BEng HONOURS COMPUTER COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKS DEGREE

Computer cables

At a glance UCAS code: G425

Course length
3 years full time; 4 years with placement; usually 5 years part time
Course start
Induction week from October 2012; EU and International student orientation from September 2012
Course Location
Hendon

Overview & facilities

Computer Communications are pervasive in many walks of life. The discipline leads to the development of exciting, novel applications and the course is designed to help you become a competent networking and computer communications practitioner who is able to design and implement safe network and computer communication systems.

The BEng Computer Communication and Networks degree is one of a series of distinctive courses in computer networks and related areas and focuses on key operational and technical aspects of computer communication systems and relevant security issues enabling you to appreciate emerging technologies. You will learn how to adopt an engineering approach to the design, implementation and evaluation of communication systems in such a way that tested products can be delivered on-time and within-budget.

By using high-end equipment and tools in our modern Cisco, Xilinx, and mobile communication laboratories you, will gain hands-on skills needed by Industry the world over. These labs are packed with Industry-standard equipment and development environments offering some of the best classroom and laboratory facilities in London. In particular, this course allows you to gain the practical competencies in computer communication systems and computer networks. It prepares you for a career in the exciting area of the design, operation, management and implementation of a range of computer communication systems, abilities that are in demand the world over. Successful completion of the course will allow you to apply for a Masters course in the area.

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

 

Location & map

This course is based at our Hendon campus in north-west London.

Address: Middlesex University, Hendon campus, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT UK

To find out how to get to the campus see Travel Directions to Hendon campus. The nearest tube station is Hendon Central on the Northern line.

Nearest halls of residence

There are four halls of residence either on or near to Hendon campus. Usher Hall is on campus, opposite the College Building.

Platt and Writtle Halls are at the same location in Colindale, a 20 minute walk from campus.

Ivy Hall is also a short distance away by public transport in Cricklewood.

Subject focus

  • Business - accounting and finance, economics, human resource management, law and marketing.
  • Computing - business information systems, computer networking and computer communications.
  • Engineering
  • Health and social sciences - criminology, politics, psychology, social work, sociology, world development studies, and complementary health. Also biomedical and biological sciences, nursing, sport sciences, public health and risk management.

Content & modules

Modules

  • Year 1
    Computer Networks (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    Computer network systems and their applications are today regarded as a prerequisite for any business success story. It is therefore of paramount importance that networking professionals can cope with the demands imposed on them. This module offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles upon which computer communications are based. The TCP/IP reference model and the operation of Ethernet are discussed, as well as the Ethernet Switching techniques. Also, the IP addressing scheme and Routing Fundamentals are also covered. The module introduces the Distance Vector Routing protocols and configuration methods for a Router device. The operation of the TCP/IP Error and Control mechanism is also discussed, as well as Access Control Lists. Finally, the Wide Area Networking WAN technologies and standards are covered. Module delivery will be heavily laboratory-based, to allow the development of a range of practical skills needed by Industry and elsewhere. Weekly lab sessions will be used to extend the theoretical material using problem solving exercises and even real life case studies. Hands-on experience in configuring networking devices is an integral part of this module. On successful completion of this module, students will be competent in basic network design, implementation, evaluation and troubleshooting. This module will bring the student to a level in par with the Cisco CCNA-INTRO certification exam.
    Fundamentals of Computing (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    The overall aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for the theoretical understanding of inter-communicating computer systems - this is achieved through the study of relevant general mathematical and scientific principles. These principles are applied to illustrate the operation of hardware components such as logic gates, processors, controllers and data storage devices; communication channels and network concepts; and the role and development of software. The module ensures that students are suitably equipped with the theoretical underpinnings needed for the proper understanding of subsequent course modules
    Introduction to Operating Systems, Architectures and Networks (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    The aim of this module is to provide the students with basic knowledge and understanding of computer hardware, networking and current operating systems concepts and related terminology in order to explain the structure of stand-alone, distributed and networked computers and their operation. By taking this module the students will gain an understanding of how currently available computer and network hardware enables modern computers to function as networked, multi-media machines and will develop a range of important transferable skills. The module will consist of theoretical concept building, terminology exercises and laboratory experiments.
    Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module introduces computer programming techniques, with an emphasis on important programming concepts that are relevant to a wide range of programming languages. Students will learn how to solve problems by the design and implementation of computer programs. They will develop the ability to document, test and debug their programs. They will also learn about data structures and their implementation in a given programming language, and how these can be used to solve computational problems.
  • Year 2
    Data Communications (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module addresses the fundamental principles of electronic communication, particularly as applied to digital data. The main aim of the module is to provide you with an operational understanding of how communications systems work, and specifically how we can communicate information over any distance with a high degree of reliability. As part of this, issues of encoding data, capacity, data compression, bandwidth, security and cryptography are covered.
    Digital and Mobile Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    Mobile communication is an exciting field of telecommunications. This is evidenced in the tremendous growth in wireless applications such as cellular telephony, satellite services, wireless local area networks and many more. This module will appeal to students interested in the science and engineering of digital systems and will consider mobile systems from the point of view of a digital system to develop the principles of information transmission, modulation, propagation, and channel characteristics. The intention is to provide the analytical tools, the underlying physics, communications theory and other design skills essential to the field of mobile communications.
    Network Routing and Protocols (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    Internetworking technology forms the basis of the Internet, and protocols define a set of communication conventions that the networks use to interoperate. This module invites students to explore routing architecture and routing protocols that implement algorithms to inform routers the best paths through internetworks, and to investigate important network, transport and application layer protocols available in the Internet. Moreover, students will develop skills to implement standard-compliant network applications and design protocols with fine structure to meet requirements of various network environments.
    Professional Project Development and Management (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module offers the opportunity of developing a range of professional skills through participation in group project work. You will learn to appreciate the importance of ethical, legal, organisational, environmental issues, business principles and the product life cycle; in addition you will develop those skills needed to work successfully as a member of a project team. The project topic will be based on other modules you take at level two and is relevant to the focus of your programme.
  • Year 3
    Advanced Network Design and Security (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module has two central themes: network design and security. It develops a model to assess the communication, network and security needs for large organisations. Current design and implementation practices of networks are addressed, as well as how their performance may be estimated and then evaluated, once implemented, with respect to a range of performance parameters. Performance of a range of applications, including high-quality multimedia, is considered. Security techniques are presented and how they may be integrated within design and operation. The module additionally aims to provide you with a range of skills needed in professional network design.
    Computer Communications Project (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module provides you with the opportunity of choosing and working on a project that reflects your interests and the aims and outcomes of your programme. It should constitute a practical problem-solving project meeting a real need in an industrial or research context. The primary aim of the module is to consolidate and deepen your understanding of material taught on your programme, to exercise professional judgement, to undertake individual research and to develop a product, process or application relevant to the focus of your programme. It provides you with the opportunity of engaging in significant system development, the typical output of which represents the solution of a problem akin to those that you as a fledgling professional practitioner are likely to encounter in future employment.
    Mobile Internet Applications and Services (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    Mobile Internet applications are playing an increasingly important role in society; the Semantic Web is an emerging technology that promises to dramatically improve the current WWW and its use. This module aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge of mobile Internet applications development and services including the principles and operations of WAP, WLAN, Mobile IP and Semantic Web technologies including XML, RDF Resource Description Framework and OWL Web Ontology Language .
    Real-Time and Embedded Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory
    This module aims to introduce you to the design and implementation of systems typically having potentially complex concurrent behaviour, stringent timing requirements, and significant communication requirements with respect to an encapsulating, controlled device or system. Examples of embedded systems range from portable devices such as MP3 players and cell phones to larger devices such as routers and stationary installations such as traffic controllers. At the hardware level, chips found within a PC may have device drivers embedded within them to enable them to fit into the surrounding hardware environment. You will learn how to design and integrate digital systems with such items as soft processors or wireless interfaces in order to create a complete system on a field programmable device - a whole system on a chip.

Download the course specifications.

 

Entry & applying

We normally make offers on a minimum of 200 UCAS tariff points, plus GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C. BTEC National Diploma/International Baccalaureate/Advanced Progression Diplomas at equivalent tariff. Access to HE - Pass. Applications from candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed. Additionally overseas students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, eg IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 paper-based or 213 computer based. We also offer a Foundation Year in Computing.

We also offer a Foundation Year in Computing.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas qualification, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country. For details of other equivalent requirements that Middlesex accepts see entry requirements.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students.

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

How to Apply

UK/EU students

Apply now

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have experience with helping students from your country and supporting them with their applications to study at Middlesex. Read more on international applications. 

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Open days

Open Days

Open days and Applicant days for this course are held at our Hendon campus in London. See the location and maps tab for information on how to get here.

University Open Days

Open days offer you the opportunity to learn more about Middlesex, and get a feeling for what life is like on our campuses. Open Days include Welcome and Subject talks, campus and accommodation tours and opportunities to find out more about other aspects of studying at university, these include a guide to applying to University, and a fees and funding talk.

Book Your Place Now

Click to find out more about our undergraduate Open Days and book your place now.

If you can't make our open day, there are more opportunities available for you to come and visit us. Campus tours are available throughout the year if you would like to have a look around. Led by Student Ambassadors, they take place most Wednesday afternoons at 1pm. You will get a feel of the campus atmosphere, plus the opportunity to ask any questions about being a student at Middlesex University. Click here to book your campus tour.

Applicant Days

Applicant Days are specifically for students who have applied to Middlesex and have been made an offer.  The Applicant day is a chance for you to take a closer look at the course that you have chosen to study.  You will attend a taster session, meet your course leader and fellow applicants, meet current students and tour the campus with them.  Invitations will be sent to applicants prior to the events.

Careers

Our BEng Honours Computer Communications and Networks degree prepares you for a wide range of varied careers. As a graduate you will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. There is also the potential to work as a self employed director of your own business. This course opens the door to a career in computing wherever digital, mobile or network systems are involved. Recent graduates have progressed onto Masters courses or have secured jobs with global companies in wireless and digital design, network design and implementation, network planning, mobile Internet applications and services development to name but a few examples where students have succeeded.   

Our careers service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

Graduate employment prospects

Based on data from the respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

  • 100% of Computer Communication and Network graduates were in employment or further study

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following roles: Technical Support, Supervisor, Engineer, IT Support.

Salary
The average full time salary for graduates from this group was £20,000. 

Graduate Roles

Below are just a few examples of the types of careers that you could pursue after graduating with us: 

Applications Developer  - As an applications developer your role will include writing specifications and designing, building, testing, implementing and sometimes supporting applications using computer languages and development tools. You may also specialise in a specific development environment, such as computer games or e-commerce, and will have in-depth knowledge of a few relevant computer languages.

ICT Manager - The role of the ICT manager is to ensure that information technology resources are aligned with the organisations mission, corporate goals, and the corporate strategic plan. Your role will include developing, maintaining, facilitating and implementing information frameworks in line with a corporate ICT strategy and supporting policies and defining standards associated with information management. 
 
Network Engineer - A network engineer is responsible for installing, maintaining and supporting computer communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. Your role will be to ensure the smooth operation of communication networks in order to provide maximum performance and availability for their users (staff, clients, customers, suppliers, etc). 
 
Software Engineer - Software engineers research, design, test, implement and maintain software systems to meet client or employer needs. In this role you will use a variety of computer programming languages and applications, working in teams with other IT professionals, or alone.

Systems Developer - Systems developers test systems, diagnose and fix faults, write diagnostic programs and design and write code for operating systems and software to ensure that they function more efficiently. In this role you may also create systems in response to technical specifications supplied by an IT analyst, often integrating off-the-shelf software packages into existing systems.

IT Project Manager - An IT project manager specialises in information technology but also in sectors unrelated to IT that rely on IT systems. Their role is to manage the development and implementation of plans to meet business needs and the change control procedures to ensure a smooth transition during the implementation period.

Placements

Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market – as well as being a fantastic experience.  Research shows that 70 per cent of placements result in a graduate job offer.  By making a good impression during your placement year, you greatly increase your chances of securing a job with the company after graduation.

Students find it beneficial to be in a paid full-time job for a year.  They also develop their interpersonal skills, confidence, teamwork and general transferable skills.

We have a dedicated Placement Service, which supports you in your placement job search and recent placement include:

Leon Beckett – BSc Computer Science, Software Engineer at IBM.eis_placement_leon_std

"After spending the last 12 months on placement at IBM, I can highly recommend that students undertake a placement year. It is an invaluable experience, helping you build and improve on the knowledge from your first two years at university. I now feel confident about entering my third year, becoming a graduate and applying for jobs after university.

"I would advise any student thinking of doing a placement year to apply early, use the support provided by the placement office as much as possible, to thoroughly research both the available placements and the providing companies and try your hardest in the assessments.

"I believe employees are looking for any student who is willing to listen, work and learn. Employers will understand that you won't have the experience at first. However by listening to what you are told and learning the lessons, you will be able to do the work and become a successful placement student."

Elenia Davis – BSc Internet Applications Development, Mobile Quality Assurance Intern at Yahoo Europe.

"The placement year gives you something that you can’t learn in the lecture theatre – real life working experience and knowledge.
"The placement office is a big help. They don’t just advise you on your CV and cover letter, they also advise you on tasks (eg presentations or extra questions) an employer has set and organise workshops designed to help you in your placement search."

Louise Stanhope –BSc Forensic Computing – Summer Internship at Appleeis_placement_louise_std

Based on our ongoing relationship with Apple, our careers department was asked to recruit a number of highly motivated students to take part in Apple’s first project based internship scheme in the UK. 

Students from Imperial College London, Oxford and Cambridge were also invited to apply.  As part of the application process our placement team offered the candidates CV writing and interview workshops.  This assistance and help from careers department helped four of our students to be invited by Apple to visit their Stockley Park base for an interview.

Louise Stanhope was one of the first students in the UK to be offered 11 week internship with Apple.  Louise has thoroughly enjoyed her experience helping enhance Apple sales systems.

Talking about her time at Apple she commented: "It is nice to see how a company as large as Apple works.  It is obviously a great thing to have on my CV and utilize the experience I am getting.  I would love to get a full-time job with Apple when I graduate and this will give me something to help to stand out from the crowd.  It has been really interesting to put my degree into practice and learn how businesses work."

 If you would like to find out more about Placements, please contact eisplacements@mdx.ac.uk

Student Profiles

Lola Aworanti
BSc Honours Business Information Systems Degree, 2007
A major feature of the BSc Business Information Systems degree is that it brings together the two fields of Business and IT, providing a rounded approach to information systems and business principles. These are two areas that graduate Lola Aworanti is extremely passionate about. "I have a passion for IT and Business and I was convinced that this was the exact path for me."

Lola obtained the Scholarship for “Outstanding Academic Achievement” throughout her entire stay at the University, and was able to graduate with a First class Honours degree in Business Information Systems. During her second year she participated in the Student Exchange programme, at Towson University, Baltimore, Maryland. USA. Lola describes it as being "an amazing experience." In her third year, she opted for a Placement at Investec Investment Bank, "I was in the Asset management application development and support team. This experience really helped me to kick start my career in the right direction."
 
Lola currently works at Dresdner Kleinwort investment bank and intends to purse a masters degree in Computing Science in the near future. "In five years time, I see myself owning my own IT Consulting Company". Currently, in her spare time, she designs websites and is in the process of publishing her own magazine.

Reg Goodwin
BSc Honours Business Information Systems Degree, 2006
Since graduating with a first class honours degree in 2006 Reg Goodwin has been working as a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher at Middlesex University. 

“The skills I developed during my degree were an excellent preparation for my current job. This includes interpersonal and communication skills needed for organising interviews and usability trials, Java programming for prototype development, report writing and web design skills to present and share our findings.”

A highlight of Reg’s course was working in a group project investigating corporate information systems at Egg Financial Services. The project included organising an interview with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Egg’s head office to learn more about how the bank uses IT and business processes to improve customers’ online banking experience. “The group project work helped improve my team communication, work sharing and time management skills.”

Reg enrolled in 2003 as a mature student aged 30 and studied full-time on the BIS course. He graduated in 2006 winning the School of Computing Science academic achievement award.
 
Reg is currently working on the university’s Advanced Vehicle Technology and Older Drivers project. “My current job is varied and challenging. Working with experienced and generous colleagues I have learned a great deal about how to carry out ethical research and to work successfully with our project’s participants. Middlesex University has helped me broaden my horizons considerably in the last four years, and I am now able to consider a wider range of projects in the IT industry or even a PhD.”

Vikram Mohan
BSc Honours Computing Science Degree, 2005
Vikram Mohan currently works with Asia's largest information technology firm - the Global Consulting Practice of Tata Consultancy services. Vikram was an industry speaker representing his organization at the IEEE industry conference for the Advanced Networks and Telecommunications Systems (ANTS) held at IIT Mumbai. The ANTS conference is a high profile forum for industry participants, researchers and academicians to exchange ideologies, best practices and research concepts. Other participants included Directors, Ctos and VPs of leading organisations across the globe.

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