Computing and Sports Studies BSc (Hons)

About the course

Computing

Computing will provide you with an understanding of theoretical foundations, as well as building your knowledge as a designer and developer. You will complete practical work in well-equipped and spacious laboratories and our strong links with commerce ensure you are always working from the most up-to-date study materials.

You don’t need any previous knowledge of computing for this course, your first year will provide you with a solid foundation in the basic principles of the subject. In your second and final years you’ll have an opportunity to tailor your learning to your personal interests by selecting modules from one of three themes:

• Development of information systems 
• Programme design 
• Internal organisation of systems and networks

Sports Studies

This course develops your understanding of sports management, development and the areas of sports science and psychology that impact on it. You will benefit from some of the best university-based sports and fitness facilities in the country. Sports Studies brings together the major themes of sports management and sports development.

You will develop understanding in the fields of recreational and sports management including the business aspects involved and the structures of sport from Government to local level.

Why choose this course?

Computing

• Study computing in some of the best facilities offered by any university in the UK 
• Benefit from excellent industry contacts and gain knowledge and skills valued within the industry 
• Gaining a practical understanding of a range of computing systems providing excellent preparation for a career in a range of roles.

Sports Studies

• Study at a top 10 institution for sports studies. * 
• Take advantage of the magnificent sports facilities at the university 
• Benefit from a balanced curriculum covering all of the major themes necessary to prepare you for a career in the sports industry.

*Complete University Guide 2013

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Sandwich,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

The Joint Honours Programme provides flexibility in your studies broadening your career choices when you graduate. Graduates have found employment in diverse roles such as computer programmers, design engineers, management development specialists, accountants and project managers. Over 72% of our graduates entered employment six months after graduation, and a further 17% went on to further study or training.

Teaching methods

You will develop your capacity for independent study and interpersonal skills on this programme. There is an emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations and computer literacy.

You will experience a wide variety of teaching styles on the programme including:

• standard lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• laboratories
• case studies
• individual and group projects

In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to hone your independent study and interpersonal skills by undertaking a major project or dissertation.

Work Placement

You will have the opportunity to take a paid work placement or study abroad for a year between your second and final years, extending your degree from a three year to a four year qualification. You will not be required to pay tuition fees for this year and you will gain excellent experience that sets you apart from the crowd in the graduate jobs market.

Study Abroad

You can study in most European countries, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, South Africa, Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. You will study a programme of taught modules and/or project work with one of our partner universities, which will complement your studies on the Joint Honours Programme. You may need to study the language of your chosen country in your first and second years. Depending on where you choose to study you may be eligible to apply for certain grants, scholarships and financial support to help finance your study abroad experience.

Work Placement

A work placement provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and put your theoretical knowledge and understanding from your studies in to practice.

Our Careers and Placements service will help you to develop your CV and support you through the application process for a wide range of placement opportunities in a variety of sectors and organisations.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Programming Principles

  This module is primarily concerned with developing basic skills necessary to produce computer-based solutions to simple problems in a high level language. The emphasis will be on basic programming principles : the structure and syntax of a program in the given programming language, variables and data types, operations and the evaluation of expressions, control structures (sequence, selection, iteration and subroutine call),modularisation(including procedures/functions). Program code will be expected to perform according to specification, be readable, maintainable and well designed. Although the given problems will be relatively simple, there will also be an appreciation of how simple solutions can be used in the solution of more complex problems. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Internet Technologies

  This module introduces the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW). In addition, students will examine how the client-server model works and how it is applied to Internet applications. To this end, students will implement straightforward static and dynamic web pages. Dynamic web pages may also include data retrieved from a database. This module includes basic concepts of: Internet Protocol (IP), TCP (Transfer Control Protocol), HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the Domain Name System (DNS), client-server model, mark-up languages, client-side programming and server-side programming. At the end of the course, successful students will be able to solve simple problems in the implementation and maintenance of applications for the Internet environment. Further details on how the learning outcomes of the module will be achieved will be described in the module information for students. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Systems Requirements

  This module focuses on the rationale, processes and outputs of requirements engineering activities. This requires students to focus on how organisations ensure that systems meet the requirements of all their stakeholders by using appropriate software engineering techniques. This approach will be used to cover the various processes such as eliciting, modelling, and validating requirements. At the elicitation stage this could include individual techniques such as bench marking and interviewing. Other techniques such as the use of prototypes or scenarios will be considered in the context of multiple processes, for example both modelling and validating requirements. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Data Driven Systems

  This module provides an introduction to database systems. It takes a practical approach using example applications or case studies. It then builds on this application experience to cover questions of why and how databases are designed and used. This will include practical experience of using a database management system, in particular of using simple SQL to query a database, and thus facilitating the view of the database as part of a larger system. Later in the module underlying formalisms will be studied but from an application-down standpoint -to inform understanding rather than as a subject for study in its own right. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Introduction to Sports Development

  This module will aim to unravel the ambiguous and complex nature of sports development. To provide students with an understanding of the growth and evolution of sports development, the myriad models of sports development, the varied organisational perspectives and priorities relating to sports development and the strategies and initiatives that have been developed in an attempt to sustain and grow participation in sport. Of key importance to this module is a philosophical debate about sports development and whether it is essentially about the development of sport or development through sport.

• Introduction to Sports Management

  This module introduces students to the subject of sport management in terms of explaining the principles of management and leadership in sporting organisations. The roles and responsibilities associated particularly with sport organisation management will be investigated with reference to the marketing and management of sport services and human resource management. How sport organisations are structured will be examined, looking particularly at the micro environments of sport organisations cross sector.

• Study Skills and Employability

  This module is focussed on introducing and developing skills required to study in a Higher Education environment and also consider professional skills needed in the work place. With regards to academic skills this module primarily provides an introduction to the academic, IT and communication skills that students will require to become effective autonomous learners in Higher Education. Employability skills will be analysed and investigated to start to prepare students for the areas they need to develop. Also possible opportunities that are available for a graduate from the field of sport will be considered and embryonic career plans developed.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Information Technology Development Exercise

  This module provides students with the opportunity to create a system in a professional manner, using and developing an appropriate range of skills and knowledge. The system to be developed will typically be a data driven system and the development approach will be based on the use of structured analysis methods although reference will be made to exploratory design, technical feasibility and agile methods. Personal aspects covered will include communication and group working, while the technical skills will focus on systems analysis and design, building upon those gained in level 1. Successful completion of this module should equip a student with sufficient skills and knowledge to enable them to successfully apply for and complete an industrial placement. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Data Management and Applications

  This module provides an in-depth study of the design and implementation of relational databases. The module views database systems from two perspectives, one being the architecture and functionality of the database management system, the other being the representation of the data managed by the database management system. The module provides the principles and techniques needed to develop relational database systems, together with the database theory on which these principles and techniques are founded. There is a large practical element that allows students to gain experience of using a shared multi-user system in the various roles of a database designer, database administrator and end user. The module also raises an awareness of areas where new types of database are emerging. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Sports Development

  This module will explore the factors that impact on sports development such as sociological perspectives and situational circumstances that affect participation. The influence and relationship between sports development and associated themes such as physical activity, active recreation and leisure will be considered in the context of continuity and change in contemporary sport. The array of different stakeholders such as sport in educational settings, National Governing Bodies (NGB's), local authorities and sports clubs will be considered for their different responsibilities and motivations. This module will involve students in debates focusing on the role of sports volunteers in club environments and in an appreciation of creating, developing and sustaining performance pathways. Of key importance to this module is an appreciation of the array of different stakeholders to sports development and their varying priorities.

• Sports Management

  This module develops the subject of sport management in terms of further understanding the variety of sport business structures and moves on from understanding simple micro environments cross sector to understanding the legal and financial implications of being self employed, partnerships and public limited companies. How these structures behave and how culture is evidenced will be examined along with the theoretical concepts of change management and conflict resolution. This module will then begin to examine less permanent sport organisational structures through sports events and understanding purpose and variety of sports events and associated structures. Finally students will be able to examine an operational management strategy for delivery of a sport event through either having observed or managed an event of choice.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

Optional

• Professional Work Placement in Computer Science

  Supervised work experience provides students with the opportunity to set their academic studies in a broader context, to gain practical experience in specific technical areas and to strengthen their communication and time-management skills. It greatly assists them in developing as independent learners, so that they will be able to gain maximum benefit from the learning opportunities afforded by the study programme at level 3. It gives them opportunities, according to the nature of the placement experience, to acquire the basis of technical expertise in specialist areas, which they may be able to enhance through study at level 3, especially in the final project.

• Sandwich Placement - Sport

  The sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in the taught years of the degree in a work-based situation. The establishment will appoint a work-place supervisor, and the student will also have a University supervisor. During the placement the student will return to the University to a one day Symposium which all placement students attend. During this day they present a poster about their placement and attend talks on future employment.

• Year Abroad - SPS

  Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, field studies or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Associate Head of School or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.

Year 4

Core Modules

Optional

• Advanced Databases B

  The focus of this module is on advanced issues related to distributed databases, and will include: * XML, distributed database theory and practice, transaction management and mobile databases.

• Advanced Databases A

  The focus of the content of this module is on advanced issues related to localized databases, and will include relational algebra, database security and data warehousing.

• Web Application Development B (enhancement)

  This module aims to give students the opportunity to utilize a variety of technology and knowledge of best practice to enhance their web applications. In particular, it looks at utilizing graphics or time based media into the application, modelling the interface behaviour more effectively and realising designs using the document object model.

• Web Application Development A (Design)

  This module aims to give students the opportunity to think about how they would go about developing a simple web application, what they need to take into account when developing it, and some of the available technology to support the process. It will emphasize effective web site design, and the importance of separating content from style, and keeping sites accessible.

• Strategic Information Systems Planning & Management B

  This module enables students to investigate current thinking and issues regarding the effect of development & implementation of management of information, systems and technology, have on framework of organisations. It provides ideas on how to manage the change.

• Strategic Information Systems Planning & Management A

  This module enables students to investigate current thinking and issues regarding the effective development, implementation and management of information, systems and technology within the strategic framework of organisations.

• Professional Issues in Computing B

  This module will open up current issues relating to what it means to be a professional in the computer industry, with the intention of enabling the student to participate effectively in the ongoing debates concerning computing and the uses to which is it or should be put, including: * consideration and critique of the legal, professional and ethical framework with which the developers, operators and users of these systems have to operate; and * issues relating to computers and society, such as the effect of computers on society in terms of power relationships between members of that society. It will build on the learning outcomes specified for Professional Issues in Computing, which is therefore a prerequisite for this module.

• Professional Issues in Computing A

  Typically the module content will include: * Data Protection Act; * Computer Misuse Act; * copyright; * ethical issues in the use of computers and data; * good practice in systems design; * interrelationship between computers, their use in society. The basis of the legal elements of this module will be English Law, but no prior knowledge of this legal system is expected of students.

• Advanced Sports Coaching

  This module is based on the critical appraisal of advanced coaching related theory and research, and a range of current issues, and industry developments. personal development, as applied to the students own coaching background. The module promotes the refinement of sophisticated practical coaching skills, the gaining of a further vocational coaching award, and the employment of critical reflective depth in relation to personal and professional development.

• Advanced Sports Management

  This module aims to provide an understanding of the concept of strategic management and its application to sport organisations. It will enable the student to appraise the influences of the macro and micro environment within which such sport organisations exist and operate. Students will implement advanced strategic marketing processes to facilitate effective operation of the organisation and understand unique marketing constraints and opportunities which are characteristic of service and product organisations involved in the sport industry. Students will design and implement a suitable service and product marketing strategy for a specific sport organisation.

• Final Year Project - Sports Studies

  This module is intended to offer students the widest possible scope, within controlled parameters, to research a topic beyond the constraints of usual coursework assignments and examinations. Guidance on the design, planning, execution and presentation of projects will have been given to all students during level 5 in the Research Skills module. All students will also be allocated a supervisor with whom they should maintain regular contact throughout the research process. A project handbook is provided which details the responsibilities and expectations of students, and the role of supervisors. Additionally, the handbook contains guidelines for the expected content and format of the dissertation and poster. A series of workshops on specific aspects of the research process is provided, as well as tutorial support from supervisors.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £8,500 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £9,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply