G405 B.Sc. Computing

Our computing degrees place emphasis on practical knowledge, and understanding of business and management skills, while adopting an academic and rigourous approach which will support you throughout your career.

This degree is BCS accredited for CITP and Chartered Engineer (CEng).

We focus on the methods and techniques through which software can be developed following rigorous engineering practices and meeting required levels of quality. In addition you learn how to plan and manage architectures for exciting large scale development projects, coupled with business and financial computing.

Outcomes

All our degrees aim at fostering confidence, conveying knowledge and developing expertise in computing:

Further Information

The course covers the methodology of software system development and related state-of-the-art technologies, including Java, XML, PHP, C++ and .NET and modern programming development environments such as Eclipse. There is extensive coverage of software engineering, including modelling techniques (UML) and project management, as well as the way software development fits in the wider context of business and organisational processes. Hardware and networking modules provide you with key knowledge of modern computing systems, from personal computers to world distributed computation. Topics that build upon these subjects can include multimedia and computer graphics (Java 3D), web technologies, internet security, distributed systems and applications, and software quality.

Our approach to teaching includes lectures and laboratory classes together with small group tutorials and problem classes. Innovative software demonstrations may be given during lectures, as well as more traditional presentations. Students are given assistance with coursework, but are expected to undertake significant private study, exploring information sources independently. They are aided by state-of-the-art web-based module materials, automated feedback and marking systems, on-line tests and electronic coursework submission. Coursework contributes to your marks, especially in practical modules, but we place emphasis on traditional academic examinations. You must undertake a project in both the second and third years.

In the second year project, you will be part of a team of students working together to develop software that has been commissioned by a real client. You will learn to work with, and manage, a team. Each team works within a teaching framework, broad enough to allow you to work flexibly and innovatively, but moderated to ensure that teams are performing and progressing. You will learn to prepare written reports, and give a group presentation (these are skills that employers rate very highly). Our approach to the second year project has been commended by members of our Industrial Advisory Board.

The third year project is a chance to follow your own interests in depth, with one-to-one supervision. We suggest a wide range of project titles but you are free to come up with your own ideas. Popular recent BSc Computer Science projects have included 3-D games, voice communication over the internet, programming robots, and a variety of sophisticated e-commerce sites, such as stock portfolio managers or car auction sites. More unique projects include software for garden landscaping or a guitar tablature editor.

At the end of your degree, you will have both a thorough grounding in the core subjects of computing, and detailed knowledge of your chosen higher level topics. You will have acquired a good understanding of the complex and changing organisational environment in which today's business IT solutions are developed. You will also have gained valuable transferable skills in problem-solving and written and oral communication. Having successfully graduated from a rigorous and intellectually demanding degree programme, you will be ideally prepared for starting a career or enrolling in a taught postgraduate degree for more specialised training.

Entry Requirements

For many of our applicants, our entry requirements are 280-300 UCAS Tariff points, together with GCSE Mathematics grade C. However, we are willing to consider many alternative qualifications, and in particular applications from mature students are welcomed. Direct entry into the second year is possible with suitable advanced qualifications, such as BTEC HND. Direct third year entry is not permitted.

We welcome international students and the typical offers below include international qualifications.

Typical Offers (Guidance Only)

A/AS Levels: BBB or equivalent from two A-Levels and two AS-levels.
Apolyterion: Pass with a mark of at least 18 out of 20.
International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28-30 points.
Indian HSSC: Pass 12th grdae with 75% overall. Good SSSC grades required.
European Baccalaureate: Pass with 65% overall.
Access: Pass with a substantial number of distinction credits at level 3, normally a minimum of 54 (new credits).
BTEC National Certification/Diploma: DDD is usually required; occasionally DDM may be offered if there is strength elsewhere.
Foundation Years: Pass with an average of 60%.

Structure of the Degree Programme

The first year provides a solid grounding in the theories and technologies that underpin computing. We cover Java programming and program development environments (such as Eclipse), along with database systems and internet technologies (development environments such as Dreamweaver, and coding such as PHP and HTML, together with databases such as Access and SQL), and basic discrete mathematics for applications. You will also have the option to take approved supplementary subjects from other departments to a total of 40 credits. You will also learn a variety of study skills, organisation and management techniques ensuring that you can complete your degree effectively and are best placed to enter the real world of work.

In the second year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules and undertake a group project worth 30 credits. The group project is a key feature of the second year, and we provide an extensive introduction that covers further organisational skills, and teaches you about computing law and professional practise. You will also take a module on software engineering and design that utilises the very latest tools and techniques. There are modules on computation, networks and operating systems, and multimedia and computer graphics. A good knowledge of networking is extremely useful in today’s world of distributed computing; and students find our module on multimedia both exciting and challenging. In addition, we offer you a fascinating introduction to hardware processors. This is rounded off by topics on business and financial computing that will equip you well for a variety of jobs.

In the third year, you will take a total of 80 credits of options, and an individual project worth 40 credits. Typically, options will include more advanced topics in: computer security, where you can learn the latest techniques for protecting important data; distributed systems, covering issues such as multi-threading and transactional interactions; compression methods for multimedia, where you find out how to store thousands of songs on a small music player; web technologies, where you learn how to write advanced web service programs; and a module on techniques for ensuring software quality. Each year other state-of-the-art topics may also be available.

Please note that our programmes are subject to constant review and improvement. The list of available modules is published every year and may differ from that of previous years.

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