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Computing Science

BSc (Hons)

Ever wondered:

  • How they fit so many songs on your iPod?
  • How you can safely get money from your bank account from any ATM in the country?
  • How millions of computers work together to form the internet without anyone in charge?

The answer to all these questions can be found through doing a degree in Computing Science. Computing Science is not programming. It is about solving problems with computer programs.

Why study Computing Science at Dundee?

Our Computing Science degree will provide you with knowledge of the theoretical, scientific and mathematical components of computing such as:

  • algorithms for data processing and analysis
  • fundamental theory of information and computation
  • software engineering principles and practices
  • mathematics that underpins computational systems.

However, computing scientists do not deal with just hardware; they care about everything in between those areas. They design and develop all types of software from the large banking system which allows money to be sent internationally, to the small bit of software which identifies your iPod when you attach it to your laptop.

We train our students to have a creative approach to programming. As a result, our students are successful, employable and proud of what they do.

This programme fulfils the accreditation requirements of the Chartered Institute for IT and the British Computer Society (Chartered IT Professional (CITP), Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci).

Who should study Computing Science?

BSc Computing Science is a degree for people who enjoy the challenge of understanding the technical background of algorithm and software analysis and using these skills to solve real-life problems.

You need an understanding of mathematical concepts and a logical mind.

What's so good about Computing Science at Dundee?

  • Dundee leads the development of SpaceWire, the onboard data-handling network that is widely used by the world’s space agencies; you can study spacecraft onboard data handling systems if you choose space systems as one of your final year research topic options
  • our students take part in the Yahoo! Hack Day, which challenges computer programmers to come up with fresh, creative ideas. Dundee was the first university to host a Yahoo! Hack Day and remains the only university to include this as part of the course work for students
  • 24-hour access to our award winning computing building with its unusual mixture of lab space and breakout areas; laptop areas and wireless access are available throughout the building
  • students can use a range of equipment such as servers, Macs, Arduino systems and programming kit for games consoles such as the Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation. The School of Computing is also home to one of only two Microsoft Surface tables in Scotland 
  • project work, guest lectures and research seminars involve key industry partners such as NCR and Yahoo!
  • students get involved in our world-leading research: one 2009 student presented his Honours project at a leading international computer vision conference and had his work featured in New Scientist magazine

Louise Myles started the BSc Computing Science course in 2010, she says "As soon as I walked onto the campus at Dundee, I knew instantly that this was the university I wanted to go to. The staff were so friendly, enthusiastic and helpful and the facilities were fantastic. I knew studying at this university for the next four years would be the best decision I could ever make. So far I don't regret a thing."

More Computing student profiles »

Teaching & Assessment

How you will be taught

You will be taught by staff from the School of Computing and Division of Mathematics - specialists in computer science, computing, mathematics and philosophy. We are proud of our teaching approach which provides a strong user-based focus underpinned by theory.

What you will study

Honours Degree

An honours degree normally takes four years, full time, you study levels 1-4, as described below.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in three years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. You study levels 2-4 below. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Degree without Honours

If you choose to study a degree without honours, you study for three years, levels 1-3 below.

Typical Degree Programme

Level 1
  • Computer Science- software development, data structures and algorithms, argumentation, probrlem solving
  • Web authoring - understanding what the Internet can be used for, and developing websites.
  • Mathematics - calculus, differential equations, algebra, geometry, trigonometry
Level 2
  • Computer Science – logic and artificial intelligence, C++, data structures, architectures,  UNIX, communications and concurrency
  • Computer systems - hardware architectures, Unix and concurrency

  • Mathematics - calculus, algebra, linear algebra, statistics, discrete mathematics

After Level 2, students can choose to continue with Computing Science at Levels 3 and  4, or change to a degree in Applied Computing.

Level 3
  • Analysis of Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Software Engineering, including agile methods
  • Internet Programming
  • Database Systems (multimedia and object databases plus data warehousing)
  • GUI Programming
  • Networks and Data
  • Communications
  • Computer Architecture and Operating Systems

Plus a choice of one of three specialist modules in mathematics:

  • Graph Theory
  • Scientific Computing
  • Operations Research
Level 4
  • 18 week Individual Project
  • Comparative Programming Languages
  • Complexity Theory
  • Three modules from the following:
    • Multimedia Audio
    • Computer Vision
    • Secure e-commerce
    • Technology Innovation Management
    • Computer Graphics
  • Four sub-modules from Research Topics & Applications options such as:
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Machine Learning
    • Signal Pprocessing
    • Information theory and cryptography
    • Constraint Programming
    • Multi-agent Systems
    • Computer vision

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and end-of-semester examination.

Coursework is often highly practical, for example designing solutions, evaluating algorithms, writing programmes, constructing and testing software, analysing problems or presenting solutions to clients.

Careers

Our students are highly employable:

  • They develop the expertise that employers want of computing graduates – our industrial advisory board includes experts from 2in10, NCR, Chevron, Microsoft and Cisco.
  • Our course portfolio is modelled upon the needs of the industry, and it is updated annually to maintain its relevance to the real world.
  • They work directly with employers - international forum discussions in Level 1, .NET web application development for an external client in Level 2, internet authoring mashup in Level 3, research applications in Level 4. Project work, guest lectures and research seminars involve key industry partners such as NCR and Yahoo!.
  • They have the chance to take part in an industrial placement module between Level 3 and 4, giving our graduates the edge in the ever-competitive job market. Students have previously enjoyed placements in leading computer games companies such as Tag and Dynamo.

The scientific and mathematical skills you will learn as part of the computing science degree are becoming increasingly sought after in the current IT market. There is demand for computing science graduates in the games industry and the degree is also useful for graduates wanting to work in Silicon Valley and in the major online companies.

Our graduates have gone on to work for industry giants such as Microsoft and Yahoo! as well as the games industry, project management and the NHS.

Adam Grieve, from Kirkcaldy, graduated in 1999 with a BSc in Computer Science. He now works as a senior software developer using .NET for a global manufacturing company (Glen Dimplex Group).

Adam says: "Having a computing degree has been essential for applying and getting jobs in the IT industry. Many of the core principles of software engineering I learned in my degree course still apply today!"

More computing graduate profiles »

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2013

Level 1 Entry

Qualification Grade
SQA Higher AABB
GCE A-Level BBB
ILC Higher AABB
IB Diploma 30 points (including 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science (SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher Level)
EU & International Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country

Advanced Entry (to Level 2)

Qualification Grade
SQA Advanced Higher BB (Advanced Higher) + BB (Higher) in other subjects
GCE A-Level ABB
IB Diploma 34 points (including 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science (SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level or IB Higher Level) and completion of the University's Java Online module.
For all School of Computing degrees, entry at Level 2 requires demonstration of competence in object-oriented programming using Java. This can be gained via our pre-entry module Java Online).

Other Qualifications

Qualification Grade
SQA A relevant HNC with grade B in the Graded Unit (Level 1 entry)
A relevant HNC with grade A in the Graded Unit and 120 SCQF credits or a relevant HND with grades BB in the Graded Units (Level 2 entry)
Scottish Baccalaureate Pass with CC at Advanced Higher in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science (Level 1 entry)
Pass with BB at Advanced Higher in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science (Level 2 entry)
SWAP Access Relevant science subject with ABB grades to include Mathematics at SCQF Level 6 (Level 1 entry)
EDEXCEL A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM (Level 1 entry)
A relevant HND with Merits in appropriate Science modules (Level 2 entry)
A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDD (Level 2 entry)
Advanced Diploma Grade B with ASL-A Levels in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science at BB (Level 1 entry)
Grade B with ASL-A Levels in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science at AB (Level 2 entry)
Welsh Baccalaureate Pass with A-Levels in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science at BB (Level 1 entry)
Pass with A-Levels in 2 Sciences/Mathematics and a Science at AB (Level 2 entry)
For entry to Computing, competence in Mathematics is essential. Level 2 entry requires completion of our pre-entry module Java Online
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

 

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category Fees for students starting September 2012 Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Students from the rest of the UK £9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.
EU students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Overseas students (non-EU) £12,180 per year.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

  • Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
  • Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
  • As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree UCAS Codes KIS data
BSc Computing Science G400 View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

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International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Home / EU applicants

Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388585/ 384370/ 388074 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388585/ 384370/ 388074 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk

International applicants

International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk