Students will learn how to reduce security threats to networks, and develop the skills to design and implement internet and network applications. They will also get to experiment with specialist equipment to put into practice their newfound skills. Inclusively, students will have the chance to gain industry-recognised certifications, including Cisco's CCNA and CCNP.
Middlesex University is ranked 176–200 in the world for computer science (The World University Ranking 2019).
Graduates of the programme will be equipped with professional and employable skills and attributes such as:
The final year is comprised of two compulsory modules and two optional modules. Amongst these, you will have the opportunity to undertake an individual project with a supervisor with specialist knowledge of their field.
This module will provide you with the basic skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programs. It provides a hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet. The primary focus is on learning the fundamentals of networking and on routing and routing protocols.
The aim of this module is to provide you with fundamental concepts and principles of computer hardware and operating systems. Students will gain an understanding of how the computer's hardware enables it to function as a networked, multi-media machine.
The overall aim of the module is to provide the knowledge and skills required for understanding inter-networking 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.
This module introduces fundamental computational concepts and programming constructs used in a range of programming languages. The main aim is to help students learn to program effectively.
This module provides students with the skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programs and also helps to develop the skills necessary to fulfil the job responsibilities of network technicians, network administrators, and network engineers.
The main aim of the module is to provide an operational understanding of how current communications systems work, and specifically how we can communicate information over any distance with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. As part of this, issues of encoding data, capacity, data compression, bandwidth, security and cryptography are covered.
The aim of this module is to enable students to gain knowledge of professional project management in the context of your degree and likely future profession.
Internet Protocols are the backbone of global communications and will be thoroughly examined in this module. This module will focus on all aspects of networking and protocols including Internet Protocols, Network Services and Cloud Environments as well as Network Monitoring and Analysis, ARP, IP, UDP and TCP.
This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to plan, implement, secure, maintain, and troubleshoot converged enterprise networks. Students will learn how to implement complex enterprise LAN and WAN routing and switching solutions. Comprehensive labs emphasize hands-on learning and practice to reinforce configuration skills using a range of routing protocols in IPv4 and IPv6 environments and the secure integration of VLANs, WLANs, voice, and video into campus networks. The course also covers the configuration of secure routing solutions to support branch offices and mobile workers.
This module provides students with the opportunity of choosing and working on a project that reflects your interests. The project should constitute a practical problem-solving activity relevant to current network or communication technology. The primary aim of the module is to consolidate and deepen your understanding of material taught on your programme and to investigate and/or develop a product, process or application relevant to the focus of your programme.
This module aims to examine some of the weaknesses that are found in network systems and the methods and attacks that threaten networks today. It also examines ways to secure such networks through network design and available tools to resist attackers.
This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills related to designing, securing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise networks. This module also covers wide area network (WAN) technologies, introduces software-defined networking, virtualization, and automation concepts that support the digitalization of networks. Extensive labs emphasize hands-on learning and practice to reinforce the skills to configure and troubleshoot enterprise networks.
This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to consolidate many computer networking concepts and introduces elements of network design, equipment selection and configuration, and LAN and WAN addressing. The module reflects the job skills and responsibilities that are associated with entry-level career opportunities in networking.
This aim of the module is to provide an understanding of both general and advanced areas related to network security, cyber security, and network forensics. It looks at issues, such as, threats and security attacks, vulnerabilities, cryptography, security tools, software security, network attacks and defences, countermeasures, web based security, network forensic analysis, and security in cloud computing.
Our new campus demonstrates what can be achieved when all stakeholders share a clear vision. The concept was developed by a London architect, Graham Wilson, who also is credited for developing many of Middlesex buildings in Hendon.
Course fees are subject to annual inflation. An international Admin Fee is also applicable for international students. For more details, see link to respective fees and payment plans below.
This programme is designed to engage you through learning in action, typically through hands-on tasks conducted in up-to-date, well-equipped laboratories, and in a wide range of seminar-based activities, group and individual assignments and projects. Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. You can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and practicals in smaller seminar groups usually made up of around 20 students. In workshops, you will be able to develop your skills by doing exercises, with teaching staff at hand to provide help and answer questions. In addition, you can arrange one to one sessions with your personal tutor or module leader. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning including library support, a broad range of available software and laptops on loan throughout your course.
During your final year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of 4 hours of lectures, 8 hours of supervised practicals and seminars inclusive of meetings with your final year project supervisor.
When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library, Study Rooms and online materials accessible via MyUniHub.
Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (you will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). Bear in mind that your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available).
You will have access to academic support services that you assist you in the following areas;
More information on how to access these services would be provided to you at your induction.
The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.
There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.
The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:
Level 4 | 35% coursework | 31% written exams | 34% practical exams |
Level 5 | 41% coursework | 44% written exams | 15% practical exams |
Level 6 | 37.5% coursework | 30% written exams | 7.5% practical exams |
You will receive feedback on formative assessment and written summative assessments. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.
We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.
Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team who possess the expertise, knowledge and experience closely aligned to the content of the modules on offer. The team includes academics, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Graduate Teaching Assistants or trained postgraduate research students may also have input into your teaching under the supervision of our academics.
This course opens the door to a career in the rapidly growing network industry – network design and implementation, network consultancy, internet software applications development and network security. Graduates can also progress onto masters courses or secure jobs with global companies.
As a Computer Networks graduate you will have excellent career prospects. The range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. You will also have the potential to start your own business.
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 you will have in-depth knowledge of a few relevant computer languages.
The role of the ICT manager is to ensure that information technology resources are aligned with the organisation's 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.
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 and suppliers).
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 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.
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.
