The Honours course in Computer Science has been established for over 25 years. Since its inception, the course has aimed to present computer science as a distinctive discipline with significant fundamental connections with mathematics, engineering and cognitive science, and broad and important practical applications in these and many other fields. The principal intellectual objectives for the course are

• to present an academic perspective on computer science that addresses the key principles relating to the theory of algorithms, computer programming, hardware design, software engineering and human factors;
• to give students the foundation that is needed to communicate effectively with computer users from a variety of different backgrounds, such as other scientists, engineers, designers and business personnel.

The complementary practical skills to be developed through individual and team project work during the course include

• generic skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and project management;
• more specific practical computing skills, such as programming in a variety of paradigms, systematic development methods, specification techniques, parsing, data structure design and implementation, elementary hardware and systems construction, user-interface design and database programming.

The aim of the curriculum is both to prepare students for current commercial practice, and to encourage the critical and creative engagement with computing and its applications that can provide the basis for a long-term career. Professional aspects of computing are also an obligatory component of the course, and importance is attached to promoting awareness of the rigorous standards and high degree of responsibility demanded of specialists in computer-based technologies.

Course Content

The objective of the First Year modules is to give the students the background knowledge and skills necessary for a deeper understanding of the discipline, as well as a motivation for the breadth of topics to be covered later in the course. There is also opportunity to develop transferrable skills, and the flexibility inherent in the Warwick system allows the student to follow their interests in a variety of allied fields.

The second year covers:

• Fundamental concepts to support the rigorous development of programs and methods for reasoning about their behaviour.
• Theoretical foundations for describing the syntax and formal semantics of programming languages, and for understanding modern developments in programming language design and use.
• An introduction to the principles of software development, the practice and theory of databases, and the theory and practice of computer interfaces.
• A detailed study of computer and system architecture.

In the final year of the BSc degree, in addition to an individual project, options are chosen from a range of modules which reflect both the research strengths within the Department as well as the wider context of advances in the discipline.

The MEng course has its own distinctive Third and Fourth Year curriculum. Students take a variety of management and technical modules, and there is a wide choice of other options aimed at broadening the educational experience. These include language, education, arts and social studies courses.

A detailed listing of the course structure is available.

Accreditation

The courses qualify for full exemption from the BCS Professional Examination, and graduating students can attain Professional Membership after a shortened period of relevant experience and training. BCS Professional Membership carries the right to use the designatory letters MBCS and to use the title Chartered Information Systems Practitioner.

The BSc course is accredited as contributing to the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer Status (CEng). An additional year of full-time study, or part time equivalent, is required in order to bring a student's qualifications to the level required for full CEng accreditation.

Entry Requirements

There are three components to the entry requirement for G400 Computer Science (BSc).

English Language

You must satisfy us that your command of the English Language is good enough for you to complete the course. This means you should have a grade C in GCSE English, IELTS 6.0, or equivalent.

High academic standard

You must satisfy us that your academic ability is excellent. For UK students, this means grades AAA at A-level (or Scottish Advanced Highers), but we accept many other qualifications.

Mathematics

The degree contains a significant mathematics component, and you must convince us that you are competent with Mathematics at a high level, to a standard of grade A at A-level (or equivalent).

If the qualifications you are currently seeking are not covered in the above lists, or you have further questions, please look at our page of Frequently Asked Questions about admissions. If your enquiry is not covered in that page, send an email to ugadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk for further information.