FinalYear (67.8%)

Business Analysis & Project Management
More information on these two modules can be found here.

Direct Manipulation Interface – Cooking Training Program
A Flash based tutorial was produced using direct manipulation interface techniques in order to enable users to learn how to cook a simple meal. The use of textual words was minimized, instead opting for highlighting, arrows, cursor changes and image manipulation to indicate the relevant steps. All the imagery was produced from the ground up using Photoshop before being imported into the Flash environment. Actionscript 3.0 was used to control the transitions and behavior of software.

Real-Time Engine Control Unit System Analysis Report
A lengthly and in-depth report was produced for use by senior management regarding the requirements and workings of an Engine Control Unit (ECU) found in modern automobiles. The report gave examples of such real-time systems; the inputs, outputs, calculations and key functionality of ECU’s was also detailed and analysed. Areas such as CAM Timing and Fuel Injection were explored and reported.

Finite Set Algebra Expressions Evaluator
The Software Engineering module required a console based application to be produced which allowed users to input algebra expressions using ‘sets’ of data and have the correct results returned. The process of evaluation produced a structure tree based data structure which could be output by the user. Files could be loaded into the software and sets output using algebra inputs.

Freeware ‘Duplicati’ Software Analysis Report
A freeware backup tool (‘Duplicati’) was presented as a software example which should be analysed and tested against, concluding with a 20+ page report. The report investigated various types of testing including scenario, unit, iterative and bug based techniques. A variety of viewpoints were also considered (Black box, white box and gray box).

Second Year (64.5%)

Java Based library Booking System
A Server/Client application was produced which communicated between several computers using JAVA and socket handling techniques. The system stored data on various books and users of the system, who could log into the database (via the client) and check out books as well as view their current reservations all using an efficient frame based GUI. Validation on the server side prohibited users checking out a book if it was not available (due to other users already having the book, for example). The application achieved a 1st Class Honours grade in the ‘System Software’ coursework of 2009, and was highly-praised by the module leader.

3D Character & Level Design
A character of myself was produced incorporating real clothing, colours, textures and fittings as well as facial expressions and realistic movements using bone structure technology. The character had realistic movement applied (a simple dance & walk recorded by myself) and played back to the module leader during demonstration.

A realistic room based on the student union bar was also developed incorporating lighting, physics and life-like models such as tables, chairs and beer pumps to the environment. Weaponry and computer controlled opponents were also added via the Unreal 3 engine to give the level a gaming atmosphere. The physics allowed the tables and chairs to be shot at opponents as well as hidden behind during gun battles. Lighting rigs were mounted to the ceiling to demonstrate lighting effects.

Breach
A multiplayer ‘First Person Shooter’ which was designed by a small team and I as part of the professional development module in year 2 of my studies. It had full networking capabilities which were designed and implemented from scratch. The character models and guns were also modeled.

As project manager it was my responsibility to ensure the team worked effectively and efficiently, as well as holding regular team meetings. I also assisted with both the software development and various modelling tasks.

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First Year (70.9%)

Pong
This modern take on the classic arcade game ‘pong’ required use of analytical skills to decide which aspects would be kept, removed or replaced. It was designed using C++ coupled with Nottingham Trent’s own library and visual display application (Gwin).

Naval Vessel System
Using C++ a program was designed and implemented which used a linked list structure to store information on various naval vessels. The program could add and delete ships of various types as well as scroll through the various vessels and search for the name or number of the relevant ships. The data could also be manipulated using a text based input method, writing directly to the linked list, including automated indexing.