Computer Science MEng (Hons)

Our Computer Science degrees balance fundamental knowledge and practical application in order to provide you with both specialised and transferable skills that are greatly valued in the marketplace. The course emphasises from the start both programming and mathematical skills that allow, in the later years engagement through the 'Individual Project' with cutting-edge research being done in the department.**Year 1**You will undertake five computer science modules, which cover programming, the characteristics of computers and computing systems, and the mathematical foundations of the subject. You will also be introduced to the concept and philosophy of computational thinking and explore cutting-edge technological applications of recent research. You will undertake an elective module, which may be from elsewhere within the Department, Faculty or University. Once you complete your first year you will have had a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and to the principles, practices and methodologies that make computer science unique to a scientific subject. You will also have had a glimpse at aspects of computer science research that have enabled major technological advances in society.Compulsory modules:ProgrammingComputational ThinkingAlgorithms and Data StructuresComputer SystemsMathematics for Computer Science.**Year 2**You will study six modules covering a core set of topics. One module Software Engineering (double module) involves a team software development project and enables you to usually work with external organisations and gain practical software development experience. Other compulsory topics include, for example, computer networks, parallel and distributed computing, concurrency, data structures, algorithms and complexity, image processing, different programming paradigms, systems programming, security, aspects of artificial intelligence, and computer graphics. **Year 3**A key element of the third year is the individual project. This is undertaken under the direct supervision of a member of staff and gives you the opportunity to tackle a specific computing task in much greater depth than is possible for other modules. At the end of the project, you will write a technical paper describing your findings. You are given a considerable amount of choice as to the subject of your projects; indeed, you can suggest specific projects yourself. In addition, you get to choose the four other modules that you undertake in the third year.A range of modules is offered for example, previous modules have included: theoretical computer science, software and software systems, computing methodologies, applications and contemporary computer science (with the latter topic engaging with modern research within computer science that is highly relevant to current technological advances and applications). **Year 4**You will again undertake a significant individual project (this time a triple module). This gives you the exciting opportunity to take your third-year projects even further, if you wish, possibly so that the resulting research might be published in a journal or at a conference, and possibly as a prelude to a postgraduate degree in Computer Science. However, if you do not wish to continue with the topic of your third-year project, there is the opportunity to do another substantial piece of work in an entirely different area of computer science (again, of your choosing). We review course structures and core content every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2020 entry from September 2019.Study AbroadComputer Science is an international discipline and living and working in another country is a valuable addition to your CV. We are part of the SOCRATES/ERASMUS and University Exchange programme, which