Information Management and Computing

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

Programme Specification

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTING

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at

The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Awarding body/institution: / Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different):
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body: / Programme accredited by both Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the British Computer Society (BCS)
Name of the final award: / BSc (Honours); also DPS if the four-year version is taken.
Programme title: / Information Management and Computing
UCAS code: / G462 (three years) or G563 (four years)
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised: / February 2010

1. Programme Aims

Information management and computing are two separate disciplines that are becoming increasing linked. The discipline of information management encompasses the effective and efficient accumulation, recording, storage, organisation and retrieval of information. The discipline of computing helps solve the practical problems raised by these issues. Organisations require graduates with an understanding of information management and associated computerised processes to enable the effective management of the vast quantities of information on which modern business is based. The Information Management and Computing programme combines these two disciplines and provides students with an appreciation of the importance of information to both individuals and organisations in today’s society, and an understanding of the computer-based tools and techniques used to manage this information. The learning outcomes outlined in Section 3 are derived from the QAA subject benchmark statements for both ‘Librarianship and Information Management’ and ‘Computing’.

This is a three or four-year programme, depending on whether students opt to complete an optional year in industry (DPS award). The programme is taught by the Departments of Information Science and Computer Science. The programme aims to:

• Promote awareness of the fundamental importance of information management and the role that technology can play in facilitating information management in organisations.
• Encourage students to engage with the underlying concepts of information management and computer science and develop an appreciation of how these can be applied in a business context.
• Equip students with a balance of theoretical, practical and transferable skills that will enable them to meet the demands of future employment.
• Provide an environment in which students are encouraged to think independently and analytically.
• Build capability in the use of independent research techniques and appropriate methodologies.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes

• QAA: Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Librarianship and Information Management (2007) (
• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Computing (2007) (
• QAA booklet - Academic Credit in Higher Education in England (2006)
• Loughborough University, Learning and Teaching Strategy (
• Loughborough University Department of Information Science, Learning and Teaching Strategy (
• Annual and Periodic Programme Reviews
• External Examiners' reports and discussion by the departmental external advisory board
• British Computer Society Higher Education Accreditation Guidelines (

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

The programme covers a range of information and computer related topics, and on successful completion of this programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the cultural, ethical, political and social issues surrounding the use of information at an organisational level and within society (derived or adapted from Library and Information Management (LIM) QAA benchmark statement 2007)
• the principles and capacities of information and computing technologies and their application – see for example Computer Systems (LIM)
• the changing needs of users of existing and potential information services in a global technology rich environment (LIM)
• the principles of strategic management and planning as appropriate to the information/computer industries – see, for example, Human Resource Management, Project Management etc) (LIM)
• professional, legal, moral and ethical considerations in the computing and information industries including issues such as data protection, intellectual property, freedom of information.(LIM and Computing)
• a variety of sources of information through a range of physical and virtual channels, media and formats (LIM)
• the essential principles and features and techniques of structured programming and programming of applications (Computing)
• human information behaviour and information seeking processes and information retrieval systems (LIM)
• appropriate frameworks standards and systems for the description, classification and indexing of information and knowledge containers and content (LIM)
• qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application in practice. (LIM)

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

The programme content is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, guided independent reading, practical computer laboratory classes and individual supervision. Students are required to work individually and also in independent small groups.Many modules make use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learn) server to support independent learning.

Theoretical knowledge and critical ability are tested and developed in a range of core and optional modules throughout the degree programme, and assessed by means of a variety of coursework assignments including essays, computer-based practical assignments, oral and written presentations and reports, as well as by examinations and an extensive individual project report in Part C.

Group work and oral presentations are an integral part of assessment. Team workingis an important skill for those wishing to work in IT consultancy and management and a number of modules require students to work in small groups on well-structured assignments. Group work is used in modules where a collaborative approach to problem solving or requirements analysis is appropriate. When group work is used as an assessment method, each group of students is given the opportunity to submit evidence of the relative work per group member.

Skills and other attributes
Subject-specific cognitive skills

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• model and design computer-based systems for the purposes of comprehension, communication, prediction and the understanding of trade-offs (Computing);
• analyse the extent to which a computer-based system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future use in terms of quality attributes and possible trade-offs (Computing);
• apply subject knowledge and understanding critically and effectively to real world situations (see for example Team Projects) (LIM);
• plan effective strategies for searching and handling information (in both printed and electronic formats);
• recognise and analyse criteria and specifications appropriate to specific computer-based problems, and plan strategies for their solution –see for example Requirements Analysis (Computing).

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Discussion and understanding of principles, developments and concepts is stimulated through lectures, small group teaching in tutorials and seminars and guided independent reading which is often further explored in a classroom setting. Workshops and practical laboratory-based sessions are also used to demonstrate key concepts and relate theory to practice.

Cognitive skills such as analytical ability, argument and reasoning, are assessed through coursework and examinations. Examinations enable students to demonstrate their mastery of subject knowledge and their ability to apply that to a particular problem or question under time constraints. Coursework assignments such as essays and reports allow the students to explore a topic in more depth and apply the full range of cognitive skills. Students in their final year are also required to demonstrate their ability to undertake an extended piece of research in either the discipline of computer science or the discipline of information science.The final year project also tests each student’s ability to bring the various skills and knowledge together into a small but comprehensive investigation of a specialised topic of the student’s own choosing.

Subject-specific practical skills

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• demonstrate effective use of general IT facilities and tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications; (Computing)
• specify, design and construct information services and computer-based systems according to users’ needs; (LIM and Computing)
• work as a member of a development team, recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams; (Computing)
• deploy appropriate theory, practice and tools for the specification, design , implementation and evaluation of computer-based applications and systems (computing)
• use a range of electronic information resources and systems including databases, search engines and portals (LIM)

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Computer-laboratory practical classes are undertaken in several modules and teach the use of specific computer systems and applications. Practical classes also introduce students to the fundamental principles of effective programming techniques. Practical work using various specialised software packages develops students’ subject-specific IT skills.

Assessment of practical skills is primarily through coursework assignments with some assessment of practical knowledge in examinations.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• create and manipulate documents and databases using appropriate software; (LIM andComputing)
• present information in numerical and statistical form using appropriate software (LIM)
• manage and reflect of their own learning (LIM and Computing)
• communicate effectively the results of their studies and research in writing (reports and essays) and by means of oral presentation; (LIM and Computing)
• utilise time management skills in planning work; (LIM and Computing)
• interact and negotiate effectively in teams and groups in a variety of contexts; (LIM and Computing)

• appreciate the need for continuing professional development and the need for lifelong learning. (LIM and Computing)

• analyse data and synthesise information in a well structured argument (LIM)

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Many of the key transferable skills are developed through group teaching and practical laboratory-based teaching. Individual project supervision in Part C also helps to build competence of generic research skills. Practical coursework using various packages supports the acquisition of generic IT skills as well as subject specific practical skills; interpersonal skills are developed by group projects and discussion of scenarios and real world case studies; other coursework exercises test skills in oral presentation and the preparation and use of visual aids. Assignment feedback from tutors enables students to improve their written communication and data presentation skills.

Assessment of key skills is embedded in module assessment; communication skills and team work skills are often explicitly listed in the marking criteria of assignments.

The Department of Information Science encourages interaction between students and staff and fosters an environment in which the diverse backgrounds and interests of members of staff are able to feed into the curriculum and enhance the student experience.

4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards

The programme lasts three years full-time; in addition students may take an optional professional placement between the second and third years. The programme is divided into units of study called modules, which may be rated as 10 (single), 20 (double) or 30 (project). Studentstake modules amounting to 120 credits in each of the three years of the programme, normally with 60 credits in each of the two semesters. Each of the two 15-week semesters consists of 11 weeks of teaching, followed by revision time and examinations.

In Year 1 (Part A) students take 120 credits of compulsory modules, which are split between the Departments of Information Science and Computer Science. These provide a foundation on which the second and third years build. Year 2 (Part B) includes 120 credits of modules from Information Science and Computer Science (of which 20 are optional choices) which further develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in specialist and other core areas and prepare students for the final year.

Students are encouraged to spend an optional year on professional placement between the second and final year. Apart from an additional award, students gain real work experience, are often placed in positions of responsibility and can be offered sponsorship and/or future employment. The year in industry can also bring a more professional attitude to the remaining year of study, particularly the final year project. During the placement year, students are supported by an academic supervisor in addition to their employment supervisor/manager; successful completion of the placement and the programme leads to the award of the Diploma in Professional Studies in addition to the degree.

The final year (Part C) includes 70 credits of compulsory modules in more advanced areas of information management and computing, and provides a range of optional modules from both departments from which students can choose to follow their particular interests. The 30-credit final year project, which can be taken in either Information Science or Computer Science, provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their research and analysis skills in a subject area of their own choice.

Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at

5. Criteria for admission to the programme

Please see the online prospectus for more information:

6. Information about the programme assessment strategy

In each year of the programme students will take modules totalling 120 credits and must pass modules totalling a minimum of 100 credits; in addition they must achieve a minimum of 30% in all Information Science modules and 20% in all Computer Science modules.

Modules are assessed by coursework, examination, or a combination of both. Any student who fails to meet these requirements has the automatic right of reassessment on one occasion only in any module or modules which are causing them to fail. Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for the candidates who have the right of re-assessment in Parts A and B of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period (SAP). Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP and must wait until the following year to be reassessed. Re-assessment in the SAP may not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in the individual module specifications.

Results from all modules undertaken in the second and final years count towards the final degree grade, in the ratio 25%:75%. Further detail can be found in the full programme regulations.

7. What makes the programme distinctive?

Information management is becoming increasingly important to all organisations who realise that the effective capture, storage and retrieval of relevant and timely information can give them a competitive advantage. The Information Management and Computing programme equips students with a thorough understanding of a range of computing applications and techniques for managing information within organisations and provides an appreciation of a holistic approach to information management, focussing on organisational, cultural and legal aspects of information management alongside technical aspects.

The programme is structured so that students acquire key skills in Part A and build on these in Parts B and C. The range of options that are available in Part C, together with the ability to choose either an Information Science or a Computer Science based project, provides students with the ability to control the direction of their studies at the later stages of the programme. Throughout the programme, personal and transferable skills are developed and students are given the opportunity to extend their presentation, teamwork and research skills. These skills add to the employability of students graduating from the programme. The sandwich year placement option allows students to apply their knowledge and develop their technical skills within an organisational setting

The programme is founded on the unique blend of skills and research interests of staff in the two main contributing departments - Computer Science and Information Science. The programme is unique in relating technical computer-based tools with the fundamental principles information management to produce graduates that are highly valued among progressive employers.

8. Particular support for learning

Information on learning support is held at

9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning

The University’s formal quality management and reporting procedures are laid out in its Academic Quality Procedures Handbook, available online at:

March 2010