1. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of modern software development.
2. To provide students with hands-on experience of a current programming language.
3. To provide students with a critical insight into the processes of interpreting and translating software procurer requirements into software realisation.
4. To provide a systematic overview into the process of evaluating and testing software systems.
5. To develop an appreciation of the legal, social, ethical and professional considerations pertinent to software development, and the risk factors involved.

(M1) A deep and systematic understanding of the process of modern software development from end user requirements to software delivery.

(M2) A systematic knowledge of the theory underpinning modern programming techniques and the practical application of these techniques.

(M3) A comprehensive insight into the process and practice of evaluating software implementations.

(M4) A deep and systematic understanding of the risk factors pertaining to software development, and the associated legal, ethical, social and professional issues to be taken into consideration.

(S1) Self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.

(S2) Communication skills in electronic as well as written form.

(S3) An ability to act autonomously and professionally when planning and implementing solutions to computer science problems.

(S4) Experience of working in development teams, respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, awareness of interdependence with others.

Week 1: Software Engineering Principles
Programming paradigms, user requirements, usage of software libraries, open source versus closed source software, software licensing.

Week 2: Data and Operators
The nature of data, logical and arithmetic operators on data, conversion, Input/Ouput (IO) control.

Week 3: Control Structures and Recursion
Efficient use of control structures, selection and iterative commands, recursive concepts and applications. Evaluation and testing.

Week 4: Data structures
Working with simple data structures, the concept of containers, types of simple data structure (lists, dictionaries, sets, tuples etc.).

Week 5: Graphical user interfaces
The importance of interface design, frames, text boxes, GUI components.

Week 6: Files, streams and I/O techniques
Secure file handling and verification/validation, exception handling.

Week 7: Advanced Data Structures:
Abstract data types, Object Oriented Programm ing (OOP), classes and objects

Week 8: Management of the Software Development Enterprise
Legal, social, ethical and professional considerations; risk factors.

The mode of delivery is by online learning, facilitated by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This mode of study enables students to pursue modules via home study while continuing in employment. Module delivery involves the establishment of a virtual classroom in which a relatively small group of students (usually 10-25) work under the direction of a faculty member. Module delivery proceeds via a series of eight one-week online sessions, each of which comprises an online lecture, supported by other eLearning activities, posted electronically to a public folder in the virtual classroom. The mode of learning includes a range of required and optional eLearning activities, including but not limited to: lecture casts, live seminars, self-assessment opportunities, and required and suggested further reading and try-for-yourself activities. Communication within the virtual classroom is asynchronous, preserving the requirement that students are able to pursue the module in their own time, within the weekly time-frame of each online session. An important element of the module provision is active learning through collaborative, cohort-based, learning using discussion fora where the students engage in assessed discussions facilitated by the faculty member responsible for the module. This in turn encourages both confidence and global citizenship (given the international nature of the online student body).