The arrival of real world computer studies

It is not quite goodbye to the traditionally offered ëcomputer scienceí and ëcomputer studiesí courses, say the University of Brighton, but the beginnings of a new focus on the computing skills required for the real world with an offering of more tailored, specific and employer-friendly computer courses.

Recognising the fundamental shift in demand towards graduates with specific skill sets in areas such as digital media, internet business and interactive computing, the School of Computing, Mathematics and Information Sciences (CMIS) has launched new undergraduate degrees in the following areas:

- BSc Interactive Computing ñ focusing on the human/computer interface and the design of systems to ensure ease of use.
- BSc Digital Media Development ñ developing skills in a range of multimedia resources, images, sounds, animation, video, 3D and interactive elements and learning how to assemble them into engaging and useable products.
- BSc Internet Business Computing ñ looking at the development of both the interface between businesses and the internet and the supporting infrastructure needed by businesses to exploit the internet.

Bob Hughes, Computing Programme Leader, School of CMIS says: These new courses reflect the demands of todayís society where business systems rely on the internet, and computers are not restricted to desks as mobile and handheld technology is becoming widespread. We felt it was time to reflect this and offer new courses for students who want to harness new technology and be at the forefront in these areas, particularly now we all interface with computers on many levels.

Real world computing is what we are offering. It is no longer simply that we try to get computers to do things for us faster. They should be looked at with a wider view of what do we want them to do for us.

Bob Hughes continues: However, there is a problem for potential students. The range of possible options can be bewildering. To counter this, all our courses follow the same first year allowing the student flexibility in their choice of which direction they want the rest of their studies to take. Along with the placement, where students get a yearís practical experience in business or industry, we feel these courses will meet the needs of the real world and that our graduates will be in high demand.

Local employers agree with this point and are looking more and more for graduates with specific skills especially given that Brighton is a hub for new media, and technology industries. Will Swain, Technical Director for new media company Hot Horse Ltd based in Brighton comments: With technology moving so fast, it is essential that universities look at what is happening in the real world and adapt their courses accordingly. We are very pleased that the University of Brighton has taken this approach as we are interested in graduates and placement students who not only have a good general understanding of areas such as programming, but they also have more specific skills in growing areas such as new media, web application development and database integration. We have been very happy with the Brighton students we have recruited previously and I am sure that these new courses will turn out equally good graduates with very marketable skills for potential employers.

The new courses complement the existing suite of computer courses which the School runs including: BA Business Information Systems, BSc Business Software Development, BSc Computer Science and BSc Software Engineering. These courses are all sandwich courses with a third year spent on placement and all are available for entry 2003 onwards.

These courses are the first new undergraduate courses to be launched by CMIS since its move into the new Faculty of Management and Information Sciences. One of the key aims of the new Faculty was to create new courses that directly respond to the needs of the employer market and graduate demand. The CMIS courses are a direct consequence of this change.

Anyone interested in further course details, should contact the School of Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences on 01273 642428, email: cmisadmissions@brighton.ac.uk