Computing Science
The overall aim of the course is to offer a broadly-based education in computing science, attractive to those seeking to understand the fundamentals of computing and its application to novel application areas. A graduate would be equipped with skills to problem solve and be employed in a software development team in the software industry or a commercial IT department.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Ulster University |
Duration
Attendance
This course lasts four years and includes a Professional Practice year or study abroad option.
New students are expected to attend a pre-semester induction. The course is delivered over two semesters (September to May) with a supplementary assessment period in August.
The taught element of the course is typically 22-24 hours per week (Monday to Friday) and timetabled sessions are supplemented by directed independent study and may require access to additional online tutorial and study material.
You undertake six modules in Year 1 covering subjects such as Problem Solving for computing, mathematics for computer scientists, Databases, Client Side Development and Introduction to Physical computing. You will also attend extended induction designed to ease your transition into the course.
In Year 2, additional core modules extend your skills in Programming, Web Development and Software Product Management and introduce topics relevant to Networks, Security and Data Analytics. You will also attend extended induction that is designed to support and prepare you for the placement year.
In Year 3, you are expected to undertake a year’s work placement in the UK, Ireland, Europe or the USA.
After your placement year, you return to the University for a final year of academic study which consists of two compulsory modules that reflect the core theme of the course at an advanced level as well as some optional modules. You also undertake a major project which involves the analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation of the solution to a substantial software-related problem.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
120 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Careers / Further progression
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
• British Telecom
• Citi Group
• Cybersource
• Deloitte
• First Derivative
• Kainos
• Liberty IT
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
• Programmer
• Automated Test Engineer
• Software Developer
• Technology Consultant
• Web Developer
• Computer analyst
• Data Analyst
Career options
As a graduate with skills in Computing Science, you will have many careers opportunities available to you in a wide range of commercial and industrial organisations developing new software, as data scientist/analyst, project managers, systems analysts in planning and technical management, or information management and database environments. You may also work in marketing and sales or as a consultant.
Average salaries are often higher than those of other graduates and there are also opportunities for postgraduate study in computing, software development, artificial intelligence, IoT or a related area.
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Overview
Computing@Ulster - empowering the graduates of tomorrow through excellence in teaching, research and technology transfer.
Summary
The overall aim of the course is to offer a broadly-based education in computing science, attractive to those seeking to understand the fundamentals of computing and its application to novel application areas. A graduate would be equipped with skills to problem solve and be employed in a software development team in the software industry or a commercial IT department.
You will study the theory and principles of programming and software development and put them into practice using a variety of contemporary programming languages and tools.
You will develop programming expertise in a variety of languages, for example, Python and Java. You will examine areas such as Information Infrastructures, Professional Skills, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Physical Computing and Web Development. You will also be able to select modules which align with state-of-the-art research or showcase current advances in computing such as Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Networks, Edge and Embedded Intelligence and Computer Vision.
Given the variety of applications of computing, as a graduate of this course, you will have access to a variety of jobs, for example, programmer, software developer, test engineer or IT analyst.
About
If you want to become a Computer Scientist with expertise in the analysis of computing problems with the ability to design and develop practical solutions for them, then you should consider this course.
Computing pervades every aspect of our day to day lives from the gadgets in our homes, our workplaces to our smartphones. Industry needs dynamic, enthusiastic graduates with interests across the computing science spectrum.
Do I need to have studied Computing or Digital Technology at school or college?
A discipline with such diversity requires students with a variety of interests and backgrounds, therefore, you do not need to have studied Computing or Digital Technology, however, we will look for evidence of a passion and enthusiasm for this dynamic, fast-moving discipline.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year 1
Client Side Development
Mathematics for Computer Scientists
Introduction to Physical Computing
Problem Solving for Computing
Innovation and Society
Year 2
Computer Networks
Professional Development
Systems Security
Mathematics for Computing
Programming in Practice
Server Side Development
Software Product and Process Management
Year 3
International Academic Studies - Optional
Professional Practice - Computing - Optional
Year 4
Full-Stack Strategies and Development
Computing Project
Cloud Native Development
Enterprise Networks - Optional
Artificial Intelligence - Optional
Computer Vision - Optional
Edge and Embedded Intelligence - Optional
Embedded Systems - Optional
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Professional recognition
BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT
Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT
Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.
Work placement / study abroad
In Year 3 you undertake a year’s work experience, in the UK, Ireland, Europe or USA. This leads to either the Diploma in Professional Practice for a placement year based in UK or Ireland; Diploma in Professional Practice (International) for a placement year based outside the UK or Ireland; or the Diploma in International Academic Studies if Year 3 is spent in study abroad.
Ulster University,
2-24 York Street,
Belfast
BT15 1AP
T: 02870 123 456