This course takes an immersive approach to learning both the principles and practices of computer systems with much of the material based around examples and practical exercises. Students completing this course will have a firm grasp of the current practices and directions in computer systems and will be able to design and build for example, distributed systems for the Web using Internet, Intranet and other technologies. The aims of this course are: to provide the foundations for understanding of core ideas, methods and technologies in computer science; to provide the technical skills and background material so that the postgraduate will be able to conduct a near state-of-the-art research or development project; to provide the graduate with a range of specialist and transferable skills; and to provide the educational base for further professional development and lifelong learning.