This programme element is dedicated to design and programming of IT systems. The course will focus on high-quality IT systems programming in a tier architecture with user interface, functionality and database. The solutions will be built employing tools and technique employed by the profession with an emphasis of good programming design and development of systems of a high standard.

The graduate has:
• development based knowledge about the specification of abstract data types and program quality criteria
• understanding of abstraction mechanisms in modern programming languages

The graduate will be able to:
• apply key methods to specify and create algorithms and assess the qualitative and quantitative properties of algorithms and data structures
• use key facilities in the programming language to realise algorithms, design patterns, abstract data types, data structures, design models and user interfaces
• use an integrated development tool extensively used by the profession, including a version control system and key software components/libraries, to design and build applications with a practical bias based on a tier architecture
• apply key methods and technologies to realise models in a database system and build programs that use a database interface
• apply key methods and technologies to design and build programs in the form of interrelated processes/threads
• apply key technologies and tools to perform tests and quality controls and to produce documentation in accordance with current professional standards.

The graduate can:
• manage development focused situations in the context of programming
• be part of development and maintenance projects as a professional programmer
• acquire new knowledge, skills and competencies in a structured context of relevance to programming languages, development tools, programming techniques and program design.