Associate Degree in
Computer Systems

Intake Dates & Course Length

Career & Learning Outcomes

Entry and Academic Requirements

English Language Requirements

Applying

Pathways & Accreditation

Fees

Course Structure

• ICT114 Mathematics For Computing
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  The aim of this subject is to equip students with a set of fundamental mathematical skills, which will allow them to better comprehend the technical concepts encountered throughout the course. Students will firstly be introduced to analytical techniques applicable to hardware applications, such as statistics and queuing theory. This will follow on to numerical methods applicable to software applications, error analysis and topology.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 2 hours practical x 13 weeks

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1: In class assessment 20% Assessment 2:Problem Solving - Statistics and Probability 20% Assessment 3:Problem Solving 20% Assessment 4:Exam 40%

• ICT223 Operating Systems 1
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject is targeted towards the Microsoft "Windows Server 2012R2" certification. This subject examines the structure and function of a Server based Operating System and includes managing accounts and resources, maintaining servers, monitor server performance, and safeguarding data. Students will plan, implement, and troubleshoot a Directory Service infrastructure which centralizes control of network services, stores objects securely in a logical structure and optimizes network traffic. Students will consolidate these concepts with hands on laboratory work.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Research Report 30% Assessment 2:Practical Skills Based Assessment 30% Assessment 3: Exam 40%

• ICT212 Advanced Routing
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject includes Cisco Academy module CCNP "Implementing IP Routing". This subject builds on the basic routing principles considered in first year. It is designed to take students to the level of system evaluation and configuration. Students will be expected to exhibit a higher level of autonomy in designing, configuring and commissioning a medium sized network.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: ICT122 Switching Principle and WAN Technologies
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Research Report 30% Assessment 2:Skills exam 30% Assessment 3: Exam 40%

• ICT112 Networking And Routing Basics
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject provides students with a solid basis in networking and routing. This involves an examination of networking from the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) seven‐layer model and TCP/IP perspectives. Students will
  learn the function and operation of appropriate equipment from each layer. Finally, given a small to medium network specification, students will perform the task of commissioning a network themselves

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Research Report 30% Assessment 2:Skills examination 30% Assessment 3:Exam 40%

• ICT113 Computer Systems Hardware And Software
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject is an introduction to Computer systems hardware, software and architecture. Using the PC as an example of a modern computer system, it will embody all aspects of hardware construction, fault-finding and commissioning. Suitable hardware devices and associated software will be selected, installed and commissioned to meet a given set of specifications. Features of computer architecture will be discussed with particular emphasis on performance enhancement techniques. The architectural features and performance of different computer systems will be compared. Finally, parallel architectures will be introduced, which will define the direction of all modern computer architecture designs.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:In class assessment 20% Assessment 2: Research Report 30% Assessment 3:Final Exam 50%

• ICT215 Business Management
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  The Business Management (ICT215) unit introduces students to two aspects of business management in ICT contexts: organisational leadership and financial planning. Styles of organisational structure, strong leadership and effective management of people are also explored. Some theoretical concepts are introduced related to the various categories of management style and positional hierarchies of people in organisations. However, a strong emphasis is also placed on observing and reporting on real examples in order to demonstrate the value of these concepts. The unit also investigates principles of sound business accounting practice and financial planning and introduces various tools of financial planning and analysis, along with the reasons for their value in decision making.

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:In-class assessment 10% Assessment 2:Tutorial presentation 20% Assessment 3:Tutorial presentation 20% Assessment 4: Major project 50%

• ICT213 Multi-User Operating Systems Administration
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject is targeted towards Linux Professional Institute certification. This subject introduces students to the technical and administrative challenges of centrally controlling a multi-user network. The Unix environment will be introduced, along with such concepts as multitasking, security, print management and data backup. The technical aspects of installation and maintenance will also be discussed.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks

  
  Prerequisites: ICT113 Computer Systems Hardware and Software
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:In-class assessment 20% Assessment 2:Practical assignments 40% Assessment 3: Exam 40%

• ICT122 Switching Principles And Wan Technologies
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject includes the new Cisco Academy modules CCNA “Scaling Networks” and “Connecting Networks”.

  This subject examines the principles of switching, common routing and wide area network (WAN) technologies. The students will examine the fundamentals of switched network design, especially the use of trunking and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN), culminating in a network design involving configuration and commissioning the network. Students will then examine principles of scaling IP address and current WAN technologies.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1: Research Report 30% Assessment 2:Skills examination 30% Assessment 3: Exam 40%

• ICT115 Object-Oriented Design And Programming
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  This subject provides students with an introduction to computer programming. It is assumed that students have little or no previous programming background. The basic concepts will be covered including data types, selection, iteration, input/output, file handling and arrays.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 2 hours practical x 13 weeks
  

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1: In class assessment 25% Assessment 2:Project Presentation 35% Assessment 3: Final Examination 40%

• ICT118 Database And Information Retrieval
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  The unit intends to introduce students to the concept of the database as a repository of organisational information, and to the technical requirements of database management. The unit will use the relational model of data as it is the model most commonly used in database products. The unit will show students how to design databases from business requirements and how to create and populate database tables, modify table contents and interrogate them in order to report the organisational information held within the database. The syntax of the required SQL language statements will be taught.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 2 hours practical x 13 weeks

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Date modelling assignment 20% Assessment 2: Create a database 20% Assessment 3: Essay explaining ethical issues 10% Assessment 4:Exam 50%

• ICT218 Internet Technologies
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  Introduction, history and overview of the internet: organisation and management, intranet, extranet, internet services. WWW publishing: application of HTML, XHTML, dynamic HTML, HTML5 CSS, CSS3 and XML, comparison of different kinds of web page design styles. Graphics and Style for the WWW. Using Integrated Development Environments for Web Development

  Introduction to server-side and client-side applications: programming languages and interfaces, practical application of such technologies using OO techniques. Impact of the internet: social, cultural, legal and ethical issues. JavaScript, JQuery, Twitter Bootstrap, PHP OO programming, Java Server-side Development.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 2 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:In-class assessment 15% Assessment 2:Assignment 1 25% Assessment 3:Assignment 2 30% Assessment 4:Exam 30%

• ICT117 Systems Analysis And Design
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) are the two fundamental investigation and planning activities associated with the development of computer-based information systems. They constitute the major investigative and planning activities that are undertaken by the IT professional before and during the software development stage of the information system development lifecycle. This subject is intended to introduce the student to the activities of Systems Analysis and Design, and to the professional roles involved in the Systems Development Life Cycle, particularly the role of Systems Analyst.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 2 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1: In-class assessment 20% Assessment 2:Individual - Abstract modelling assignment 30% Assessment 3: Exam 50%

• ICT219 Network Security
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject includes Cisco Academy module CCNA "Security". This subject serves as an introduction to the problems posed by data security in networked computer systems. The vulnerability of these systems to malicious activity will firstly be considered. This will follow on to the various technical methodologies and management policies designed to protect systems from such activity. The emphasis will be on higher level activities such as policy decisions and network configuration. Students will be exposed to advanced techniques in network security and will consolidate these with laboratory and assignment work.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: ICT122 Switching Principles and WAN Technologies
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Reserach Report 30% Assessment 2:Skills exam 30% Assessment 3:Exam 40%

• ICT224 Enterprise Virtualisation
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  This subject includes VMWare Academy courseware. This subject provides students with knowledge and skills in the different techniques of virtualisation and how these can be applied in an enterprise environment involving data centres and cloud systems.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: ICT213 Multi-user Operating Systems
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Reserach Report 30% Assessment 2:Skills Examination 30% Assessment 3:Exam 40%

• ICT119 Introduction To Cloud Computing
  6.0 points
  
  52.0 hours
  
  

  This subject covers fundamental cloud computing topics as they pertain to both technology and business considerations. It covers Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Cloud Delivery Models. Public, private, hybrid and community clouds are considered. External issues such as service level agreements, privacy, security and legal requirements are addressed. The subject includes vendorindependent courseware from EMC. It also includes a practical component based on vendor‐specific cloud frameworks such as Google or Amazon clouds.

  
  Prerequisites: Nil
  Corequisites: Nil
  Assessment: Assessment 1:In-class assessment 20% Assessment 2:Research Report 30% Assessment 3: Final Exam 50%

• ICT216 Wireless Technologies
  6.0 points
  
  78.0 hours
  
  

  Cisco Wireless Certification. As technology continues to evolve, wireless technologies are finding their way to the forefront of networking solutions to business requirements. This clearly indicates the progression from a fixed wired type of connectivity to a more fluid, mobile workforce that can work when, where, and how they want. This subject deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of wireless technologies. The CCNA Wireless curriculum includes information and practice activities to prepare students for configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN in Small and Medium Business and Enterprise networks. After completing the subject, students should have the associate-level knowledge and skills to configure, implement and support of wireless LANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment. They are also able to support a basic wireless network on a Cisco WLAN in a SMB to enterprise network.

  Contact hours are 2 hour lecture and 4 hours practical x 13 weeks
  Prerequisites: ICT122 Switching Principles and WAN Technologies
  Assessment: Assessment 1:Reserach Report 20% Assessment 2:Practical exam 50% Assessment 3:Theory Exam 25%

Admissions Data & Indicative Enrolments