COMPUTING/BUSINESSINFORMATIONTECHNOLOGMedway

The UK’s European university

Undergraduatestudy

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCEAND INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING

Kent is a leadinguniversity, ranked in thetop 20 of UK universities.All of our academicschools produce world-class research, and Kentis rated as internationallyexcellent, leading the wayin many fields of study.

Studying Computing or BusinessInformation Technology at Kent’sSchool of Computing gives you theskills necessary to apply computingin areas typically found in industry –from the design and maintenance ofinformation systems to theimplementation of websites thatsupport e-commerce – putting youin great demand in the worldof work.

World-leading researchOur staff include world-leadingresearchers in key areas, such assystems security, communicationsand computing education, andsome interdisciplinary work with, forexample, biosciences andpsychology. You will get a chanceto study subjects close to theleading edge of computingresearch. In your final year you canchoose to do a group orconsultancy project which honesyour ability to complete work witha commercial focus. Projects aresuggested by staff who are expertsin their field, or may arise from anindustrial placement or be initiatedby yourself.

Inspirational teaching Teaching is based on lectures, withpractical classes and seminars.We also use virtual learningenvironments, video conferencingand work-based tuition. Workincludes group projects, casestudies and computer simulations.

Our degree programmes provide avariety of pathways; Computing canbe studied as a general degree,or with a particular focus onconsultancy, in the Computing(Consultancy) degree. The BusinessInformation Technology degreebuilds on the Computingprogramme and also includesfinancial accounting, marketing,management and enterprise.

Supportive academiccommunityWe provide excellent support foryou throughout your stay at Kent.This includes access to web-basedinformation systems, podcasts, webforums and anonymous questionsas well as study skills servicesand the Value programme forstudents who benefit from extrahelp in the early stages.

We use state-of-the-art teachingmethodologies, including aspecially-developed object-orientedteaching environment BlueJ, forteaching Java programming. Studybedrooms have broadband andour campus-wide WiFi gives youthe freedom to study outsideof computer rooms.

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A global outlookKent has a reputation as the UK’sEuropean university and hasdeveloped internationalpartnerships with a number ofprestigious institutions. We have aninternational community on campus:22% of our students come fromoutside the UK, representing 140different countries.

Professional recognitionThe Computing and Computing witha Year in Industry programmes haveInitial Full British Computer SocietyChartered IT Professional (BCSCITP) accreditation. The BusinessInformation Technology programmehas partial BCS CITP accreditation.

A successful futureAs well as providing a first-rateacademic experience, we want youto be in a good position to face thedemands of a tough economicenvironment. During your study,you develop key transferable skillsthat are considered essential fora successful career. Kent’s Schoolof Computing is rated among thetop 5 in the UK for job prospects inthe The Guardian University Guide2013. We ensure our students areequipped with the skills andknowledge that make them highlyattractive to potential employers.The high employment levels andwell above average starting salariesof our graduates are testament toour success in achieving this.

We focus on courses that provideskills relevant to employers witha good balance between theoreticalstudies and real-life applications.We also give our students thechance to gain work experience.

Further informationFor more information on thecareers help we provide at Kent,please see p8 or visitwww.kent.ac.uk/employability

Industrial experienceDuring your degree you can gainwork experience with leadingcompanies in the UK and overseasas part of a Year in Industry withsupport to find industry experiencefrom the School’s placement office.

This experience means that aftergraduation many of our studentsgo on to work for world-classbusinesses. The School ofComputing may also providecommercial experience workingas a student consultant within KentIT Consultancy (KITC). For moreinformation, please see page 18.

DID YOU KNOW?94% of Kent ComputerScience students foundemployment or went on tofurther study within six monthsof graduating, and 90% ofKent Computer Sciencestudents were employed ingraduate level jobs withinsix months of graduating.

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SCHOLARSHIPS ON OFFER!The School of Computing offersa scholarship that, for one full-time student, could mean anextra £1,000 a year. For details,see www.kent.ac.uk/studying/funding/scholarships/

Live by the riversideIf you are a full-time student, youcould be living in an attractive new‘waterside village’ on the banks ofthe River Medway. Our student flats,Liberty Quays, part of a multi-millionpound investment, have modernfully-fitted kitchens and en-suitestudy bedrooms linked in to theUniversity’s computer system.

Further informationFor more details aboutaccommodation at our Medwaycampus, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/locations/medway

DID YOU KNOW?In the National StudentSurvey 2012, Kent wasplaced third for overallsatisfaction, with Oxford andCambridge joint secondbehind the Open University.

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SUPERB STUDENT EXPERIENCE

At Medway we have amodern shared campuswith spacious facilities.It takes less than an hourto travel into London.

Specialist facilitiesThere are a large number ofcomputers in PC classrooms andopen access areas across theMedway campus, including inthe Drill Hall Library. All PCs havea high-speed connection to theinternet and offer access to yourown area for saving work.

Free wireless access to the Kentnetwork and the internet is widelyavailable on campus. Studybedrooms have connections to thecampus network, so you can useyour own computer to access theuniversity network and the internet.Many course materials are web-based, so accessible on campusor from home. You also have accessto study-related informationsystems, podcasts and web forums.

Good locationThe Medway campus is very closeto central London: the train servicefrom Ebbsfleet to King’s Cross takesonly 18 minutes. The service fromChatham station to London Victoriaor London Charing Cross takes only45 minutes.

Excellent study resourcesThe general resources on campusare excellent. The Drill Hall Libraryhas over 130,000 items includingbooks, journals and electronicresources. You have access toa range of services such as ITsupport, library support, publicPCs and printers.

Historic settingOur campus is near ChathamHistoric Dockyard and combinesbeautiful old buildings with state-of-the-art facilities. There are cafés,a shop, sports centre, student puband nightclub on campus, helpingto create a sense of community.The impressive Rochester Cathedralis the venue for the University’sdegree congregations.

www.cs.kent.ac.uk

6 Computing

people who don’t have much workexperience. The people who havedone a Year in Industry stand outbecause of their confidence andthey are more willing to try newthings.

What sort of things do you do inyour spare time?Medway is a smaller campus thanCanterbury, everything feels veryclose knit, you get to know peoplequite quickly. I found it easy to getinvolved in volunteering and set upthe Hindu Society on campus. I wonfour awards including the best newsociety and the Kent volunteeringgold award. I also won anemployability award with the prizeof leadership training with theaccountancy firm PKF.

What kind of career do youhope to follow when you leave,and why?I hope to have a career in Businessand IT. For the next three years I willbe working as a business analyst,service manager and projectmanager on a GSK graduatescheme. My aspiration is to becomea director in the next five to sixyears.

Any advice for other studentscoming to Kent?Make use of the volunteeringopportunities and work placements.Have a look at what certificates it ispossible to get and aim to completethem before your third year. Andstart, or be part of, a society. Thisis a perfect example to raise atinterviews – that’s what impressedmy interviewers!

STUDENT PROFILE

Preeya Parmar is in herthird-year, studyingBusiness InformationTechnology with a Yearin Industry.

What attracted you to studyingat Kent?I chose my course at Kent becauseof family recommendations; both mycousins and uncle had studied hereand I knew that the degrees werevalued. I also liked the idea of beingclose to home [London]. I used togo home about once a month, butless now that I’m in my final year.I also liked the accommodation atLiberty Quays, which is close byand has its own shop andtakeaways!

How is your course going?I’ve always wanted to work inbusiness and I chose this degreebecause of the connections theplacement team has with leadingcompanies. I’ve always lovedscience and have quite a logicalbrain, which is why I like IT. AsI will be working in business,I wanted to understand how itworks, so the Business InformationTechnology course was perfect.

What about the levels ofsupport in your studies?I have found that the lecturers arehappy to provide help and feedbackas necessary.

Which modules have youenjoyed the most, and why?I really enjoyed the New BusinessEnterprise module. The lecturer

uses a practical teaching methodthat has helped me to further myknowledge.

How did you find your Year inIndustry?I worked for GSK, [GlaxoSmithKline]the pharmaceutical company. Itwas a great placement and I wasdetermined to make the most ofevery opportunity. I projectmanaged the migration of oneinternal website with 500 users toanother, which involved a lot ofresearch and organisation and alsointroduced me to risk analysis,which I love.

I took part in an international GSKcompetition, similar to Dragons’Den, where you had to pitch an ITidea. I worked on a pitch for gesturetechnology in science labs thatwould save time and reducecontamination risks. Out of 90submissions, we made it to the finalwith a promise of £25,000 and thesupport of two mentors. It feelssuch an accomplishment that mysuggestion is being built as aprototype.

How has your placement helpedyou in completing your degree?I have come back to university moredetermined and better organised.I’m more aware of what I’m good atand how people perceive me. I amalso determined to get a 2:1 to getinto the GSK graduate scheme.Feedback from GSK was that Ineeded to improve my leadershipskills, so I am chairing the KITC(Kent IT Consultancy) this year. TheKITC is brilliant, particularly for

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A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

A degree in Computinggives you a wide choice ofcareers.

Our graduates have gainedemployment in a wide range ofareas including:

• software engineering• applications programming• project management• systems analysis andadministration

• consultancy• networking• research and development• web design and editing• IT support.

Graduates have launched theircareers in many different sectorsincluding finance and insurance,technology and IT, commerce,engineering, government, educationand health.

What do employers think?Our high graduate employment ratespeaks for itself. Leading companiessuch as Credit Suisse, Kent Police,BAe Systems, Accenture, Cisco andDisney are keen to employ ourgraduates.

Many companies provide workplacements for our students, yearafter year, and the Kent IT Cliniccontinues to attract repeat businessfrom satisfied customers. This is aclear indication that employers areimpressed with the calibre of ourundergraduates.

Work experienceEmployers are very keen toemploy graduates who have workexperience. Choosing a Yearin Industry can provide realcommercial experience withcompanies and organisations in theUK, or overseas with our placementpartners in California and HongKong.

Valuable consultancy skills can alsobe gained by working in the KITC.Modules associated with theConsultancy allow you to gainacademic credits, while working oncommercial consulting projects withlocal companies.

Professional accreditation As well as gaining your degree,your studies at Kent can lead toother professional qualifications.Students of Computing can gainaccreditation as a Chartered ITProfessional (CITP); students ofBusiness Information Technologycan gain partial accreditation.Accreditation is provided by theBritish Computer Society.

Key skillsStudying for a degree is not justabout mastering your subject area.These days employers are alsolooking for a range of key skills,and we encourage you to developthese within your degreeprogramme. The ability to analysesituations, troubleshoot problems,and construct written and verbalpresentations are all valuable skills,no matter what your final profession.

Careers adviceThe University of Kent’s Careersand Employability Service can offeradvice on how to choose your futurecareer, apply for jobs, write a goodCV and perform well in interviewsand aptitude tests. It also providesup-to-date information on graduateopportunities before and after yougraduate. For more details, seewww.kent.ac.uk/employability

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I gained at Kent helped to presentme as a possible candidate for avariety of roles. I started working forCredit Suisse around ten weeksafter graduating and spent the timein-between travelling.

What are your future plans?I intend to continue working in thebanking industry as it’s a fast pacedenvironment with opportunity formobility, not only within the bankbut globally. I’m very keen to workaround the world in places suchas New York, Dubai and Singapore,to understand the different workingcultures and ethics.

What advice would you give tosomeone thinking of coming toKent?I would highly recommendcompleting a year in industry to gainreal world experience, which can beapplied to the final year at university.Although it is an additional year atuniversity, the majority of my fellowstudents were offered unconditionalgraduate jobs on graduation fromKent, so it is definitely worth it!

www.cs.kent.ac.uk

EXCELLENTPROSPECTSKent’s Year in Industryprogramme can provide realcommercial experience withleading companies in theUK(including IBM, Microsoftand Intel) or overseas withplacement partners inCalifornia and Hong Kong.

GRADUATE PROFILE

I can’t thank the teaching staffenough for assisting me inachieving a First Class Honoursdegree.

What about the academicstandards at Kent?The academic standards werecontinuously high during my fouryears at Kent; with the modulesbecoming more challenging eachyear. All students are encouragedto achieve their maximum potentialwith the support of their lecturersand peers in older year groups.

How do the skills you gained atKent help you in your presentcareer?It is difficult to say that I haveapplied all the skills that I learnt atUniversity into my career at CreditSuisse. My managers havedefinitely benefited from mytechnical skills in Excel becauseI have been able to automate a lotof reporting. Coming from acomputer science background, thelogical thinking and problem-solvingskills that I picked up fromprogramming have been useful inmy role as a business analyst.

How did your career progressafter graduation?I had been offered a contract towork at Credit Suisse beforeI graduated, which meant thatI could focus on my degree ratherthan having to also look for a job.I was offered a choice of positionsat Credit Suisse and I am sure thatthe broad depth of knowledge that

Dominic Haywood-Bengegraduated in Computing(formerly known asInformation Technology)in 2012 and now worksfor Credit Suisse, thefinancial servicescompany.

Why did you choose to study atKent?I conducted thorough research ona number of universities offeringa degree in Computer Science witha year in industry. From the outset,Kent topped the list when it cameto course content and computingfacilities.

What attracted you to thecourse?The prospect of completing a yearin industry initially attracted me tothe course. However, it was thevariety of programming languagesthat the University had to offer thatclinched it for me. I was alsofortunate to talk to a number ofcomputing lecturers during myinduction day, and I was able toglean from them what aspects ofthe course they felt were betterat Kent than at other universities,and why.

How would you describe theteaching at Kent?Each of the computing lecturers hastheir own unique style when itcomes to delivering course contentbut they always deliver theinformation to a high standard.

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DID YOU KNOW?In the National Student Survey2012, Kent School ofComputing students at theMedway campus, recorded79% for overall satisfaction.

11www.cs.kent.ac.uk

CHOOSING YOUR PROGRAMME

We offer a broad-basedComputing programme,along with degrees thatallow you to specialise inspecific areas. To decidewhich programme is mostrelevant to your interests,see below. All of these canbe taken as four-yearprogrammes with a Yearin Industry (see p18).

ComputingThis degree offers a broad base inComputing skills, leading to a widerange of careers. In general thedegree looks at softwareapplications and how they might beused within an information system.You learn both object-oriented andweb programming. You also learnhow to design and use databasesystems and electroniccommunication systems. And youare able to specialise in fields suchas computer security, e-commerce,or consultancy.

Computing (Consultancy)Many modern businesses rely onthe expertise of a Computing or ITconsultancy. To be successful sucha service requires a distinct set ofabilities – good client managementskills, an ability to recognise theneeds of business, and excellent ITskills. Therefore this degree covers abroad range of IT modules as wellas business modules taught by KentBusiness School.

Practical consultancy skills aredeveloped by working withina small, real-life consultancybusiness, the KITC (Kent ITConsultancy). This is run bystudents and supervised byprofessional consultants. Studentstake responsibility for developmentof the business, but its strategicdirection is provided by an advisoryboard with members from a numberof prominent IT companiesincluding IBM. Student consultantsare involved in a wide range of

projects, for example being part ofa team that develops a commercialweb application. Working in theclinic provides the opportunityto meet clients and manage projectsas well as carrying out technicalwork.

Business InformationTechnology Business and commerce relyheavily on information systems,especially now e-commerce iswidespread. This degree providesa balance of business andinformation technology andresponds to industry needs,enhancing your employmentprospects. You learn to use currenttechnology in communications,databases and web publishing,to analyse business problemsand develop effective solutions.

“I spent my placement yearin Hong Kong working forHSBC. I really enjoyed mytime there. I was part of adevelopment and support teamand it was awesome to be ableto use my knowledge to solvereal-life-problems. I workedwith teams in Hong Kong,China and France.”

Alex AlferovsBSc (Hons) Computer Science with aYear in Industry

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STUDYING AT STAGE 1

In your first year, Stage 1,a major part of yourstudies is concerned withlearning how to programin an object-orientedlanguage; no previousprogramming experienceis required.

Each module consists of about fourto five hours of lectures, privatestudy and practical work per week.Practical work starts with weeklysmall-scale exercises. Modules areassessed by a mix of courseworkand end-of-year examination. Marksfrom Stage 1 do not contributetowards your final degree grade, butyou must pass this stage in order tocontinue on to Stage 2. Also, marksfrom Stage 1 are used by potentialemployers to assess your suitabilityfor a Year in Industry.

All students take the followingcompulsory modules:• Applications Project • Computer Systems • Databases and the Web • Foundations of Computing• Introduction to Object OrientedProgramming

• People and Computing.

Computing students take:• Computer Applications • Human Computer Interaction.

Business Information Technologystudents take:

• Introduction to Management• Introduction to Marketing.

Modules: Stage 1Applications ProjectWorking as part of a group, you usethe knowledge and skills you havegained so far to develop a softwaresolution to a particular problem. Yougain experience of working in ateam, learn how to identify roles andresponsibilities of team membersand develop your organisation, timemanagement and presentationskills, learning how to effectively runand evaluate a project.

Computer ApplicationsThis module introduces students toone of the more important computertools used in business. The moduleteaches the use and applicationof spreadsheets, ‘What–If’ analysistools and VBA programming toproduce solutions to businessproblems.

Computer SystemsComputer systems are thefundamental behaviours andcomponents (hardware andsoftware) of a typical computersystem. This module explores thefundamentals of how computersystems collaborate to manageresources and provide services.The module also provides you withan introduction to computerarchitecture and operating systems,and looks at the important topic ofcommunications.

Databases and the webThis module provides anintroduction to databases and SQLas a source for content for websites.It covers; creating static content forwebsites, controlling appearance,integrating static and dynamiccontent, securing dynamic websitesand improving interactivity andmaintainability in web content.

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DID YOU KNOW?Kent was ranked 5th in the UKfor Computer Sience and ITgraduating students’ careerprospects in The GuardianUniversity Guide 2013.

Introduction to ManagementYou are introduced to theories ofmanagement, beginning withclassical management systemsthrough to contemporarymanagement concepts in thismodule. Some of the topics include:Scientific Management; Leadership;Decision-making and ManagingEthically.

Introduction to MarketingThis module demonstrates theimportance of marketing incompetitive and dynamicenvironments. Key topics coveredare: the marketing concept, themarketing environment, marketsegmentation and targeting, branddevelopment and management,management of the marketing mix,new product development and anoverview of internationalisation.

Introduction to Object-OrientedProgramming Programs are the fundamentalbuilding blocks of computingsystems. This module introduce thedesign and implementation ofprograms using Java, aprogramming language thatdescribes systems as interrelatedobjects. These modules use an

objects-first approach to cover theprinciples of object-orientation,modelling, testing, and to give youthe practical skills you need to workacross a range of moderncomputing environments.

People and ComputingThis module introduces a range ofconcepts including; design andcommunication, what makes forgood written communication, howpeople get and process information,effective spoken communication,history of computing andcommunication, the effects oftechnology, Health and safety issueswith computing, the Business ofComputing, Employment in IT,software development and softwareengineering, designing –for the web:web usability and web accessibility,relevant Laws applying to the useand development of computing.

Foundations of Computing 1Mathematical reasoning underpinsmany aspects of computer scienceand this module aims to provide theskills needed for other modules onthe degree programme. Topics willinclude algebra, reasoning andproof set theory, functions andstatistics.

Human Computer InteractionAt best, a poorly designed interfaceis an inconvenience; at worst, itcould mean injury or even loss oflife. In this module you study thebasic principles of user-centredHCI design and learn how to defendthe importance of a well-designedHCI in application design. Themodule includes practical skillsneeded to test an HCI design forcorrectness and usability, and thedesign of both graphic and non-graphic user-interfaces

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Modules: Stage 2 Computer ApplicationsSee Stage 1 information

Database SystemsThis module looks at the design,implementation and use ofdatabase systems. Topics includedatabase management, systemsarchitecture, data modelling anddatabase design, query languagesand recent developments.

Financial Accounting 1You are introduced to the basicprinciples and techniquesof financial accounting. The moduleseeks to develop an understandingof basic accounting principles,concepts and conventions.

Further Object-OrientedProgrammingThis builds on the programmingskills you have gained during the

module Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming.

Information Systems Analysis In this module you deepen yourunderstanding of the nature ofcommonly found commercial andadministrative information systems.You look at how information ispassed within, and between,organisations, carry out a systemsinvestigation and outline thebusiness case for informationsystems, including a cost-benefitstudy. You work both in groups andindependently.

Introduction to MarketingSee page 13.

NetworkingYou study computer networks andcommunications technologies. Themodule covers networkarchitectures and protocol layers

In your second year, studyoften builds on Stage 1modules and coverstopics at a deeper level.Modules are assessedby a combination ofcoursework and end-of-year examination. Marksfrom Stage 2 counttowards your degreeresult.

All Computing and BusinessInformation Technology studentstake the following:• Database Systems• Information Systems• Agile Software Development.

Computing students also take:• Further Object-OrientedProgramming

• Introduction to Marketing[Computing (Consultancy)students]

• Networking [Computing students]• Software Engineering Process• Web Development• Software Project.

All Business Information Technologystudents take:• Computer Applications • Financial Accounting 1• Marketing Strategy• Operations Management• Strategy Analysis & Tools.

www.cs.kent.ac.uk

STUDYING AT STAGE 2

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STUDYING AT STAGE 2 (CONT)

and includes details of thetechnologies, algorithms andprotocols currently in use; it alsoexamines some of the problemsstill to be solved.

Marketing StrategyThe module gives you experience ofusing real market data to leaddecisions in marketing strategy.Students are expected to be ableto identify markets where continuousinnovation is possible with theintroduction of products withdistinctive consumer benefits. It isa module that integrates theoryand practice.

Operations ManagementOperations management isconcerned with creating theproducts and services on which weall depend. It is about realising theideas of marketers and designersthough the effective managementof processes and people.

Strategy Analysis & ToolsThe module provides a broad, basicunderstanding of strategy andstrategic management. It introducesstudents to the key vocabulary,concepts and frameworks ofstrategic management. You learnhow to identify strategic issues,develop strategic options to addressthem and decide which option(s) torecommend.

Agile Software Development In this module you become familiarwith Agile developmentmethodologies such as ExtremeProgramming and Scrum, used by

comparatively small teams ofsoftware engineers to createsoftware. This enables you to tacklesubsequent group projects in amore organised fashion andaddress the issues associated withgroup development work identifiedearlier.

Software Engineering ProcessThis is an opportunity to focus onthe basic software engineeringprocesses: specification, design,development, quality assurance andmanagement, that are employed inthe construction of large andcomplex software systems.

Web DevelopmentThis builds on the Stage 1 moduleDatabases and the Web. It includesAjax, Javascript and PHP, webservices and web applications, webservers, payment systems, analyticsand traffic analysis. By the end of

the module you should be able tocreate a web application.

Software ProjectThis is an opportunity for you toapply an Agile approach in thedevelopment of a prescribedsoftware system. Working in smallgroups, you develop a softwareapplication. The objective is toensure a client’s desiredfunctionality is delivered, usingsound software engineeringprinciples.

Semantic WebYou learn what the Semantic Web isand how it facilitates use of, andreasoning about, web resources.You deploy ontologies to classifyand organise and develop a criticalawareness of state-of-the-arttechniques for automatedinformation gathering.

Computing

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KENT IT CONSULTANCY

All Computing and BITprogrammes give you theopportunity to gain workexperience as a studentconsultant with our KentIT Consultancy (KITC)usually at Stage 3.

What is the KITC?The KITC is a not-for-profitorganisation operated by theUniversity of Kent, providing aproject-based consultancy serviceto small businesses in Kent. Currentstudents provide the consultancywork under the guidance ofdedicated professional IT staffemployed by the University.

You gain academic credit for thework you do, which counts towardsyour degree.

How can the KITC help me?Working for the KITC cansignificantly improve youremployment prospects. It givesyou real work experience, whichis invaluable to future employers.Also, when applying for jobs, it givesyou the edge over other graduateswho have not had this opportunity.

You can try out different aspectsof IT consultancy work while still astudent and find out what you liketo do best, helping you to plan yourcareer.

How do I become a studentconsultant in the KITC?You do not need any previousexperience as a consultant butyou do need to have successfullycompleted the first two years of yourdegree. You also need todemonstrate a keen interest in ITand have an aptitude forconsultancy work. You are requiredto go through an interview beforeyou can start work in the KITC.

You take an introductory moduleto familiarise yourself with theconsultancy environment. You canthen choose further modules thatinvolve doing real consultancyassignments for the KITC.

As a student consultant, yourwork in the KITC is part of yourtimetabled hours. It is different from

the Year in Industry, where youspend an additional year awayfrom the University on placement.

What help is provided?The KITC is primarily run by thestudent consultants who getadditional help from dedicated,professional staff with a detailedknowledge of the consultancybusiness. They help and supportyou through all stages of theprocess, supporting both yourrelationship with customers and theconsultancy work you do, andadvising you on your final projectreport.

You are also assigned an academicsupervisor to help with the academicaspects of the KITC experience.

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A YEAR IN INDUSTRY

All Computing and ITprogrammes offer a Yearin Industry, takenbetween Stages 2 and 3.More than half of ourstudents take this option.

Study and career benefitsEmployers are very keen to employgraduates who have workexperience. So this year can greatlyenhance your job prospects byproviding you with real commercialexperience.

It also allows you to evaluate aparticular career path and gainknowledge of the workingenvironment. Also, you may beoffered a job with the sameemployer after graduation. Thepractical experience can also beput to good use in your final yearof study, helping you to gain a betterdegree. It gives you a sense of howthe theory works in practice andimproves your skills in many areas.

Finding a placementIn recent years, students have foundplacements with leading companiesin the UK, such as IBM, Microsoftand Intel. Also some of our studentsgo overseas to our placementpartners in California and HongKong. To help you find positions, theSchool of Computing has adedicated Placement Team who canadvise you on the placements thatare likely to enhance your careerprospects, how to write a winning

CV and how to hone your interviewskills. There are frequent visits to theUniversity by companies whopresent their placementopportunities.

Salary and benefitsStudents usually work on placementfor the entire calendar year. Salaryand holiday entitlements varyaccording the employer you workfor. However, many students find thatthey earn enough to be able to savesome of their income and this oftenhelps them in their final year of

study.

Keeping in touch with KentThe University maintains closecontact with you during your yearaway. The year is assessed by acombination of employer feedbackand academic evaluation. Itcontributes 10% to your overalldegree mark.

“The general business skills,team working and planningtheory that I have learntduring my degree match thereality of the job. It makessense when you see it inaction.”

George FisherComputing with a Year in Industry(Placement, web developer at HolidayExtras)

19www.cs.kent.ac.uk

STUDYING AT STAGE 3

Stage 3 is your final yearof study. With a widerange of optional moduleson offer, you are able tospecialise in an area ofyour choosing. Everyonetakes a project module ona topic of their choice.

Assessment is by a combination ofcoursework and end-of-yearexaminations, apart from theproject, which is assessed bycoursework (we assess yourindividual contribution).

Computing students must take:• Project and can choose to take• IT Consultancy Project.

Computing (Consultancy) studentsmust take:

• IT Consultancy Practice and canchoose to take the group project.

Options for Computing students:• Computer Security andCryptography

• Computing Law & ProfessionalResponsibility

• Data Mining• E-Commerce• E-Health• Enterprise • IT Consultancy Practice 2• Semantic Web• Other Computing options asavailable.

Business Information Technologystudents take:• Corporate and Business strategy• Service Management• Networking.

And either: • Web Development and• Software Project. Or: • IT Consultancy Project.

Options for Business InformationTechnology students:• Business Law• Computer Security andCryptography

• Computing Law and ProfessionalResponsibility

• Consultancy Practice 2• Data Mining• E-Commerce• E-Health• Enterprise• Further Object-OrientedProgramming

• New Enterprise Start Up• Semantic Web• Web development.• Other Computing options asavailable.

Modules: Stage 3Business LawThis module covers the principalareas of law relating to thecomputing profession, includingcontract, tort and employment law,as well as negligence in a businesscontext.

Computer Security andCryptographySecurity has always been animportant aspect of computingsystems, but its importance hasincreased greatly in recent years. In this module you learn about thetechniques used when security is of major importance. This includescomputer operating systems,distributed applications (such as e-commerce) and embeddedsystems ranging from smart cards

STUDYING AT STAGE 3 (CONT)

20 Computing

trading. You have the chance toimplement an end-to-end e-commerce system.

EnterpriseSmall businesses make up a verysignificant part of the UK economy.This module examines the role ofenterprise in the economy,particularly in relation to smallbusinesses. You consider the issuesof business start-up, survival andgrowth strategies, governmentpolicy and intervention. You alsolook at individual entrepreneurs andhow their businesses havedeveloped.

Further Object-OrientedProgramming See Stage 2 for details.

Information Systems StudyYou study an aspect of the ITsystems within an organisation ofyour choice. Learning is mainly self-directed but workshops are help ontopics such as: working in groups;project selection; planning aninvestigation; data collectiontechniques; report writing andmaking an oral presentation.

IT Consultancy Project (30credits) In this module you undertake one or(typically) more assignments for theKITC. There are three types ofassignments; you may: work on oneof KITC’s external contracts; make acontribution to the infrastructure ofKITC itself; or formulate a costedproposal for the future developmentof the Consultancy, and present thisfor inclusion in KITC’s strategic plan

and pay-TV to large industrial plantand telecommunication systems.

Computing Law andProfessional ResponsibilityThe specific topics covered in thismodule change from year to yearto reflect changes in this rapidlyevolving field. Through your studyyou develop a conceptualunderstanding of what is ethicaland what is legal, and a systematicunderstanding of basic legalprocesses and data privacylegislation. You also gain a basicknowledge of computer law asit currently exists with respect toIT in the UK.

Data MiningWhat are the strengths andweaknesses of various data miningand knowledge discoverytechniques? How do you choose themost appropriate for any particulartask? This module looks at differenttechniques and gives you thechance to use a state-of-the-artdata-mining tool. You evaluate thequality of the discoveredknowledge, and there is also thechance to extend data miningconcepts and principles to text andweb mining.

E-commerceE-commerce is an increasinglyimportant area for consumers,businesses and national economies.This module looks at its economicand social implications, its driversand limitations. You learn about theprincipal features of e-commerceand compare them with traditional

and the planning andimplementation of the businessplan.

Marketing StrategySee Stage 2 for details.

NetworkingSee Stage 2 for details.

ProjectThe final-year project gives you thechance to apply the skills acquiredin other modules. Completing aproject allows you to explore anarea of particular interest, to workas a team and to produce a largerpiece of work than those previouslyasked for. Prospective employersoften ask about projects ininterviews and this module helpsyou to develop professional workpractices.

Corporate and BusinessStrategyThis extends your knowledge andunderstanding of strategicmanagement and issues. Itintroduces contemporary issuesassociated with the formulationand implementation of businessstrategies, with an emphasis onidentifying and implementingstrategic change within anorganisation, building dynamiccapabilities and developingcoherent strategies. Issues mightinclude strategies for a recession,global strategies and strategieswhere profit is of secondary (or no)importance. You work on a projectto identify and suggest possiblesolutions to a strategic issue ina real organisation to develop yourability to link theory and practicein real-life situations.

Web DevelopmentSee Stage 2 for details.

Software ProjectSee Stage 2 for details.

for the following academic year.You also produce a report on eachassignment undertaken. Eachassignment is carried out underthe ultimate supervision of KITCmanagement.

IT Consultancy Practice 2See IT Consultancy project fordetails. IT Consultancy Practice 2runs for one 12 week term. TheIT Consultancy Project takes placeover two 12 week terms.

New Enterprise Start-UpThis looks at the new businessplanning process, developing andevaluating a business idea andproducing a business plan forpotential lenders. Topics coveredinclude the financial aspects ofenterprise, market research andplanning, quality standards, legalissues, staff and physical resources,

21www.cs.kent.ac.uk

“As my fellow students camewith different abilities in theIT field, we were all brought tothe same standard in the firstyear. The second year is morechallenging, with morecoursework, shorter deadlinesand increased groupwork. Inthe third year there will bemore flexibility, as there willbe a choice of options to take.”

Michelle BoormanBSc (Hons) Computing

Computing

VISIT THE UNIVERSITY

Informal visits You are welcome to visit the campusat any time. We produce a leafletthat can take you on a self-guidedtour and you may be able to meetup with an academic member ofstaff. For more details, pleasecontact the Information andGuidance Unit (see right).

More informationFor more information about theUniversity, or to order anothersubject leaflet, please contact theInformation and Guidance Unit.

Come along for an OpenDay or a UCAS Visit Dayand see for yourself whatit is like to be a student atKent.

Open DaysOpen Days are held in July andOctober for potential students, andtheir families and friends, to have alook round the campus. The dayincludes a wide range of subjectdisplays, demonstrations andinformal lectures and seminars, and the chance to tour the campuswith current students to viewaccommodation and facilities. For more information, seewww.kent.ac.uk/opendays/

Visit DaysUCAS Visit Days take placebetween December and April andinclude a tour of the campus withstudent guides, lunch in one of thecolleges, an opportunity to askquestions of a panel of Computingstaff and students, and a talk aboutuniversity life. You also have thechance to talk to one of theacademics and discuss any queriesabout the course. For more details,see www.kent.ac.uk/visitdays/

Tel: 01227 827272 Freephone (UK only): 0800 975 3777 Email: information@kent.ac.uk

You can also write to us at:Information and Guidance Unit, The Registry, University of Kent,Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ

For the latest departmentalinformation, please seewww.cs.kent.ac.uk

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23www.cs.kent.ac.uk

Terms and conditions: The Universityreserves the right to make variations to thecontent and delivery of courses and otherservices, or to discontinue courses andother services, if such action is reasonablyconsidered to be necessary. If theUniversity discontinues any course it willendeavour to provide a suitable alternative.To register for a programme of study, allstudents must agree to abide by theUniversity Regulations (available online at:www.kent.ac.uk/regulations/).

Data protection: for administrative,academic and health and safety reasons,the University needs to process informationabout its students. Full registration as astudent of the University is subject to yourconsent to process such information.

LocationMedway

AwardBSc (Hons).

Programme typeFull-time.

Degree programme

Single honours• Computing (G503:K)• Computing with a Year inIndustry (G505:K)• Computing (Consultancy)(G508:K)• Computing (Consultancy) with aYear in Industry (G509:K)• Business Computing (NG14:K)• Business Computing with a Yearin Industry (NG1F:K)

Typical offer levelsA/AS level 320 points (3 A levelequivalents) inc 18 units at Alevel/GCE double A level, BTECNational Diploma, Distinction,Distinction, Merit. (For direct entryto Stage 3: typically distinction atHND but dependent on previousstudy).

Required subjectsGCSE Mathematics grade C.

Year abroadIf you are studying a modernlanguage, you will spend a yearabroad as part of your course.

Year in Industry Between Stages 2 and 3.

Professional recognitionInformation Technology (G503:K)and Information Technology with aYear in Industry (G505:K) haveInitial Full British Computer SocietyChartered IT Professional (BCSCITP) accreditation. The BusinessInformation Technologyprogramme (NG14:K) has partialBCS CITP accreditation.

Foundation programme International students can take afoundation programme at Kent inorder to gain the necessary entryrequirements.See www.kent.ac.uk/studying/foundation

Offer levels and entryrequirements are subject tochange. For the latestinformation, seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: information@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk

Open events and individual tours

If you are in the UK, you are welcome to attend one of our postgraduate open events, which are

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COME ANDVISIT US

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: information@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk

We hold Open Days at our Canterbury and Medway campuses twice a year.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

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