University Modules And Projects Completed During Second Year

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Data Structures And Algorithms

This module introduced the methods used to develop algorithms with abstraction and problem solving. It also introduced many of the data structures used across different programming languages to store and manipulate data within algorithms.

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Games Programming

This module helped to improve upon programming skills and introduced the XNA language, built upon C#, for developing games. The module investigated areas of software development such as architectural design, graphics and artificial intelligence.

• ​Details about the project for this module can be seen in the Games Programming page.

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Multimedia Systems​

This module introduced client and server side development for the web and looked at a number of different technologies to aid with this: HTML/XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, C#, ASP.NET, SQL, and VBScript. The module fostered the skills needed to design and implement effective, highly interactive and dynamic web based systems.

• The project for this module was a Ski Chalet website developed with 1 other student. The website included forms, a searching component and more using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and ASP.NET. The source code for the project can be downloaded here.

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Networks And Communications​

This module investigated networking and data communication, along with the hardware and software involved within the computer networks and data communication infrastructure. The module introduced concepts such as UDP, TCP, data compression, error detection, network security and data encryption. Java was used within the module to teach networking concepts in practice through the implementation of client/server applications.

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Professional Practice

This module aimed to improve knowledge of how to make effective job applications along with various interview techniques and presentation skills. The module also discussed intellectual property rights and the data protection act.

• The project for this module consisted of a PowerPoint presentation on the use of Green I.T., which was presented to fellow students and an examiner. This was a group project with 4 other students and an exercise in making effective presentations and working within a team in a business environment. My section looked at disposing of computers using Green I.T. I also wrote an essay considering 2 alternative scenarios for providing IT support over the next 20 years and gave another PowerPoint presentation on communication between large software companies. The essay and presentations can be downloaded here.

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Programming In C & C++​

This module introduced the C and C++ programming languages, and showed how these languages can be used to manipulate memory allocation and freeing with pointers and referencing. Both languages were taught simultaneously, unveiling their differences and showing how C++ introduced object oriented programming into the C language.

• ​Details about the projects for this module can be seen in the Programming In C & C++ page.

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Software Engineering And Group Project​

This module investigated software design and the processes used to complete a project on time and within budget, while managing groups of people to perform a cohesive solution. It elaborated on elements of the software development life cycle such as the different types of software process, project management, requirements and design, the use of UML in software design, implementation, verification, validation and different methods of software testing. It also looked at cost metrics, quality metrics and project scheduling techniques.

• The project for this module was an online version of the board game Monopoly made using XNA. This project was done with 5 other students and Apache Subversion was used for version control in order to collaborate on development. I created many of the core classes used in this project to create the basis of the monopoly game. The game can be downloaded here and the source code can be downloaded here.