Students studying the BTEC National Diploma/Certificate will cover a range of units across 2 academic years.  These units cover the following areas:

Business:  There are several business units on this course which cover a range of business requirements.  How ICT systems are used in a business environment, how business needs can be identified and planned for, the legal requirements and other responsibilities of individuals and the systems in use and the correct methods and sequences to follow when designing a new system.  We also look at how the use of ICT impacts on businesses together with the issues and requirements of data security.

Organizational Systems Security:  With so much reliance on computer data, organizations need to be aware of threats to their data, preventing hackers and viruses from destroying their systems.  What can a company do to recover from a natural disaster and avoid going out of business?  Learn about computer crime and the laws which protect individuals.

Web design:  Using the industry standard software packages (Macromedia/Adobe Studio), our own dedicated webserver, a mixture of XML, XHTML, RSS, ASP (VBScript), Access (and MSSQL) databases and Javascript (ECMA-262 V3) to redesign, plan, build and evaluate a real commercial website.

Computer Systems:  Delve into the nitty gritty of computer hardware, understand how all of the computer components work and interact with each other, learn the current trends of computer hardware,  fully spec machines for designated tasks, then go even deeper and play with the motherboard BIOS settings, set up hard disk RAID arrays, install OS and software, upgrade computer hardware and software and perform various maintenance tasks.

Programming:  We offer a number of units based around software programming.  We look at a variety of programming languages but concentrate on VB.net.  Students learn to design, build and document their own applications using Visual Basic.

Database applications:  Here we look at how to design and build several relational database management systems using appropriate software (MS Access)

Spreadsheet applications:  We also look to extend students’ spreadsheet knowledge by covering advanced spreadsheet design and full systems using MS Excel.

Method of Assessment:

At Loreto College we structure our BTEC ICT courses around 100% coursework.  This is mostly assessed through written coursework assignments based around both theoretical and practical tasks and “Real Life” case studies.  Some teacher observations and written/oral questioning can also be included.  There are no examinations on these courses.

Students may be asked to participate in an extended coursework project in the second year.