria for assessment as it is to be able to assess the quality and value of your own work reliably.

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree classification. Level 2 is worth a third and Level 3 accounts for two thirds. Your final year project is worth a third of the Level 3 marks.

Overall the ‘exam to coursework’ split is usually about 60:40. 

Employability

As a Brunel Business Computing graduate you’ll enjoy excellent employment prospects. Our combination of work experience and up-to-date teaching means that you’ll be well-equipped to follow the career you want after graduation.

Our graduates are high quality experts able to handle the increasing demands of scientific, technological and commercial development in the new millennium. Not unexpectedly, they’re in high demand with the wide-ranging companies and organisations increasingly dependent on computer technology.

Careers

Our graduates have a wide range of careers open to them. Perhaps you’ll start by becoming a general analyst/programmer? Or join a consultancy firm – often just a first step toward setting up your own business. The industry’s major companies all have openings for well-qualified personnel. Students with ‘sandwich’ experience are particularly in demand for the better graduate appointments.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for well-known companies and organisations including:

• Accenture
• Anderson Consulting
• Barclays
• British Airways
• British Telecom
• Compaq
• Demon
• HSBC
• IBM
• Logica
• The Meteorological Office
• Microsoft
• Morgan Stanley
• O2
• Oracle
• Orange
• Toshiba

As a good honours graduate you may also be able to study for a higher degree in one of our research areas – such as information systems/machine interface, simulation modelling and software engineering.

Placements

You’ll have the opportunity to carry out high-quality, paid professional experience, in the UK or abroad. Research shows that graduates who have undertaken a professional placement will, on average, find employment more rapidly and earn nearly £5,000 more as their starting salary. (Source: The Brunel Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2010-11).

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £1,000 placement year

International students: £13,500 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level Typical offer ABB. Applicants who have already achieved at least BBB at A-level and have Personal Statements showing a strong interest in the course and transferable skills will also be considered. Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within this range.
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate AABBB.
• Scottish Advanced Highers ABB.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Engineering or IT plus an A-level at grade C for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*DD in an ICT related subject.
• IBDP 33 points.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.
  

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.