Computing at University

What is Computing at University?

List of UK Departments provided by University of Swansea

Computing at university includes a range of disciplines from Computer Science, which is considered a branch of applied mathematics, to more practical and vocationally based courses in Internet business, multimedia and games technology. All computing courses offer a blend of creative and technical skills that are both demanding and rewarding. Computers are widely used in other academic disciplines and, of course, in commerce, industry and government and many applications are drawn from these areas. Computing can be combinde with knowledge from other disciplines, for example any science combined with computing, or geography, languages, history, and so on. (See the BInf Multidisciplinary Informatics course at Leeds University and this page at Reading University).

Computer Science includes the study of problem solving techniques and the development of tools for managing complex information systems. A computer scientist should have the ability and imagination to apply logical and mathematical reasoning to new problems and be interested in finding solutions to them.

Most courses in Computer Science require Maths A Level for entry, though some may relax this - look closely at the specific requirements. Most courses include some modules in Maths, typically differential equations, linear algebra, mathematical logic and proof, combinatorics, recurrence relations, set theory, numerical analysis, etc. The computing elements of the course will probably be presented in a mathematically formal way and some aspects of programming may be explicitly mathematical, for example functional programming and algorithm design and performance.

A degree in Computer Science will not prepare you for work in a particular technology but it should prepare you to learn new tasks in a new environment within a short space of time. It would be unwise for a university to invest time in short-lived technologies, new versions appear every two years or so, and so most degree courses concentrate on 'timeless principles'. Universities will almost teach popular languages such as Java or C++ but they will also demonstrate the principles on which any programming language is based so that new ones can be picked up and used to solve specific problems. Universities will also use more 'academic' (i.e. less commercially useful) languages such as Miranda, Eiffel, Oberon, Prolog and Haskell to illustrate particular points.

Other topics of study may include: algorithm design, graphics, compilers, computer architecture, information systems, human-computer interface, operating systems, concurrent programming, microprocessors and assembly language, systems analysis, project management, distributed systems, theory of computation, artificial intelligence.

A degree in computer science should make you one of the most employable of graduates in the work place, the ability to solve problems is valued in a range of jobs, not just in the computer industry itself. You might view computing as an entry qualification for working in a corporate environment, starting out as a programmer and then ascending the career ladder into general management, or you might see it as a lifetime career in its own right. You may find it particularly useful to combine it with another subject, such as Maths or Engineering, which could make you very employable with banks and other financial institutions. Computing tends to be associated with small 'start-up' companies based on a new idea or solution that can quickly gain market acceptance, thus blending technical knowledge with entrepreneurship and business acumen.

"Computer Science includes software engineering, computer systems, algorithms, numerical methods, and complexity. You will gain an understanding of the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computer science, with the opportunity to study related aspects of artificial intelligence." (Leeds University)

Extended Reading (Wikipedia + some books)

The Main Options

Computer Science (G400): deals with computers and their underlying theory. Definition (Edinburgh). Includes "software engineering, computer systems, algorithms, numerical methods, and complexity" (Leeds University). Also, a problem-solving subject.

Computing (G401): "building systems, including databases; an appreciation of organisations and system analysis; understanding of application development and the rôle of simulation" (Leeds University)

Internet Computing (G450), Internet Engineering

Information Systems (G500): management and deployment of computers in organisations and the rôle of systems in decision support. Commercially-orientated, including business management and the problems of implementing information systems within organisations

Software Engineering (G600): mathematical techniques for managing large scale software systems

Applied Computer Science: "programming every part of a computer that can be programmed" (University of Reading)

Computer Engineering: hardware-oriented, digital electronics

Maths and Computing (or Computer Science and Maths, what's in a name?) (GG41):

Business Systems Engineering: business oriented, applications of IT in business environment

Artificial Intelligence (G700) Often a final year specialisation giving you a different title for your degree

Multimedia:

Games Technology: An area where Britain is a genuine leader, established at Dundee Abertay in 1997 and spreading to Salford, Teesside, Hull and Sheffield Hallam. Game programming and graphics are specialised areas so you may prefer to combine more conventional computer science with games technology, as at City University. Computer games are a huge industry, bigger than film, and definitely worthy of serious study. Many people, the vast majority male, dream of realising their childhood ambitions and writing games, so if that's your dream, go ahead and apply. Many courses offer industrial placements and many of the visiting professors are games programmers themselves. Just remember it's not the best way to meet girls (try English or Sociology for that!)

European Studies (G501): a year at a university abroad, e.g. Italy

Cognitive Science (Computing with Psychology): using computational models to shed light on human mental processes, and philosophical reflection to consider the relationship between natural and artificial intelligence (Leeds University)

Employment

Computing combines theoretical studies with practical knowledge and skills that you can use in a real job. Computer skills are a great asset when looking for work and you will be ahead of the game if you have a degree in a computing subject. Most university departments will say something to this effect and will list employment success in areas such as:

Working for major companies (IBM, Andersen, Microsoft)
Computing/IT companies
Finance houses/banks
Management consultants
Software companies (games, applications etc)
Government bodies (including National Security)
Self-employed (setting up own company)
Research both commercial and academic

(From the University of Durham web page.)

Personal Statement

Here are some things you could write about yourself:

Motivation
Knowledge and skills
Experience
Link knowledge, experience & motivation
Why the subject is interesting
History of interest in the subject
Specific interests in the subject: depth and detail
What you want to learn at university
What you want to do with your degree
Related subjects (other A Levels)
Related and relevant interests

Institutions

Aston	Bath	Birmingham	Brighton	Bristol
Brunel	Cambridge	Cardiff	City	Durham
Edinburgh	Exeter	Hull
Kent	Loughborough	Lancaster	Leeds	Leicester
Liverpool	London-Imperial	London-Kings	London-QMW	London-RH
London-UC	Loughborough	Manchester	Newcastle	Nottingham
Oxford	Reading	Sheffield	Southampton	St.Andrews
Surrey	Sussex	Swansea	Warwick	York

(Check The Times Subject Tables for rank positions. 'Maths' means A Level/A2, unless stated otherwise. The required grades are mainly for Computer Science, for further information see the departmental web sites.)

Aston

BBB-ABB

G400, G460 (Computing for Business), Optional Industrial Placement for 48 weeks

Bath

AAA

G400: needs Maths. G500, G521 (Information Systems) does not require Maths. General Studies does not count.

Birmingham

AAB

Wide range of related courses e.g. Psychology and Artificial Intelligence.

Brighton

280 points (BBC or equivalent)

Wide range of courses, Business Information Systems, Business Software Development, Internet Business Computing, etc.

Bristol

AAA. Must have Maths for G400, GG14 and GG1K

Brunel

300 points (BBB)

Wide range of courses in the Department of Information Systems and Computing (DISC), especially Computer Science, Information Systems, e-Commerce, Financial Computing, Multimedia Technology, games, etc.

Cambridge

Expect AAA* and above, possibly AAAA* with Further Maths. Maths essential, plus at least one other science. "Further Maths trumps Computing A Level".

First year: 50% option (students take Natural Science Maths Course + one Natural Science from Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Cell Biology or Materials. 25% option: same as 50% but less computing, two sciences plus 'Evolution & Behaviour'. Maths with Computer Science involves the 25% Computing option. Second year onwards: pure computing.