UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Computing Informatics and Media
Department of Computing
Programme/course title:Computer Systems Administration

Not available for intakes after September 2010

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / BSc (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level H]
Programme title: / Computer Systems Administration
Programme accredited by: / not applicable
Duration: / 3 years full time; 4 years sandwich; 6 years part-time
UCAS code: / G530 BSc/CSA, G531 BSc/CSA4
Subject benchmark statement: / Computing
Date produced:
Last updated: / March 2003
July 2012

Programme Aims

Computers are now an integral part of modern life with continuous improvements in hardware and software technologies, ever increasing areas of application and users from all walks of life. This has led to a demand for computer system specialists who are fully conversant with the needs of all participants and who are capable of creating, and controlling, the networking systems. The BSc (Hons) in Computer Systems Administration offers you the opportunity to become one of these specialists.

This course will allow you to explore every aspect of the system administration process from operating systems to wide and complicated networks of computers. With dedicated facilities and teaching resources, we believe this course will allow you a truly unique experience that will equip you for your career.

In accordance with the University’s mission, “Making Knowledge Work”, the Department of Computing aims to:

  • deliver a flexible programme of study that reflects the requirements of the modern computing and systems administration industries, as well as areas of staff expertise and research;
  • provide a supportive, structured learning environment in which students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills;
  • develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further programmes of study or to move directly into responsible careers in computing and systems administration or related practices;
  • develop personally transferable skills to enable graduate to pursue further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields;
  • promote educational opportunities for ethnic minorities, women, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as school leavers and traditionally qualified students.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme you will have a highly developed range of knowledge-based and transferable skills. As such you will have achieved:

  • Knowledge and Understanding in the fields of computation and computer programming, computer architecture and networks, databases, and systems administration.
  • Discipline skills in computer architecture and system software, structured programming, systems administration using Linux and Microsoft operating systems, database design and SQL programming and the ability to address systems security issues, making you invaluable to any project team.
  • Personal Transferable Skills in critical thinking; numerical techniques; independent learning and research; team working; IT and communication skills; creative and problem based resolution; life-long learning skills, and personal management.

The Curriculum

The map of your studies is detailed below showing core(C) and optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of an Honours course comprises two semesters with 60 credits being studied in each semester. For 10 credit modules and 20 credit double modules (last character in module code is a ‘D’) all of the teaching and assessment is undertaken in the same semester. For 20 credit linked modules (last character in the module code is an ‘L’) and the 30 credit project there is teaching and assessment in both semesters.

Although the University does not recruit directly to Ordinary degrees this route is available to students for whom a less intense course of study is appropriate. Ordinary degrees comprise 100 credits in stage 1 and 80 credits in stages 2 and 3.

Diploma of Industrial Studies

Diploma of International Studies

You have the option to undertake an industrial placement, or of studying or working abroad for a year between stages 2 and 3; this option is strongly encouraged. SCIM has an industrial training tutor who has contacts with a large number of outside organizations and who assists in helping you find a placement. Successful completion of the industrial year qualifies you for the award of the Diploma of Industrial Studies in addition to your degree. The university’s International Office provides a wide range of opportunities and support for students to gain international experience. Successful completion of the international year qualifies you for the award of the Diploma of International Studies in addition to your degree. Both options provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience, and are viewed favourably by prospective employers.

Unit Code

/ Level / Credits / Sem /

Unit Title

/
Hons
/
Ord
CM0113L / 1 / 20 / 1&2 / Developing Professional Skills / C
CM0107L / 1 / 20 / 1&2 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software / C
CM0111L / 1 / 20 / 1&2 / Formal Foundations / C
CM0211M / 1 / 10 / 1 / Introduction to Web Technologies / C
CM0116D / 1 / 20 / 1 / Software Development (Part 1) / C
CM0202M / 1 / 10 / 2 / Foundations of Human Computer Interaction / C
CM0117D / 1 / 20 / 2 / Software Development (Part 2) / C
CY0218L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / Systems Administration 1 / C / C
CY0219L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / Unix Programming 1&2 / C / C
CM0311L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / SQL: Programming and Administration / C / C
CM0315L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / Computer Communications and Networks / C / O
CM0223L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / Electronic Business / O / O
CM0415L / 2 / 20 / 1&2 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software 2 / O / O
CM0219M / 2 / 10 / 1 / Network Business / O / O
CY0212M / 2 / 10 / 2 / How to Run an SME / O / O
CM0374K / 3 / 40 / 1&2 / Final Year Project / C
CM0518D / 3 / 20 / 1 / Concurrent and Distributed Systems / O / O
CM0349D / 3 / 20 / 1 / Security, Privacy and Data Protection / O / O
CM0616D / 3 / 20 / 1 / Deploying Web Technologies / O / O
CM0504D / 3 / 20 / 1 / Information Engineering / O / O
CM0334D / 3 / 20 / 2 / Systems Administration 2 / C / O
CM0506D / 3 / 20 / 2 / Real Time Systems / O / O
CM0331D / 3 / 20 / 2 / Human Computer Interaction (Design and Development) / O / O
CM0330D / 3 / 20 / 2 / Web Engineering / O / O

Please note that, while every effort will be made to accommodate your choices, it may not be possible to permit every possible combination of optional modules, due to timetabling constraints.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Assessment Regulations: a summary

Comprehensive information on the University’s Regulation Governing Undergraduate Awards can be found at

and the full set of Ordinances and Regulations for taught courses at

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The course is designed to give you a wide experience of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practised in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory sessions. The course is designed to allow you to develop and enhance your practical and inter-personal skills through working in small groups engaging in problem solving scenarios. Project work is included to allow you to demonstrate your ability to solve problems using the knowledge, understanding and skills you have gained during your course.

Each 10-credit module on the course requires you to commit an average 100 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials – while others involve private study. The balance between these forms of study changes as you pass through the three years of the course. There are more “contact hours” (time spent with tutors) in the earlier stages of the course; by the final year you are expected to manage your own learning, under the general guidance of your tutors.

An optional placement year, normally taken between Stages Two and Three, will enable you to extend and apply your learning in an appropriate industrial/commercial context, and gain first-hand experience of how your skills might be applied in the workplace.

The Assessment methods you will encounter are varied and your progress will be reviewed using a mix of formal examinations, reports, laboratory portfolios, essays, oral presentations (either individual or team) and the final year dissertation. Your performance in each module will be assessed using a mix of these assessment systems to allow you to demonstrate the particular module learning outcomes.

Admission Requirements

Offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular course. Entrance requirements will vary but are set after consideration of each applicant’s academic background and achievements and all other relevant experience. A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be the attainment of a total of 240 UCAS tariff points. Applications are welcome from candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience.

Applicants whose first language is not English will also be expected to possess an English Language qualification approved by the University, such as IELTS at 6.0 or TOEFL at 550.

Student Support and Guidance

All students admitted to SCIM undertake a process of induction led by a senior member of staff. Thereafter, ongoing support for students is provided in the form of one-stop facilities located at the SCIM' Student Support Office (SSO) in Horton Building which is open throughout the day during term, restricted hours outside term. Also support for registered students is provided 24/7 via the intranets ofSCIM, Department of Computing and the School’s Technical Support. The School uses the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support students on their individual modules.

As a student on the BSc (Hons) Computer Systems Administration, you will be allocated a personal tutor who provides support and guidance on matters relating to your learning, teaching and academic progress. There are specialist tutors in the School who deal with issues where other social factors (relating to gender or disability, for example) may have an impact on your academic performance. The Student Staff Liaison Committee gives the opportunity for you to give formal feedback to the Course Team and Department about curricular issues and the general running of the programme.

The University of Bradford provides important facilities such as extended access to library and computing services, counselling and welfare services, and careers advice. The Disability Office provided targeted support for all students with known disabilities and routinely arranges dyslexia assessments and appropriate support (i.e. reasonable adjustment) for disabled students.

Further Information

For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.

The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK / The Recruitment and Marketing Office
School of Computing, Informatics and Media
The University of Bradford
Horton Building
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
/ +44 (0)1274 235963


Disclaimer

The details of this Programme Specification and information contained therein are subject to change in accordance with the University of Bradford’s course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

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