Swansea University Computer Science Designed by ICON CREATIVE DESIGN

Swansea University Computer Science Designed by ICON CREATIVE DESIGN Tel: 01633 897086 www.swansea.ac.uk/compsci Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP Swansea University is the public name of the University of Wales Swansea, a constituent institution of the University of Wales. Welcome Computer Science is about data, programs, computers and people. It is a young subject and is rich in challenges and applications, since computing systems are everywhere: in science and engineering, medicine, design and manufacture, commerce and public service, defence, transportation, arts Professor Tucker and his and the media, entertainment, Crystal Ball and the home. Information processing technology allows many people to use computing systems to create, store, transform and communicate written, aural and visual information. Today, Computer Science is the discipline that underlies and leads the long tradition of technological development in our world. The influence and achievements of Computer Science are remarkable and are destined to grow for decades. Our education in Computer Science will provide you with the understanding, knowledge and practical competence to participate in a long revolution – a revolution that is exciting and arouses passion and controversy. The knowledge will enable you to understand and foresee the great changes and challenges that Computer Science presents to the world, now and in the future. I hope you enjoy this brochure, but the best way to discover Computer Science at Swansea is to visit us. We look forward to meeting you. Why Study Computer Science at Swansea? Why Study Computer Science at Swansea? Swansea offers: > > > > > > > > > A first-rate student experience and the top score of Excellent in the last UK Teaching Quality Assessment – the only Excellent Computer Science department in Wales to achieve this accolade. A top research department, with a strong international reputation and close links between research and teaching. A large industrial programme IT Wales which arranges for companies to support students through vacation employment, projects, and special courses. A range of entry scholarships and bursaries. Friendly staff committed to the best international standards of university education. Excellent employment prospects in an expanding national and international job market. A University with a high degree success rate, low drop out rate, and excellent student support. A campus university, set in a vast park, overlooking the sea close to the dramatic Gower Peninsula. A city with good entertainment and shopping, and active cultural and sporting scenes. Professor J V Tucker, Head of Computer Science Computer Science 01 Why Study Computer Science at Swansea? What Our Students Say Excellence in Teaching and Research Swansea is one of only 10 Computer Science departments in the UK to have top scores for both teaching and research. What Our Students Say Dave Arter Wiltshire, Year 2 I chose Swansea because it has a lot of history relating Computer Science. The course has a lot of different interesting facets, with a good balance between theory and practical subjects. The fact that it doesn’t require Alevel Maths was a bonus. Student life here is everything it’s cracked up to be and the setting of the campus is beautiful. Swansea’s got a great nightlife and there’s plenty to do. Lyndsy Clarke Carmarthenshire, Year 3 After receiving offers from four different Universities, I decided to come to Swansea because it has one of the top Computer Science Departments in the UK, and when I visited I was made to feel very welcome. The course itself offers everything from programming to hardware, so it’s well-balanced and provides a good, all-round, education. The City of Swansea is also an excellent place to study, with miles of sandy beaches, plenty of shops, and a fantastic student night life. Swansea has something to offer for practically everyone, and the past three years of my degree have provided me with excellent experiences and an excellent degree. Darren Cadwallader Cardiff, Year 2 I came to University after working for several years in the environmental sector. I knew the Department had a very good research rating, and after visiting and seeing the facilities, I was convinced. Rogerio Augusto Paulo Portugal/Macau, Year 1 Swansea University stood out for me because of its high ranking, research and geographical location. The community is friendly and the countryside atmosphere helps studying. I can say studying in Swansea is a choice I will never regret. Teaching Assessment examines the quality of all aspects of the education and in the last round of teaching assessments, Computer Science at Swansea was awarded the highest possible rating of Excellent. Only 12 of over 100 UK institutions achieved this top score. Swansea is the only Excellent Computer Science department in Wales. Research Assessment examines the quality of all aspects of research by international standards. In the last round of assessments, Computer Science at Swansea was awarded the rating of 5. Only 23 of over 100 UK institutions achieved this high score. Life in Swansea Swansea University has one of the best locations in the UK, right on the coast of Swansea Bay. The city is to the east, the North Devon coast is across the water to the south, and the old fishing village of Mumbles – now a centre for student life – is to the west. Mumbles marks the start of the Gower Peninsula – an area of outstanding natural beauty, with long beaches, dramatic coastal scenery and a rich and ancient history. Swansea University has over 12,000 students, with about equal numbers of male and female students. The city is vibrant and energetic, with plenty to do, day and night. It is also a growing centre for high-tech industry. Computer Science is at the forefront of commercial technology development – for example, through our programme IT Wales. Victoria Wang Singapore, Year 3 I have spent the past three years studying Computer Science in Swansea University. It was a rather new experience to leave Asia and arrive in the West. At first, it was not easy to adjust to the culture and social conventions, but the friendly environment has helped me to make Swansea my second home. Now I have decided to stay here for postgraduate studies as well. As a foreigner coming to a new land, the lesson I have learned is, one has to be true to oneself and accept new things. Then one will be accepted and appreciated. Patrice Oladimeji Nigeria, Year 1 Swansea Univeristy is a world leader in Volume Graphics and that was precisely why I chose it over other UK Universities. As a first year international student with a keen interest in Computer Graphics, I simply couldn’t have chosen a better University. As a student from Nigeria, coming to Swansea for the first time felt a bit daunting as I obviously didn’t know anyone. But the Swansea people are warm and friendly and they have made me feel very much at home. Fernando Loizides Cyprus, Year 2 I’ve always been interested in computing and programming. Wanting a challenge and to be able to expand my knowledge and skills, I moved from Cyprus to Swansea due to the high ranking of Computer Science. I have had several freelancing programming and networking jobs while I’ve been a student; I currently work as an IT administrator. Stuart Battersby Jersey, Year 2 I chose Swansea because of the opportunities that the Computer Science Department offered me to further my Alevel studies, coupled with the stunning location and the numerous social activities. I have found the course has given me a wide variety of skills, both theoretical and practical, with help readily available from the staff. 02 Computer Science Computer Science 03 What Can I Study at Swansea? What Will I Learn? What Will I Learn? It might seem obvious that you study Computer Science to learn about computers. But remember that every few years a new set of important technologies come along, and you will need to learn about them to stay at the cutting edge of the subject and your profession. Therefore, a key part of our education is about the knowledge and skills you will need in order to teach yourself the new technologies of the future. We have a set of nine Educational Aims outlining what we will teach, and to help you understand what you will learn. • Practical experience and theoretical understanding of design methods for the specification, programming and analysis of a wide range of computing systems. • A fundamental understanding of the scope and limits of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and of their applications. • Knowledge of the history and present state of Computer Science, and an insight into future technologies and their role in applications and society. • The ability to plan and accomplish a substantial project. • Relevant mathematical knowledge and experience in its applications. • Experience in co-operative working through team projects, with their demands on the management of partners and time. • Skills in written and oral communication. • Skills in locating information, and the ability to read critically, to précis and to judge information. • The ability and confidence to learn, unaided, complex new subjects. What Can I Study at Swansea? Most of our students study: • BSc Computer Science – a three year degree that teaches the broad spectrum of topics in computing and which provides a foundation for a huge range of professional careers inside and outside computing. We also offer more specialised degree programmes: • MEng Computing – a four year degree that focuses on practical software development. • Computing and Communications – a three year degree that combines Computer Science with digital network communication technology. • Mathematics for Computer Science – a three year degree that focuses on the mathematical theory that drives modern computing and communications. • Computer Science with a Modern Language – three year degrees that combine Computer Science with French, German, Italian or Spanish. All the degrees above are accredited by the British Computer Society. You can also combine Computer Science with Psychology, Physics and Topographic Science. New programmes in Financial and Business Computing are planned. 04 Computer Science Computer Science 05 Course Structure Professional Experience Course Structure How will you study? You will learn from experienced teachers through a mixture of lectures, laboratory classes, tutorials, team projects, and individual projects. Most of the course modules are based on a series of lectures, assessed by coursework and exams. Each week you can expect to attend 12 lectures, one or two afternoon laboratory sessions, and one tutorial. You are also expected to learn on your own, mastering and building on what you have encountered in classes. Project Work You will work on a series of projects throughout your degree. For example, in the second year, project work will develop skills in project management and team work. In the final year, you will undertake a large project, worth a quarter of your final degree assessment, that will develop your technical knowledge and ability to work independently. These individual projects regularly win national awards for excellence. Project ideas are suggested by staff, some by students, and some come from the student work placement scheme (page 7). Computers and Computer Support The Department is well equipped for teaching, and is continually upgrading its laboratories to keep machines and equipment up-to-date. Currently, students use four fully-networked laboratories: two of P4 PCs running Windows; another of P4 PCs running SUSE Linux; and a multimedia project laboratory, containing a range of equipment (e.g., Apple G5s and specialised PCs). These laboratories support a huge range of software. You may well want to bring your own computer with you. All the software we use is either free Open Source or from the Microsoft Academic Software Programme – which gives you free access to nearly all Microsoft software. Also the University fully supports high speed wireless networking on campus and in accommodation. Professional Experience Our optional Student Placement Scheme allows students to add new practical experiences to their development through interesting, responsible and well-paid summer vacation work in companies and public bodies. There is a strong local software industry with large international firms (e.g., BT, EDS, Fujitsu, IBM, Logica) and public bodies, and also many smaller software and IT companies. As a placement student in a small company you can be in a position of considerable responsibility. You might well have more computing knowledge than anyone else in the company! Professional experience is interesting, informative, enjoyable, financially rewarding, and builds confidence. Links with a company can lead to an industry-related final-year project and, in some cases, to a first job after graduation. Professional experience certainly gives you an edge in the job market. Our Student Placement Scheme is one of many initiatives run by IT Wales. IT Wales IT Wales is our innovative programme for industry and the community, founded in 1993. It links the skills, experience and needs of industry to the knowledge, expertise and resources of members of the Computer Science Department, especially our students. The Director of IT Wales and her industrial liaison team organise a great range of activities, including an online ICT magazine (www.itwales.com), and an IT Club for 800+ companies, with special focus groups to support computing professionals. Students are always welcome at IT Wales events. IT Wales is so successful it is now offers its services throughout Wales, with a new office in North Wales. You should check out www.itwales.com/services Career Prospects Careers in Computer Science are many and varied. A large number of graduates start their careers in technical areas of computer science: requirements analysis, specification, design, programming, and project management in the software industry. The number and type of software companies is truly enormous - ranging from small companies that specialise in particular areas or local needs to large multinationals with huge product ranges and global businesses. As well as technical careers, a Computer Science degree is a foundation for careers involving the application of computer technology, such as in finance, management, communications, media, and all kinds of science and engineering. You can also study for a more specialised advanced degree - usually an MSc or possibly a PhD. This could give you a career advantage, particularly if you are interested in working in a particular specialist field. Swansea Computer Science graduates are always in demand with employers and have always been successful in gaining well paid jobs on graduating. 06 Computer Science Computer Science 07 Module Details Module Details Module Details Contemporary Computer Science is a huge subject. Here are some of the core subjects you would study at Swansea. Programming We will first teach you to program in Java, a modern object-oriented programming language. Object-oriented programming is the main technology used to build software, and will be for many years to come. So this will be a key part of your education. As well as Java, you will learn a range of other languages. These could include C, C++, C#, Prolog and Haskell. System Software and Networking You will learn about computer systems which are fundamental to Computer Science today: • Operating Systems, like Windows, Linux and Mac OS, manage machines allowing a computer to share its resources among many competing programs. • Compilers translate the programming languages, like Java, into the low-level code that computers actually understand. • Networks allow us to transmit data reliably and efficiently between computers across the world. Graphics Increasingly computer applications use graphics to communicate and entertain – icons, still and animated images, video, as well as text. Generating high-quality graphics, especially in 3 dimensions, is a growing area especially in medical imaging and gaming, and a key research interest of the Department. User Interfaces Computers are embedded in all sorts of gadgets, devices and instruments. We routinely use products via a computer-based interface. The new generations of devices need radically better user interfaces, whether they are used for entertainment, communication or medicine or in control systems for aircraft or power stations. Such Future Interaction Technology is a key research interest of the Department. Databases and Software Engineering Databases are a key tool for storing data reliably so it can be accessed and changed effectively. The skills needed to build databases are very important to modern computer scientists. Software engineering is the practice of building large, modern software applications – usually linked with one or more databases. Web Programming More and more software systems are being accessed through the web. This requires a special set of tools and skills, and close attention to areas like security. We will see the line between conventional software applications and web systems disappearing. Already big software companies, like Microsoft, are changing their programming tools to make this possible. Theory Like any technical subject, Computer Science has its own underlying mathematical theory. Like most theory (for example, the laws of Physics) our understanding of it changes more slowly than how we apply it in practice. So a good education in the theory of computing will remain relevant for many years. What sort of things are we interested in? • Reasoning; Saying precisely what computer systems are supposed to do, and checking that they really do it! • Limits: Charting the limits of our programming languages and computer systems. For example, there are many computing problems that we can prove we will never be able to solve, and others that are possible in theory but impossible in practice. • Complexity: Measuring how good are different solutions to a problem, in order to pick the best. • Paradigms for Computing: Inventing radically new kinds of data, algorithms, languages and machines in the search for future computing technologies. Artificial Intelligence After many years of research, Artificial Intelligence is being used widely in computer systems. Examples are games; systems that act like specialized human experts; and systems that must act alone without human users, making their own decisions. 08 Computer Science Computer Science 09 Research Research Research Research changes academic subjects. In Computer Science at Swansea, where teaching is in the hands of front line researchers, courses are shaped by both the present and future of the discipline. Curiosity drives staff, postgraduate and undergraduates in their shared task of discovering and understanding contemporary Computer Science. The pace of change in Computer Science is remarkably fast. In Swansea’s courses, in the first and second year you are introduced to some of the grand research challenges in data, software design and reliability, graphics, and communications; and in your final year you can work with advanced ideas and tools from our research in data, software, graphics, and humancomputer interaction. After your first degree, you might want to study for a postgraduate degree with one of the Department’s research groups, or move on to another top research centre in Europe or North America. The Department has four main research areas, each with a number of research groups. Visual Computing and Interaction Pictures dominate our world and so Computer Graphics has many applications. Our pioneering research on Volume Graphics seeks new techniques for representing objects in three and four dimensions completely, instead of just their surfaces. It is particularly good for visualising data such as 3D reconstructions of the body, where as well as representing the surface (skin), we can also represent internal structures (bones, muscle, internal organs). Our research on Multimedia Computing is concerned with integrating different media, including sound, video, text and still images. Examples of projects include: remote interviewing systems, automatic analysis of security video for suspicious activity, virtual conferencing environments and multimedia software development tools. Human Computer Interaction Human computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, mobile computing, the world wide web - these are all lively research areas because all have usability and design problems. In some areas, such as mobile phones, unusability might stimulate consumption, but in most areas, including e-business, health and aerospace, unusability threatens lives and jobs. Swansea's new Future Interaction Technologies group builds on solid computer science but looks towards the future, to the solutions and more effective and enjoyable technologies that will replace the current hard-to-use and all-to-often unreliable systems. Theoretical Computer Science The Theoretical Computer Science group works on problems that shape the long term future of software and hardware systems, and the search for radically new computing technologies. Our research on Modelling software and hardware systems help us understand and predict the behaviour of new hardware and software and how they interact with each other. Large software systems that do not work properly are common, and often in the news. These failures often happen because it was not known in enough detail how the system was meant to operate in the first place. System Specification, Architecture and Documentation is about ways of modelling and specifying software, hardware and user interfaces to eliminate this huge problem in design. Complexity of Specification and Computation is the study, in very precise terms, of the cost or difficulty of the computing tasks we wish to perform. Choosing techniques that ‘cost’ less mean that a computer can effectively run faster (which could mean the difference between a game being playable or not!). Data Types are the fundamental building blocks of software and are used to store data for measurements, calculations, video, images and sound. Efficiently representing data is particularly important for video, images and sound – the more compact the data, the more easily it can be stored and transmitted. Scientific Computation Modelling physical systems with complex behaviour leads to big problems that push the envelope of contemporary computing technology. Our work introduces science and mathematics to new technologies for programming parallel machines, visualising data and using infrastructures based on grids of computers. Gregynog For over 20 years, staff and students have attended our three-day Annual Undergraduate Colloquium at Gregynog, a cultural centre and 80 Hectare estate in Mid Wales. All final year students give talks on their project work and are treated to lectures by guests, staff, and research students; here they meet new ideas still hot from the world’s conferences and labs. 1 0 Computer Science Computer Science 1 1 Scholorships and Prizes Contact Entry Requirements A typical offer is around 280 Tariff points (from which General Studies and Key Skills are excluded). Our entry requirements can vary and you should check the main University prospectus for the most recent requirements. Do You Need A-level Mathematics? Mathematics at A Level is not required - except for joint courses with Mathematics and Electronics. All modern Computer Science degrees need Discrete Mathematics and Logic, which together form the foundations of all forms of computation, programming, and systems design. Since these mathematical subjects are usually not taught at school or college, we teach them ourselves. We have a lot of experience (and success!) in teaching these essential tools to students who do not have recent mathematical experience. Contact Us The Admissions Tutor for Computer Science is Dr Neal Harman. You can contact him by email (n.a.harman@swan.ac.uk) or telephone: (+44 (0)1792 295394). www.swansea.ac.uk/compsci/ The University runs a number of Open Days throughout the year to which all potential applicants are welcome. Visit www.swansea.ac.uk/opendays for more details. If you want to visit us at an alternative time, then please contact either Dr Harman or Mrs Jill Edwards (j.edwards@swan.ac.uk, +44 (0)1792 295393) and we will be happy to arrange a date. 1 2 Computer Science