Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the tools a programmer can use to manipulate large data sets for data analysis
• Design a software tool to analyse a large data set for a given scenario
• Develop a software tool to analyse a large data set for a given scenario
• Test a software tool used to analyse a large data set for quality of information produced

What you'll be able to do

• Explore detailed and problem-oriented material to gain a conceptual overview of the AADL abstractions for a given function.
• Demonstrate the software component and execution platform component abstractions for a system.
• Design composite systems and their instances, and describe the abstractions that support the specification of component interactions.
• Show the specification of alternative operational states of a system through AADL flow concepts for a composite system.

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 comprehensive set of initial requirements.
• Use appropriate design and development methodologies, along with relevant tools and techniques, in the creation of a business application.
• Work both individually and collaboratively as part of a team to plan, develop, and produce a functional business application, accompanied by comprehensive support documentation.
• Evaluate the performance of the developed business application against the specifications outlined in the Software Design Document and the initial requirements, identifying areas for improvement.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the role of an Application Programming Interface (API) in software development and assess its suitability for a given scenario.
• Design a solution that extends the functionality of an existing application by utilising relevant APIs, considering factors such as data exchange and security.
• Implement an application in a suitable development environment, based on the designed solution, ensuring proper integration with the chosen APIs.
• Test the developed API for a given scenario to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

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

• Analyse encryption ciphers and algorithms to determine their effectiveness as methods to secure data within a cloud environment.
• Discuss the security risks and potential issues related to the practical application of public key encryption methods.
• Demonstrate the practical use of cryptographic and cryptoanalysis tools for the purpose of improving security within a virtual private network (VPN).
• Evaluate advanced encryption protocols and their suitability for application within an organisation considering a move to cloud-based services.

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate and analyse the impact of SOLID development principles on the object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm.
• Design a large dataset processing application, ensuring it adheres to SOLID principles and incorporates clean coding techniques.
• Build a functional data processing application based on the developed design specifications and principles.
• Perform automatic testing procedures on the developed data processing application to ensure its quality and reliability.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the functions of different computer system components, explaining their roles and interactions within the system.
• Discuss how data and programs can be represented within computer systems, including different data types and encoding methods.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of processor operations, including instruction execution and memory management.
• Investigate advanced computer architectures and performance optimisation techniques, evaluating their impact on system efficiency.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine data visualisation techniques for supporting decision making using complex data sets.
• Discuss the application of statistical and graphical tools and techniques used to present big data for a specified use case.
• Demonstrate the application of statistical and graphical techniques to present big data as a visualisation.
• Investigate the challenges faced by data professionals in carrying out their role within an organisation.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the use of data and information to support business processes, evaluating the value they provide for an identified organisation.
• Discuss the implications of using data and information to support business processes, considering ethical and practical considerations in a real-world scenario.
• Explore the range of tools and technologies associated with data science and analyse how they can be applied to support business processes.
• Demonstrate the application of data science techniques to analyse data and make recommendations to support real-world business problem-solving.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the concepts of servers, clients, and processes and explain the differences between PPID and PID.
• Analyse the communication processes between clients and servers in different application protocols, such as HTTP, FTP and SMTP.
• Analyse the specification of composite systems and their instances and describe the abstractions that support the specification of component interactions.

What you'll be able to do

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

What you'll be able to do

• Explain the relationships between hardware components and the subsystems used in a computer system to understand system architecture
• Categorise the key features and services provided by different computer operating systems and hardware to select appropriate technologies
• Use network communication technology and the associated services to connect computer systems to enable data transfer
• Demonstrate diagnostic and troubleshooting skills to solve hardware, software and networking related issues to maintain system functionality

What you'll be able to do

• Examine appropriate research methodologies as part of the research process.
• Examine appropriate research approaches as part of the research process.
• Conduct research relevant to a computing research project.
• Analyse research relevant to a computing research project.
• Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders.
• Reflect on the application of research methodologies.
• Reflect on the application of research concepts.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the nature of cybercrime, including different types of cybercrime and their impact.
• Investigate cyber threat actors, including their motivations, capabilities, and common attack methods.
• Investigate cyber security threats and hazards, including vulnerabilities, exploits, and attack vectors.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of information assurance concepts applied to ICT infrastructure, including security policies, access controls, and encryption.
• Investigate incident response methods to cyber security threats, including detection, containment, eradication, and recovery.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the theoretical foundations of data analytics and how they inform decision-making processes in management and business environments
• Apply a range of descriptive analytic techniques, utilising statistical methods, to convert raw data into actionable insights
• Investigate a range of predictive analytic techniques to discover new knowledge and forecast future events based on data analysis
• Demonstrate the application of prescriptive analytic methods to determine the best course of action for a given situation, based on data-driven insights

What you'll be able to do

• Examine abstract data types, concrete data structures, and algorithms, understanding their properties and relationships.
• Specify abstract data types and algorithms using a formal notation to ensure clarity and precision.
• Implement complex data structures and algorithms in a practical coding environment.
• Assess the effectiveness of different data structures and algorithms in terms of performance, efficiency, and suitability for specific tasks.

What you'll be able to do

• Use an appropriate design tool to design a relational database system
• Ensure the database system addresses a substantial problem or need
• Develop a fully functional relational database system
• Base the system development on an existing system design
• Test the developed system against predefined user requirements
• Test the developed system against predefined system requirements
• Produce comprehensive technical documentation for the database system
• Produce clear and concise user documentation for the database system

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse different types of database management systems, comparing their features, advantages and disadvantages.
• Design a database management system using a relational model to meet specified client requirements, including data structures and relationships.
• Develop a database management system using a suitable platform, implementing the designed data structures and functionalities.
• Demonstrate the use of system administration and management tools available on the chosen platform to maintain and optimise the database management system.

What you'll be able to do

• Determine the nature and scope of the technical challenges, ensuring sustainability, within the digital technologies sector, including energy consumption, e-waste, and resource depletion.
• Explore the importance of collaborating with other disciplines in developing digital technical solutions to sustainability problems, including environmental science, engineering, and social science.
• Evaluate the use of sustainable techniques in relation to their contribution to a low carbon economy, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and circular economy principles.
• Calculate the carbon footprint of a digital technologies' solution, including identifying sources of emissions and using appropriate calculation methods.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore how digital technologies impact organisational change.
• Evaluate how the use of digital technology impacts on an organisation’s strategy and operations to meet its needs.
• Investigate how digital technologies influence leadership decision making in relation to a specific industry.
• Present a new or emerging digital technology solution to manage a change initiative within a specific organisation.

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 E-Commerce strategies and their impact on business organisations.
• Review 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 or specification.

What you'll be able to do

• Review which emerging technologies are necessary and appropriate when designing software applications for the future.
• Research an emerging technology and its impact on a given end-user group.
• Develop multiple iterations of an emerging technology solution based on requirements.
• Consider the ethical, social, economic and legal factors that play a role in the success of emerging technologies.

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 forensic examination plan and make some recommendations for use in digital forensic investigation

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the theoretical foundation of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on users and organisations
• Analyse the approaches, techniques and tools to deploy Intelligent Systems in an organisation
• Modify an AI-based system to improve how exhibits intelligence in response to a real-world problem
• Evaluate the technical and ethical challenges and opportunities of Intelligent Systems

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 regard to game development and production
• Use game design practices and principles to create an original Game Design Document and present a High Concept pitch

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 and produce a functional video game, including support documentation
• Evaluate the performance of a video game against its Game Design Document and original concept

What you'll be able to do

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

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the basic principles that underpin 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 existing ISMS to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
• Describe any weaknesses that an ISMS may contain.
• Examine the strengths of implementing ISMS standards.
• Examine the weaknesses of implementing ISMS standards.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse the necessary and appropriate aspects of IoT 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.
• Investigate the most popular and efficient machine learning algorithms used in industry.
• Develop a machine learning application using an appropriate programming language or machine learning tool for solving a real-world problem.
• Evaluate the outcome or the result of the application to determine the effectiveness of the learning algorithm used in the application.

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate different types of organisational structures and cultures prevalent in the digital economy sector
• Explore the role, impact, and influence of various stakeholders within a digital economy organisation
• Investigate digital-led approaches to management and leadership, including agile methodologies and remote team management
• Assess the relationship between motivation, organisational behaviour, performance, and reflective practice within a digital team environment

What you'll be able to do

• Use applied number theory in practical computing scenarios to solve real-world problems
• Analyse events using probability theory and probability distributions to predict outcomes
• Determine solutions of graphical examples using geometry and vector methods to visualise and solve problems
• Evaluate problems concerning differential and integral calculus to model and analyse change

What you'll be able to do

• Explore the concepts and principles underpinning network management, including its importance in modern IT infrastructure.
• Plan the design of a network infrastructure, considering factors such as scalability, security, and performance requirements.
• Set up and configure network devices and services, ensuring proper functionality and integration within the network.
• Review the protocols and standards associated with networking and network management, such as TCP/IP, SNMP, and VLANs.
• Use appropriate tools and methods to effectively manage a network, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimisation.
• Implement network security measures and risk management strategies to protect the network from threats and vulnerabilities.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine Network Security principles.
• Examine Network Security protocols.
• Examine Network Security 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 fundamental networking principles and the protocols that govern network communication
• Explain the function and operation of various networking devices within a network infrastructure
• Design efficient and effective networked systems to meet specific requirements
• Implement and diagnose networked systems, troubleshooting common network issues

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate different Operating Systems, describing their functions, architectures and user interfaces.
• Explore the processes managed by an Operating System, including memory management, process scheduling and file system management.
• Demonstrate the use of different operating systems with a range of commands, including command-line and graphical user interfaces.
• Examine how operating systems are likely to function in the future and the implications for security and resource management.

What you'll be able to do

• Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge on an identified subject area relevant to a computing project
• Explore the features and business requirements of organisations operating in an identified sector to inform project planning
• Produce detailed project plans based on research of the chosen theme for an identified organisation, including timelines, resource allocation, and risk assessments
• Present project recommendations and justifications of decisions made based on research of the identified theme and sector, demonstrating a clear understanding of the project's rationale and potential impact

What you'll be able to do

• Demonstrate a range of interpersonal and transferable communication skills to a target audience
• Apply critical reasoning and thinking to a range of problem-solving scenarios
• Discuss the importance and dynamics of working within a team and the impact of team working in different environments
• Examine the need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its role within the workplace and for higher level learning

What you'll be able to do

• Define basic algorithms to carry out an operation and outline the process of programming an application to solve problems
• Explain the characteristics of procedural, object-orientated and event-driven programming to understand different programming paradigms
• Implement basic algorithms in code using an IDE to create functional programs
• Determine the debugging process and explain the importance of a coding standard to ensure code quality and maintainability

What you'll be able to do

• Explore forms of prototypes appropriate for various functionality testing requirements.
• Explore forms of prototypes appropriate for end user testing requirements.
• Plan a prototype for a specific end user.
• Plan a testing strategy for a specific end user.
• Develop multiple iterations of the prototype using appropriate tools.
• Evaluate user feedback from multiple iterations of the prototype.
• Evaluate test results from multiple iterations of the prototype.
• Evaluate user feedback from end user testing.
• Evaluate test results from end user testing.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the principles of risk-based testing and its relationship to system requirements.
• Create a customised risk-based test strategy, including detailed plans and appropriate testing techniques, tailored to a given specification.
• Demonstrate the implementation of a risk-based test plan, producing and documenting the associated outcomes and results.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-based test plan and critically analyse its associated outcomes in relation to the identified risks.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore different robotic systems commonly used in industry, taking into account different configurations and their advantages and disadvantages for specific applications.
• Build and appraise a robot from the perspective of cost-benefit impact, justifying design choices.
• Evaluate the operation and application of a range of sensors and how they can be applied to a mobile or static robotic system.
• Evaluate the relevance of biologically inspired robotic systems and how they can benefit 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 within an organisation
• Describe a range of IT security solutions available to mitigate identified risks
• Review mechanisms used to control organisational IT security, considering their effectiveness
• Manage organisational security by implementing and monitoring security measures

What you'll be able to do

• Describe different software development lifecycles (SDLCs) and their characteristics
• Explain the importance of conducting a thorough feasibility study prior to commencing a software development project
• Undertake a complete software development lifecycle, applying appropriate methodologies and techniques
• Discuss the suitability of various software behavioural design techniques for different project contexts

What you'll be able to do

• Review the information requirements of organisations to understand their data needs
• Explore the types of information systems that are used within all levels of an organisation to support decision-making
• Demonstrate the use of an information system to produce management information for effective reporting
• Review the effectiveness of strategic information systems for global competitiveness to improve business performance

What you'll be able to do

• Evaluate the strengths of traditional systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the weaknesses of traditional systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the strengths of agile systems analysis methodologies.
• Evaluate the weaknesses of agile systems analysis methodologies.
• Produce a feasibility study for a system to be developed to solve a business-related problem.
• Assess systems analysis methodologies to effectively solve business-related problems.
• Design a system to meet user requirements.
• Design a system to meet system requirements.

What you'll be able to do

• Analyse systems integration requirements in terms of business objectives.
• Investigate different hardware and software systems in terms of connectivity, communication and data transfer.
• Prepare a suitable integrated solution based on a set of business requirements.
• Compare a range of cloud computing providers and evaluate their services in terms of the impact on systems integration.

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 User Experience and Interface Design principles and practices in relation to end user requirements for a User Interface concept.
• Plan a User Experience map and Interface Design for a User Interface concept, considering the needs of the target end user.
• Build a User Interface concept and test its functionality and usability with end users.
• Evaluate user feedback and test results from interaction with the User Interface concept to determine areas for improvement and enhancement.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine the key aspects of VR and AR technology necessary when designing VR and AR software applications.
• Plan the development of a VR or AR software application using common architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs for a specified scenario.
• Design, build and simulate a VR or AR software application for a given scenario, ensuring functionality and user experience.
• Review a developed VR or AR software application, based on end user feedback and testing, to judge its success and identify areas for refinement.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain server technologies and management services associated with hosting websites
• Explain server technologies and management services associated with managing websites
• Categorise website technologies, tools and software used in website development
• Utilise appropriate website technologies, tools and techniques
• Apply good design principles to create a multipage website
• Create a Test Plan to systematically review the performance of a multipage website
• Use a Test Plan to systematically review the design of a multipage website