BSc Computing for Business

Course outline

The BSc Computing for Business aims to produce Graduate Software Developers who specialise in managing software development for business.  We focus on the design, construction and application of computing systems to meet the requirements of business organisations.

The Aston University Computing for Business programme is one of only 13 in the UK to be endorsed as an ITMB programme by the E-skills council, giving our students access to top companies, projects and graduate opportunities. Aston also offers an optional integrated placement year.

You will extend your knowledge beynd the traditional business use of IT and be fully up to speed with new developments with the internet, e-business and distributed computing/multimedia systems.

Jump to:

• Subject guide & modules
• Learning, teaching & assessment
• Placement year
• Professional accreditation
  
• Career prospects
• Facilities & equipment
• Teaching staff
• Further information
  

Subject guide & modules

This programme has two main study themes: the methods of computing and how businesses operate and exploit computing effectively.  The core of this programme is the design and construction of systems to inform management decision-making and facilitate business activity. 

Computing for Business is approximately two thirds computing and one third business with considerable emphasis given to the integration of the two subjects. 

Since students join the programme from a variety of different backgrounds, year one brings everyone to the same level of knowledge.  The principles of computer programme design and business organisation provide a firm grounding for the remaining two years of the programme.  A wide range of options in the final year allow you to select specialised topics of particular interest to your chosen career.

Year 1

• CS1020 - Java Programming Foundations (CB)
• CS1050 - Information Systems and Databases
• BF1101 - Principles of Financial Accounting
• BH1107 - Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
• BN1105 - Quantitative Techniques
• CS1170 - Introduction to Computer Systems
• BN1113 - Business Decision Analysis
• BS1102 - Economic Environment of Business
• CS1150 - Communication and Information Skills for Computing Professionals
• CS1240 - Internet Computing

Year 2 

• CS2000 - Group Project (CB)
• CS2090 - Software Lifecycle and Design
• BS2232 - Business Policy
• CS2160 - Professional and Social Aspects of Computing
• CS2300 - Java Program Construction
• LT2306 - Project Management
• BF2262 - Management Accounting
• BM2257 - Marketing
• CS2260 - Human-Computer Interaction
• CS2410 - Internet Applications and Techniques

Year 3 - Optional placement year

• Professional Placement

Final Year

• BS3357 - Entrepreneurial Strategy
• CS3010 - Individual Project
• CS3360 - Software Project Management
• CS3460 - Enterprise Computing Strategies

Optional modules:

• BM2215 - Market Research
  
• BM3308 - Marketing Psychology
  
• BF3351 - Finance
  
• BN3386 - Knowledge at Work
  
• CS3160 - Enterprise Application Technology
  
• CS3190 - Information Security
  
• CS3410 - Interaction Design
  
• BH2286 - Effective Teamwork
  
• BM2243 - e-Marketing
  
• BS3352 - Value-Based Strategy 
• CS3180 - Natural Language Processing and Applications
• CS3210 - Geographic Information Systems
• CS3440 - Data Mining

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will benefit from our range of teaching methods and learning styles including: lectures, seminars and small group discussions, lab exercises and practical classes, computer-aided learning, individual and group projects.

Assessment is by a combination of written exams, projects and coursework. The proportion of each varies according to the modules chosen but examinations typically comprise around 75% and continuous assessment around 25%.

For further information, see the programme specification (PDF).

Placement year

Choose our 4-year sandwich programme and you will spend your third year in a paid professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and will further enhance your career prospects.

 Our staff will help you find a suitable placement and support you during your year.

 Students typically find work with major organisations such as IBM, 3M, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Intel, BT, Corus, TNT.

 Find out more about placement years at Aston.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society:  BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of Chartered IT Professional (CITP) qualification and E-skills UK.

Career prospects

Career prospects continue to be strong for our computing scientists with their sound understanding of the principles and practical applications of computing. The majority of our graduates find stimulating and rewarding positions in computing related activities with suppliers and users or within a wide range of careers for which a university degree is a prerequisite e.g. programmer, systems analyst, systems engineer or teacher.

Of our 2008 Computing for Business graduates, 75% went into employment or onto further study.
www.aston.ac.uk/careers

Recent graduate roles include:

Facilities & equipment

Teaching staff

Dr Anthony Beaumont
My research interests are Computer communications, Networks, andParallel and distributed systems. I am currently involved in research projects on Research on languages on the Internet (in response to one of UNESCO's objectives regarding Multilingualism for Cultural Diversity and Participation of All in Cyberspace) and Electronic Coursework Assessment and Feedback (e-CAF).

Further information