Overview
It’s inconceivable to think of our world without communication and information systems. They’ve influence in almost every aspect of our lives and develop at a pace that’s difficult to keep abreast of.
You’ll develop your skills in the management and use of communication and information technologies; your ability to communicate ideas and information about them; and your ability to keep updated with new technological developments with the help of the Communication and Information Technologies programme at The Open University UK.
What you will study
The module consists of three blocks – each covering a key area in communication and information technologies – and an individual project:
- Block 1: Enquiring and communicating
The first block covers technologies that enable wireless and mobile communications such as Wi-Fi, mobile cellular networks and for the Internet of Things. You’ll develop study skills such as finding information online; and reading, evaluating and writing technological materials. You’ll use and further develop these study skills in Blocks 2 and 3. You’ll also learn some practical skills through using network simulation software.
Block 2: Interacting and collaborating
This block covers principles and technologies for collaborative work and interaction design. You’ll work in a group on a collaborative project: using the collaboration and interaction design principles studied in this block, you’ll design and build a web site. Collaborative work is the key study skill you’ll develop in this block.
Block 3: Protecting and prying
Block 3 covers technologies for computer security and discusses privacy and ethical issues around the use of these security technologies. You’ll further develop your writing skill, especially for writing reports. You’ll also learn practical skills through activities on computer security.
- Individual project
This project will form part of your final assessment. Using the knowledge and skills you’ll develop in Blocks 1–3, you’ll create a small web site explaining new developments in an area of communication and information technologies. This will include conducting a small literature survey to keep yourself updated with developments in the given topic.
You’ll develop digital and information literacy skills – which are very important for your study – throughout the module. You’ll develop academic and technical writing skills progressively from Block 1 to Block 3. You’ll also develop some practical skills in using specialist software, which can improve your employability.
Programme Structure
This module will:
- increase your knowledge of the basic principles of communication and information systems and technologies, and the issues relating to their use
- develop your ability to apply your understanding of communication and information technologies to learn about new or unfamiliar systems and technologies
- develop a variety of skills appropriate to a practitioner in information and communication technologies
- teach you work as a group, where the collaboration is via communication technologies.
Key information
Duration
- Part-time
- 8 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Communication Studies Information Technology (IT) View 33 other Short Courses in Communication Studies in United KingdomWhat students do after studying
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.
However, as this is an OU level 2 module you’ll need a good knowledge of the subject area obtained through any of the following:
- OU level 1 study
- equivalent work at another university
- experience as an IT professional
You should have some basic understanding of data communication and information technologies such as how you can digitally represent data, manipulate it for security purposes, and transmit it over different media. You should also have numeracy skills, equivalent to that gained through studying an OU level 1 mathematics module; and have a standard of academic English appropriate for this level of study.
Tuition Fee
-
International
1868 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1868 GBP for the full programme during 8 months. -
National
1868 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1868 GBP for the full programme during 8 months.