Computer Science BSc (Hons)

Study the fundamentals of computer science and systems administration. Design and develop for web, multimedia and mobile platforms. Challenge your creativity and technical skills with a series of challenging, hands-on practical projects.

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Overview

This interesting and challenging course combines hands-on development with the theories behind how and why computers work as they do. You will have full access to the University’s outstanding IT facilities, which include specialist networking laboratories. We provide professional-level developer software and advanced hardware through accreditations with Cisco and other major companies.

Topics include programming, software development, database systems, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and Cybersecurity.

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Why us?

Available as a 4-year sandwich course with a full year spent on placement. BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich Year received 100% Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2018
Member of the PlayStation®4 Academic Development Programme, which grants us the licence to Sony games console devkit hardware and software
Accredited by BCS 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
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional

We have an integrative and holistic approach to the first year of our computing courses. You’ll be taught the fundamentals of computing alongside students from other courses in the School of Computer Science. This course structure allows you to easily change courses at the end of the first year, should a different computer science route appeal to you. For example, you may begin studying BSc (Hons) Computer Science, but then show a greater aptitude for cybersecurity and decide to change to BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include coursework and Professional Practice Weeks (PPWs). PPWs present you with real-world problems that must be solved in a working week. They aim to provide you with an experience reflective of the industry you want to enter, and give you meaningful feedback that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills. Each year has a different theme- previous themes include the City of Culture Bid in 2017 and e-sports in 2018.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Fundamentals of Computing (100 credits)

Software Development and Theory: Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Formal Methods

Programming: Microsoft C# .NET and programming for Robots

Web and Multimedia Applications: Markup Languages (HTML 5, CSS 3), Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Javascript, Web APIs (such as Google Maps and Yahoo APIs)

Database Systems: Database Design, Relational Databases and SQL, Database Integrity and Security, PHP and MySQL

Computer Systems and Networking: Operating Systems, Networks and Computer Architectures

Specialist Mini Project: Showcase your talents through a project in your chosen area of computing. Past projects have included a Facebook app, a hack challenge and the creation of a retro arcade game.

Computational Thinking (20 credits)

Gain a rounded introduction to the underpinning development of computing disciplines from the first beginnings to the present day. Discuss computing as a profession and a discipline from an historical and developmental perspective, evaluating the development of software, hardware and computer systems.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Personalised Skills Development (20 credits)

Learn key skills such as self-determination, planning and actioning of goals, time management, independent learning and team working.

Software Enterprise Project (20 credits)

Work in a team to undertake a large scale development for a real client or realise an enterprising idea that the group has personally conceived and developed. Learn the principles of software engineering and development in the context of real world and real client needs and demands. Focus on ethics, professionalism and security related issues within the software development and technology management industries.

Intermediate Software Development (20 credits)

This module will move beyond the basic object oriented concepts associated with simple classes and objects to cover a series of more sophisticated object-oriented ideas, including ‘inheritance’ and ‘polymorphism’.

Advanced Software Development (20 credits)

The module provides you with in-depth knowledge of issues associated with the modern software development life cycle, including the application of standard industrial methods to the design, development and testing of complex OO systems, including those with multi-threaded and distributed components.

Database Systems Development (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to enable you to understand how information systems can be used and developed to support enterprises.

Internet of Things (20 credits)

Gain the specialised skills necessary to develop applications for IoT devices within real-world contexts, including the use of robotics and sensors. Focus on programming, network connectivity, configuration and deployment of IoT devices in simulated and practical environments. Use industry-standard tools to acquire, interpret and visualize data retrieved from them. Consider science, HCI and security techniques.

Year 3:

Industrial placement (optional)

Final year (national level 6)

Core modules:

Computing Project (40 credits)

Undertake advanced study, including a literature review, in order to research and develop to completion a substantial piece of work that demonstrates the range of skills you have acquired. You will also submit a dissertation that describes and evaluates the problem and solution. Past examples include an Android audio application, a Trojan detector and a network monitoring tool.

Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)

Develop your knowledge of current AI principles and your skills in this fast-moving area, which is a particular focus of Sunderland’s research.

Advanced Cyber Security (20 credits)

Learn how to analyse the range of tradeoffs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability. You will also learn how to select the appropriate tools and techniques to address and manage concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and potential attacks.

Optional modules (choose two):

Android Mobile Development (20 credits)

Analyse, design, develop, test and deploy native mobile applications using Java and Android Studio. You will be introduced to native programming, application build and deployment, the Android ecosystem, security and software engineering in a student led and practical manner.

Advanced Data Technologies (20 credits)

Explore solutions related to complex database systems such as: enhanced data models, query optimisation, clustering, scalability, security, forensic investigation, data warehousing, data analysis tools and more.

Software Enterprise (20 credits)

Gain the knowledge and skills that will enable you to explore and exploit business opportunities for software enterprises.

Students into Schools (20 credits) (This is an Institute of Coding supported module)

Undertake a work-based placement to support computing in a school or equivalent learning environment.

User Experience Design (20 credits)

Consider usability and user experience principles. Examine user-centred design techniques and usability evaluation methods.

Facilities

This course is based at the David Goldman Informatics Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is

GPA 3.0 or above from High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at admissions@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or an equivalent qualification, for example; a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a new GCSE for which you will be awarded a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
If English is not your first language we will require an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall score of 6.0 and at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) can also be considered if the applicant’s element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK or EU
£12,000 if you are from outside the EU

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

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This information was correct at the time of publication.

Employment

This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace.

Graduate success

Sunderland has a good reputation with employers and, according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17, 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers). The top type of job gained by our graduates is ‘information and communication technology professional’.

In your final year of the course, you will undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.

Career options

Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.

Professional Practice Weeks (PPWs)

PPWs present you with real-world problems that must be solved in a working week. The assessments aim to provide you with an experience reflective of the industry you want to enter, and give you meaningful feedback that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills. There are five PPWs in each academic year and each year has a different theme. Previous themes include the City of Culture Bid in 2017 and e-sports in 2018. Feedback from students about the PPWs is very positive, with comments including:

"Because the solutions we had to develop were rather complex applied solutions, our work felt much better tied in with what we would do later on while working in the industry.”
“…it gets you thinking and acting like a professional - as they seem to mimic real world scenarios.”
“It was a good introduction to what working in IT really looks like.”

Meet the students

I was lucky enough to be chosen from thousands of students to spend a year at the CERN in Geneva.

Andrew Short
The University opened my eyes to the wide range of career opportunities that are available.

Cameron Hunter
I had the most personable, passionate lectures I have been fortunate enough to learn from.

Kieran Flitton
I found the staff in the faculty very encouraging, they were always around.

Matthew Longstaff
The University is a very friendly and warm environment which makes you feel welcomed right away.

Raul Feresteanu

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 20 December 2019

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