Welcome to your Cloud and Network Computing course

With a strong emphasis on practical skills, you will gain not just theoretical knowledge, but also job-ready practical skills to solve today's complex cloud computing problems. We offer students access to state-of-the-art laboratories, fully equipped with the industry graded equipment. By working with actual hardware and software used by industry, you will develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of network and cloud computing systems, troubleshooting, and problem-solving techniques.

To ensure that Distance Learning (DL) students receive the same educational experience as students on-campus, the DL version of this course offers access to virtual labs and state-of-the-art simulation software. This innovative approach allows remote learners to engage with the curriculum fully, providing them with the opportunity to work with real-world equipment and scenarios.

In the first few weeks of this course, you will become more familiar with our friendly and professional teaching team and learn how to use our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard. You will also be introduced to our library resources, giving you access to a variety of online platforms.

The modules in your semester one are:

Research Methods & Dissertation Proposal

The purpose of this module is to introduce the foundational knowledge and abilities you will need to start working on your MSc project. The syllabus will consist of identifying a project, defining goals and objectives, deliverables, and value addition, selecting literature to go in your research review section, how to study research papers, academic writing, and preparing for your MSc dissertation.

Operating System & Network Security

This module focuses on aspects of advanced networking coupled with Operating Systems. The module is both theoretical and practical within its approach to topics. You will study firewall technologies, the AAA model (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting), as well as VPN solutions. As final topics you will investigate the latest commercial approaches used in security, and look at the Windows and Linux Operating Systems in terms of security features.

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is an area of increasing importance within the enterprise environment. This module will help you look at the usage of Cloud Computing and use Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a base for the practical work. Within this module you will look at the usage cases of the different aspects of this technology and learn to understand the impact of decisions which are made. As a part of this course you will be learning how to use the Amazon Web Services cloud environment as a member of the AWS Academy program. As a student on this module you will also be studying towards your AWS Certified Solutions Architect industry certification, should you wish to pursue this.

To prepare you for the practical aspect of the course, please complete these online courses. There is no cost involved other than some of your time. Most of these courses tend to take between 10 and 30 hours of learning and are aimed at people starting higher education so should give you a good head start. These are online and available 24/7, some require you to download a simulation package called Packet Tracer, which is available for Windows and Mac OS.

Getting started with Packet Tracer

Link to enrol

Exploring networking with packet tracer

Link to enrol

Networking Essentials

Link to enrol

There are a multitude of resources available online for students at Staffordshire University, such as Microsoft Office 365.

Download software

This course opens doors to invaluable networking opportunities and enhances your learning experience through a series of guest lectures from leading professionals in the field of Cloud and Network Computing.

As a new student you will be eligible for a free hoodie that you can wear to show that you are part of the wider Computing community within the University. We will send out links after your arrival to allow you to log on and state what size hoodie you require.

Beyond practical and theoretical training, we aim to prepare you to gain well recognised industry certifications, enhancing your credentials in the competitive job market. The Academic Alliance between Staffordshire University and industry vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Microsoft, WMware or AWS allow us to provide students with the official certification learning material, latest tools and most current professional practice within the field of cloud and network computing.