School of Computing and Mathematics

Overview

Computer Science is concerned with the application of computing to a wide range of problems. Computer systems are now vital to business, government, science and society, and there is much demand for graduates with the professional understanding and practical skills to harness software and hardware technologies to solve real-world problems and to develop the systems of the future. Many of the recent advances in these areas can be attributed to developments in computing, and this trend is likely to increase in speed and impact.

The range of opportunities for graduates with computing skills continues to expand. Many of our graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, software engineers and consultants, working in the same context as Single Honours Computer Science graduates from elsewhere. In some cases the breadth of a Single Honours Computer Science degree is an advantage; in others the sector of employment is also related to another Dual Honours degree subject, which enables our students to offer a unique blend of skills to potential employers. A substantial number of graduates go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas, at Keele and elsewhere.

Both BSc Single and Dual Honours Computer Science courses are available. The Single Honours course enables students to devote their studies full time to the tools, techniques and underpinning theories that make the science and technology so innovative and exciting. It provides the greatest breadth of learning in the subject, and has been developed to meet the accreditation requirements of the British Computer Society (BCS).

The Dual Honours course is suited to those students who would like to study Computer Science with a second subject (see list) in equal weight for three years and so gain a deep understanding of a domain that either complements the discipline or to which they can then apply their computing knowledge, for example in their final year project or subsequent career.

Both courses explore the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and place an emphasis on practical computer programming and software development. They are delivered by the School of Computing and Mathematics.

Another option, which should not be confused with the standard Single Honours Computer Science course, is to specialise exclusively (or ‘major’) in Computer Science in the final year of an otherwise Dual Honours Computer Science programme. This route is referred to as ‘BSc Computer Science (Major)’. To apply, students should select G405 and indicate their choice of second subject (from the Dual Honours list) for first and second years in the ‘Further information’ section of their UCAS form. If instead students would like to study on the Single Honours Computer Science course, they should select G400 and leave the field in the ‘Further information’ section blank.

All Dual and Single Honours computing courses, including Computer Science, have a common first semester and common entrance requirements. This retains flexibility of choice during the first semester of the first year.

There are no specific subject requirements for entry to our computing courses, and no previous experience of computing or computer programming is assumed. The courses do not involve an advanced level of mathematics, and any mathematical knowledge needed beyond GCSE level is taught as part of the modules included in the courses.

The content of final year modules reflects and is informed by the research interests of teaching staff, discipline and industry trends and market requirements, giving students an opportunity to explore topics at the leading edge of the discipline.

Course Content

First year

Single Honours Computer Science students take all, and Dual Honours and Major students take the first four, of the following six modules:

Fundamentals of Computing introduces the core concepts of the discipline, and acts as a foundation for other modules covering these topics in more detail. It enables you to understand the links between individual modules on your course, and to understand them properly in context.

Programming I introduces the fundamental concepts underlying computer programming together with techniques for applying these using a contemporary programming language. The module has a strong practical element.

Programming II teaches the use of data structures and algorithms as a means of incorporating and processing data and knowledge within programs. You will have ample opportunity to develop and practise your general-purpose computer programming skills so that in the future you are able to develop your own software solutions to problems.

Information Systems and Interaction provides students with an introduction to Information Systems and an opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain to a practical task. It also explores the human-computer interface and introduces concepts, techniques and tools that support the analysis of needs for, and design of, system interfaces. The main focus is on web interfaces.

Cybercrime enables students to actively engage in today's electronic society, with an understanding of the risks that they will encounter and the measures that may be taken to counteract them.

Computer Animation and Multimedia provides an introduction to computer graphics, animation and multimedia, and appropriate programming and media development skills for you to design and develop multimedia.

In keeping with the Keele ethos of multidisciplinary study, Single Honours students have a free choice in electing two other modules; these may be chosen from any discipline. Current choices include Digital Video, Entrepreneurship, Making Sense of Statistics, Understanding Learning, and philosophy, music and language modules.

Second year

Single Honours Computer Science students take all, and Dual Honours and Major students take the first three and either the fourth or fifth, of the following seven modules:

Requirements, Evaluation and Professionalism develops skills in the design and execution of empirical studies to gather evidence about software systems, methods and processes. It also covers requirements engineering and enables you to recognise the professional, economic, social, environmental and ethical issues involved in the development and use of computer technologies.

Web Technologies provides an understanding of Internet communication architectures (such as client-server) with reference to standard protocols, and enables you to develop multi-tier web applications and configure the servers on which these rely.

System Lifecycles and Design provides you with knowledge of the techniques and processes to undertake the design of a system once requirements and analysis activities have been completed.

Advanced Programming Practices provides an understanding of object-oriented programming and its concepts, with particular emphasis on advanced features of Java and their applications.

Database Systems introduces you to databases and database management systems by providing theoretical knowledge and practical experience in data modelling, database design, implementation and administration.

Computational Intelligence I provides an introduction to the core computational intelligence topics of evolutionary algorithms and neural networks, their use in vision systems and robotics, and the similarities and differences between natural and synthetic intelligent systems.

Virtual Worlds introduces you to virtual worlds and their uses in business and education, showing how they can be used as an effective tool for conducting business and delivering learning resources.

In addition, Single Honours students have a free choice in electing one other module; this may be chosen from any discipline.

Third year

A selection of more advanced and specialist modules are studied. You will also undertake an individual project that continues throughout the year under the supervision of a member of staff, culminating in a written dissertation. Single Honours and Computer Science (Major) students choose six of the following modules, and Dual Honours Computer Science students three of the first seven:

Double-weighted Project enables you to undertake a project equivalent to two standard (15-credit) modules rather than one. This option can be used to tackle a larger or more complex problem. All Single Honours Computer Science students undertake a double-weighted project and choose six other modules.

Software Engineering Project Management provides an understanding of the scope of, and problems and techniques associated with, software engineering project management.

Games Computing delivers comprehensive knowledge of a games engine and the theory and practice of computer game design, and explores the human factors involved in game design and interactive media environments.

IT Architectures delivers the concepts, methods and tools involved in the IT architecture discipline, and examines the role of IT architects and software architecture within development projects. The module also outlines current architectural developments, such as service-oriented architectures. You will gain practical experience by undertaking a case study.

Communications and Networks extends your knowledge of principles and practice in communications and computer network technologies and their deployment.

Electronic Commerce provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the problems involved in the development of web-based electronic commerce applications.

Advanced Databases and Applications provides an advanced understanding of database techniques and current issues associated with database deployment.

Advanced Information Systems provides an advanced understanding of the use of information systems for decision support, and of the issues involved in the planning and management of information systems.

Computational Intelligence II expands on the computational intelligence themes introduced earlier in the course. It enables you to explore in greater depth, selected research-led topics at the forefront of current thinking in the rapidly evolving computational intelligence field. On completion of this module good students will be well placed to pursue further research in industry or in academia, for example as PhD students.

The last two modules may also be available to Dual Honours Computer Science students whose other subject allowed them to elect to take the relevant precursor computing modules in their first and second years.

Computing facilities

The practical work for the course will be based mainly in the school’s own networked PC laboratories, with some modules using the Microsoft Windows operating system and some using Linux. The software supported includes the Java object-oriented programming language, Internet and multimedia packages, and database management systems. Web authoring software and languages, including Python, Perl, PHP and XML, are also supported.

Access to undergraduate computer equipment and network services is available both physically and by remote terminal access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout most of the year. This gives students every opportunity to develop their computing skills outside the normal practical times and to work on more complex projects at any time. Additional laboratory facilities are provided for final year projects with specialised hardware and software.

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours course can be combined with:

Single Honours, Major and Foundation courses available:

For overseas students who do not meet direct entry requirements, we offer the opportunity to take an intensive International Year One in Computing leading to second year degree entry.

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and teaching take place in a range of settings, from individual supervision for final year projects and weekly tutorials, to lectures with 100 or more students present. In the first two years Dual Honours students usually have four one-hour lectures, a one-hour tutorial or workshop and three hours of supervised practical classes each week, as part of their Computer Science studies, and Single Honours students approximately twice that. Third year modules are taught by lectures, with some tutorial and laboratory work in certain options. In the final year students will also have regular one-to-one meetings with their project supervisor.

Students will be expected to spend a significant amount of time on their practical and tutorial assignments and private study. They will be encouraged to make use of the learning and teaching support that allows them to ask for help with any aspect of the course with which they are having problems, including any of the practical and coursework assignments.

Assessment methods vary from module to module, but we make use of both formal examinations and several types of coursework. Most modules use a mixed assessment system involving an examination, typically two hours long, and some coursework, which could be a practical assignment tackled in students’ own time, a laboratory or tutorial exercise, or occasionally an essay. Students will also have the opportunity to work as part of a group, which will provide valuable experience for future employment. In the course as a whole, approximately half of the assessment is coursework or project-based, and half by examination. Assessment from modules in the second and third year counts towards final degree classification. The project forms an important part of the final year’s assessment.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

Computer Science destinations for graduates who completed their undergraduate course in 2010/11:

Of those who responded:

Want to work in?

Many students are excited by careers that utilise the academic knowledge and skills developed on their degree:

• IT Consultant
• Systems Analyst
• Games Developer
• Network Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Multimedia Programmer
• IT Technical Support Officer
• Information Systems Manager

What else?

For those who do not wish to pursue a career directly related to their degree, here are some career ideas to open up options:

• Secondary Teacher
• Forensic Accountant
• Operational Research
• IT Trainer
• Animator
• Air Traffic Controller

Careers information

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

Computer Science and Music Technology

Computer Science is an increasingly popular combination with Music Technology. The rapid expansion of the use of computers to aid music composition, sound processing and recording has made skills in music software (whether for home, educational or professional use) very marketable. Programming skills are particularly useful for the more complex music composition environments. In addition, many of our students are well placed to follow specialist music programming courses provided as part of their studies in Music Technology. Some of our students have also completed their Computer Science final year projects in this area. Those taking this combination of subjects are well placed to take advantage of the wealth of career opportunities in the high-tech music industry either as musicians, sound engineers or software developers.

Computer Science and Mathematics

While computing and mathematics can be productively combined, no one needs to be a mathematician to study Computer Science at Keele. Any mathematical knowledge needed beyond GCSE level is taught as part of the modules included in the Computer Science programme. That said, several of the early computing pioneers were mathematicians and there has always been a strong link between the disciplines. Abstract and logical thinking are valuable assets for all computing practitioners, from researchers to people working in the IT departments in government, industry and commerce. Work in some specialist areas of computing, such as graphics and algorithm design, can be assisted by some mathematical knowledge. Conversely, computing skills are useful in many areas of mathematics, both pure and applied. Having computing as part of a mathematics degree profile can be a very important factor in getting suitable employment after graduation.

UK/EU Admissions
Tel: 01782 734005
Email: admissions.ukeu@keele.ac.uk

International Admissions
Tel: +44(0) 1782 733274
Email: international@keele.ac.uk

Course Information
Tel: 01782 733075
Email: admin@scm.keele.ac.uk