MSc/PGDip/PGCert Health Informatics (UCL/UoM Joint Award) / Course details

Year of entry: 2025

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Course unit details:
Modern Information Engineering

Course unit fact file
Unit code	IIDS61301
Credit rating	15
Unit level	FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s)	Semester 1
Offered by	Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

This module builds on the local support for Software Carpentry (https://software-carpentry.org/ ) at UoM and UCL to provide an opportunity for trainees who seek to understand and make appropriate use of modern programming skills and data management technologies. It will provide some hands-on experience in software design, implementation and data retrieval. Trainees are taught best practice for creating useful and effective software solutions to real-world health problems as well as discussing modern data management technologies such as virtualisation and cloud. During the module trainees will be asked to work in teams to implement a bespoke system for a clinical team. Trainees are taught the fundamentals of programming on the module, and do not need to have had any prior programming experience.

Aims

The unit aims to introduce students to a hands-on experience of modern information engineering skills including basic programming skills using Python; automation of tasks, how track work for efficiently; and how to store and manage data effectively as well as access it using SQL.

Learning outcomes

Category of outcome	Students should be able to:
A. Knowledge and understanding	LO1: Use core programming concepts to design and implement software LO2: Critical understanding of data management technologies (including their strengths and limitations) for use in real-world settings LO3: Apply and critically appraise the software design process to a range of case-study projects LO4: Understand be able to select APIs to allow systems to communicate with each other LO5: database systems/data management and modern software processes contribute to patient care pathways and the provision of high quality safe and effective patient care LO6: Develop plans of how to apply software quality assurance processes to a range of case-studies LO7: Demonstrate the importance of key role of version control systems in quality assurance
B. Intellectual skills	LO8: Plan a process for a clinical information system LO9: Critically appraise a software design process
C. Practical skills	LO10: Develop a system for a clinical team LO11: Construct a range of SQL commands to extract data from management systems LO12: Complete project documentation ensuring compliance with security, governance and ethics issues with web-based systems LO13: Design a relational database to solve a real-world scenario LO14: Write programs in a language (e.g., python) to manipulate data
D. Transferable skills and personal qualities	LO15: Work collaboratively within a team LO16: Communicate effectively both in written and verbal format to both non-technical and technical audiences: LO17: Work through the problem-solving cycle

Teaching and learning methods

This unit will delivered in a blended format: e-Learning preparation material will impart basic and core knowledge whilst the face-to-face lectures and open discussions will introduce concrete examples and encourage attendees to draw upon their own reading and experience. Group, problem based learning will show a deeper understanding of the area and encourage collaborative working. Example case-studies will be drawn from University of Manchester (HeRC) and University College London research-driven projects and current NHS projects. The F2F teaching will be delivered as 1 x three day block of workshops covering a key section

Assessment methods

Assessment task	Description	Length	Weighting in unit
Sprints	Working in groups, the assessment will be split into 3 iterations that all add up to 70%. The small groups will develop a common understanding of the problem and then to work as a part of a team to design and implement software.		70%
Software practices	The assessment will involve the cohort working in small groups to develop a common understanding of the problem and then to work as a part of a team to implement software.		10%
Reflective blog	Experiences of collaborative software development	500 words	20%

Feedback methods

Formative assessment and feedback to students is a key feature of the on-line learning materials for this unit.

Regular presentation of results to tutor and staff to elicit feedback and develop ideas/work.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study	150

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Alan Davies	Unit coordinator

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