BCS LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA IN IT

SMART SYSTEMS
SYLLABUS

September 2021 v3.0

This qualification is regulated by one or more of the following:
Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, CCEA Regulation or SQA.
CONTENTS
3. Introduction

4. Qualification Suitability and Overview

5. SFIA Levels

6. Learning Outcomes

7. Syllabus

18. Examination Format

18. Question Weighting

19. Recommended Reading

21. Document Change History

Introduction
Level 5 Diploma in IT
The second stage within the BCS three-stage Higher Education Qualification programme, the Level 5
Diploma enables candidates who have already achieved the Level 4 Certificate in IT to progress to higher
levels of knowledge and competency.

This internationally-recognised qualification introduces you to the business-related aspects of the IT

industry, developing your technological expertise while also considering the potential challenges of the day-
to-day running of an organisation, such as legal obligations and intellectual property.

Our modules have been created in-line with the latest developments in the industry, giving you a
competitive edge in the IT job market. You will have the opportunity to learn about object-oriented
programming, user experience, systems analysis and design, as well as to build upon knowledge and skills
developed during the Level 4 Certificate.

To successfully achieve the qualification, candidates need to complete:

• One core module
• Three optional modules
• One Professional Project in IT

Candidates who wish to progress onto the next stage will need to complete the Project at end of the Level 6
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT.
3
Smart Systems Optional Module
The Smart Systems module is an optional module that forms part of the Level 5 Diploma in IT – the second
stage within the BCS three-stage Higher Education Qualification programme.

Candidates will be introduced to core concepts such as the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and
pervasive computing, enabling technologies such as mobile and cloud computing, the application of smart
systems, the impacts and challenges of using Smart Systems and Cyber Physical Systems security.

Qualification Suitability and

Overview
Candidates must have achieved the Certificate in IT or have an appropriate exemption to be entered for
the Diploma in IT. Candidates can study for this diploma 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 5 Diploma is suitable for professionals wishing to gain a formal IT qualification, and this module
may be particularly relevant for candidates interested in career opportunities such as systems and urban
engineering, industrial strategy, or consulting.

Total Qualification Time Guided Learning Hours Assessment Time

1086 hours 225 hours 2 hours

4
SFIA Levels
This module 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.

Level Levels of Knowledge Levels of Skill and Responsibility (SFIA)

K7 Set strategy, inspire and mobilise
K6 Evaluate Initiate and influence
K5 Synthesise Ensure and advise
K4 Analyse Enable
K3 Apply Apply
K2 Understand Assist
K1 Remember Follow

SFIA Plus ICPM3

This syllabus has been linked to the SFIA Coordinates content management processes to
knowledge skills and behaviours required at Level meet the needs of users, including those with
5. disabilities. Uses content publishing systems
to manage published content across different
channels. Takes into account any legal issues
related to publishing, including that associated
INAN3 copyright concerns are adequately managed.
Undertakes analytical activities and delivers
analysis outputs, in accordance with customer
needs and conforming to agreed standards. SCTY4
Explains the purpose of and provides advice and
guidance on the application and operation of
elementary physical, procedural and technical
security controls. Performs security risk,
vulnerability assessments, and business impact
analysis for medium complexity information
systems. Investigates suspected attacks and
manages security incidents. Uses forensics where
appropriate.

Further detail regarding the SFIA Levels can be found at www.bcs.org/levels.

5
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, candidates will be able to:
• Show an understanding of Smart Systems, their implementation and applications.
• Interpret and explain the impact of Smart Systems, ethical, legal, social, environmental implications.
• Explain concepts used in Smart Systems and associated architectures.
• Explain the major Smart Systems application areas and techniques used within them.
• Discuss examples of Smart Systems used in real life situations.

6
Syllabus
1. Core concepts

Learners will be able to:

1.1 Define and explain the purpose of Smart Systems.

Indicative content Guidance

Smart Systems are the next generation of computing and
a. The background and information systems that use a number of enabling technologies
historical perspective of the to provide real-time networked information. The term ‘Smart’
Smart Systems domain has given rise to a number of areas of application and candidates
b. Smart Services are expected to gain knowledge of these areas and to be able to
c. Smart Industry define Smart systems and demonstrate an understanding of their
d. Smart Manufacturing, etc. purpose, their background, and evolution.

1.2 Describe and explain the principles and fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Indicative content Guidance

AI is a wide ranging interdisciplinary field which has roots in, and
a. H istorical background, intersects with many other domains and plays an essential role
principles and fundamentals in Smart Systems. Candidates should have the knowledge of AI,
of AI its background, current, future and potential use, and be able to
b. Knowledge of the discuss its role, purpose and contribution to Smart Systems.
characteristics of AI
c. Different levels of AI
d. Aspects of human
intelligence used to
characterise intelligent
knowledge-based systems
e. Potential of AI
f. Advantages and
disadvantages of AI

7
1.3 Define and explain the role of Pervasive Computing.

Indicative content Guidance

Pervasive Computing is a software engineering concept that allows
a. Key principles of Pervasive computerised technology to be used by any device and format in
Computing and its purpose any place. Candidates should have the knowledge of its different
b. Advantages of pervasive forms, how it is used and the key principles and be able to explain
computing and discuss its role in Smart Systems.
c. Knowledge of its features,
connectivity, productivity etc.
d. Pervasive Computing and its
application

1.4 Describe and explain the purpose of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS).

Indicative content Guidance

CPSs introduce many cybersecurity challenges in smart systems
a. Definition and explanation of and it is important to understand the purpose of cybersecurity with
the nature of Cyber Physical respect to Cyber Physical Systems. CPSs are being increasingly
Systems used and form the basis for Smart Systems development.
b. Purpose of Cybersecurity Candidates should have the ability to define and explain the
with respect to these purpose of CPSs as well as identify and discuss examples of
systems cybersecurity challenges instigated by their use in Smart Systems.
c. Security challenges
d. Classification of the areas of
security in CPSs

8
 1.5 Explain the Internet of Things (IoT).

Indicative content Guidance

The IoT is an essential technology in Smart Systems; candidates
a. Definition and purpose of IoT should be able to define and discuss the purpose and role of the
b. Its role and applications in IoT using relevant examples. The IoT is an enabling technology
Smart Systems for Smart Systems and candidates should be able to identify and
c. Advantages and evaluate any challenges with regard to this technology.
disadvantages of IoT

1.6 Define and describe the purpose of Big Data (BD), Data Analytics (DA) and Data Mining (DM).

Indicative content Guidance

Big Data, Data Analytics and Data Mining are now widely used and
a. Purpose of Big Data, Data candidates should be able to define and explain the purpose of BD,
Analytics and Data Mining DA and DM, and how they are used globally for a variety of business
and their application purposes. They should also be able to identify and discuss any
b. How they are used in Smart challenges of their use and role in Smart Systems.
Systems
c. Advantages and
disadvantages of their use

9
2. Enabling Technologies

Learners will be able to:

2.1 Explain distributed systems.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should be able to define and give examples of
a. Definition and examples of distributed systems and demonstrate knowledge of their purpose
distributed systems and discuss advantages for their use.
b. Purpose of distributed
systems and their application

2.2 Describe mobile computing.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of mobile
a. Definition and role of mobile computing and how it works, identify its features, types, and
computing applications for its use.
b. Applications of mobile
computing
c. Features of mobile
computing and how it works

2.3 Explain cloud computing.

Indicative content Guidance

Cloud Computing facilitates shared computing resources via
a. Definition of Cloud Computing servers over the internet and provides on-demand individual
b. Purpose of Cloud Computing access to global computer system resources and services, anytime,
c. Types of cloud, cloud services anywhere. Candidates should have an understanding of Cloud
and its infrastructure as a Computing and its application and use. They should be able to
service identify its infrastructure as a service and evaluate the advantages
d. Its role in Smart Systems and disadvantages of the technology as well as be able to discuss
e. Advantages, disadvantages the ethical considerations of cloud technology and the implications
and challenges for its use in Smart Systems.

10
2.4 Describe development methods and tools.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should have an understanding of what sensors
a. Sensors, sensor networks and actuators are, and be able to identify their differences,
and actuators, e.g.: differentiating between the two. They should gain knowledge of
i. Movement how actuators and sensors work together as well as be able to
ii. Acceleration explain the basic components of sensor networks and their role
iii. Light in wireless communication. They should also be able to identify
iv. Proximity different types of sensors.
v. Audio
vi. Temperature
vii. Humidity
viii. Mechanical forces
ix. Wireless networks

2.5 Explain Near-field communication (NFC), Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and their purpose.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should be able to define NFC and RFID technologies
a. NFC and its purpose and explain how they are used. They should be able to evaluate any
b. RFID, its purpose, how it concerns with the technologies.
works and its uses
c. Security concerns with the
technology
d. Security measures

2.6 Explain AI and Machine Learning (ML).

Indicative content Guidance

Big Data has given rise to a new field of AI and that is Machine
a. Role of AI in Smart Systems Learning. With the rise of Big Data, ML has emerged as one
b. Description of ML and of the best problem-solving technologies. Candidates should
background to the technology demonstrate an awareness and understanding of ML, its
c. General functions of ML and relationship with AI and Big Data, its purpose, and its areas of
its uses in applications of application as well as how it is used in data analytics and smart
Smart Systems systems.
d. Relationships with AI, Big
Data and areas of application
e. Knowledge of Neural
Networks

2.7 Explain block-chain and its purpose.

Indicative content Guidance

Smart Systems rely on a number of enabling technologies for their
a. Definition, function and development, implementation and use. Blockchain is one of these
purpose of Block Chain enabling technologies. Candidates should be able to define Block
technology chain and explain its purpose and consequently its role in Smart
Systems. They should also be able to evaluate benefits of this
technology and any challenges it might provoke.
11
3. Applications

Learners will be able to:

3.1 Explain smart homes.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should be able to define smart homes, the devices and
a. Smart homes and Smart components of smart home automation and have the ability to
home devices discuss the advantages and disadvantages of smart home devices
b. Advantages, disadvantages and have an awareness of any challenges they might present.
and challenges of smart
home devices
c. Components of smart home
automation

3.2 Explain smart appliances.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should be able to identify applications of smart
a. Definition of smart appliances and demonstrate an understanding of what smart
appliances appliances are, and the advantages and disadvantages they have.
b. Advantages and
disadvantages of smart
appliances and their
application
c. Types of appliances

3.3 Explain smart things.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of smart things
a. Smart things and their and the advantages and disadvantages of their development and
benefits use.
b. Advantages and
disadvantages of Smart
things

12
3.4 Explain healthcare applications.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should have the ability to Identify a variety of smart
a. Smart health applications health applications and areas for their use as well as evaluate
b. Types of applications the validity in their development and use. An awareness of any
c. Devices and components challenges and ethical implications for their development and use
used in the development of should be paramount.
smart health applications
d. Challenges and risks in
health applications

3.5 Describe smart spaces.

Indicative content Guidance

An ability to describe and identify examples of smart spaces should
a. Description of smart spaces be part of the learning. In smart spaces where devices constantly
b. Identification of how smart communicate with each other, issues of privacy and security tend
spaces change the role of to arise. Sensor networks are key to the creation of smart spaces,
mobile devices but they can also impose privacy and security issues, candidates
c. Examples of smart spaces should have an awareness of these issues in relation to smart
d. Security and privacy issues spaces and how they might be prevented.
in smart space environments
e. Enabling technologies for
smart spaces
4. Impacts and Challenges

Learners will be able to:

4.1 Explain the ethical considerations.

Indicative content Guidance

Due to the nature of smart systems, candidates should
a. Social and environmental demonstrate an awareness of the ethical considerations in both
impact the development and use of Smart Systems and their social and
b. Privacy issues environmental impact. Candidates will discuss ethical issues that
c. Design and development might arise using examples to support their discussions.
issues
d. Energy consumption
e. Resources
f. Security issues
g. Psychological wellbeing

4.2 Explain sustainability and economic impacts.

Indicative content Guidance

With the increase in consumption of energy, there is a need to
a. How sustainable are smart conserve energy wherever possible. Candidates should be able
systems? to discuss, evaluate and have an awareness of the cost and
b. Economic impact due to sustainability implications for the development and use of Smart
the development and use of Systems.
smart systems

4.3 Explain privacy concerns.

Indicative content Guidance

Smart systems devices have many advantages in industrial and
a. Identifying and explaining social contexts, however, there are also a number of privacy issues
privacy concerns with the that may arise with their development and use. Candidates should
development and application demonstrate an awareness of these privacy concerns and have
of Smart Systems the ability to identify these concerns and be mindful of possible
strategies to address these issues.

13
 4.4 Explain security concerns.

Indicative content Guidance

The domain of Smart Systems has a number of security
a. Identifying security concerns challenges, of which candidates are expected to have an
in smart systems awareness. They should have the ability to identify the security
b. Their challenges and impact challenges with respect to the enabling technologies in the
development of smart systems.

4.5 Identify application standards.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should have the ability to identify and describe
a. Identifying and describing any relevant application standards and why and how they are
application standards implemented.
b. Regulations and standards
applicable to the design
and development of Smart
Systems

4.6 Describe legal aspects of application.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should have knowledge of legal aspects of application
a. Identifying and describing as well as the ability to identify and describe relevant legal aspects
legal aspects of application of application.
5. Cyber Physical Systems Security

Learners will be able to:

5.1 Explain Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) security.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of OT and IT security
a. OT Security vs. IT security and the differences between these system securities and their
b. OT security’s common uses purpose.
c. Differences between OT and
IT security
d. Purpose of OT and IT security

5.2 Describe the challenges of Operational Technology (OT) security.

Indicative content Guidance

Candidates should be able to identify and discuss the challenges of
a. Challenges of OT security OT security.

5.3 Explain Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) risk management.

Indicative content Guidance

The domain of Smart Systems has a number of security
a. Definition and explanation of challenges, candidates should demonstrate an understanding of
the purpose of CPS security what CPS risk management is and be able to discuss its purpose
risk management and importance. The ability to identify and discuss elements of the
b. Security concerns risk management process in CPS is also required.
c. Elements of the risk
management process

14
Examination Format
This module is assessed through completion of an invigilated written exam.

Type Four written questions from a choice of six, each with equal marks
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
Candidates will choose four questions from a choice of six. All questions are equally weighted and worth 25
marks.

18
Recommended Reading
Title: Cyber physical systems security: Analysis, challenges and
solutions
Author: Y. Ashibani and Q. Mahmoud
Available at: <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S0167404817300809?via%3Dihub> [Accessed 9 July 2021]

Title: Artificial Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction

Author: M. Boden
Publisher:: Oxford University Press
Date: 2018
ISBN: 978-0199602919

Title: Framework for Cyber-Physical Systems: Volume 1, Overview

Author: Cyber-Physical Systems Public Working Group
Available at: <https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.
SP.1500-201.pdf> [Accessed 9 July 2021]

Title: Big Data: Using SMART Big Data, Analytics and Metrics To Make
Better Decisions and Improve Performance
Author: B. Marr
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2015
ISBN: 978-1118965832

Title: Handbook of Industry 4.0 and SMART Systems

Author: D. Pascual, P. Daponte and A. Kumar
Publisher: CRC Press
Date: 2019
ISBN: 978-1138316294

19
 Title: Data Analytics and Big Data
Author: S. Sedkaoui
Publisher: ISTE London
Date: 2018
ISBN: 978-0128023082

Using BCS Books

Accredited Training Organisations may include excerpts from BCS books in the course materials. If you
wish to use excerpts from the books you will need a license from BCS. To request a license, please contact
the Head of Publishing at BCS outlining the material you wish to copy and its intended use.

Document Change History

Any changes made to the syllabus shall be clearly documented with a change history log. This shall include
the latest version number, date of the amendment and changes made. The purpose is to identify quickly
what changes have been made.

Version Number Changes Made

Version 1.0 Document created
August 2021

21
CONTACT
For further information please contact:

BCS
The Chartered Institute for IT
3 Newbridge Square
Swindon
SN1 1BY

T +44 (0)1793 417 445

www.bcs.org

© 2021 Reserved. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

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.

Copyright © BCS 2021

BCS Level 5 Diploma in Smart Systems v1.0