Department of Computer Science


Computer Science Degrees

The Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth is long established but continues to be at the forefront of research into computer-related technologies of all kinds. There are currently 60 teaching, research and support staff in the Department and about 400 undergraduate students. Together, they carry out important research and development in all the major areas of Computer Science including: robotics, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, image processing, internet communications and software engineering. Often in co-operation with major international companies, our staff are working at the frontiers of their disciplines, so that, as a student on a Computer Science degree at Aberystwyth, you can be confident that you will be working with the very latest technologies and ideas.

For teaching and research Aberystwyth University's Computer Science Department was rated as one of the top Computer Science departments in the UK, by the Times Good University Guide. You will also find that the people in the department are not only cutting-edge Computer Science professionals, but also friendly and approachable. Why not arrange a visit to come and see for yourself?

 We offer the following Computer Science degree courses:

At Aberystwyth, you can also combine Computer Science with a range of other subjects. Click here for the available combinations.

 

 

Computer Science Degree Course Structure

All the degree courses in the Computer Science Department are designed on a flexible modular system.

 

Years 1 and 2

The first year provides all students with a common foundation. If you have no previous knowledge of computing you will take a module that introduces the concepts of software development, the software facilities at Aberystwyth, and the programming language Java. If you have studied computing before, or you have extensive experience, you will also learn Java, but in a module which emphasises design and ‘programming in the large’.

Other core modules introduce databases, the principles of computer architecture, web programming, and personal and professional development. Optional modules allow you to get up to speed in areas where you may need more background, or to explore areas which you can study in more depth in later years.

In the second year you will specialise in your chosen subject area. All students participate in the Software Development Lifecycle module which includes a group project. Taking one of the roles which exist in industry, such as project manager, designer, or quality assurance manager, you will produce a working software product, following best current industrial practice at every stage.

Year in Employment

We encourage all students to spend a year in employment between their second and third years of study. For students on the BEng and MEng schemes and those who are taking Computer Science with an European language, a year in employment is compulsory and assessed as part of your degree. In the latter case, your year out is taken in a country where the language you are studying is spoken. In this case it is sometimes possible to spend the year studying at an European university rather than in paid employment. Most of our students find the Year in Employment enormously helpful.

Year 3

In your third year you will spend one third of your time completing a major individual project in an area which interests you. For many students this is the highlight of the course.


Professional Accreditation and Career Opportunities

The British Computer Society (BCS) accredit our schemes on behalf of the Engineering Council. The BCS accept all of our single honours schemes and majors for the appropriate level of accreditation. Further details are available by contacting the Admissions Tutor in the Department. 

Our graduates and industrial year students are eagerly sought by employers. As well as providing outstanding technical ability, our degree schemes are designed to develop the personal, transferable skills vital to your future employment, such as writing reports, giving presentations and working in teams.

Nearly all our students are able to find interesting, well-paid work straight after graduation. Employers of our graduates typically fall into one of six categories:

  • End user organisations - working with software suppliers, maintaining existing computer systems, and developing IT strategies.
  • Computer manufacturers - designing and developing new computer systems, providing training and technical advice for customers, or working in marketing and sales.
  • Software houses and consultancies - developing bespoke software for particular business problems, or designing mass-produced packages such as word processors and games.
  • Producers of electronic systems - producing software for the systems embedded in products as diverse as cars, washing machines, railway signalling systems and airliners.
  • Internet Solution Providers - producing software for use over the internet, administering web sites and providing telecommunications solutions.
  • Research and education - (after further study) carrying out research in a University, teaching computer science in schools and colleges

Facilities

As you would expect from a major research department, the facilities available to you are excellent. As well as two teaching laboratories equipped with high-performance multimedia workstations supported by powerful central servers, and a Digital Systems laboratory, you will have access to about 750 PCs located throughout the campus, including our own building, the main library, and the student halls of residence. All are connected to the Internet and many are open 24 hours a day. All student bedrooms in halls of residence have network connections.

The Department has an extensive range of equipment used primarily for research, which is available to final year students who choose projects in these research areas. This includes four industrial robots, six experimental mobile robots, a number of vision and motion tracking systems and many pieces of specialist software such as virtual reality environments.  

A photograph of Kevin Bowler Kevin Bowler BA Computer Science Devon

I chose to study at Aberystwyth because some of the other courses I looked at weren’t really right for me. I read the syllabus and came here on an Open Day and really liked the location, it all clicked into place.

I love the Arts Centre, I come here quite a lot. They put on a very varied selection of films, there’s everything from the big blockblusters to the more independent films, and the food here is great. They put on loads of other events, and comedy acts. I like the scenery around the town. The mountains just behind us, the sea and there are beaches all around the place. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere to study in. It’s really nice to be able to take a break from your studies and wander around town, and see all the nice coffee shops. I hate having to leave, even to go home!

The social life’s brilliant, you can make what you want of it really. It can be crazy, there are a few night clubs and loads of pubs. Or you can take it as relaxed as you want, go out for a meal or a movie and a coffee afterwards. There’s such a varied range of things to do, it’s really nice to set your own pace. I recommend Aberystwyth to all my friends all the time, anyone that isn’t at uni yet should come here. It’s such a great place to study, there are so many things to do. Studying at Aberystwyth is definitely a good idea.

The 2nd prize in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup was awarded to Matt Sharpe and Simon Stringer, two computer science students at the University. Their presentation for virtual classroom software was made in front of nearly 200 people, comprising potential employers, business people, students and academics. With three teams out of the 11 finalists coming from Aberystwyth, the University was one of the best represented.