About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: G400
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 300
- Department: Computer Science and Creative Technologies
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time, four years sandwich, part-time option by negotiation.
- Delivery: Full-time, Sandwich
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Stewart Green
Introduction
Computer Science is about analysing complex problems and then designing and writing programs to solve them. It is at a very exciting stage of its evolution as a discipline as advanced technologies become part of everyday life. Recent developments include the world wide web, graphics, artificial intelligence, games, computer automation in everything from cars to aeroplanes. As varied as these areas are, they all have something in common - they depend on well-designed programs.
This degree is for anyone interested in producing such programs and in analysing complex problems and solving them by designing and writing software.
The degree is organised around three main themes:
- Computing
- Classical computer science
- Artificial intelligence
Following the computing theme, you will study staple computing topics such as programming, databases, networks, and operating systems. Knowledge and skills in these areas will enable you to apply for a wide range of computing jobs. In the classical computer science theme, you will study modules such as Computer Science Concepts, and Data Structures and Algorithms. These will help you to develop your ability to analyse complex problems and to design and program good solutions to them. The third theme covers topics in artificial intelligence. It has been developed by a team of world-class AI researchers, who also teach the material.
At the end of the course you will be able to write programs in a variety of languages, using a range of tools common in the industry. As a result of having studied the principles of computing, you will have the skills to teach yourself about any new computing tools or new approaches to using computers.
Structure
Content
The programme is organised around three years of taught material. You have the option of doing a placement year before embarking on the final year of your degree.
Year 1
You will concentrate on the skills that you will use as you progress through the programme. These include an introduction to program development, systems development and computer systems. You will also be introduced to the relationship between computers and systems, and those that use them. Core techniques of computer science are introduced.
Year 2
You will build on your first year subjects as well as developing new skills in data structure and software design.
Final Year
In your final year you will study modules which include Agent-based Computing, Advances in AI, and one or more option modules from a list provided. You will also undertake a substantial individual computing project, applying what you have learnt throughout the course to a problem of your own choosing.
Teaching and learning
Students are stimulated and encouraged to become proactive, autonomous learners through a variety of means including, for example, face-to-face lectures and tutorials, electronic virtual learning environments, laboratory-based practical work, and independent project work.
Assessment
The most common way for a module to be assessed is by an examination and two pieces of coursework. However, some modules are assessed by examination only and others by coursework only, and still others use different methods such as in-class tests.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
This degree has been accredited by the British Computer Society under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
BSc(Hons) Computer Science received accreditation as meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and partially meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Scientist (CSci)registration. Accreditation visits are cyclical and it is important that you check the current accreditation status of programmes. For more information please visit www.bcs.org.
Find out more about the Department of Computer Science and Creative Technologies accredited courses.
Placements
We encourage all students on our degree courses to do a placement year in an industrial, commercial or public sector organisation, doing work of value to the company. There are many companies who provide placements to university students. Previous students have been placed with Airbus, HP, Rolls-Royce, IBM, Lloyds TSB, Intel and BT, to name but a few. We also work with a number of smaller companies in and around the region.
The Department's Placements team has close links with the business community and advertise hundreds of work placements every year. We will show you how to prepare your CV correctly, advise you on how to write letters of application and help you learn successful interview techniques. Find out more about our work placements on our department's website.
Study facilities
Additionally the Department hosts its own servers to provide Windows, Linux and Unix based operating systems. There are over 500 available workstations in our teaching laboratories, as well as a large open-access laboratory, providing PC and Unix based machines. The Department has its own IT Helpdesk, staffed by students from within the department, and available for both students and staff to use. There are also 24 hour computer labs on campus available for student use.
More information about our computer science programmes and our facilities.
Careers/further study
Computer scientists are in demand for state-of-the-art computing companies applying the latest techniques to highly complex problem areas. Commercial organisations, scientific and industrial research laboratories all need their skills to solve the demanding computing problems created by new technology. Equally, many graduates pursue careers in technical support of sophisticated computing systems and their advanced applications.
Past graduates have gone into roles such as Programming Analysts Developer, Applications Developer, Programmer, Software Engineer, Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Systems Developer, IT Support Officer and Sales Consultant. They have been employed by a range of companies including BAE Systems, Sun Microsystems, EDS, Hydro Research and Development and T-Mobile.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
Our degrees can lead to a wide variety of career choices. To ensure that our degrees make you as employable as possible we work closely with seven major partner employers in our engineering and computing consortium.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Tom's work placement at the European Centre for Nuclear Research in Geneva.
Useful links
UWE - careers in information technology
Prospects - careers in IT and information services
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 300
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Specific subjects: No prior knowledge of programming required.
- Relevant subjects: Any Science or Technology subject.
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language.
- Baccalaureate IB: Accepted (see the UCAS website for the UCAS tariff points that you can gain from the IB to put towards our points requirement above)
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
Entry requirements
No prior knowledge of programming is required
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011