Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) ODL

COURSE MODULES

Year 1

Learning Skills for Open Distance Learners (ODL)

This module will help you develop the learning skills required to pursue your studies through open and distance learning. The unit on Managing Learning Environment covers learning management skills, learning styles and ICT skills. The unit on Information Retrieval and Consolidation will cover information selection and handling and information consolidation. The unit on Study Skills covers reading and marking modules, classroom participation, taking notes, improving memory, presenting, and preparing for examinations.

Programming Fundamentals

This module is designed to develop your knowledge and skills in problem-solving through designing and developing computer programs. Topics covered are problem-solving techniques, introduction to structured programming, basic algorithms for searching and sorting, and the modular programming approach. You will learn to design, write, and debug computer programs.  You will also earn a microcredential from Duke University.

Information Technology

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the principles underlying digital devices, computer hardware, software, telecommunications, networking, and multimedia. It also provides a sound foundation on the basic theoretical and practical principles behind these technologies. It discusses up to date issues surrounding them, including social aspects and how they impact everyday life. You will also earn a microcredential from Google.

Platform Technologies

This module introduces you to the concepts and principles of platform technologies' essential operation, including general-purpose computers and peripherals and communication infrastructures such as transmission systems (copper, wireless, optical fibre), networking, and networking devices. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Minnesota.

Networking

You will learn fundamental principles and components from the foundations of all computer networks, from the smallest peer-to-peer systems to the worldwide Internet. You will experience a small demonstration and conduct a simple test to ensure network connectivity of devices and configure a network to meet the needs of users. You will also earn a microcredential from Google

Business Communication

This module provides a comprehensive view of communication, its scope and importance in business, and the role of communication in establishing a favourable external environment, as well as an effective internal communications processes. 

Mathematics and Statistics for IT

This module is designed to develop your confidence with mathematical concepts and relationships, and using mathematics, statistical skills as well as techniques in a range of contexts, specifically problem solving and abstract thinking. You will use mathematical and statistical concepts in exploratory data analysis, random variables, common discrete and continuous distributions, sampling distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, linear regression, analysis of variance, two-way tables, and data analysis using statistical software. 

Web Development and Technologies

This module teaches you how to make informed decisions and apply these decisions for IT-based products made available by organisations using the online platform. The knowledge and skills acquired will enable you to perform and interact successfully in a technologically-driven society.  You will also earn a microcredential from META.

Critical Thinking Skills

This module aims to guide you on the critical thinking process by which we develop and support our beliefs and evaluate the strength of arguments made by others in real-life situations. It involves activities and skills for conceiving, applying, analysing, and evaluating information gathered from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication to guide belief and action. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Sydney.

Database Management System

This module is an introduction to the principles, use, and applications of database systems. Upon completion, you will be able to design and create databases, extract information from databases, understand in broad terms how database systems work, and understand the purposes for which databases are used. You will also earn a microcredential from IBM.

Digital Graphics Design

This is an introductory module for those interested in creating and editing well-designed graphics for professional use. Topics include fundamental 2D layout principles, developing vector and pixel-based images for print and web, colour theory, typography, graphic file formats and resolution. This module complements IT students in developing interactive web and computer applications. You will also earn a microcredential from the California Institute of the Arts.

Year 2

Object Oriented Analysis and Design

You will be introduced to the software requirement elicitation process as well as various tools and techniques such as activity diagram, use case diagram, class diagram and sequential diagram to analyse and design software systems. You will apply modelling tools and techniques learned within a recognised software development methodology and a case study context. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Alberta.

Integrative Programming

This module introduces object-oriented programming to students who will learn Python programming methods of structuring a program by bundling related properties and behaviours into individual objects. You will be taught to create simple to complex programmes by understanding the principles of object-oriented programming concepts, classes and inheritance. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Duke.

System Administration and Maintenance

This module aims to provide you with exposure to the deployment and maintenance of modern computer systems, emphasising user accounts administration. It includes an overview of basic administrative tasks related to network operating systems such as Windows and Linux. You will also earn a microcredential from Google.

Human Computer Interactions

You are provided with an understanding of human-computer interaction theories and design processes. The emphasis will be on applied user experience (UX) design. The module will present iterative evaluation-centred UX life cycles. It will introduce a broader notion of user experience, including usability, usefulness, and emotional impact. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of California, San Diego.

 Web Application Programming

You are provided with the fundamentals of Web Applications programming and client-server technologies required to develop Web applications with database Interfaces. This course is designed to give you the tools and knowledge to program using the web programming language PHP as a server-side language. Students will use HTML, CSS, XML, AJAX, JSON, PHP, MYSQL to develop an interactive and dynamic web application. You will also earn a microcredential from META.

Ethical and Social Issues in IT

This module gives you an exposure to how ease and anonymity, with which information is now communicated, copied and manipulated in online environments, poses new challenges to protecting privacy and intellectual property. Thus, you are furnished with necessary information on ethical, social, and political issues raised by information systems centres on information rights and obligations, property rights and obligations, accountability and control, system quality, and quality of life. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Michigan.

Project Management

This module aims to provide a systematic and thorough introduction to all aspects of project management. It underlines the importance of understanding the relationship between projects and strategic goals of an organisation. The module also discusses the technical, cultural and interpersonal skills necessary to manage projects from start to finish successfully.  You will also earn a microcredential from Google.

Digital Entrepreneurship

This module introduces you to an understanding of digital entrepreneurship components and describes the characteristics of successful new digital ventures in various contexts. You need to apply the knowledge gained when preparing a digital business plan or prototype. You will also earn a microcredential from the University of Illnois at Urbana-Champaign.

System Integration and Architecture

This module introduces you to working in teams to explore and practice various system integration techniques, addressing software and hardware requirements related to integration and architecture. The main focus is identifying and troubleshooting systems interface integration issues. You will also study system architecture decisions and techniques with best practices. You will also earn a microcredential from Microsoft.

Big Data Technology

This module introduces you to big data technologies, starting with MapReduce as a computational model and an execution framework. You will understand the use of big data tools like Pig, HIVE, Hbase and Spark to observe how different tools in the Hadoop stack fit the overall picture of big data analytics. You will also earn a microcredental from IBM.

Community Services

You will be exposed to the skills required to critically evaluate information, both in and out of the classroom, in order to make valid, sound decisions. It also gives you opportunities to learn and respect people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs to ensure they feel comfortable and safe in their living environment. 

Research Methods

This module exposes you to techniques and conventions in the design, conduct, and support of scientific research in Information Technology. Research methods, evaluation of approaches, and presentation and dissemination of results will be studied. The module also covers domain-specific research methods in application areas such as algorithms, human-computer interactions, business data analytics and so on.  

International Business

This module explores the understanding of international business as an essential element in today's interdependent globalised world. You will gain knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand global economic, political, cultural and social environments within which firms operate. It will examine the strategies and structures of international business and assess the special roles of an international business's various functions.

Year 3

Information Assurance and Security

This module provides you with knowledge on information assurance and security that encompasses computer security and communications security, operations security, and physical security. You will learn confidentiality, integrity, availability, security policies; authentication; access control; threat and vulnerability assessment, and common attack/defence methods-related issues.  You will also earn a microcredential from Google.

Digital Marketing

This course introduces the core principles and purpose of digital marketing. It will enable you to develop clear and actionable business objectives for a digital marketing plan, gain audience and industry insight by conducting digital research, and prepare the foundations for a fully integrated 360 campaign by connecting effectively with your customers and target audience.  You will also earn a microcredential from the University of California, Irvine.

Industrial Training

This module provides you with the exposure, experience and professional skills in various aspects of computing and Information Technology related industries. You have to familiarise yourself with efficient, accountable and ethical conduct as you will be supervised directly under the company’s personnel as well as supervisors from the IT Faculty. 

Final Year Project 1

This module enables you to complete and design a medium-scale technical solution. You will be involved in evaluating, selecting and applying IT knowledge acquired from this module. You can expand your knowledge by learning how to construct new and improvised ways of utilising IT / computer solutions and technology to benefit society. 

Final Year Project 2

You will continue developing the technical solutions proposed in Final Year Project 1. You will build a firm foundation in Information technology and expand your knowledge and experience on relevant project management and problem-solving competencies. 

ELECTIVE MODULES

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 

You are introduced to Cloud Computing, the types of cloud services, benefits, and how to incorporate cloud services within an organisation by looking at the ROI, risks, challenges, and the impact of cloud in the future. You will summarise and learn various service delivery models of a cloud computing architecture and how clouds can be deployed as public, private, hybrid, and community clouds, followed by a much deeper review of cloud computing environments' security and privacy issues. You will also earn a microcredential from Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Internet of Things (IoT)

This module exposes you to the Internet of Things (IoT), a concept based on interconnecting physical devices embedded with sensors, actuators, electronics, software, and network connectivity that allow IoT objects to gather and exchange data. It relies on a host of technologies like Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) connecting devices to the Internet. You will also earn a microcredential from Google Cloud.

Introduction to Data Management 

You are introduced to managing big datasets and loading them into clusters and cloud storage. You will have the practical experience of applying structure to data query using distributed SQL engines. You will learn to choose the suitable data types, storage systems and file formats based on tools used. You will also earn a microcredential from Cloudera.

Data Analytics

Introduction to Data Mining 

This module introduces data mining techniques emphasising essential concepts and relevant techniques, including software development. You will better understand the various techniques and how each technique is useful for the differing purposes of data analysis. You will also earn a microcredential from John Hopkins University.

Introduction to Business Analytics

This module provides an introduction to Business Analytics in the digital world. You will learn the managerial perspective of visualising data and using statistical tools for descriptive analytics and predictive analytics, including regression. Other topics covered include forecasting, risk analysis, simulation, data mining and decision analysis. You will also earn a microcredential from IBM.

Business Intelligence

This module examines Business Intelligence (BI) as a broad category of applications and technologies for gathering, storing, analysing, sharing and providing access to data to help enterprise users make better managerial decisions. You will learn principles and best practices for how to use data to support fact-based decision making. You will also earn a microcredential from IBM.