BSc Honours Computer Science

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Computer Science is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing subjects you can study. Its importance in our everyday lives for work, education and recreation is already enormous - and still growing rapidly. Some time ago, research showed that over 70% of jobs within the European Union were significantly affected by advances in computing and related topics; since then, distributed computing devices have become an everyday reality. There are significant opportunities available to those who understand the technology and can influence its development and use.

The courses in Computer Science at Strathclyde provide a sound foundation in the first two years. Students then select classes that cover the range of computing knowledge, from Program and Software Design, through Computer Networks and Distributed Computing, to Artificial Intelligence and Computer Architecture.

Practical work is emphasised throughout the course. In all Computer Science-related courses, programming is an essential and much-practised skill: before graduating, students work on a major computing project. A choice of specialist subjects in later years will allow you to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations.

Accreditation

The BSc Honours Computer Science degree is accredited by British Computer Society (BCS), and by the Engineering Council and the Science Council. The degree is recognised as partially satisfying the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer registration and Chartered Science registration, and fully satisfying the academic requirements for CITP (Chartered Information Technology Professional) registration.

Admission Requirements

  • SQA Higher Grade: Four passes at BBBB, normally including Mathematics. Advanced Highers will be considered, on a similar basis to A Levels, for potential entry to second year.
  • Sixth Year Entry: Marginally under-qualified candidates (eg candidates with a C in Higher Mathematics in the fifth year) are advised to take Advanced Higher Mathematics in the sixth year. In addition to the non-mathematics requirement stated above, the normal competitive entry standard will be a C in Advanced Higher Mathematics. Note: A better grade is normally expected in a repeated Higher subject.
  • GCE Advanced Level: Second Year Entry: Three passes at ABB, including Mathematics and Computer Science. Successful candidates may be required to complete a pre-entry programming course. Those with different or lesser qualifications may be eligible for first-year entry.

Course Structure

Year 1 : Classes cover software construction, theory and algorithms, information and information systems, computer systems and hardware, together with various topics in computing and a choice of business or other elective classes.

Year 2: Lays the foundation for advanced study in Computer Science. Classes include Advanced Programming; Functional Programming; Logic, Languages and Algorithms; Databases and Human Computer Interaction; Computer Systems and Architecture; Professional Issues in Computing; Topics in Computing 2.

Year 3: The main core of the degree. Classes include Building Software Systems (this involves a group project); Computer Graphics; Advanced Functional Programming; Foundations of Artificial Intelligence; Programming Language Definition and Implementation; Web Applications Engineering; Computer Systems and Concurrency.

Year 4: All students undertake a major practical computing project, which may require involvement with one of the Department's research groups. Classes are chosen from a range covering the spread of Computer Science. Final-year Honours classes allow you to develop some of the concepts introduced in Year 3, as well as providing a focus for your future career.

Careers

Graduates are in extremely high demand by industry. The job prospects for computer scientists are very bright, and likely to remain so for a long time: demand for graduates is still outstripping the supply from universities. The qualities you develop in our Computer Science course, including problem-solving, creative and personal skills, are much sought after, even by professions outwith computing itself. But, in practice, nearly all the graduates from the course choose to enter positions as professional software or hardware developers.

Contact

Dr Alex Coddington | Prof Derek Long | Dr John A McInnes

admissions@cis.strath.ac.uk

t: +44 (0)141 548 3189
f: +44 (0)141 548 4523

PDF | BSc Computer Science |

Sep 2010 entry to full-time BSc Hons computer science (Admission Code : G400)

Undergraduate Entry Requirements