Department of Computer Science

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Course Structure

First Year

All first-year students are introduced to programming (Java) and to the fundamentals of Software Engineering and Computer Science.

You'll also study the mathematical foundations of computer science. You'll learn about networks and computer architectures. Some first-year modules are free-choice, so you can pick a topic from across the University. You could use this opportunity to pick up a language, pursue an interest, or try something new. If you're on a language course your time is split fifty-fifty between computer science modules and your chosen language.

Second Year

All students progress to functional programming as well as learning about database technology, graphics and robotics. Mathematical aspects are explored in logic, computation and pattern recognition topics. More advanced aspects of software engineering such as systems analysis and design are covered. You will also learn about some of the professional, legal and ethical issues involved in computing.

Most students have their first experience of working for an external client in the second year, through the Software Hut. Computer Science and AI students also take the Software Hut, a Psychology topic, or a Philosophy topic.

Third and fourth years

The third year offers a greater choice of topics. We encourage you to focus on the subjects that interest you the most. You may be interested in computer games technology or computational biology. You might want to explore how computers interact with speech and language. Many third-year students carry out a research project. If you're studying Computer Science with a language, you spend the third year abroad.
Third year Enterprise Computing students take a 10 credit module with the Genesys Solutions company.

MComp and MEng students progress to more advanced material in the fourth year. You will have the opportunity to take part in running Genesys Solutions. There will also be a lot of Advanced Research Topics to choose from – current topics include Virtual Reality, computer facial animation, and speech processing by mind and machine.

Students with a keen interest in research can opt for Darwin – a major group research project. Finally, some of the third and fourth-year modules are based on the research activities of our staff.

For more information

For more information, request a course brochure to be sent to you, come to one of our open days, or contact us.