BCS Software Development Syllabus
BCS Software Development Syllabus
BCS Software Development Syllabus
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
SYLLABUS
3. Introduction
4. SFIA Levels
6. Learning Outcomes
7. Syllabus
Candidates will gain a solid foundation upon which they will be able to build a career pathway into
information technology. Career opportunities include entry-level positions in the rapidly growing fields of
computer science and software development.
Upon successful completion of this qualification, candidates will be equipped with the knowledge and
understanding to enable them to progress on to a broad range of further development areas such as Big
Data management, software engineering and web application development. Candidates will be prepared to
progress onto the BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT, with the ability to customise their learning pathways based on
their areas of special interest.
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Qualification Suitability and
Overview
There are no specific entrance requirements for the Certificate in IT. Candidates can study for this certificate
by attending a training course provided by a BCS accredited Training Provider or through self-study,
although it is strongly recommended that all candidates register with an approved centre. Studying with an
approved centre will deliver significant benefits.
Candidates are required to become a member of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, to sit and be awarded
the qualifications. Candidates may apply for a four-year student membership that will support them
throughout their studies.
The Level 4 Certificate is suitable for candidates new to the profession who are keen to develop industry-
relevant skills and knowledge, as well as professionals wishing to gain a formal IT qualification. Candidates
taking this module may be interested in career opportunities such as games or mobile app development,
database architecture or webmaster roles.
SFIA Levels
This award provides candidates with the level of knowledge highlighted within the table, enabling
candidates to develop the skills to operate successfully at the levels of responsibility indicated.
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SFIA Plus PROG2
This syllabus has been linked to the SFIA Designs, codes, verifies, tests, documents, amends
knowledge skills and behaviours required at Level and refactors simple programs/scripts. Applies
4. agreed standards and tools, to achieve a well-
engineered result. Reviews own work.
ASUP2
TEST2
Assists in the investigation and resolution of issues
relating to applications. Assists with specified Defines test conditions for given requirements.
maintenance procedures. Designs test cases and creates test scripts and
supporting data, working to the specifications
provided. Interprets, executes and records test
cases in accordance with project test plans.
ICPM2 Analyses and reports test activities and results.
Understands technical publication concepts, tools Identifies and reports issues and risks.
and methods and the way in which these are used.
Uses agreed procedures to publish content. Obtains
and analyses usage data and presents it effectively.
Understands, and applies principles of usability and HCEV3
accessibility to published information. Applies tools and methods to design and develop
users’ digital and off-line tasks, interactions
and interfaces to meet agreed usability and
accessibility requirements for selected system,
product or service components. Creates workable
prototypes. Assists, as part of a team, on overall
user experience design. Assists in the evaluation of
design options and trade-offs. Consistently applies
visual design and branding guidelines.
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Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, candidates will be able to:
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Syllabus
1. Fundamental concepts of the Programming Process
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1.4 Utilise pseudocode and flowcharts.
a. How these are used in the Pseudocode and flowcharts relate to the way in which algorithms
creation of code in the design can be described. Both techniques are ways of representing
phase sequence, selection and iteration: pseudocode is textual, whereas
b. How these can be written in flowcharts are graphical.
different ways
c. Specific symbols for
flowcharts
2.2 Describe the objectives and principles of testing, derive test cases from a given specification.
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2.3 Discuss the need for software documentation and the nature of software documentation in a given
context.
2.4 Describe mechanisms for assuring software quality and security within the software development
process.
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3. Introduction to Programming concepts
3.1 Discuss the use of data types and type checking in programming languages.
3.2 Discuss the use of callable units in the development of code and write code examples which use
callable units.
3.3 Explain the concept of a data structure and illustrate the explanation with reference to commonly
used data structures.
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3.4 Explain the advances in technology and impact of emerging trends in IS.
4. Files
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5. Discuss aspects of user interface design.
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7. Case studies in problem solving/algorithm analysis
Examination Format
This module is assessed through completion of an invigilated written exam.
Type Two questions from Section A and five questions from Section B
Duration Two hours
Supervised Yes
Open Book No (no materials can be taken into the examination room)
Passmark 10/25 (40%)
Delivery Paper format only
Adjustments and/or additional time can be requested in line with the BCS reasonable adjustments policy
for candidates with a disability or other special considerations.
Question Weighting
Section A and Section B each carry equal marks. Candidates are advised to spend about one hour on
Section A (30 minutes per question) and one hour on Section B (12 minutes per question).
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Recommended Reading
Primary texts
Additional texts
Java texts
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C/C++ texts
C# texts
Python texts
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Title: Data Structures and Algorithms in Python
Author: M. Goodrich, R. Tamassia and M. Goldwasser
Publiser: Wiley
Publisher Date: 2016
ISBN: 978-8126562176
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CONTACT
For further information please contact:
BCS
The Chartered Institute for IT
3 Newbridge Square
Swindon
SN1 1BY
www.bcs.org
All rights reserved. No part of this material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilised in any form,
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system without prior authorisation and credit to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
Although BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT has used reasonable endeavours in compiling the document it does not
guarantee nor shall it be responsible for reliance upon the contents of the document and shall not be liable for any
false, inaccurate or incomplete information. Any reliance placed upon the contents by the reader is at the reader’s
sole risk and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT shall not be liable for any consequences of such reliance.