Courses / Modules / AICE2005 Systematic Design

Systematic Design

When you'll study it: Whole Academic Year
CATS points: 15
ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Level 5
Module lead: David Thomas
Academic year: 2025-26

Module overview

The goal of this module is to give students an overview of the theory and methods for designing and delivering large multi-component systems. There will be a particular emphasis on systems which combine requirements and functionality from learning, software, and hardware, and the ways in which the boundaries between them can be identified and managed. This module provides preparatory tools and techniques for the group project module in semester 2.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify appropriate languages for implementing parts of a system
Define APIs and interfaces between components
Understand the tradeoffs between off-the-shelf and bespoke components
Identify ethical and security responsibilities with respect to data in motion and at rest.
Decompose a system into a set of loosely coupled components

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Understand the importance of defining clear APIs and component boundaries
Knowledge of best-practises for managing small group projects and identifying risks
Understanding of tools (both processes and software) for managing group-work

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Use test frameworks to perform integration tests for existing components

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, labs and guided self-study

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	78
Lecture	32
Practical classes and workshops	20
Preparation for scheduled sessions	20
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	50%
Class Test	10%
Group report	20%
Group report	20%