Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the key components related to the object orientated programming paradigm.
• Analyse design pattern types within the object orientated programming paradigm.
• Design a series of UML class diagrams.
• Implement code applying design patterns.
• Investigate scenarios with respect to design patterns.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore detailed and problem-oriented material related to Analytic Architecture Design (AADL).
• Gain a conceptual overview of the AADL abstractions.
• Illustrate the software component abstractions within AADL.
• Illustrate the execution platform component abstractions within AADL.
• Provide example declarations for software components.
• Provide example declarations for execution platform components.
• Analyse the specification of composite systems and their instances.
• Describe the abstractions that support the specification of component interactions within AADL.
• Show the specification of alternative operational states of a system using AADL flow concepts.
• Describe modes and mode transitions within AADL.
• Provide examples of AADL specification.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine complex number theory within practical situations
• Approximate solutions using numerical methods
• Employ matrix methods to contextualised examples relevant to computing
• Investigate the concepts of formal methods within computer science

What you'll be able to do

• Produce a Software Design Document by analysing a business related problem and deduce an appropriate solution including a set of initial requirements
• Use design and development methodologies with tools and techniques associated with the creation of a business application
• Work individually and as part of a team to plan the production of a functional business application
• Produce a functional business application with support documentation
• Evaluate the performance of the business application against its Software Design Document and initial requirements

What you'll be able to do

• Examine what an API is and its purpose.
• Explain the need for APIs in software development.
• Identify different types of APIs.
• Apply the knowledge of API research to design an application that incorporates relevant APIs for a given scenario.
• Apply the knowledge of API research to design a substantial student chosen application that incorporates relevant APIs.
• Implement an application in a suitable development environment.
• Document the testing of the application.
• Review the APIs used in the application.
• Reflect on the APIs used in the application.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine applied analytical modelling methods.
• Prepare a large data set for use in an applied analytical model.
• Demonstrate the use of an analytical model with a large data set.
• Investigate improvements to an applied analytical model.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the functions of computer system components.
• Discuss how data and programs can be represented within computer systems.
• Demonstrate the principles of processor operations.
• Investigate advanced computer architectures and performance.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse the theoretical foundation of Artificial Intelligence to determine its key principles and concepts.
• Evaluate current trends and issues in Artificial Intelligence to understand their impact on the field.
• Determine the effectiveness of AI technology by considering its theoretical foundation, current trends, and associated issues.
• Implement an intelligent system using a top-down approach to AI development.
• Implement an intelligent system using a bottom-up approach to AI development.
• Investigate a range of emerging AI technologies to understand their functionalities and potential applications.
• Discuss the potential future changes in industry resulting from the adoption of emerging AI technologies.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss business processes and their role in organisations.
• Discuss the mechanisms used to support business decision making.
• Compare the tools associated with business intelligence functionality.
• Compare the technologies associated with business intelligence functionality.
• Demonstrate the use of business intelligence tools.
• Demonstrate the use of business intelligence technologies.
• Discuss the impact of business intelligence tools for effective decision-making purposes.
• Discuss the impact of business intelligence technologies for effective decision-making purposes.
• Discuss the legal/regulatory context in which business intelligence tools are used.
• Discuss the legal/regulatory context in which business intelligence technologies are used.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the concepts of servers, clients, and processes and the differences between PPID and PID.
• Analyse the communication processes between clients and servers in different application protocols with records captured from the Internet.
• Create a client/server model in a Linux system with User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Application Layer protocols.

What you'll be able to do

• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of Cloud Computing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Cloud Computing architectures.
• Evaluate the deployment models of Cloud Computing and validate their use.
• Evaluate the service models of Cloud Computing and validate their use.
• Evaluate the technological drivers of Cloud Computing and validate their use.
• Develop Cloud Computing solutions using service provider’s frameworks.
• Develop Cloud Computing solutions using open source tools.
• Analyse the technical challenges for cloud applications.
• Assess the risks associated with cloud applications.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain the relationships between hardware components used in a computer system
• Explain the relationships between the subsystems used in a computer system
• Categorise the key features provided by different computer operating systems and hardware
• Categorise the key services provided by different computer operating systems and hardware
• Use network communication technology to connect computer systems
• Use the associated services to connect computer systems
• Demonstrate diagnostic skills to solve hardware related issues
• Demonstrate diagnostic skills to solve software related issues
• Demonstrate diagnostic skills to solve networking related issues
• Demonstrate troubleshooting skills to solve hardware related issues
• Demonstrate troubleshooting skills to solve software related issues
• Demonstrate troubleshooting skills to solve networking related issues

What you'll be able to do

• Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
• Conduct and analyse research relevant to a computing research project, gathering and interpreting data to address research questions.
• Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders, presenting findings in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts, evaluating the effectiveness of the chosen approach and identifying areas for improvement.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the symmetric encryption algorithms and ciphers, including their principles, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Assess public key encryption protocols and signatures and their uses in the message and key exchanges, evaluating their security and efficiency.
• Analyse the security issues related to symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods, identifying potential vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate advanced encryption protocols and their applications in secure message exchanges, considering their suitability for different security requirements.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the theoretical foundation of data analytics to understand its underlying principles and methodologies.
• Determine how data analytics informs decision-making processes in management or business environments.
• Apply a range of descriptive analytic techniques to transform raw data into actionable insights.
• Utilise a range of statistical techniques to support the application of descriptive analytic methods.
• Investigate a range of predictive analytic techniques to discover new knowledge and patterns within data.
• Forecast future events by applying predictive analytic techniques to relevant datasets.
• Demonstrate prescriptive analytic methods to identify the best course of action for a given situation.
• Determine the optimal solution for a problem by applying prescriptive analytic techniques.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the historical and theoretical foundation of data mining, including its scope, techniques, and processes.
• Investigate a range of data mining techniques to discover patterns and relationships in large datasets.
• Illustrate how a data mining algorithm performs text mining to identify relationships within text.
• Evaluate a range of graph data mining techniques that recognise patterns and relationships in graph based technologies.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine abstract data types, concrete data structures and algorithms.
• Specify abstract data types and algorithms in a formal notation.
• Implement complex data structures and algorithms.
• Assess the effectiveness of data structures and algorithms.

What you'll be able to do

• Use an appropriate design tool to design a relational database system for a substantial problem
• Develop a fully functional relational database system, based on an existing system design
• Test the system against user requirements
• Test the system against system requirements
• Produce technical documentation for the relational database system
• Produce user documentation for the relational database system

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse different types of database management systems, considering their features, benefits, and limitations.
• Design a database management system using a relational model, ensuring it meets specified client requirements and adheres to database design principles.
• Develop a database management system using a suitable platform, implementing the design and incorporating necessary functionalities.
• Demonstrate the system administration and management tools available on the chosen platform, showcasing proficiency in database maintenance and optimisation.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine set theory and functions applicable to software engineering
• Analyse mathematical structures of objects using graph theory
• Investigate solutions to problem situations using the application of Boolean algebra
• Explore applicable concepts within abstract algebra

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the strategies employed and the impact of E-Commerce on business organisations.
• Analyse the hardware, software, web-based and database technologies involved in setting up a secure E-Commerce site.
• Design an E-Commerce strategy based on a given end user requirement or specification.
• Implement an E-Commerce strategy based on a given end user requirement of specification.

What you'll be able to do

• Assess what Emerging Technologies are necessary and appropriate when designing software applications for the future.
• Research the state-of-the-art of Emerging Technologies.
• Choose one Emerging Technology you believe will have significant impact in the future.
• Discuss the current state of your chosen Emerging Technology.
• Discuss the future impact of your chosen Emerging Technology.
• Evaluate the political factors, which play a role in the competition between emerging technologies and their success or failure in the future.
• Evaluate the economic factors, which play a role in the competition between emerging technologies and their success or failure in the future.
• Evaluate the social factors, which play a role in the competition between emerging technologies and their success or failure in the future.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the processes and procedures for carrying out digital Forensic Investigation
• Discuss the legal and professional guidelines and procedures for carrying out digital Forensic Investigation
• Use a tool or tools to conduct digital Forensic Investigation on devices or networks or cyberattacks
• Develop a Test Plan and make some recommendations for use in digital Forensic Investigation

What you'll be able to do

• Critically assess the types, practices, principles and skills used in the design of games
• Analyse the concepts and elements required for the production of a Games Design Document
• Evaluate the game design process with regards to game development and production
• Use game design practices and principles to create an original Game Design Document
• Present a High Concept pitch for a game design

What you'll be able to do

• Develop a Game Design Document by evaluating and synthesising game ideas into an original video game concept
• Use different design and development methodologies with tools and techniques associated with the creation of a video game
• Work individually and as part of a team to plan the production of a functional video game
• Produce a functional video game, including support documentation
• Evaluate the performance of the video game against its Game Design Document and original concept

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse the evolution of games engines, considering their impact on game development and player expectation.
• Analyse the possible future of games engines with regard to game development and expectation.
• Evaluate the features of different games engines.
• Evaluate the architecture of different games engines.
• Use an existing Game Design Document (with assets) to synthesise key features of a selected games engine into a playable game.
• Assess improvements to a playable game by evaluating its performance against its Game Design Document.
• Assess improvements to a playable game by evaluating its performance against user expectation.
• Plan improvements to a playable game by evaluating its performance against its Game Design Document.
• Plan improvements to a playable game by evaluating its performance against user expectation.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the basic principles underpinning information security management.
• Critically assess how an organisation can implement an information security management system (ISMS).
• Critically assess how an organisation can maintain an information security management system (ISMS).
• Appraise an ISMS and identify any weaknesses it may contain.
• Examine the strengths of implementing ISMS standards.
• Examine the weaknesses of implementing ISMS standards.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse what aspects of IoT are necessary and appropriate when designing software applications
• Outline a plan for an appropriate IoT application using common architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs
• Develop an IoT application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services
• Evaluate your IoT application and the problems it might encounter when integrating into the wider IoT ecosystem

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse the theoretical foundation of machine learning to determine how an intelligent machine works, including concepts such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Investigate the most popular and efficient machine learning algorithms used in industry, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and applications.
• Develop a machine learning application using an appropriate programming language or machine learning tool for solving a real-world problem, implementing the chosen algorithm and evaluating its performance.
• Evaluate the outcome or the result of the application to determine the effectiveness of the learning algorithm used in the application, analysing metrics such as accuracy, precision, and recall.

What you'll be able to do

• Establish project aims based on the chosen theme
• Establish project objectives based on the chosen theme
• Establish project timeframes based on the chosen theme
• Conduct small-scale research to generate knowledge to support the project
• Conduct information gathering to generate knowledge to support the project
• Conduct data collection to generate knowledge to support the project
• Present the project
• Communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis
• Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project
• Reflect on the project's usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance

What you'll be able to do

• Use applied number theory in practical computing scenarios
• Analyse events using probability theory
• Analyse events using probability distributions
• Determine solutions of graphical examples using geometry methods
• Determine solutions of graphical examples using vector methods
• Evaluate problems concerning differential calculus
• Evaluate problems concerning integral calculus

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the concepts and principles of Network Management, including network architectures, protocols, and management frameworks.
• Plan, design, set up, and configure a network, considering factors such as scalability, security, and performance.
• Justify the protocols and standards concerned with networking and network management, explaining their roles and importance in network operations.
• Use tools and methods to manage a network, including network security and risk management techniques, to ensure network stability and protection.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine network security principles, protocols and standards.
• Design a secure network for a corporate environment.
• Configure network security measures for the corporate environment.
• Undertake the testing of a network using a test plan.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine networking principles and their associated protocols
• Explain the function and operation of various networking devices
• Design efficient networked systems to meet specified requirements
• Implement networked systems according to a given design
• Diagnose and resolve issues within networked systems

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate different operating systems.
• Investigate the functions of different operating systems.
• Investigate the user interfaces of different operating systems.
• Explore the processes managed by an operating system.
• Demonstrate the use of DOS.
• Demonstrate the use of Windows.
• Demonstrate the use of UNIX.
• Demonstrate the use of Linux.
• Analyse appropriate techniques used in distributed and concurrent systems.
• Analyse appropriate technologies used in distributed and concurrent systems.

What you'll be able to do

• Demonstrate a range of interpersonal communication skills to effectively interact with others.
• Demonstrate a range of transferable communication skills to adapt to different situations and audiences.
• Tailor communication skills to effectively reach a target audience.
• Apply critical reasoning to analyse and evaluate information in problem-solving scenarios.
• Apply critical thinking to generate creative solutions in problem-solving scenarios.
• Discuss the importance of working within a team to achieve common goals.
• Explain the dynamics of team working and how they influence team performance.
• Analyse the impact of team working in different environments to understand its effectiveness.
• Examine the need for continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance skills.
• Discuss the role of CPD within the workplace to improve performance and productivity.
• Explain the role of CPD for higher level learning to support career progression.

What you'll be able to do

• Define basic algorithms that carry out an operation
• Outline the process of programming an application
• Explain the characteristics of procedural programming
• Explain the characteristics of object-orientated programming
• Explain the characteristics of event-driven programming
• Implement basic algorithms in code using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
• Determine the debugging process
• Explain the importance of a coding standard

What you'll be able to do

• Explore different forms of prototypes that are appropriate for various functionality and end user testing requirements.
• Plan a prototype for specific target end users and planned tests.
• Develop multiple iterations of the prototype using appropriate tools.
• Evaluate user feedback and test results from multiple iterations of the prototype and end user testing.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine risk based testing and requirements
• Create a customised risk based test strategy, plans and techniques for a given specification
• Demonstrate a risk based test plan, producing associated outcomes
• Evaluate a risk based test plan and its associated outcomes

What you'll be able to do

• Explore different robotic systems commonly used in industry, taking into account different configurations.
• Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of different robotic system configurations.
• Build a robot.
• Appraise the built robot from the perspectives of cost-benefit impact.
• Evaluate the operation and application of a range of sensors (e.g. vision, tactile).
• Analyse how sensors can apply to a mobile or static robotic system.
• Evaluate the relevance of biologically inspired robotic systems.
• Analyse how biologically inspired robotic systems can benefit both the understanding of biological systems and the design of individual or groups of robots.

What you'll be able to do

• Assess potential risks to IT security to identify vulnerabilities and threats.
• Describe various IT security solutions and their effectiveness in mitigating identified risks.
• Review mechanisms to control organisational IT security to ensure compliance and protection of assets.
• Manage organisational security by implementing and maintaining appropriate security measures and policies.

What you'll be able to do

• Describe different software development lifecycles.
• Explain the importance of a feasibility study in software development.
• Undertake a software development lifecycle.
• Discuss the suitability of software behavioural design techniques for different projects.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse the information requirements of organisations.
• Discuss the types of information systems that are used within all levels of an organisation.
• Demonstrate the use of an information system to produce management information.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of strategic information systems.

What you'll be able to do

• Evaluate the strengths of the traditional systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the weaknesses of the traditional systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the strengths of the agile systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the weaknesses of the agile systems analysis methodologies.
• Produce a feasibility study for a system for a business related problem.
• Analyse their system using a suitable methodology.
• Design the system to meet user requirements.
• Design the system to meet system requirements.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse systems integration requirements with regard to business objectives.
• Investigate different hardware systems with regards to connectivity, communication and data transfer.
• Investigate different software systems with regards to connectivity, communication and data transfer.
• Prepare a suitable integrated solution based on a set of business requirements.
• Compare a range of cloud computing providers.
• Evaluate the services provided by a range of cloud computing providers.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore LAN design principles and their application in the network design process
• Implement a network using LAN design principles based on a predefined set of requirements
• Produce an appropriate WAN solution to a set of organisational requirements
• Solve a range of network related problems using appropriate troubleshooting techniques and methods

What you'll be able to do

• Research what aspects of User Experience and Interface Design are necessary and appropriate to satisfy end user emotions, desires and attitudes when using a user interface concept.
• Plan an appropriate User Experience map and Interface Design for a User Interface concept with a specific target end user in mind and also outline the tests you mean to conduct.
• Build a User Interface concept and test it with users to see if it satisfies their emotions, desires and attitudes as planned.
• Evaluate user feedback, test results and insights gained from end users interacting with your User Interface concept to determine success or failure and steps to improve in future versions.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine what aspects of VR technology are necessary and appropriate when designing VR software applications.
• Examine what aspects of AR technology are necessary and appropriate when designing AR software applications.
• Plan an appropriate VR software application using common architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs.
• Plan an appropriate AR software application using common architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs.
• Design a VR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Build a VR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Simulate a VR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Design an AR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Build an AR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Simulate an AR software application using any combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services.
• Evaluate your VR software application and detail the problems and limitations your application encountered.
• Analyse the reaction your VR application generated with end users.
• Evaluate your AR software application and detail the problems and limitations your application encountered.
• Analyse the reaction your AR application generated with end users.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain server technologies and management services associated with hosting and managing websites.
• Categorise website technologies, tools and software used to develop websites.
• Utilise website technologies, tools and techniques with good design principles to create a multipage website.
• Create and use a test plan to review the performance and design of a multipage website.