In partnership, we can create the best foundation for your Business and Sta. Foundation Degree in Computer Science (FdSc)

Transcription

1 In partnership, we can create the best foundation for your Business and Sta Foundation Degree in Computer Science (FdSc)

2 from Professor Faron Moller, Programme Director WHETHER YOU ARE READING THIS BROCHURE AS AN EMPLOYER LOOKING TO UP-SKILL YOUR STAFF, AN EMPLOYEE LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES OR JUST GENERALLY LOOKING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EXCITING FOUNDATION DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE (F dsc), I HOPE THAT YOU WILL FIND THIS BROCHURE INFORMATIVE. The Department of Computer Science at Swansea University is internationally recognised for its degree programmes and research. The FdSc in Computer Science, as well as forming part of this undergraduate rfect addition to the portfolio of activities managed by IT Wales, the technology transfer unit of the Computer Science Department. The FdSc in Computer Science, has been welcomed by industry and the sector skills council e-skills UK, as it promotes widening access to higher education, particularly for employees working in the software, IT services and Telecoms sectors of Wales. In doing so, it addresses headon the growing skills gap in this high-value industry. Computer Science at Swansea University SWANSEA UNIVERSITY IS A RESEARCH-LED UNIVERSITY THAT HAS BEEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE SINCE THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE SITS WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND IS HOME TO WORLD CLASS RESEARCHERS, FINE LABORATORY FACILITIES AND EXCELLENT TEACHING PROGRAMMES. Friendly sta are committed to providing an excellent student experience and education of a very high standard. It is also a top research environment, containing the highest percentage of world-leading researchers in any Computer Science Department in Wales (and the 11th highest in the UK) in the most recent national research assessment exercise, RAE This research informs our teaching and the development of new degree programmes. The Department of Computer Science also has excellent collaborative links with local industry, through its IT Wales Programme. Our knowledgeable academic sta and students are valued by companies for bringing a new perspective and insight into the latest developments in computer science, particularly within the software, IT and Telecoms sectors. Welcome and Overview Welcome It is in this setting of world-leading expertise that the newly developed FdSc in Computer Science has been created in order to assist local businesses and industry up-skill their sta by widening access to higher education, through the provision of this part-time degree qualification in Computer Science. If you have found this information useful and want to know more, please contact us and we will be more than happy to talk to you in more detail. Thank you Professor Faron Moller Page 3 Page 2 Programme Director Computer Science Foundation Degree Department of Computer Science Swansea University

3 What is a Foundation Degree? What is a Foundation Degree? A FOUNDATION DEGREE IS A DISTINCTIVE HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION WHICH COMBINES ACADEMIC AND WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL) AND HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO MEET SKILLS GAPS IN THE ECONOMY. A FOUNDATION DEGREE PROGRAMME OF STUDY INCORPORATES 240 CREDITS AND ROUGHLY EQUATES TO THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF AN UNDERGRADUATE HONOURS DEGREE PROGRAMME. CORE FEATURES OF FOUNDATION DEGREES ARE: Employer involvement Building on current skills to gain a qualification Development of new skills and knowledge Application of skills in the workplace 240 credits studied over two years Important opportunity to progress within the company What is unique about our FdSc in Computer Science? What are the advantages of our FdSc in Computer Science? Foundation Degrees were introduced in the UK in 2001 to widen higher education access to students in work and also to provide students with substantial industry experience the opportunity to frame that experience against appropriate academic perspectives. Employer-led curriculum in line with industry needs Widening access to higher learning through work-based programmes and clearer progression routes to bachelor degree level This FdSc in Computer Science has been created to serve a recognised demand from industry, and address head-on the growing skills gap in this high-value industry. It integrates academic and work-based learning through close relationships with local Welsh businesses across the software, IT services and Telecoms sectors. Graduates of the FdSc in Computer Science can apply for direct entry into the third year of our BSc (Hons) degree programme in Software Engineering. As an employer, how can the FdSc in Computer Science benefit my business? OUR FOUNDATION DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE IS ABOUT RESPONDING TO SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIREMENTS IN WALES. IT HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY INDUSTRY AND THE SECTOR SKILLS COUNCIL E-SKILLS UK, BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES HEAD-ON THE GROWING SKILLS GAP IN THIS HIGH-VALUE INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUING TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. The FdSc will enable your workforce to meet new challenges and build the capability of your business to respond rapidly to the external environment and changes that occur. Whether you are up-skilling existing employees or recruiting new ones, an FdSc graduate will have very specific skills with the ability to develop and apply those skills in the workplace. Foundation Degrees provide specific benefits to employers: Ensures that employees and employers have the skills for increased competitiveness Equips staff with current and relevant knowledge to the company and share techniques Employer engagement helps increase the profile of the organisation Staff with increased motivation and commitment to the company or organisation Increased staff confidence to apply their skills and knowledge Development of wider/generic skills, e.g. presentation and communication skills, alongside developing technical skills, means that staff are more able to communicate within the organisation and with customers, suppliers etc Howard Kirkman, MD Giakonda IT Page 5 Page 4 I see our relationship with Swansea University very much as a partnership. We benefit from our employee/ student Connor s enthusiasm for new challenges, and he benefits from a sound theoretical foundation for the practical work we need him to perform.

4 THIS TWO YEAR COURSE REQUIRES PARTICIPANTS TO BE ALLOWED A HALF-DAY RELEASE FROM THEIR WORKPLACE ON A WEDNESDAY (1-8PM), SO AS TO ATTEND TEACHING SESSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY. BEYOND THIS, SOME AMOUNT OF WORK-BASED LEARNING AND ON-LINE RESOURCES WILL BE USED, AS WELL AS DIRECTED SELF-STUDY. STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY BOTH AN ACADEMIC TUTOR AND A WORK-BASED MENTOR FROM THE WORK PLACE. What can I gain from this Foundation Degree in Computer Science? A Foundation Degree is a recognised and highly respected qualification in its own right. It is equivalent to the first two years of a BSc (Honours) degree programme, and in fact will lead to the possibility of direct entry onto the third year of the BSc Computer Science programme. You will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes for successful performance in working life. Benefits for Employees EARN AND LEARN Study part-time for a recognised qualification with progression opportunities to a full Honours Degree. Year Credits Year Credits Level 1 consists of six 15-credit modules which develop the basic theoretical concepts and practical skills underlying Computer Science, along with a 30-credit work-based portfolio module. These modules include: Level 2 consists of six 15-credit modules which continue on from Level 1 in developing important intermediate-level theoretical concepts and practical skills underlying Computer Science. There is also once again a 30-credit work-based portfolio module. These modules include: Programming 1 and 2 (CSF101 and CSF102) Software Engineering (CSF201) Computers and Society (CSF103) Object Oriented Design (CSF202) Software Development (CSF104) Database Systems (CSF203) Computer Science Concepts (CSF105) Data Communications and Computer Networks (CSF204) Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (CSF106) Work-Based Portfolio 1 (CSF100) Data Representation, Markup Languages and Web Services (CSF205) Algorithms and Automata (CSF206) Work-Based Portfolio 2 (CSF200) In both years, the Work-Based Portfolio modules (CSF100 and CSF200) involve carrying out small projects which employ the skills and knowledge being developed in each of the other modules. Case Study Christian Perera Technical Research and Development Data Analyst at Digital Accessibility Centre BUILD SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Build on your current skills to gain new and relevant subject knowledge linked to workplace practices. Delivery structure: FdSc in Computer Science How will I study? Delivery Structure How will I study for the FdSc in Computer Science? CAREER ENHANCEMENT Opportunity to progress within your company. Christian joined Digital Accessibility Centre in January 2012 and was considering how to develop his skills when he read about the FdSc in Computer Science at Swansea University. The course means that Christian can undertake his studies without compromising his salary or family life. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been accepted onto the FdSc in Computer Science at Swansea University. I did not think I would ever get the chance to gain this much needed qualification while still working full time and supporting a family. The teaching has been straightforward and unobstructed, and the whole experience has been everything I d hoped! Christian Perera - DAC Gavin Evans, a Director at the DAC, is also acutely aware of the benefits to his business. Page 7 Page 6 The FdSc in Computer Science has been a great opportunity for us to capitalise on areas of the business that need more knowledge to develop and eventually see growth. Christian s increase in motivation and productivity has already shown the tangible benefits that this FdSc in Computer Science can deliver.

5 Application Process What is the cost of this course? The FdSc in Computer Science is charged at 7,500 per year, (A total of 15,000 over the full two years of study), compared the standard Undergraduate fee of 9,000, because of the work based learning element of the course. How do I apply for the FdSc in Computer Science Course? u Step 1 Employer or Employee makes contact with the University via fdcompsci@swansea.ac.uk (or contact details below) and registers their interest to find out more. u Step 2 A member of the FdSc team will contact you to talk about the qualification and your eligibility. u Step 3 The FdSc team will help you fill in all the necessary application paperwork and if accepted, subsequent enrolment forms. u Step 4 - Enjoy your Course!!! Further information is available from: Faron Moller Programme Director- FD Computer Science Phone: f.g.moller@swansea.ac.uk Sara Merrells Finance Officer - FD Computer Science Phone: s.l.merrells@swansea.ac.uk Page 8