MSci Computer Science

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science

Key data

  • UCAS code: I101 (I102 with a Year Abroad, I103 with the Year in Industry)
  • Duration of programme: 4 years; 5 years with a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry

Contact details

Entry requirements: 2014

  • Number of A levels required: 3
  • Typical offers: A*AA-AAA
  • Required subjects and grades: A Level options must include Mathematics or Computing at grade A.
  • General Studies & Critical Thinking: Not accepted
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: Not accepted
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: 36 points including 7 in HL Mathematics or Computing. We also require 5 in SL Mathematics (if not offered at HL) and 5 in SL English

See also general entry requirements

Additional information

  • It is desirable, but not essential, to have some experience of writing computer programs.
  • A subject booklet is available from the School on request.
  • This degree can be taken with a year in industry.
  • This degree can be taken with a year of study abroad.
  • We accept other qualifications from the UK and overseas. Please contact the Admissions Tutor for more information.

Description

The MSci in Computer Science is a four year single honours degree programme. Following the first two years, where course content is the same as the BSc Computer Science, in their third year students spend a quarter of their time on a project. In their fourth year students have the unique opportunity to select modules from the School's portfolio of Masters programmes and even to specialise in a particular field at Masters level. In their final year, students undertake an in-depth software project.

The course is designed to provide thorough coverage of Computer Science's core areas giving students a systematic grounding in both the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and practical software development.

First year

Through compulsory and optional modules you will gain a firm foundation in the principles of algorithms, artificial intelligence, software engineering and relevant mathematics. You also learn in-depth computer programming in Java - a language widely used in business.

Second year

You progress to studying enabling technologies such as databases, graphics and the formal basis of programming languages. These are taught in conjunction with programming which gives you a much deeper understanding through the implementation of techniques. As part of a team you produce software, and learn new styles of programming in Java and a second language from a different programming language paradigm. You also select modules from a range of options which cover core computer science, programming languages and artificial intelligence.

Third year

You are able to pick eight modules from a wide selection. You may choose to study subjects relevant to industry, for example computer networks, distributed systems or commercial programming. Alternatively you may prefer to focus on current research in areas such as evolutionary computation, neural computation, intelligent robotics and natural language technologies.

One third of your time will be devoted to a project which will give you the opportunity to write a large piece of software and to apply the computing skills you have acquired so far.

Fourth year

In the final year modules from our range of Masters programmes will be open to you. You will also undertake a much more in-depth software project. Your choice of modules alongside your choice of project will allow you to specialise in a field such as Computer Security, Human Computer Interaction, Robotics or Natural Computation.

On completion of the course, in addition to holding a Masters level qualification, students will be well-equipped for a career as a Computer Science professional. They will also have developed transferable skills in numeracy, problem solving, team-working, general communication, and information technology. The MSci Computer Science can be taken with a year in industry or a year abroad.

Teaching and assessment

Our teaching employs a mixture of lectures, tutorials, exercise classes, practical work, projects, and independent study all aimed at strengthening your understanding by active involvement.

Career opportunities

Graduates from this programme gain a higher and more in-depth level of knowledge, which equips you with the ability to specialise in advanced areas of computer science such as; security, HCI and artificial intelligence.

We have strong recruitment links with many companies, including technology consultancies such as Accenture and LogicaCMG, and the well-known IT corporations such as Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett- Packard and IBM. Opportunities also exist in investment banking (working for organisations such as Goldman Sachs), in retail banks and telecommunication companies.

Course Modules

Please note that actual course modules may vary from year to year, however, the following are typical course modules: