BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Starts 24/27)

Course Title: BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Faculty: Digital Enterprise

What subjects/units/modules* will I study?

Those students who prefer to develop a product or service, based on a given project specification, and to programme code to meet the system requirements will choose to study the BSc in Computer Science programme. Your studies will involve identification of projects and applying suitable project management tools to support the successful project completion.

The BSc Computer Science degree is validated by the University of Chester and is delivered entirely on island. The degree provides learners with an excellent opportunity to develop as a computer scientist. Whether you see yourself as a programmer, web developer, database or project manager, the Computer Science programme is designed to develop the most important skills that employers in the computing field require.

In the first year of study all Computer Science, Applied Computing and Cybersecurity students undertake the same first year modules, so that they can build the fundamental skills and knowledge required for a successful progression into their specific fields. The modules are; professional skills for computing, maths for computing, programming concepts and fundamentals; database design, software engineering, web design, cybersecurity fundamentals, user experience (UX), OS and hardware. Learners will have a better understanding of which specialisation is best for them by the end of the first year (level 4) and can change between the three degrees if they wish.

In the second year the acquired theoretical knowledge will be applied to real-world problems; using databases, web development, programming and networking so that you can produce solutions to complex problems. At the end of the academic year, you will manage a group project for a client, where you will apply the skills and knowledge learnt to produce a solution in a creative environment.

In your final year students will extend their project development and creative skills to encompass programming design patterns and professional principles in the following modules; advanced programming, systems analysis and design, applied data science (artificial neural networks and machine learning), networking technologies, cryptography and security.

The highlight of the HE Computer Science, Applied Computing, and Cybersecurity programmes is the innovation project, developed in the final year of studies (level 6, or year 3). It is a major systems development project chosen by the learner. Past projects have focussed on areas such as machine-learning-based image recognition systems, machine learning-based prediction of financial markets, river level monitoring systems and other similar contemporary projects. This final project is the student’s showcase of their expertise to prospective employers.

Today, there are very few professions that do not rely on the use of computers for information processing and analysis. At the same, data analytics is becoming a more important and sought-after skill amongst the IT and business sectors. A degree in Computer Science is an excellent foundation for a wide range of challenging but exciting careers in the Manx IT sector. Feedback from businesses across the island highlight just how important our students become within their work environments, as they come back to us year-on-year wishing to employ more of our graduating students.