Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

In Year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with artificial intelligence, theory of computation, advanced algorithms, amongst others.

Modules

• Artificial Intelligence - 20 credits

  In this module you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of modern artificial intelligence concepts and applications. You’ll explore the differing definitions of just what ‘artificial intelligence’ means, and the legal and ethical issues which arise surrounding decision-making computer systems. Ultimately, you’ll build a portfolio of solutions that address artificial intelligence challenges, as you navigate areas such as knowledge representation, reasoning, and how human factors impact the field of AI.

  Compulsory

• Theory of Computation - 20 credits

  The Theory of Computation module dives into the mathematical heart of programming. You’ll be guided through some of the more challenging topics in computing such as formalisation of languages, models of computation, and the nature of computability. Ultimately, this module empowers you to assess whether a problem has a computable solution – or one that you can compute before the sun expands to engulf the Earth.

  Compulsory

• Advanced Algorithms - 20 credits

  Building on your programming and algorithms studies from first year, this module expands your insights into advanced programming techniques and complex data structures. You’ll learn what terms such as ‘graph’ and ‘tree’ mean in computing, and how to use them in your own software development. You’ll become familiar with strategies to address the computational complexity of the problems you’re trying to solve, empowering you to write more sophisticated, and more efficient, software solutions.

  Compulsory

• Operating Systems, Security, and Networks - 20 credits

  What is an OS, and what does it do? These two questions are the focus of this module, where you’ll become familiar with the way the operating system you use every day is structured, why it’s structured that way, and how it works. In addition to this, the module introduces the idea of networked computer systems and the accompanying security concepts, exploring topics such as cryptography, user authentication, socket programming and network protocols.

  Compulsory

• Data Science - 20 credits

  Picking up where Working with Data left off, the Data Science module equips you with the skills and tools you need to explore the world of Big Data. Using state-of-the-art software, you’ll explore concepts such as predictive modelling, data wrangling, sampling, and analysis. You’ll also explore the complex subject of data visualisation, and how you can use visualisation techniques to make the results of your data analysis understandable to every audience.

  Compulsory

• Software Engineering - 20 credits

  Focusing on the professional conduct of software development projects, this module introduces you to several industry-standard practices which underpin effective and efficient software engineering to meet the exacting quality standards. You’ll undertake a real-world software development project, evaluating and selecting the best tools for the task at hand while employing common professional practices such as configuration management and version control. You should develop an exhaustively tested, highly polished software deliverable to demonstrate your skills to prospective employers.

  Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

• UK Work Placement– 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

In year three, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with mobile application development, web API development, parallel and distributed programming, amongst others.

Modules

• Optional modules

  Choose two from the four following modules:

  • Mobile Application Development - 20 credits
    Our everyday lives have never been more integrated with our mobile devices and applications. In this module you’ll explore everything which goes into mobile application design, from the notion of RESTful APIs to continuous integration and analytics. You’ll demonstrate your understanding by using a development kit to build a portfolio of applications for mobile platforms.
  • Web API Development - 20 credits
    Web APIs empower websites to access the data and services needed to deliver on modern user demands in terms of connectedness and accuracy. From weather patterns to GPS traffic data, APIs underpin it all. In this module, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create your own API for use in web applications, using the latest, industry-standard technologies, and featuring an interactive web client.
  • Parallel and Distributed Programming - 20 credits
    All computing systems in the modern world are parallelised and heterogeneous – even your smart watch has multiple cores. Parallel programming and distributed programming share a great many commonalities in terms of what they represent, and how problems they solve are tackled. In this module, those similarities, alongside the key differences, will be explored in detail. You’ll be empowered to deploy computational solutions at every level, from the cloud, to your own PC, taking full advantage of all the silicon at your disposal.
  • Advanced Programming Paradigms - 20 credits
    In this module, you’ll explore programming paradigms that you haven’t encountered elsewhere in your course. You’ll be introduced to the concepts of functional programming and logic programming and learn why they’re completely different to your existing knowledge of programming functions and logic. And you’ll be introduced to new programming languages to enable your exploration of these exciting new ideas.

  Optional

• Security - 20 credits

  You’ll first encounter the concept of computer security when you learn about Operating Systems, but this third-year module dives into the subject in-depth, as required by the British Computer Society’s accreditation criteria. Developed by our Cybersecurity specialists, this module introduces you to the concepts and practical considerations of creating and evaluating secure computer systems. In addition to the technical issues involved, you’ll also explore security legislation and the regulations which apply to associated products and services.

  Compulsory

• Machine Learning - 20 credits

  Building on your existing knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, this module dives into the broad field of machine learning, one of the core building blocks of many AI systems and methods. You’ll look to learn the difference between supervised and unsupervised machine learning, what an artificial neural network is and when best to deploy one to solve a problem, and how to analyse the effectiveness of a wealth of machine learning algorithms when applied to actual data.

  Compulsory

• Project Discovery - 20 credits

  In your final year, you will complete a project which is defined and driven by you, bringing your interests and learning together to produce a showcase for your skills. Working with an allocated subject specialist supervisor, the Project Discovery module will equip you with the research and project management skills to define, propose, and start work on a substantial computer science project of your choosing.

  Compulsory

• Dissertation and Project Artefact - 20 credits

  Working with an allocated subject expert as supervisor, you will deliver a project dissertation together with a project artefact, usually an advanced piece of software. The Dissertation and Project Artefact module is designed to give you the experience to self-manage project development, evaluation and successful delivery to a self-defined brief, allowing you to produce a substantial piece of work which brings together your learning over the course of the degree, which you can be proud of.

  Compulsory

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth-year master’s option, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise. The MSci year aims to consolidate and strengthen the skills you’ve developed over the course of your first three years of study. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll explore a series of highly advanced subjects in the field of Computer Science which lie beyond the scope of undergraduate study, from Computer Vision to GPU programming, equipping you to undertake employment or postgraduate research at the leading edge of digital technology.

This year provides insight into more advanced topics in computer science and can act as a steppingstone to postgraduate research or further study.

Modules

• Computer Vision - 15 credits

  Computer vision (CV) is the field which allows our smartphone to identify where to focus an image, or a social media app to identify the face of someone in a photograph. In this module, you’ll be introduced to the models, algorithms and hardware involved in building CV applications from scratch using commonly employed APIs. Crucially, you’ll be taught how to select the right tool for the job, depending on the purpose of the CV problem you’re trying to solve.

  Compulsory

• Artificial Neural Networks - 15 credits

  Artificial neural networks (ANNs) represent an important and popular machine learning approach that attempts to model the function of the human brain. Successfully used in a wide range of applications, including image processing and medical diagnosis, ANN-based software solutions are ubiquitous throughout modern computing. In this module, you'll be introduced to the biological basis of the ANN, the concepts used in neural networks, and their application to solving real-world problems.

  Compulsory

• Evolutionary and Fuzzy Systems - 15 credits

  This exciting module introduces you to two advanced topics in artificial intelligence: evolutionary computing, and fuzzy logic. Evolutionary systems are an approach to AI which draws inspiration from natural selection in the world around us. Fuzzy logic, by contrast, is a mathematical modelling system inspired by a special school of set theory which is well-suited to handling uncertainty.

  Compulsory

• Ethical Hacking - 15 credits

  A growing field of interest within computing, ethical hacking (sometimes called penetration testing) is a fundamental part of many companies' security strategies, testing the vulnerabilities of their systems. In this module, you'll learn the latest ethical hacking techniques and gain practical experience in selecting and applying the most suitable tools and techniques for a given situation.

  Compulsory

• Secure Design and Development - 15 credits

  This module explores another advanced topic in cybersecurity - the secure design and development of computer systems. You'll learn about the security controls used to prevent, detect and recover from security violations, as well as how to formally analyse systems to evaluate their compliance with security and safety requirements.

  Compulsory

• Parallel Programming with GPUs - 15 credits

  The GPU in a modern PC is a highly efficient chip consisting of hundreds of cores, optimised for parallel execution of increasingly sophisticated instructions. While those instructions generally relate to graphics, commonly-employed APIs empower us to use those computational resources to solve other problems. In this module, you'll learn how to identify if a task is well-suited to GPU deployment, how to restructure tasks to take advantage of the GPU's architecture, and how to build these software solutions yourself.

  Compulsory

• Individual Research Project Preparation - 15 credits

  In this module, you will identify a topic suited for a substantial piece of research into an area connected to the discipline of computer science. You'll exercise and extend your skills in gathering, understanding and critically evaluating literature; assessing and acting on relevant ethical and legal issues; and applying planning processes for the undertaking of a significant piece of work. This will culminate in the production of a well-structured project plan.

  Compulsory

• Individual Research Project - 15 credits

  Building on the literature survey and planning developed as part of the Preparation module, you will undertake the project proper in this module. Supported by a member of academic staff, you will develop your solution to the chosen challenge, gather primary research data regarding your solution, and document the project's scientific conduct and outputs.

  Compulsory