Our Computer Science degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as software development, mobile applications, computer security, cloud computing, network administration and technical support.

Some of our optional modules offer you the training needed to apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) status after you graduate, boosting your employability with a recognised certification in a specialist area.

You can also choose to take a placement year and put your skills into practice at one of the many top technology firms based in Cambridge.

Our accredited degree course is ranked in the top 25% in the UK for overall satisfaction (National Student Survey 2020), and will help you stand out to employers in a range of industries, both in the UK and overseas. Once you graduate, you’ll be able to register as an Incorporated Engineer.

With further study, you can become a Chartered Engineer, or you might choose to continue your academic career with a PhD in Computer Science.

Our BEng (Hons) course focuses on equipping you with software engineering skills with a slight edge given to networking principles, so if it’s the ability to configure complex network systems that excites you, this is course for you. If you’re interested, however, in software engineering skills with a slight edge given to programming languages, the BSc Hons will give you the tools to enable you to bend software to your will.

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll learn the fundamentals of computer science that will form the basis of the rest of the course and your future career. You’ll learn how modern computer systems operate, including hardware components, devices and networks, and the components, features, history and key concepts of modern operating systems, including the command line interface and scripting, and system configuration. You’ll additionally gain the mathematics skills you need to work in computer science.

You’ll work through the software lifecycle – analysis, design and implementation – to develop your understanding of design theory and its application. We’ll also teach you how to use current high-level programming languages to design, implement, test and document simple programs that are robust, usable and efficient.

We’ll assess you using a range of methods, including exams, group work, presentations, case studies, laboratory tests and projects.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Year 2

In the second year of your Computer Science degree, you’ll continue to build your skills, knowledge and experience and prepare for the rest of your course and career. You’ll learn how computer and software design incorporates security technology to limit access and editing rights, protect confidentiality, protect data integrity, defend against hackers and more. You’ll gain an understanding of network routing, with a focus on how routers use dynamic routing protocols to establish the ‘best’ path for traffic.

You’ll gain valuable skills in teamwork and leadership, liaising with clients, and SQL as you learn how to construct, query, and provide results from small-scale, industrial quality databases. You’ll learn the theory and application of interaction design as you analyse, design, implement and evaluate an interface prototype that meets users’ needs in terms of their characteristics, tasks and environment. You’ll also find out how software engineers make applications efficient, good quality and helpful by designing, implementing and testing your own software system.

You’ll prepare for your third year by learning how to carry out a safe, legal and ethical research project from inception to completion. You’ll also critically evaluate the performance of common data structures and algorithms to develop your understanding of efficient programming practice. As part of the Ruskin Module, you’ll be able to select from a wide range of topics that will enable you to expand your studies beyond the field of computer science.

We’ll assess you using a range of methods, including exams, group work, presentations, case studies, laboratory tests and projects.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Year 3

In your third year, not only will you continue to develop your general knowledge of computer science, but you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in areas of your choice, paving the way for your future career. You’ll also explore the issues, opportunities and problems associated with the reach of computerisation into all areas of life, and your ethical, legal and professional responsibilities as a computer scientist. You’ll learn about the theory and implementation of digital image processing by building a computer system that automatically analyses images.

One of the features of Year 3 is your independent research project, on a computer science topic of your choice. You’ll be supervised by a member of staff.

You might develop an Artificial Intelligence solution to a problem in gaming and critically review a recent development in AI. You could also learn the ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ of ethical hacking, its role in improving computer and network security, and the legal, ethical and professional challenges it poses. Or you could even choose to explore the ins and outs of programming ARM-based hardware.

You might find out how to understand, evaluate, implement and apply good practice in prototyping effective cloud/web-based distributed applications. You could also choose to learn how to correctly gather, analyse and present digital evidence from a variety of devices to business and legal audiences in accordance with the latest laws and regulations, and/or build upon your knowledge of network solutions by finding out about Wide Area Networks (WANs), which link remote Local Area Networks (LANs) together to provide businesses with more reliable and scaleable networks.

We’ll assess you using a range of methods, including exams, group work, presentations, case studies, laboratory tests and projects.

Modules are subject to change and availability.