BSc (Hons) Computer Science

What you'll study Year 1 (credit level 4) You take the following modules: Year 1 modules Module title Credits. Fundamentals of Computer Science Fundamentals of Computer Science 30 credits A largely practical overview delivered through labs and two assignments, this module gives you the ability to understand and interact with computer systems. On successful completion, you will be able to : - explain current context and future trends in computation. - simulate and explain integer arithmetic and logical operations as implemented by ALUs. - describe similarities and differences of data languages. - explain functions of a modern computer operating system. - construct simple assembly programs. - build a simple relational database and query it using basic SQL. - convert data between representations. 30 credits. Mathematical Modelling for Problem Solving Mathematical Modelling for Problem Solving 30 credits This module introduces the basic mathematical tools, both discrete and continuous, for supporting computational and algorithmic inquiry. Particular attention is paid to notions of experimentation, reasoning, and generalisation. 30 credits. Introduction to Programming Introduction to Programming 30 credits This module teaches the basics of programming using a JavaScript-based programming environment called p5. You will be introduced to programming to develop interactive graphical applications, including games. No previous programming knowledge is assumed. Topics include: drawing on screens, interaction with mice and keyboards, simple statements, variables and conditionals, for and while loops; loops within loops, arrays; functions, objects. 30 credits. Web Development Web Development 15 credits This module is an introduction to the basic concepts essential in the design and implementation of client-side web-based applications; it will cover a basic introduction to the Web, followed by more detailed lectures and labs on current best practice such as HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. 15 credits. Problem Solving for Computer Science Problem Solving for Computer Science 15 credits This module introduces a number of classical problems in computer science. As a result of attending this module, students should have the ability and confidence to tackle new problems using a general and abstract approach to their algorithmic solution. Problems discussed include converting numbers between bases, data conversion, string manipulation, text manipulation, generating random and prime numbers, encryption and decryption, parsing and unparsing, and game playing. 15 credits. Year 2 (credit level 5) You take: Year 2 modules Module title Credits. Principles and Applications of Programming Principles and Applications of Programming 30 credits This module covers: Program development on a primary (Java) and secondary platform (Android). Fundamental data structures and algorithms. Computational complexity, run-time efficiency. OO design and implementation. General features of programming languages eg type, abstract data types, the memory model, virtual machines, scope. Libraries. Specific language features: primitive and reference types, class and instance variables, overloading, string manipulation, input and output streams, serialisation, internet connectivity, error handling, generics, threads, memory management. Advanced software techniques: concurrency, internet programming, GUI and event driven programming. Android application development. 30 credits. Data, Networks and the Web Data, Networks and the Web 30 credits In this module, you will focus on the technology underpinning modern web, internet and client-server applications. This includes relational database systems, mainly from a development perspective, emphasising issues related to data modelling and database implementation in SQL. 30 credits. Algorithms and Data Structures Algorithms and Data Structures 30 credits This module aims to expose you to standard data structures and algorithms for manipulating them. In particular, it will give you the chance to learn to choose appropriate data structures for representing problems and to convert algorithms expressed non-programmatically (ie. informally or mathematically) into efficient programs which solve the problem at hand. You will then develop a deeper understanding of these topics through a number of challenging creative exercises using a suitable programming environment. 30 credits. Software Projects Software Projects 30 credits This module gives you the opportunity to work in a group on a substantial software project, including technical, social and creative aspects of that project. This module will take students through the entire software production process, from user centred design, to proposal development and implementation. This module will have a particular focus on user centred design. This will re-enforce abilities in project management, planning, critical awareness and design that students need to develop in order to create better software. 30 credits. Optional placement year Our degrees include an optional industrial placement year between the second and final year of study. You will be responsible for securing a placement, but we can support you through this process. Although we encourage you to take the opportunity of a placement year, you can also complete your degree in a straight three years. Year 3 (credit level 6) Your final year consists of option modules (term one) and a major project (term two and three), in which you apply your new technological skills to solve real-world problems in innovative and practical ways. Some examples of current final year option modules include: Year 3 modules Module title Credits. Neural Networks Neural Networks 15 credits Introduces the theory and practice of neural computation. Covers the principles of neurocomputing with artificial neural networks widely used for addressing real-world problems such as classification, regression, pattern recognition, data mining, time-series prediction. We look at supervised and unsupervised learning. We study supervised learning using linear perceptrons, and non-linear models such as probabilistic neural networks, multilayer perceptrons, and radial-basis function networks. Unsupervised learning is studied using Kohonen networks. We provide contemporary training techniques for all these neural networks, and knowledge and tools for the specification, design, and practical implementation of neural networks. Tutor: Dr Nikolay Nikolaev 15 credits. Computer Security Computer Security 15 credits Provides a broad overview of topics in securing computer-based resources, especially the information stored on hardware and controlled by software. We explore core concepts of computer security, including attacks and control, and various techniques for the protection of computer-related assets. Covers topics including computer security, attacks and control, elementary cryptography, cryptosystems, security control models, security problems and protection in operating systems, in databases and data mining, and in networks, security management and administration, legal and ethical issues: patents, copyrights and trademarks, and prosecution. 15 credits. Data Mining Data Mining 15 credits Provides you with theoretical knowledge of basic and advanced machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques utilised in the process of discovery of hidden patterns in potentially large volumes of data. Practical data mining will be introduced through both algorithm implementation in Java and data mining software utilisation for knowledge discovery in data from various fields of activity. 15 credits. Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence 15 credits Introduces the essential principles of artificial intelligence as part of computer science. The emphasis is on heuristic problem solving methods. Material includes: heuristic search techniques, knowledge representation, rule-based systems for deductive problem solving, search-based planning, and inductive machine learning. The heuristic techniques covered are: depth-first search, breath-first search, iterative deepening, bidirectional search, hill climbing, and adversarial search. Guidelines are provided for implementing practical expert systems, planning systems, and empirical learning systems with version spaces using the candidate elimination algorithm. 15 credits. Physical Computing Physical Computing 15 credits Physical Computing is of increasing interest to artists, musicians, choreographers and other creative practitioners for the creation of novel artworks and also for forms of computational interaction between these objects and people. There are many other applications of Physical Computing, for example in museums, ubiquitous and embedded computing, robotics, engineering control systems and Human Computer Interaction. A physical environment may be sonic, tangible, tactile, visually dynamic, olfactory or any combination of these. In this module, you will learn how the environment, which is essentially continuous, can be monitored by analogue electrical and mechanical sensors. Computers, however, are digital machines programmed by software. One element which you will focus on, therefore, is the interface between the digital and the analogue. This study will encompass basic physics, electronics, programming and software engineering. The practical objective of this module is the development of the skills you will need for designing and building interactive physical devices. 15 credits. Digital Venture Creation Digital Venture Creation 15 credits The purpose of this module is to educate a new generation of managers, planners, analysts, and programmers in the realities and potential for electronic commerce. It aims to familiarise individuals with current and emerging electronic commerce technologies using the Internet. The goal of this module is to provide students with a detailed analysis of the concepts and techniques required to complete the third year module on electronic commerce. In achieving this, a further goal is to equip students with a detailed understanding of the major issues regarding the deployment of Internet technologies within organisations and between organizations. Topics include: Internet technology for business advantage. managing electronic commerce funds transfer. reinventing the future of business through electronic commerce. business opportunities in electronic commerce. electronic commerce. website design. social, political and ethical issues associated with electronic commerce. business plans for technology ventures. 15 credits. Teaching style This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory sessions. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work. The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*: Year 1 - 30% scheduled learning, 70% independent learning. Year 2 - 24% scheduled learning, 76% independent learning. Year 3 - 15% scheduled learning, 85% independent learning. How you’ll be assessed You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects. If you opt for an industrial placement year, your placement tutor will assess your work. If you complete the placement year successfully, you earn the endorsement 'with work experience' on your degree certificate. The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*: Year 1 - 35% coursework, 60% written exam, 5% practical. Year 2 - 55% coursework, 45% written exam. Year 3 - 84% coursework, 16% written exam. *Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2016/17. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Credits and levels of learning An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project. Download the programme specification , for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.