Computer Science and Mathematics MSci (Hons)

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on this course, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Final year

Year 1

Areas studied include software engineering, computer applications in mathematics, databases, geometry, algorithms, programming, probability and statistics, linear algebra, and logic.

Semester 1

Logic Core

Logic

The aim of this module is to provide the student with the fundamental notions of logic and discrete mathematics that are used in computer science.

Software Engineering 1 Core

Software Engineering 1

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the basic concepts, principles and skills for modern Software Engineering.

Linear Algebra 1 Core

Linear Algebra 1

The aims of this module are: to introduce basic ideas of vector spaces; to introduce linear transformations and explain their relationship to matrices; to provide the basic methods of linear algebra for other modules throughout all mathematics-based programmes.

Mathematical Methods 1 Core

Mathematical Methods 1

The aims of this module are to to introduce basic ideas of differential calculus and integration and provide practice in common techniques used in mathematical applications.

Computer Applications in Mathematics Core

Computer Applications in Mathematics

The aims of this module are to improve computer literacy and increase confidence in using computers; to reinforce mathematical skills; to introduce the basics of programming.

Introduction to Programming Core

Introduction to Programming

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to fundamental programming concepts and techniques.

Semester 2

Databases Core

Databases

The aim of this module is to give students a thorough understanding of Entity Relationship Analysis and relational database design and use.

Introduction to Algorithms Core

Introduction to Algorithms

The aims of this module are to: establish a fundamental understanding of the design and analysis of algorithms and their importance in Computer Science and to introduce several important data structures; give an appreciation of how algorithms can be designed and analysed which will aid deeper understanding of later Computer Science modules.

Object-Oriented Programming Core

Object-Oriented Programming

The aims are for students to acquire: essential skills on object oriented programming principles; skills in programming with an object oriented programming language (e.g. Java)

Geometry and Groups Core

Geometry and Groups

The aims of this module are: to develop further some concepts of linear algebra towards applications in geometry; to introduce the elements of group theory; to study basic examples of groups.

Introduction to Probability and Statistics Core

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

A module to introduce the basic concepts of probability and statistics and illustrate the relevance of these concepts to practical problem solving.

Mathematical Methods 2 Core

Mathematical Methods 2

The aims of this module are: to introduce basic ideas of differentiation and integration in several variables and differential equations; to illustrate some of the connections between differential calculus and applications.

Year 2

Areas studied include computer graphics, formal languages, AI methods, number theory, analysis, numerical methods and team projects.

Semester 1

Formal Languages and Theory of Computation Core

Formal Languages and Theory of Computation

This module aims to prepare students for research careers and work in the software development industries by providing insights into the mathematical theory of formal languages - i.e. sets of sequences of symbols.

It is the primary goal of the module to develop a student's knowledge of various concepts of defining formal languages, and to raise awareness of their relation to a range of fields of application, such as data mining, programming languages and natural language processing.

In addition, the module shall explain the intrinsic connection of formal language theory to the mathematical foundations of computer science, thus deepening a student's understanding of the nature of computation.

Computer Graphics Core

Computer Graphics

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the basic concepts, principles and skills for modern Computer Graphics.

Analysis 1 Core

Analysis 1

An introduction to the notion of convergence as this applies to sequences and series, this module provides a firm basis for future modules in which the idea of convergence is used.

Mathematical Methods 3 Core

Mathematical Methods 3

This module provides an introduction to advanced mathematical methods underpinning mathematics-based programme and further practice in common techniques used in mathematical applications. It also introduces Fourier series and Laplace transforms.

Semester 2

Formal Specification Core

Formal Specification

The aim of this module is to present the reasons for and kinds of formal specification and the concepts and notation of a relational model-oriented approach.

Team Projects Core

Team Projects

The main aim of this module is to contribute to the development of the student's skills (subject specific and transferable) through the undertaking of group projects. Subsidiary aims will be to further the education of the student in a range of areas through the use of self-guided learning and to familiarise the student with the professional constraints and benefits of working in a small team and to strict deadlines.

Analysis 2 Core

Analysis 2

This module introduces the basic analytical theory of functions of one and several variables.

Numbers Core

Numbers

Semester 1 & 2

AI Methods Core

AI Methods

The aim of this module is to provide the student with a set of techniques used to develop AI systems in both theory and practice.

Numerical Methods Core

Numerical Methods

The aims of this module are to introduce elementary numerical methods and associated theory.

Year 3

Areas studied include optional specialised subjects from computer science and from mathematics, and a computer science and mathematics project.

Semester 1

Software Engineering 2 Optional

Software Engineering 2

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the advanced concepts, principles and skills for modern Software Engineering.

Robotics Optional

Robotics

The aims of this module are to provide students with the relevant concepts of robotics from the AI perspective and the skills for developing learning systems that apply to robotics.

Agent-Based Systems Optional

Agent-Based Systems

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the notion of an agent, and lead them to an understanding of what an agent is, how they can be constructed, and how agents can be made to cooperate effectively with one another to solve problems.

Algorithm Analysis Optional

Algorithm Analysis

The aims of this module are to enable students to analyse the amount of resources needed to solve a given computational problem and to compare the efficiency of different algorithms for that problem. The design of algorithms for solving a variety of computational problems will be studied. Techniques for proving statements about the complexity of computational problems are also explored.

Cryptography and Network Security Optional

Cryptography and Network Security

The aim of this module is to introduce the students to the main cryptographic techniques in use today as well as their application to various areas of network security.

Analysis 3 Optional

Analysis 3

The aims of this module are: to give the students some real understanding of mathematical concepts involved in higher dimensional calculus; to prove theorems involving functions in more than one dimension.

Vector Calculus Optional

Vector Calculus

The aims of this module are: to introduce the main concepts of the calculus of vector-valued functions; to teach students how to apply these ideas to the study of curves, surfaces and regions.

Probability Theory Optional

Probability Theory

The aims of this module are: to introduce basic concepts and methods of probability theory; to provide the requisite theoretical background for later probability and statistics modules.

Abstract Algebra Optional

Abstract Algebra

The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of algebraic structures.

Number Theory Optional

Number Theory

The aim of this module is to provide students with fundamental methods involved in number theory and some of its diverse applications.

Operational Research Optional

Operational Research

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the nature of operational research and its techniques and to study linear programming and network optimisation in detail with appropriate modelling techniques.

Introduction to Differential Geometry Optional

Introduction to Differential Geometry

Semester 2

Mobile Application Development Optional

Mobile Application Development

The aim of this module is to introduce the essentials and some advanced topics in mobile application development using mainly an open source platform.

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Optional

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems