Applied Computer Science

Your first year will introduce you to the foundations of the subject. You will study the basic principles of programming, develop your mathematical skills and learn about computer architecture. Optional modules will introduce you to fundamental web technologies.

Year 2 will build on this knowledge base, taking you deeper into more theoretical areas such as algorithms and artificial intelligence while also giving you practical skills in software engineering and user interface creation. Options at this level cover topics such as data mining and the development of fully fledged web applications tailored for mobile environments and social media.

In Year 3 you will have an even wider choice of modules, giving you the chance to study specialist areas such as data analytics and visualisation, security, distributed systems, mobile computing and robotics. You will also undertake a major individual project – an opportunity for you to specialise in an area of your choice, working for an extended period with a member of academic staff.

If you study the MEng qualification, you will continue into Year 4. Options available here cover advanced topics drawn from our research strengths, including big data systems, machine learning, semantic technologies and cloud computing. You will take part in a substantial group project on a specific engineering problem that allows you to apply everything you’ve learned during the course, and you can choose to undertake a further individual research project.

Projects

Every year of the course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem-solving, communication and teamwork.

Find out more about our Projects

Ethics

You’ll study computing ethics as part of your course. This is taught using real-life case studies, with input from specialist ethicists as well as your tutors and lecturers. The team responsible for the ethics taught in computing has produced educational material used to stimulate debate in class about topics such as ethical hacking, open source software, and use of personal data.

Not only will this enhance your reasoning and decision making skills which are crucial to employers, but it will help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you will encounter in your professional life in the IT industry.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Databases 10 credits
• Computer Architecture 10 credits
• Computer Processors 10 credits
• Fundamental Mathematical Concepts 10 credits
• Introduction to Discrete Mathematics 10 credits
• Procedural Programming 10 credits
• Object Oriented Programming 10 credits
• Professional Computing 20 credits
• Programming Project 10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Operating Systems 10 credits
• Networks 10 credits
• Formal Languages and Finite Automata 10 credits
• Artificial Intelligence 10 credits
• Algorithms and Data Structures I 10 credits
• User Interfaces 10 credits
• Requirements Engineering 10 credits
• Software Engineering Principles 10 credits
• Software Engineering Project 10 credits
• Systems Thinking 10 credits

Optional modules

• Web Application Development 10 credits
• Social and Mobile Web Application Development 10 credits
• Data Mining 10 credits
• Numerical Computation 10 credits
rongSemantic Technologies and...