BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Component 01: Core

Research and professional practice

(15 credits)

Develop the fundamental skills required to engage in research activities, project management and professional conduct. This module incorporates relevant themes – including how to adopt sustainable development goals, minimise impact and promote social responsibility. You’ll also begin building your entrepreneurial skills and understanding of research methodologies through theoretical discussion, practical exercises and real-world case studies.

Component 02: Core

Introduction to maths and statistics

(15 credits)

How do maths and statistics affect decision-making in sustainable practices? Find out in this informative module. From summary statistics, hypothesis testing and linear algebra, to permutations, probability and parametric and non-parametric tests, you’ll cover a range of mathematical and statistical applications. And by the end, you’ll have a strong understanding of how they’re integral to the role of a computer scientist.

Component 03: Core

Fundamentals of programming

(15 credits)

Gain a comprehensive introduction to programming. By writing, testing and debugging through Python, you’ll develop a strong understanding of coding and the impact on software development. There’s also a strong emphasis on inclusive and sustainable software, as you explore the role of software in society and beyond.

Component 04: Core

Object-oriented programming

(15 credits)

Ready to discover the fundamental principles of object-oriented programming (OOP) and their application in software development? From inheritance and polymorphism to encapsulation and abstraction, this module introduces key OOP concepts and techniques, giving you a solid foundation for a future career in computing. There’s also a strong focus on sustainability, as you consider resource-conscious software solutions to reduce energy consumption and waste.

Component 05: Core

Introduction to data modelling

(15 credits)

Discover how to work with data in this exciting module. You’ll analyse the key concepts of SQL – such as relations, keys and normalisation – through the design and implementation of relational databases, ensuring you have a solid understanding of database design principles.

Component 06: Core

Web application development

(15 credits)

Gain an in-depth knowledge of web application development. From conceptualisation to deployment, you’ll learn about the entire web application development lifecycle – ensuring you develop the essential skills to build modern web applications and foster strong entrepreneurship.

Component 07: Core

Fundamentals of networks

(15 credits)

This comprehensive module introduces you to the fundamentals of computer networking. You’ll explore network architecture, protocols, models, services and security considerations – helping you gain the skills needed for a successful career in computing. Workshop sessions also allow you to build hands-on experience in configuring network devices and implementing solutions for various applications.

Component 08: Core

Digital systems fundamentals

(15 credits)

How do you navigate the complexities of digital computer systems? Find out in this informative module on hardware components and low-level software. Through hands-on exercises incorporating binary arithmetic and logic circuit design, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the fundamental structure and operation of digital computers. And by doing so, you’ll develop key practical skills to succeed in computer science.

Component 01: Core

Research and Professional Practice 2

(15 credits)

Build the skills you need to succeed in your future computing career. Following a team-based projects framework, you’ll choose a team project that aligns with specific attributes that fit with your chosen topic. That way, you’ll develop a strong understanding of various professional competencies and ethical standards in project development.

Component 02: Core

Software engineering fundamentals

(15 credits)

Discover the key concepts of software engineering in this exciting module. From design and implementation to testing, deployment and maintenance, you’ll explore the entire software development life cycle – as well as how to leverage technology to develop energy-efficient software. And through real-world case studies, you’ll develop core skills to succeed in any computing role.

Component 03: Core

Application programming

(15 credits)

Hone your advanced Java programming skills with this core module. There’s a particular focus on database interaction and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) – as well as core Java application frameworks and the effective use of Java collections – to help you learn how to develop complex Java applications with interactive GUIs utilising design patterns. You’ll also gain an understanding of how to address challenges in practical application development projects.

Component 04: Core

Data structures and algorithms

(15 credits)

Learn to think as a computer scientist. Data structures and algorithms are the basis for problem-solving in computing, so you’ll build on the skills developed in the previous level – by exploring algorithm analysis, basis computability and data structures such as stacks, trees and graphs. By the end, you’ll have a strong understanding of core data types in Python, as well as how to write, explain and analyse commonly used algorithms and their application.

Component 05: Core

Web application programming

(15 credits)

This immersive module emphasises the importance of dynamic web application development and database management. From server-side programming through PHP to database management via MySQL, you’ll explore all aspects of web programming concepts – ensuring you have the skills to create and maintain various web solutions.

Component 06: Core

Introduction to AI

(15 credits)

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing area – and this module offers an introduction to all facets of AI. You’ll explore the methodologies and techniques of search algorithms, knowledge representation and learning mechanisms – as well as the role of AI in computer games and robotics. And at the end, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of systems built upon interacting intelligent acts.

Component 07: Core

Computer security

(15 credits)

Gain a thorough introduction to cybersecurity with this informative module. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you’ll explore cryptography, user authentication, operating system security, malware forensics and more – ensuring you’re well-prepared for a career in this sector.

Component 08: Core

Introduction to data science

(15 credits)

Did you know data science plays a key role in medicine, climate science and business analytics? Discover the fundamental concepts of this rapidly growing field, as you explore key tools and techniques – as well as ways to analyse both textual and numerical data. By the end, you’ll have developed strong analytical skills and be ready to explore various application domains where data science is relevant.

Component 01: Core

Capstone project

(45 credits)

The Capstone project gives you the chance to demonstrate the academic knowledge you’ve gained throughout your degree. You’ll carry out a significant piece of independent research or an extensive practical project – showing off your creativity, innovation, and academic and professional abilities. You’ll also carry out meticulous research and present your findings in a professional setting.

Component 02: Compulsory

Advanced programming

(15 credits)

Develop your programming skills in this comprehensive module. From multiprocessing, threads and messaging, to input/output operations, remote method invocation, web services and server architecture, you’ll gain a thorough introduction to various programming topics – while honing your use of cloud technologies, such as Google Cloud.

Component 03: Compulsory

Information retrieval

(15 credits)

Discover how to design energy-efficient information retrieval (IR) systems in this inspiring module. You’ll learn all about the theoretical foundations of IR systems – such as text processing, indexing and querying – while considering how to minimise the carbon footprint of digital information processing during design and development. That way, you’ll have a strong understanding of the role of IR systems in building environmentally responsible systems that drive social and economic value.

Component 04: Compulsory

Natural language processing

(15 credits)

How do computer programs perform everyday language tasks? Find out in this exciting module. You’ll be introduced to the three fundamental concepts of natural language processing (NLP): understanding the structure and grammar of language; considering language processing tasks that are simple for humans but challenging for computers; and using intelligent computing techniques to solve these challenges.

Component 05: Compulsory

Computer vision

(15 credits)

This module helps you gain practical experience in basic computer vision tasks. By actively writing computer programs to tackle various vision tasks – and exploring core principles and methods through visual data – you’ll begin building your own practical skills and experience in this area.

Component 06: Compulsory

Network security

(15 credits)

Learn how to keep computer networks safe from cyber-attacks in this informative module. You’ll begin by exploring the principles, techniques and tools used to secure computer networks – before moving on to network analysis, threat assessment and cryptographic approaches, and how these apply to real-life scenarios.