This unit introduces essential object-oriented design methods and language mechanisms, especially the principles of modelling through Rational Unified Process and agile processes using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Java or C++, both of which are industry standard. Students work in small groups to experience the process of object-oriented analysis, object-oriented design, implementation and testing by building a real-world application. Java or C++ is used as the implementation language and a special emphasis is placed on those features of Java or C++ that are important for solving real-world problems. Advanced software engineering features, including exceptions and name spaces are thoroughly covered.

Digital media has become indispensable our heterogeneous computing and communication environment. This unit provides an overview of creating, processing, manipulating, and compressing digital media which mainly include image, audio and video. It introduces principles and current techniques such as multimedia data acquisition, analysis, processing and compression and management. It also elaborates different multimedia coding standards, various multimedia systems and cutting-edge multimedia applications such as web media.

The unit covers general foundations of communication systems and a detailed walk through of the implementation of the TCP/IP protocol stack, which forms the basis of the Internet. The unit also covers the basic knowledge of how to analyse, design and implement simple communication protocols.
Objectives: On completion of this unit students will have developed an understanding of the principles and practice of the layered model of communications architecture, the TCP/IP protocol stack and its component protocols, and various common techniques and tools for protocol analysis and design.

This unit of study provides a conceptual and practical introduction to the use of common platforms that manage large relational databases. Students will understand the foundations of database management and enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge of the widespread relational database systems, as these are used for both operational (OLTP) and decision-support (OLAP) purposes. The unit covers the main aspects of SQL, the industry-standard database query language. Students will further develop the ability to create robust relational database designs by studying conceptual modelling, relational design and normalization theory. This unit also covers aspects of relational database management systems which are important for database administration. Topics covered include storage structures, indexing and its impact on query plans, transaction management and data warehousing.
Objectives: In this unit students will develop the ability to:
- Understand the foundations of database management;
- Strengthen their theoretical knowledge of database systems in general and relational data model and systems in particular;
- Create robust relational database designs;
- Understand the theory and applications of relational query processing and optimization;
- Study the critical issues in data and database administration;
- Explore the key emerging topics in database management.

This unit will provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of information systems from an organisational perspective. The critical role of information and knowledge management will be emphasised from both conceptual and practical standpoints. Methods and techniques for analysing systems and eliciting user requirements will be discussed. Key topics covered will include:
* Basic Information Systems Concepts
* Systems approach and systems thinking
* E-Business and E-Commerce
* Data and Knowledge Management
* Systems Analysis and Development Methodologies
* Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Information technologies
* Web 2.0 and Social Computing
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Develop a good understanding of important information concepts,
2. Deep understanding of the systems approach and its applicability.
3. Develop skills to perform systems analysis in contemporary systems environments
4. Understanding of major conceptual and technological developments in Information Systems

The study of algorithms is a fundamental aspect of computing. This unit of study covers data structures, algorithms, and gives an overview of the main ways of computational thinking from simple list manipulation and data format conversion, up to shortest paths and cycle detection in graphs. Students will gain essential knowledge in computer science, including basic concepts in data structures, algorithms, and intractability, using paradigms such as dynamic programming, divide and conquer, greed, local search, and randomisation, as well NP-hardness.

This unit of study provides an overview of hardware and system software infrastructure including: compilers, operating systems, device drivers, network protocols, etc. It also includes user-level Unix skills and network usability. The objectives are to ensure that on completion of this unit students will have developed an understanding of compilers, operating systems, device drivers, network protocols, Unix skills and network usability.

Programming in a legible, maintainable, reusable way is essential to solve complex problems in the pervasive computing environments. This unit will equip students with foundation of programming concepts that are common to widely used programming languages. Students will be progressively guided in this introductory unit from necessary and important building blocks of programming to the object-oriented approach. Java, one of the most popular programming languages, is used in this unit. It provides interdisciplinary approaches, applications and examples to support students from broad backgrounds such as science, engineering, and mathematics.

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the analysis of complex systems. Key topics are the determination and expression of system requirements (both functional and on-functional), and the representation of structural and behavioural models of the system in UML notations. Students will be expected to evaluate requirements documents and models as well as producing them. This unit covers essential topics from the ACM/IEEE SE2004 curriculum, especially from MAA Software Modelling and Analysis. Note: The lectures of this unit are co-taught with INFO2110.