Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics with an Integrated Foundation Year

About the Course

Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics with an Integrated Foundation Year (The Foundation Year) provides an introduction to a variety of exciting and fast-moving disciplines in Information Systems and Mathematics. The programme enables those who originally chose another career route to switch to an incredibly diverse range of challenging and fulfilling careers that value or require a strong background in computing or mathematics. It is also an opportunity for mature students to return to study.

After completing the programme, you will be able to make a well-informed decision as to where your interests lie.

You might be interested in computer science with the never-ending development of more sophisticated computer technology and information systems. Alternatively you may be attracted to mathematics where you can learn to model and solve problems from the worlds of business, finance and science.

You may register for four, five or even six years in total, depending upon whether you choose a BSc or MMaths degree, and whether you take the full-time or sandwich mode. For funding reasons all applicants apply to the 5 year sandwich programme which includes a professional development year. If you wish to change this to a course without the sandwich year it is possible to do this by contacting Admissions before Registering in September or the Student Center before the end of the first year on your chosen degree programme after the foundation year.

After the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year equips you for any degree course in Brunel’s School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics or for some degree courses in Brunel’s School of Engineering and Design.

Once you have successfully completed the year, you progress to Level 1 of one of the linked degree courses offered by the School. By this stage you will have had a ‘taster’ of several undergraduate courses, and you will know what the courses are like and the careers they lead to. Your lecturers and personal tutor will help you choose a degree that is right for you.

Currently, the courses onto which you can proceed are:

• Computer Science*
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Financial Mathematics
• Business Computing**
• Mathematics
• Mathematics and Statistics with Management
• Mathematics with Computer Science

* May be taken with specialisms in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Media and Games, Network Computing or Software Engineering.

** May be taken with specialisms in eCommerce, Human Computer Interaction or Social Media.

Mathematical Sciences at Brunel

Maths at Brunel means you will be working with staff internationally recognised for their state-of-the-art subject knowledge. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), nearly 60% of our research in the department was rated ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’. Within London, the Department of Mathematical Sciences was ranked in the top three.

Because Mathematical Sciences has links with many other subject areas, we offer an excitingly wide choice of courses, each with a different emphasis. These include modules in pure and applied Mathematics, operational research, computer science, finance, information technology and management studies. This structure means that most individual subject modules are not unique to any particular degree.

We are also very active at postgraduate level offering Mathematics MSc courses and research opportunities in many areas. External grants and contracts with industry and government establishments support much of our research – keeping us right at the ‘cutting edge’ and actively in contact with modern uses of Mathematics. The result is that our undergraduate courses are truly up-to-date. For example, you may undertake your major final year project in one of our research areas.

Aims

This Foundation Year was created to:

• to enable those who originally chose another career route – for example, A-levels in arts or humanities – to switch to a challenging and exciting career in information technology;
• for those who have been successful in another field (for example in further education or industry) but would now like to change to a career in information technology
• for those wishing to return to study;
• to provide a sound education and to communicate the interest and excitement of a dynamic and exciting field.

Enquiries

Dr D Roman
Admissions Tutor

Department of Mathematical Sciences
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH
UK

Tel +44 (0)1895 265180
Fax +44 (0)1895 269732
Email maths.admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Mathematics BSc
• Mathematics MMath
• Computer Science BSc

Special Features

Mathematical Sciences is one of the largest disciplines at Brunel and has links with many other subject areas. We offer:

• Academic staff with international reputation
  Learn from the best. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), nearly 60% of our research in the department was rated ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’. Within London the Department of Mathematical Sciences was ranked in the top three.
  
  
• Excellent career prospects
  Past graduates have gone on to work for Accenture, Rank Xerox, IBM, Kodak, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank of New York, Nortel, British Aerospace, Merrill Lynch, Abbey, Lloyds, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and Touche, Coca Cola, Ernst and Young, Virgin Trains, Accenture, HSBC, BT, Deutsche Bank and the BBC.

• Strong links with business
  Our staff are involved in research programmes that are informed by modern problems in science, technology and business – often working in collaboration with companies. This means:
  - Degrees designed to meet the needs of industry and the marketplace
  - Latest commercial world developments included in your course
  
  
• Wide choice of high quality, professional placements
  All of the programmes within Brunel’s School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics or School of Engineering and Design to which you can progress on completion of the foundation year are available in three-year full-time or four-year sandwich modes. The sandwich modes include industrial placements, involving up to 12 months of relevant paid employment.

• A vibrant, friendly, safe campus in a great location near London
  All the advantages ofaffordable living costs, an international community, world-class sports and social facilities and a thriving arts and social scene

Facts and Figures

• Mathematical Sciences is one of the largest disciplines at Brunel and has links with many other subject areas. All our staff are experts within their field and their work is widely published.
  
  
• Our extensive computer facilities include many personal computers, and this is supported and supplemented by the University’s Computer Centre, offering full Internet access to facilitate students’ work.
  
  
• Our courses are taught by more than 50 academic staff, many with a background in the computer industry. Practically all are involved in our applied computing research.

Course Content

Typical modules

• Study Skills
• Discrete and Decision Mathematics
• Mathematical Methods
• Introduction to Computers and Programming
• Statistics

Teaching and Learning

Up-to-date teaching
Mathematical Sciences is an active and dynamic research centre. Our academics' work is frequently supported by external grants and contracts with leading industry and government establishments.

As a result lecturers are often working at the frontiers of their subject and in active contact with modern users of Mathematics. This in turn helps to ensure that our undergraduate degrees are truly up-to-date.

A broad spectrum of thinking
We can offer a wide range of expertise in a variety of subjects. Many of our lecturers are widely published and highly recognised in their fields.

How will I be taught?

We use a range of approaches to help you engage effectively with the subject both through your tutors and working with fellow students:

• Lectures
  These offer a broad overview of key concepts and ideas – a useful framework from which you can pursue more in-depth study.
  
  
• Tutorials
  Smaller tutorial groups enable you to work on mathematics-related problems with guidance from a staff member.
  
  
• Computer workshops
  These replace some tutorials in certain modules including numerical analysis, statistics and operations research.

Assessment

The ratio of exams to coursework is approximately 60:40. Coursework consists of mainly of short tests and project work.

Employability

Graduates with degrees for which this Foundation Year acts as a first step, are always in high demand. For details see the course pages for those degrees.

Careers

Talented people who have good technical or scientific qualifications, as well as imagination, enthusiasm and communication and organisational skills, are always in great demand. A wide variety of interesting and well-paid career opportunities are available.

Placements

All of the programmes within Brunel’s School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics or School of Engineering and Design to which you can progress on completion of the foundation year are available in three-year full-time or four-year sandwich modes. The sandwich modes include industrial placements, involving up to 12 months of relevant paid employment.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

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

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.