Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Mathematical and Computer Science

Course content

Mandatory courses

There are three mandatory courses. International students will take 'Academic English and Study Skills' and UK students will take 'Academic skills'.

Academic English and Study Skills

This course will build on your English language skills acquired through your school years and get you to the level needed for your time at university. We focus on academic reading, writing, speaking, listening and research - all crucial for academic success. We will help you to get to the stage where you can construct academic texts using the style and vocabulary appropriate to your discipline. You will be able to incorporate source material into your writing, in line with standard academic conventions. We will help you to work effectively in groups and present and participate in talks and seminars.

Academic skills

This course introduces students to the study skills, practices and expectations of university study and so prepares them to better participate in a tertiary learning environment. Throughout the course, there will be an emphasis on the utility and transferability of these academic skills and competencies not only for foundation and degree studies, but also for employability and lifelong learning.

Mathematics

This course will build your mathematical knowledge and understanding, in a way that recognises problem solving as an essential skill. There will be a focus on developing and building your skills in the areas of algebra, geometry and statistics. Upon completion of the course, you will have the extended thinking and decision making skills to solve problems and integrate mathematical knowledge and apply these to solving problems that are drawn from practical and relevant real-life situations.

Computing

This course will introduce you to object-oriented programming concepts, followed by class designing concepts such as coupling, cohesion and modularisation. We will move on to abstract methods and interfaces. You will be introduced to machine and state diagram GUI (Graphical User Interface). You will learn about the concepts of components, layout manager and event handling. You will be introduced to error handling topics and defensive programming to develop your problem-solving skills. We will support your coding skills development through practical exercises and assignments. The combination of theory and programming in this course will help you develop a website with database integration. Practical exercises and assignments will help you analyse the scenarios and solve them with the concepts learnt.

Optional courses

There is one optional course. Choose one from Economics or Physics:

Economics

This course will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the economic environment. We will help you understand the application of economic concepts and theories. You'll learn to analyse and evaluate current economic issues for individual people, business organisations and society as a whole. You will be able to explain current global issues and suggest possible solutions. Upon completion of this course, you will have developed the skills of analysing and applying economic knowledge in discussing current economic events from different perspectives.

Physics

This course will give you a deeper insight into physics principles and applications, reinforcing your knowledge and understanding of the underpinning concepts of physics. You will develop skills in making critical comment. You will deepen your understanding of the processes behind scientific advances, in a continually changing and advancing landscape. You will enhance your awareness that physics involves interaction between theory and practice. On completion of this course, you will be scientifically literate and will recognise the impact physics makes on individual people, the environment and society. You will appreciate current areas of scientific debate and be able to add your own contribution to the discussion.

Progression degrees

When you complete this course you can go on to study:

• Mathematics, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematical Physics, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematics with Computer Science, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematics with Statistics, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematics with Finance, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematical, Statistical and Actuarial Science, BSc (Hons)
• Master of Mathematics
• Mathematical Statistical and Actuarial Sciences with Diploma in Industrial Training, BSc (Hons)
• Mathematics with Finance with Diploma in Industrial Training, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science and Diploma in Industrial Training, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (Computer Games Programming), BSc (Hons)
• Computer Systems (Computer Games Programming), BSc (Hons)
• Computer Systems, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Systems and Diploma in Industrial Training, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (Data Science), BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (Data Science) and Diploma in Industrial Training, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (Software Engineering), BSc (Hons)
• Software Engineering, MEng
• Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), BSc (Hons)
• Actuarial Science and Diploma in Industrial Training 1, BSc  (Hons)
• Actuarial Science, BSc (Hons)
• Statistical Data Science, BSc
• Financial Mathematics, BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (Cyber Security), BSc (Hons)
• Data Sciences, BSc

How to apply

For entry requirements and guidance on how to apply, visit the core Bachelor Degree Accelerator Foundation Programme.