BSc (Hons) Computer Science

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

You'll develop vital skills in software development and programming, preparing you for a successful career in the software industry.
You'll spend a year in industry working alongside industry professionals, putting into practice the skills and knowledge you've learnt. The placement year will give you the hands on experience which will make you stand out to employers.
This course is taught by experienced computer scientists and ex-industry professionals who continue to maintain active links to the industry.
You'll study in our high specification computing laboratories. Take the video tour at www.derby.ac.uk/computing/tour

About the course

Software is everywhere, on everything from desktop computers and mobile phones to home appliances, game consoles and industrial machinery. New software is constantly being developed and the tools and methodologies used to develop software are always changing.

Computer science is a prerequisite for long-term employability and success as a computer programmer of any kind. You'll study computer science with a strong emphasis on practical programming skills, by using cutting-edge software development tools in our industry standard labs. You'll be taught by experienced computer scientists and ex-industry professionals who continue to maintain active links to the industry.

In your first year, you'll discover the foundations of computer science and software development. You'll learn about computer programming and you'll discover that computers are all about, and only about manipulating data. You'll learn some vital mathematics, and you'll find out what makes good software and bad software.

In your second year, you'll explore the core topics of computer science, such as, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Databases, Algorithms and Data Structures. You'll also develop the skills needed to find a work placement after your second year.

Your third year will be spent on placement working in industry. You'll work alongside industry professionals and you'll see how the knowledge and skills you've learnt are put into practice, giving you a distinct advantage when applying for graduate jobs. Our Placements Officer will help you find a position and support you throughout the period. As more and more employers are now asking for work experience, a CV with placement experience on it will really stand out when you're applying for your first job as a graduate.

In your final year, you'll concentrate on advanced topics including Enterprise Systems, Systems Programming, Distributed Systems, Computer Language Design and Implementation. You'll also undertake your own Independent Study to develop a large-scale project or research study in an area of your own choosing.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

Upon graduation, you'll discover industry demand for your new, highly developed skills in software development. The majority of computing jobs require software development abilities and experience, so whether you want to be a software engineer, project manager, technical architect or chief technology officer, this degree will help you get there.

This programme is geared toward careers in software industry, but the knowledge and training you will receive will prepare you for almost any future career, or further education in computing.

What our students say

"The course at Derby has taught me a lot about business. I've been able to get first hand industry experience by doing a work placement, which really opened my eyes as to all the opportunities available."

Charlotte Wilson

How you'll learn

There are three modules per semester, each delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratories. A considerable amount of e-learning support material is provided.

How you're assessed

In the first year, assessment is almost entirely by coursework, with formal examinations introduced in the second year. There is a mixture of group and individual assignments. 25% of the final year is assessed through a personal project.

Work placements

The third year is spent on a supervised work placement.

Anything else?

You'll spend your first week at Derby having a comprehensive introduction to the university. You'll get to know lecturers, fellow students, your way around the labs and the campus and they type of work and study you'll be doing, so you'll be fully prepared when your lectures start the following week.

As part of your induction week you'll also go on a day trip with all of the other computing students out in to the Peak District. Find out more about what this involves

This course is subject to approval

This course has just been created and we intend to start running it on the next start date. With every new course that we develop, we first have it checked by internal and external quality panels to make sure you get the best possible learning experience. Once these checks have been completed, this course will have been approved and the flag will disappear. There may be small changes to content of the course during this process so check back for updates to this page.

Start dates

If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:

September 2012

If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:

September 2012

UCAS code

I100

Fees

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time: £7,495 (each year)

International students

Full time: £9,975 (each year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.