Cloud Computing

This module seeks to provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of software and database design, including the mathematical principles underpinning computer systems such as Boolean algebra & logic, as well as the principles of database design covering database modelling through the entity-relational model, database normalisation and SQL.

A fundamental understanding of Object Oriented Programming Principles will be applied through practical programming workshops, the design being supported through the usage of Unified Modelling Language (UML). You will document the process of design, development and testing using industry-standard techniques (UML and ER Diagrams). You'll also be introduced to on-demand cloud computing platforms to host and manage your databases.

This module seeks to provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), web applications and Serverless Computing, covering User Experience and human factors that are fundamental to the web design process and how to apply programming techniques in the creation of web applications.

A principle understanding of Serverless Computing will be applied through practical workshops enabling you to deploy web applications utilising industry-standard cloud platforms. You will also be able to apply programming and database coding constructs and develop a web application documenting the process of design, development and testing using UX and Agile Development techniques.

This module aims to provide you with knowledge of computer networking essentials, protocols, standards, security considerations. We will explore these principles through the design and implementation of a network using a range of hardware and software, developing core knowledge of Local Area Networking, Wide Area Networking and the protocols related to IP networks.

You will be exposed to the usage of various network topologies in software-defined networks (SDN) hosted within a virtual private cloud, developing skills through a practical networking project supported by workshops. After completion of this module, you should be able to design and install networks, and demonstrate the operation of IP data networks, router and switching technologies and basic troubleshooting. You will also be exposed to IaaS principles in linking physical systems to a virtual private cloud subnet.

During this module we will teach the concepts, architecture, and services of Cloud Computing and you will gain hands-on experience of configuring cloud infrastructure and also learn how to integrate physical infrastructure into a hybrid solution. You will be given the opportunity to develop a core understanding of concepts surrounding cloud computing, covering deployment models and types of cloud solutions and technology underpinning the usage of cloud solutions (virtualisation and networking).

You will implement a simple hybrid infrastructure to meet the needs of a business whereby the services are hosted within the cloud with physical computers linked to the cloud VPC through a VPN. Through this process, you should gain a fundamental understanding of both Linux and Windows-based server operating systems and the installation of services on these systems; further developing your networking knowledge through the application of skills gained during the programme.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) represents an approach to computer networking that attempts to address weaknesses in current networking design and operation. SDN’s move to a highly scalable and centralised network control architecture better suited to large scale networks prevalent in today’s mega-scale data centres.

Content Delivery Networks (CDN’s) improve the user experience by delivering a cached copy of the content from a nearby edge. In this module you will critically appraise the usage of SDN in the development of a SDN linked mini-project and critically determine whether traditional network designs achieve the same objectives. You will also develop a scalable CDN to serve content to multiple simultaneous users globally.

This module introduces the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms and practical implementation of these algorithms supported by hands-on experience using industry-leading cloud platforms.

Machine learning can enable systems to learn from data or to solve problems without being explicitly programmed, and can be used in several areas such as predictive modelling, speech recognition, object recognition, computer vision, anomaly detection, medical diagnosis and prognosis, robotic control, time series forecasting and much more.

We teach core concepts in artificial intelligence from a theoretical, practical and cognitive point of view and develop innovative thought processes to build intelligent systems for future needs. At this stage you are not expected to design and develop bespoke machine learning algorithms but rather understand their function and integration into intelligent systems and how cloud systems can be used to accelerate data training.

This module introduces the fundamentals of cyber security and its implications within the cloud. Organisations expect their workforce to take their asset security seriously. The loss of data by an organisation can have severe consequences, including prosecution and loss of customers.

You will benefit from contemporary case studies, including examples of corporate theft, regulatory approaches to IT security and international cooperation between agencies and nation-states.

As system administration and management are essential tasks in the day-to-day functioning and security of Information Systems, inadequate or improper practices can lead to loss of data, its integrity, performance reductions, security breaches or total system failure. Individual planning and provisions need to be made for the ongoing support of systems and networks, which account for a significant proportion of the IT budget.

On completing the module you should be able to discuss, apply and analyse network and infrastructure security measures that can be adopted when working within cloud environments. You should also have a clear, practical understanding of the associated protocols, cryptographic types and configuration settings of network security environments.

This module is designed to allow you to propose, implement and suggest a management strategy to fulfil enterprise business requirements, and the need and purpose of systems integration to support organisational goals.

You are expected to gather and review business objectives to develop a systems specification document, evaluating factors and issues affecting the successful completion of the integration, and describing and documenting the functional architecture and design of a system. Exploration of cloud technologies to establish an integration methodology to design and implement cloud-based solutions should be considered.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to investigate and compare different cloud service models and evaluate different deployment methods considering their effect on systems integration. An introduction to service management frameworks will be provided in preparation for final year projects.

This module applies the knowledge gathered during the first two years of the program to propose an integrated cloud project covering both a cloud architecture solution and a cloud software solution to solve a social, ethical or business need.

This project will be proposed under a PRINCE2 Agile framework, enabling you to gain experience in using and operating in an industry-standard project management environment. You should also, during the development of your Project Initiation Documentation (PID), consider ITIL practices to effectively service manage the resulting solution in a later module as part of implementation and maintenance planning in the PID.

Following the completion of this module you should be able to propose a cloud project under the PRINCE2 lifecycle, critically demonstrating an applied understanding of PRINCE2 Agile.

This module aims to enable you to demonstrate the capacity and ability to conduct academic and technical research, towards the research objectives proposed at the start of the project year, and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats.

We will encourage you to demonstrate an advanced technical ability to develop a cloud architecture to support the projects research goals and detail this application in the form of a detailed executive summary and analysis while continuing to operate under the PRINCE2 lifecycle and keeping all documentation up to date.

This module enables you to demonstrate the capacity and ability to conduct academic and technical research towards the research objectives proposed at the start of the project year and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats.

The module also encourages critical evaluation of engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points completed during the viva-voce.

You should be able to demonstrate advanced technical ability developing a cloud software solution to support the projects research goals and detail this application in the form of a detailed executive summary and analysis, operating under the PRINCE2 lifecycle keeping all documentation up to date.

You should be able to prove advanced knowledge of some of the following; database, programming and web applications and have applied them to a range of context, e.g. artificial intelligence/machine learning, web services and Information Systems in support of the project goals.

This module covers how services are managed delivered and supported by organisations and are structured around the ITIL framework. The module will cover a range of areas relating to IT organisations involved in service and support and will provide the opportunity for you to understand how related small-medium enterprises operate and are managed.

The module continues the final project; in this final module, you will have the opportunity to apply ITIL and service manage your cloud solutions, and complete your project closure documentation for PRINCE2 Agile.