This degree balances fundamental knowledge and practical application in order to provide you with both specialised and transferable skills that are greatly valued in the marketplace. The course emphasises from the start both programming and mathematical skills that allow in the later years engagement through your 'Individual Project' with cutting-edge research being done in the department.
**Year 1**
You will take five computer science modules, which cover programming, the characteristics of computers and computing systems, and the mathematical foundations of the subject. You will also be introduced to the concept and philosophy of computational thinking and explore cutting-edge technological applications of recent research.
Once you complete the first year you will have had a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and to the principles, practices and methodologies that make computer science unique as a scientific subject. You will also have had a glimpse at aspects of computer science research that have enabled major technological advances in society.
Compulsory modules:
Programming
Computational Thinking
Algorithms and Data Structures
Computer Systems
Mathematics for Computer Science.
**Year 2**
You will study six modules covering a core set of topics. One module Software Engineering involves a team software development project and enables you to usually work with external organisations and gain practical software development experience.
Other compulsory topics include, for example, aspects of artificial intelligence including bias, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, computer networks, parallel and distributed computing, concurrency, data structures, algorithms and complexity, image processing, different programming paradigms, systems programming, security, human-computer interaction and computer graphics.
The topics taken in the second year will prepare you with an excellent grounding in a wide range of fundamental subjects within computer science, ready for subsequent specialisation in your final third year. By the end of the second year, you should be in a position to make informed judgments as to which particular aspects of the subject you might wish to focus on.
Compulsory modules:
Networks and Systems
Programming Paradigms
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Theory of Computation.
**Year 3**
A key element of the third year is the individual project (which you spend one-third of your time on). This is undertaken under the direct supervision of a member of staff and gives you the opportunity to tackle a specific computing task in much greater depth than is possible for other modules. At the end of the project, you will write a technical paper describing your findings. You are given a considerable amount of choice as to the subject of your projects; indeed, you can suggest specific projects themselves. In addition, you will get to choose the other modules that you undertake in your final year.
A range of modules is offered (many reflecting current research interests of staff) for example, previous modules have included: scientific computing, virtual reality, codes and cryptography, computer vision, deep learning, recommender systems, game development, computational modelling, computational complexity, game theory, bioinformatics, and advanced algorithms.
There is also the opportunity to follow a specific module involving the teaching of computer science in schools, giving an early taste of teaching computer science to those interested in pursuing it as a career or on other career pathways where a public understanding of science is required.
Course Details - Modules
Compulsory modules:
Year 1
Programming
Computational Thinking
Algorithms and Data Structures
Computer Systems
Mathematics for Computer Science.
Year 2
Networks and Systems
Programming Paradigms
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Theory of Computation.
Year 3
A range of modules is offered (many reflecting current research interests of staff) for example, previous modules have included: scientific computing, virtual reality, codes and cryptography, computer vision, deep learning, recommender systems, game development, computational modelling, computational complexity, game theory, bioinformatics, and advanced algorithms.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
G400
Institution code:
D86
Campus Name:
Collingwood College
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Specific subjects/grades required for entry:
Mathematics.
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
We will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If an applicant has not been able to take 3 Advanced Highers, offers may be made with a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or on a number of Highers.
To include Mathematics at grade A.
Nineteen points (7, 6, 6) from Higher Level subjects including Mathematics.
We accept Maths Analysis & Approaches, and Maths Applications & Interpretation
• Extended diploma D*DD + A for A level Mathematics, or DDD and A*
• Standard diploma D*D + A for A level Mathematics, or DD and A*
• Subsidiary diploma D* + AA including A level Mathematics, or D and A*A
To include Mathematics
D*DD and Mathematics at grade A at A level (or equivalent)
or DDD and Mathematics at Grade A* at A Level (or equivalent)
To include Mathematics
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AA including Mathematics and B (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses.
It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course.
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
