“It’s All Alien To Me”
Inside The World Of Computer Science

Computer Science offers a range of degree programmes as both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Some details of the most popular are described below.

MSc Computing And Software Technology
The main postgraduate computer science degree is the MSc in Computing and Software Technology. This degree is open to graduates with experience of programming – not just computer science graduates. It is intended mainly for those who want a career in software development. However, it is a general degree and graduates have entered a range of careers – including business IT and management, as well as a range of technical professions.

The MSc in Computing and Software Technology is a flexible programme. Only two courses are compulsory – on advanced Java programming and software product development (including C programming, Linux and working in teams). Students then choose eight optional courses. The optional courses available cover a broad range of topics in computer science, including: theoretical computer science, systems specification, artificial intelligence, safetycritical systems, advanced databases (both relational and object-oriented), computer graphics (including graphics APIs and volume graphics), data visualisation, specialised and advanced programming (including design patterns, generic programming and .NET-based web programming), human-computer interaction, computer system security, and mobile systems.

After the taught part of the MSc, students undertake a large dissertation. Normally, this involves researching and developing a substantial software system.

MSc Computing And Future Interaction Technology
As well as a general MSc degree you can choose a specialized degree in Computing and Future Interaction Technology. This is the only degree of its type available in the world. It focusses on designing user interfaces for computer systems – particularly, nontraditional computer systems, including mobile devices, medical systems, and safetycritical aircraft systems. The Computing and Future Interaction Technology MSc at Swansea University is taught by staff from the Future Interaction Group, who undertake worldleading research on interacting with computer systems. They have won international competitions and were chosen to take part in the annual Royal Society Science Exhibition.

BSc Computer Science
The main undergraduate degree, an BSc in Computer Science, offers a general education in computer science over the first two years, followed by a year of specialised options, and a large project. The first two years cover programming, (in Java and other languages), software engineering, computer hardware, networks, databases, graphics, discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science. The final year optional courses include: internet systems, distributed systems, advanced and specialised programming, advanced graphics, security, safety critical systems, microprocessor systems, artificial intelligence, and theory. The project in the final year normally involves writing a software system, though other types of project (for example, theoretical investigations) are also possible.

BSc Computing And Communications
The BSc in Computing and Communications is also threeyear programme, but unlike the Computer Science BSc it specialises in communications systems. About two-thirds of the degree consists of computer science, and onethird communications. The communications part of the degree focusses on data communications, digital signal processing and multimedia communications.

MEng Computing
The first three years of the four-year MEng in Computing degree are the same as the BSc in Computer Science – but it includes a fourth year that leads to a masters-level degree. The final year includes advanced computer science courses (chosen from a range of options), as well as large individual and group projects. The MEng in Computing is accredited by the British Computer Society as the educational component of Charted Engineer (CEng) status.

BSc Computing And Communications
The BSc in Computing and Communications is also threeyear programme, combining Computer Science with a communication strand. On this scheme, you will spend approximately twothirds of your time studying Computer Science, and one-third communications. The communication you will study is specifically chosen to complement Computer Science, and is very much oriented towards data communications, digital signal processing and multimedia communications.

Industry Contacts -IT Wales
Industry Contacts are an extremely important consideration when considering a computer science degree. For example, the Computer Science Department at Swansea has an industrial liaison team known as IT Wales. IT Wales organizes employment placements for students. Students work for 12 weeks with a computingrelated company in Wales. Placements are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students gain valuable experience, as well as being paid. Work placements can lead to a final-year undergraduate project, or an MSc dissertation. In some cases, they lead to full-time employment after graduation.