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Computer scienceEntry 2012

Why computing?WhyHull? | 1

What can I study? | 6Computer ScienceComputer Science with Games

DevelopmentComputer Software

DevelopmentComputer Systems

EngineeringInformation Systems

What is ...? | 11The MEng routeThe foundation routeA year out

What is available at theScarboroughCampus? | 12

Teaching andassessment | 14

Course outlines | 15

Admissions | 18

FAQs | 19

Further information | 20

BSc Honours degrees UCAS code

Computer Science G400 BSc/CoS

Computer Science with Industrial Experience (4 years) G403 BSc/COSIE

Computer Science with Study Abroad (4 years) G404 BSc/COSSA

Computer Science with Games Development G490 BSc/CSGD

Computer Science with Games Development withIndustrial Experience (4 years) G493 BSc/CSGDIE

Computer Software Development G600 BSc/CSDev

Computer Software Development withIndustrial Experience (4 years) G602 BSc/CSDvIE

Computer Software Development with Study Abroad (4 years) G603 BSc/CSDvA

Computer Systems Engineering H600 BSc/CSE

Computer Systems Engineering withIndustrial Experience (4 years) H650 BSc/CSEIE

Information Systems I200 BSc/IS

Four-year BSc Honours with a foundation year UCAS code

Computer Science G401 BSc/CoS4

Computer Science with Games Development G491 BSc/CSGD4

Computer Software Development G601 BSc/CSDev4

Computer Systems Engineering H601 BSc/CSE4

Information Systems I201 BSc/IS4

MEng UCAS code

Computer Science (4 years) G402 MEng/CoS

Computer Science with Games Development (4 years) G492 MEng/CSGD

Computer Software Development (4 years) G604 MEng/CSD

Current offersTypically a mix of B and C grades from three A levels or equivalent (i.e. 260 to 300points) or around 200 points for the foundation route, with suitably adjusted offersfor applicants studying only two A levels or equivalent.

www.hull.ac.uk/dcsCover image: Split Second: Velocity,

developed by Black Rock Studio

and published by Disney

Interactive Studios (image courtesy

of Disney Interactive Studios).

Dates of semestersSemester 124 Sep – 14 Dec 2012

Semester 228 Jan – 10 May 2013

Key facts

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 1

Why study for a computing-related degree?Computing is a subject of great social and commercial importance. The scientistswho were interested in the discipline 60 years ago could never have imagined thatcomputers would have such an impact on practically every part of modern life. Therapid growth of computers continues and will undoubtedly have an even greaterglobal impact in the near future. By studying for a computing degree, you can gainthe background and knowledge to participate in this fascinating and continuallydeveloping area. Should you decide not to pursue a career in computing aftergraduation, the knowledge and skills developed during your studies will equip youfor a range of careers in public relations, marketing, the civil service, teaching oraccountancy.

Why study computing at the University of Hull?The Department of Computer Science prides itself on excellent staff–studentrelations. We foster a friendly atmosphere and offer a range of courses and subjectmodules, so you can find something to suit your needs.

For six years running our students have voted us into the leading group ofuniversities for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey. The departmentalso received high marks for the quality of its teaching and support, course content,and ease of contacting staff and getting advice with studies.

We place great emphasis on students’ being able to make an immediatecontribution in their chosen field, evidenced by the high proportion of graduateswho find employment within six months of graduation.

• We are the only UK University to have the coveted Microsoft MVP (Most ValuedProfessional) status awarded to an academic in recognition of their contributionto the .NET community.

• We were the first UK university to adopt Microsoft XBox 360 development kitswithin the undergraduate curriculum and the first university in the UK to deploySony PSP development kits in teaching.

• Hull has a reputation for excellence in games development and softwareengineering, gained as a direct result of the quality of our graduates andpostgraduates.

Industrial relevanceWe work closely with companies including Black Marble, Codemasters, Microsoft,Rare, Sony, Sumo Digital and Volvo in developing our courses to ensure that theyremain up to date and relevant to industry and commerce.

Student achievementIn recent years, more than 80% of our graduates have gained a degree at 2.2 orabove, and 22% have graduated with a 1st.

Our students have had outstanding success in the Imagine Cup, a prestigiousinternational competition which showcases student achievement. In each of thepast five years, Hull has had teams at the UK finals. This period has also seenmultiple UK-stage wins (in one year we were first, second and third) andsubsequent trips to the world finals, which have been staged in locations such asIndia and the Republic of Korea. Some of our teams have even met Bill Gates.

Why computing?Why Hull?

We work closely withleading companies toensure that ourcourses remain up todate and relevant toindustry andcommerce.

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This year we sent two teams to the UK finals, and one team claimed third place. Wealso had two first-year students make it to the second round of the worldwideImagine Cup XNA game development competition. In fact, Microsoft have so muchrespect for our Imagine Cup experience that Rob Miles, a lecturer in the department,is now the Competition Captain for the judging of the worldwide finals.

With three victories in the last six years, student teams from the department havealso been successful in the Computer Challenge competition run by the BritishComputer Society (BCS), and have frequently achieved excellent results in thenational BCS Programming Competition.

The British Computer SocietyWe maintain close links with the BCS, and our undergraduates benefit fromautomatic BCS student membership. This provides free personal email facilities, thenewspaper Computing and the periodical Computer Bulletin, plus discounts onbooks, equipment and services and access to professional information andindustrial contacts. BCS branch meetings are held in the department and at otherlocal venues, and we encourage students to get involved in the BCS YoungProfessionals’ Group.

Following the last BCS accreditation visit, all our established BSc and MEng degreeswere awarded full exemption from the BCS Professional Examination as well aspartial CEng accreditation. This is the highest award that three-year Honourscourses can achieve.

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 3

Pathway toopportunities

With teaching rated in the country’stop 10 by the 2010 National Student

Survey, Hull’s Computer ScienceDepartment has an excellent

reputation for graduate employability.In fact, 90% of our students are in

graduate-level jobs within six monthsof graduating – many snapped up by

industry giants such as Sony,Microsoft and Electronic Arts.

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We have degrees forstudents withadvancedqualifications inrelevant subjects –and a range ofcourses forapplicants withunconventialbackgrounds ormixes of subjectqualifications.

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We offer a variety of degrees, ranging from traditional to more unusual andinnovative courses. Not only do we have degrees suitable for students withadvanced qualifications in relevant subjects; we also have a range of coursessuitable for applicants with unconventional backgrounds or mixes of subjectqualifications. These variants involve an additional year of preliminary study,covering foundation topics including mathematics, IT and an appropriatescience. If you feel that this route is suitable for you, please contact theAdmissions Selectors and apply using the relevant full course code from thelist inside the front cover.

The following degrees are offered at our Hull Campus.

Three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours degreesG400 Computer ScienceG490 Computer Science with Games DevelopmentG600 Computer Software DevelopmentH600 Computer Systems EngineeringI200 Information Systems

Four-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours sandwich degreesG403 Computer Science with Industrial ExperienceG404 Computer Science with Study AbroadG493 Computer Science with Games Development with Industrial ExperienceG602 Computer Software Development with Industrial ExperienceG603 Computer Software Development with Study AbroadH650 Computer Systems Engineering with Industrial Experience

Four-year integrated Masters (MEng) degreesG402 Computer ScienceG492 Computer Science with Games DevelopmentG604 Computer Software Development

Four-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours degrees with afoundation yearG401 Computer ScienceG491 Computer Science with Games DevelopmentG601 Computer Software DevelopmentH601 Computer Systems EngineeringI201 Information Systems

English as a Foreign LanguageThe Language Learning Centre provides courses in English as a Foreign Language,specially tailored to international students’ needs. It offers intensive courses forone, two or three months before the start of the academic year, focusing on Englishfor study and research and English language, society and culture. The centre alsoprovides an in-sessional programme of language support, including English foracademic study and business purposes, and a year-long intensive programme.

What can I study?

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk �

Computer Science

The development of technology is changing the way we live. We are about tomove into an area of pervasive computing, where computer systems will beall around us. The next generation of computer scientists will build radicallydifferent systems from the ones that we have today. The limits of what can beachieved will be defined by the limits of our imagination, our insight and ourability to work together rather than by the speed or cost of the hardware.

Although the technology is changing, the validity of the basic scientific andengineering principles it is based on has not changed in the six decades since thefirst computers were built. These fundamentals form the basic core of our ComputerScience courses and provide a platform from which our graduates can adapt towhatever the next 60 years will bring.

Programming is at the heart of computer systems development – so much so that itis tempting to think computer science is all about programming. It isn’t!Programming is simply the use of a precise language to express ideas and solutionsto problems. Learning the rules of a language is not particularly difficult – it is whatwe teach in Year 1 – but learning the language through which to express an idea isno substitute for having a good idea to express. The second and final years,therefore, are all about giving you the means to analyse and discuss ideas so thatyou can create powerful and useful systems which make a difference toorganisations and users.

Increasingly, computer science includes the so-called ‘soft’ or ‘people’ skillsnecessary to ensure that the technology, both hardware and software, is usedefficiently; that the requirements of the system are consistent with the needs of thebusiness or organisation; that the system is usable by its users; and, in short, toensure that the system, no matter how technologically advanced, makes sense.

Pathways in Computer Science• MEng Computer Science G402 MEng/CoS• BSc Computer Science G400 BSc/CoS• BSc Computer Science with Industrial Experience G403 BSc/COSIE• BSc Computer Science with Study Abroad G404 BSc/COSSA• BSc Computer Science (including foundation year)* G401 BSc/CoS4

* For details see page 11.

Computer Science with GamesDevelopment

The computer games industry represents the mostdynamic, fast-moving and creative digitalentertainment market in the world. The sector hasalways used the most advanced and excitingtechnology available, with recent advances ingraphics hardware both improving the graphicalcontent of games and releasing resources that haveenabled more realistic physics and artificialintelligence (AI) to be used in games for the firsttime.

The course takes in a detailed consideration of theindustry-critical areas of programming, softwareengineering, computer graphics and simulation andincludes a significant element of practical project work,with specific relevance to the computer games industry.Year 1 module content is the same as for some of oursingle-subject courses, enabling you to transfer betweencourses up to the end of that year. Subsequent yearsintroduce specialist modules on games- and graphics-oriented topics, including multimedia architectures,simulation and rendering, digital audio and videotechniques and advanced games programming.

Although the skills gained on the course are directlyrelevant to the computer games industry, they are alsoapplicable to a range of careers which require knowledgeof graphics, simulation and visualization. In financialcomputing, for example, your experience of visualizingand displaying data can be applied to predictingfluctuations in the market; in medical computing,graphics programming is used to display medical imagesto assist diagnosis and treatment; in military computing,your expertise in AI, physics modelling and the design oflarge, complex programs will help with the simulation ofbattle environments and data analysis. Your solidknowledge and understanding of computer sciencewould also enable you to pursue a career in a variety ofother computing areas, unrelated to games and graphics.

Pathways in Computer Science with GamesDevelopment• MEng Computer Science with Games Development

G492 MEng/CSGD• BSc Computer Science with Games Development

G490 BSc/CSGD• BSc Computer Science with Games Developmentwith Industrial ExperienceG493 BSc/GSGDIE

• BSc Computer Science with Games Development(including foundation year)*G491 BSc/CSGD4

* For details see page 11.

Computer Software Development

Although programming is at the heart of softwaredevelopment, creating successful computer softwareinvolves much more than just writing code. TheComputer Software Development degree exploresthe tools and techniques that are used at every levelin the production of quality software and equips youwith the skills to operate as an effective softwaredeveloper. These extend from the control of the lifecycle over which the code is deployed to the ways inwhich code can be tested as it is created.

As with other engineered products, the notion of asoftware life cycle is used to describe the process ofsoftware development. You are exposed to a range ofprofessional tools used at each stage of the life cycle andgiven the opportunity to acquire industrially relevantskills.

Of particular importance in software development is thecorrect determination of the behaviour of the requiredsystem. Techniques are identified which will assist insolving this problem, based on the industrial experienceof lecturers delivering the course.

To be effective, the entire process of softwaredevelopment also needs to be well managed. Managerialtasks include planning the development activities to beperformed within a specified time and budget,identifying and addressing risks to which a project maybe vulnerable and tracking the project’s progress.Various techniques for addressing these problems aredescribed and explored throughout the course.

In the third-year modules you are introduced to state-of-the-art software development issues currently beingaddressed by research in the department and byindustry.

We have developed this course in conjunction with anumber of industrial partners. We believe that when yougraduate from this course you will have the knowledge,skills and ability to be a genuinely useful softwaredeveloper.

Pathways in Computer Software Development• MEng Computer Software Development

G604 MEng/CSD• BSc Computer Software Development

G600 BSc/CSDev• BSc Computer Software Development withIndustrial ExperienceG602 BSc/CSDvIE

• BSc Computer Software Development withStudy AbroadG603 BSc/CSDvA

• BSc Computer Software Development(including foundation year)*G601 BSc/CSDev4

* For details see page 11.

Computer science8

Computer Systems Engineering

Computer Systems Engineering is the integration ofsoftware engineering and digital electronics. Thiscourse explores the tools and techniques used in theproduction of embedded computer systems. Itequips students with the skills needed to be effectivedevelopers of software for such systems and to plan,manage and evolve the software process. Studentsdevelop an in-depth awareness of all phases ofsoftware development, an understanding ofcomputer hardware and practical experience ofsoftware development for embedded hardware.

Graduates of this course will be able to construct oradapt software and hardware systems to meet the needsof computer users through (i) effective communicationwith the user and elicitation of their needs; (ii) astructured approach to development which will enablethe product to be completed in a timely and cost-effectivemanner; (iii) engineering effective solutions throughsystematic analysis and design, and the selection ofappropriate tools, methods, techniques andtechnologies; (iv) continued development of theirknowledge and skills as technologies evolve.

Throughout the course we aim to provide a challengingand rewarding learning experience for all students andto foster the development of an enquiring, open-mindedand creative attitude through a mix of formal teaching,discussion and practical experience. A wide variety ofpractical and theoretical computing skills are developedthroughout the course, with the opportunity to specialiseat Level 6.

The skills gained through this course provide thefoundation for further lifelong learning and enablegraduates to progress as professionals in this field.

Pathways in Computer Systems Engineering• BSc Computer Systems Engineering

H600 BSc/CSE• BSc Computer Systems Engineering with IndustrialExperienceH650 BSc/CSEIE

• BSc Computer Systems Engineering(including foundation year)*H601 BSc/CSE4

* For details see page 11.

Information Systems

Information systems as an academic discipline linkscomputer science and business; it focuses onexploring and exploiting the use of computingwithin a business environment to gain a competitiveadvantage. This is distinct from information systemsas a technology, where the role is to use computingpower to perform tasks that would otherwise be tootime-consuming, repetitive or onerous for a humanto perform.

The enormous explosion in the range of computingsolutions available to a business is a daunting prospect.Information systems professionals are able to analysethe business requirements and implement aninformation technology solution, either through thespecification and procurement of a commercial solutionor by liaising with software developers to create abespoke solution. The information systems professionalis therefore versed in the languages of business,information technology and software development.

The aim of this course is to provide the core computingskills in the form of requirements capture, specification,analysis and software development, while providingexposure to various aspects of the businessenvironment.

The specific knowledge required of an informationsystems professional depends on the nature of thebusiness. With this in mind, the course has beendesigned to provide significant optionality within allyears – enabling you to focus on the particular aspects ofthe discipline that will be of most relevance in yourchosen career.

A unique aspect of this course is the guaranteedopportunity to undertake industrial placement withinSEED Software – our in-house commercial softwaredevelopment unit – within the final year of study. Theplacement provides students with a blend of projectmanagement and software-engineering experience in areal commercial context.

Pathways in Information Systems• BSc Information Systems

I200 BSc/IS• BSc Information Systems(including foundation year)*I201 BSc/IS4

* For details see page 11.

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 9

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Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 11

What is the MEng route?An MEng is a Masters-level qualification that provides an alternative to thetraditional BSc-plus-MSc route. Our MEng courses offer you a number of distinctbenefits. The MEng qualifies you for local-authority funding in the fourth year,unlike the BSc-plus-MSc route, which means that you can gain a Masters-levelqualification at a significantly lower cost to you. The first three years of the MEngcourses are the same as Years 1–3 of the corresponding three-year BSc degrees. Inthe fourth year the MEng provides you with guaranteed industrial experienceworking on real commercial software development projects within SEED Software(our in-house software development unit), heightened development expertise andsought-after business skills which will give you a significant advantage whenseeking employment. You also study relevant computing subjects in more depth.

What is the foundation route?We offer a range of four-year courses in which the standard three years of BSc studydescribed in this pamphlet follow a foundation year of preliminary studies. Thesecourses are designed to provide a route into the degree-level study of computing forapplicants who do not offer qualifications suitable for direct entry but whonevertheless demonstrate the potential for success.

The foundation year is an integral part of four-year degree courses, throughoutwhich you are registered as a student of the University. Studies during thefoundation year include mathematical topics, introductory information technologyand programming, and a choice of options in science and technologies and inEnglish.

What is a year out?A year out, as a period of industrial experience or studying abroad, is an explicitpart of most of our degree courses. In these courses, the year out earns credits as aformal component of the degree.

We also give students the chance to be a paid intern for a year with SEED Software,and interns will be working on programs that have real-world clients. Typically, tobe considered for one of these positions, you will be finishing your second year ofstudy.

All our other degree courses allow for intercalation. That is, you may choose tobreak your studies before the final year to gain appropriate experience in industry(and perhaps earn some cash!) or to study abroad.

The University’s Careers Service and the department’s Industrial Liaison Officer canhelp you find a suitable work or study placement which – combined with a goodacademic qualification – can make you more attractive to employers when yougraduate. Students returning from a year out will often show the benefit through thehigh quality of their final-year work.

As well as offering access to industrial opportunities within the UK, the Universityhas exchange agreements with other universities in Europe, Canada and America,enabling you to gain international experience during your year of studying abroad.Language modules are available from the University’s Language Learning Centre toprepare you for a placement in a non-English-speaking country.

In the fourth year, theMEng provides youwith guaranteedindustrial experienceworking on realcommercial softwaredevelopmentprojects.

What is …?

Our suite of degreesin creativetechnologies are verymuch practice-oriented, with therelevant theoreticalconcepts beingdelivered, in context,alongside individualand group work.

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Be inspired and create – degrees in digital media and creativetechnologiesThe rapid evolution of digital media devices and production tools is enabling peopleto become media producers as well as consumers. Podcasting, mobile blogging,music production, VJing and the next generation of the web are becoming lifestylecomponents in the networked, digital world.

To be a practising graduate in the expanding creative-industries sector, a balancebetween the artistic process and the technical constraints of media access anddelivery is required. Equally important is the ability to reflect critically on how thesedevelopments are affecting the way we live, work and play. The degree coursesoffered at the University’s Scarborough Campus aim to give students this balance inan inspirational natural setting.

Practicality and versatilityOur suite of degrees in creative technologies are very much practice-oriented, withthe relevant theoretical concepts being delivered, in context, alongside individualand group work. A large part of the final stage of these courses is an individualproject, which allows you to work in your own interest area or on a contemporaryresearch project. Recent topics have included mobile media discovery, music videoproduction, interactive installations and interface usability studies.

Our courses allow you to specialise in a particular digital media form, developentrepreneurial skills, engineer novel presentation and interaction methods, orreflect on technologies’ role in society – a unique, personalised mix of art, science,commerce and critical thinking. All the courses are supported by excellentresources for the production and manipulation of digital media, from dedicatedrecording studios to a digital media laboratory, both using industry-standardsoftware and hardware.

Networking and collaborationScarborough is an exciting place to study digital media: we have close links with the£4.8 million Woodland Creative Workspace, which houses our Creative EnterpriseLab. There are opportunities to get involved with multimedia events and to networkwith the growing number of creative and digital practitioners who are relocatingtheir businesses to the town.

There is close collaboration between our computer scientists, artists, designers,animators, dancers, video producers, web developers, sound engineers andmusicians. Their enthusiasm for combining the potential of new technologies withartistic creativity is evident in the course structures and the opportunities forcollaboration between subject areas. The friendly, compact campus at Scarborough,with its creative environment, means that it is easy for you to mix with studentswith different interests and specialisms.

The original aim of the web was for people to create and share information, notjust consume. If you want to explore this creative process while gaining a soundtechnical understanding of digital media forms, further details can be found inthe Creative and Digital Technologies subject pamphlet. You can download ororder a copy from our website at www.hull.ac.uk/prospectus. Alternatively, youcan call 0870 126 2000.

What is available at theScarborough Campus?

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 13

Honours degrees• BA Creative Music Technology J931 S BA/CMT S• BA Creative Music Technology with

Business Management W3N2 S BA/CMTBM• BA Design for Digital Media W212 S BA/DDM• BA Digital Arts W280 S BA/DA• BA Digital Media Studies W214 S BA/DMS• BA Media Performance W490 S BA/MP• BSc Web Design and Development G451 S BSc/WDD• BSc Web Design and Development with

Industrial Experience G452 S BSc/WDDwIE

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In the first two years, you attend around ninecompulsory 50-minute lectures per week. In Year 1,weekly programming workshops and laboratoriessupplement your lectures. Course lecturers alsoprovide a formal programme of examples classesand practicals in both the first and second years.

Your progress is assessed by a combination of formalwritten examinations, held at the end of each semester,and a coursework or practical element. The latter may bebased on programming work and associateddocumentation and reports, or assessment may be bysubmission of solutions to example sheets, throughessays on various topics or through team projects.

Practical work is an important feature of all the degreecourses, and assessed coursework and programmingexercises account for up to 40% of the marks in the firsttwo years.

After the first year, a range of options gives you theopportunity to specialise. In Year 3, you also undertakean individual project – a further opportunity tospecialise in the areas of computing in which you areparticularly interested. You can choose your individualproject from a list (which is revised each year) or, subjectto the department’s approval, you can pursue a topic ofyour own. Recent project topics have included

• racing car and circuit simulator• image metamorphosis• a java painting and drawing package• animating talking head agents for virtual tourism• a volunteer project database• parallel algorithm design in SR• interactive interface to star catalogue• a comparison of sorting algorithms• fractal terrain generation• pipe-crawling robots• full game implementation for pay-per-view television• virtual sensors and bitmap images• speech synthesis for mobile devices• performance evaluation of parallel architecture

The department operates an Ordinary degree scheme towhich transfer may be recommended after thecompletion of one or two years of an Honours course.This transfer is available to students who are unlikely toreach Honours standard in their degree. There is nodirect entry to the Ordinary degree, which is based onthe core material of the Honours degrees but includesone or two additional modules.

Computing facilitiesThe department uses a range of workstation and serverplatforms to support its teaching and researchprogrammes, in addition to the network of PClaboratories available to all students across the campusand in the halls of residence. The network offers accessto library resources and catalogues and extends tostudent residences – giving you continuous access toaccounts and resources no matter where you decideto work.

A recently constructed air-conditioned laboratorycomplex – containing approximately 1�0 PCs runningWindows and Active Directory – supports generalcoursework in the department. The laboratory isconnected via the campus network to the internet usingthe latest fibre-optic technology. In addition, somecourses are supported by smaller, more specialisedlaboratories containing hardware such as games-programming equipment and multimedia support.

An Office suite, software development environments andalternative operating system access are standard to allmachines. A limited number of machines also includehardware design simulators.

The department is affiliated with Microsoft’s AcademicAlliance, which allows you to access the latest Microsoftoperating systems and development software for homeuse. Once registered with the department, you candownload the software directly to your home PC free ofcharge. Alternatively, we can order your copies of thesoftware for a small postage and packaging fee.

Teaching and assessment

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 15

The tables below give you a more detailed indication of what you would studyon the different degrees that we offer on the Hull Campus. The structure andcontent of the courses are not static – and will change to reflect significantdevelopments in computing – so you should take these tables as a guide only.

Foundation yearAll courses including a foundation year begin with the following study pattern, inwhich pathway option A, B or C will be taken according to the student’s backgroundand their prospective future studies.

Year 1A common first year for some of our single-subject courses provides you with astrong foundation of computing knowledge and enables you to transfer betweenour different degree courses during (or at the end of) the first year, if you wish. Youtake six equally weighted modules.

KeyCS Computer Science

CSa/i Computer Science withStudy Abroad /Industrial Experience

CSE Computer SystemsEngineering

CSE/i Computer SystemsEngineering withIndustrial Experience

GD Computer Science withGames Development

GD/i Computer Science withGames Developmentwith IndustrialExperience

IS Information Systems

SD Computer SoftwareDevelopment

SDa/i Computer SoftwareDevelopment withStudy Abroad /Industrial Experience

� Compulsory module

Option Optional module

� Module not availablefor this degreeprogramme

Course outlines

Module PathwayComputer Games Technology AThe Internet: More than Just Surfing and Spam APreparing for Learning at HE Level CIT and Computing CFoundation Maths 1 & 2 (two modules) CFoundation Physics 1 & 2 (two modules) BFoundation Chemistry 1 & 2 (two modules) C

Module CS GD SD CSE ISCSa/i GD/i SDa/i CSE/i

Information Technologyand Professional Skills � � � � �

Quantitative Methods Option Option Option Option OptionFree elective Option Option Option Option OptionProgramming 1 � � � � �

Computer Systems � � � � �

Software Engineeringand HCI � � � � �

Programming 2 � � � � �

Business Managementand Enterprise � � � � Option

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Year 2In the second year, the development of your knowledge of core computing subjects continues and specialist modulesare introduced. You take six equally weighted modules.

Year out

Module CS GD SD CSE ISCSa/i GD/i SDa/i CSE/i

Systems Analysis, Design and Process � � � � �

2D Computer Graphics and UserInterface Design Option � Option � �

Information Systems and UserInterface Design Option � Option � �

Free elective Option � � � OptionAdvanced Programming Option � � � �

Artificial Intelligence Option � � � OptionE-Commerce and E-Business Option � � � OptionNetworking and Games Architecture Option � � Option �

Networking and Web Technologies Option � � Option �

Software Engineering Option � � � �

Database Techniques Option � � � �

Simulation and 3D Computer Graphics Option � � � �

Electronics and Interfacing Option � � � �

Starting a New Business � � � � OptionEverybody Manages:Management Skills for the 21st Century � � � � Option

CSa CS/i GD/i SDa SD/i CSE/iYear in industry/commerce � � � � � �

Study abroad � � � � � �

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 1�

Final year (BSc degrees) / Year 3 (MEng)Specialisation continues with a degree-specific individual project plus specialist taught modules. You take four equallyweighted modules plus a project worth twice the credits of the other modules.

Final year (MEng only)Specialisation continues, and you gain experience of working on real commercial software development projects. Youtake four equally weighted modules plus Commercial Development Practice, which is worth twice the credits of theother modules.

Module CS GD SD CSE ISCSa/i GD/i SDa/i CSE/i

Final-Year Project (double module) � � � � OptionIT Internship (double module) � � � � OptionCommunicating and Teaching Computing Option Option Option Option OptionLanguages and Compilers Option � Option Option �

Mobile Devices and Applications Option � � Option OptionVirtual Environments and Advanced Graphics Option � � � �

Advanced Graphics and Games Programming � � � � �

Strategic Planning and Systems Development Option � � � �

Neural, Emergent and Agent Technologies Option Option � Option �

Advanced Software Engineering � � � Option OptionData Mining and Decision Systems Option � � � �

Distributed Systems Programming Option Option � Option OptionVisualization Option Option � � OptionCommercial Game Development Process Option � Option � �

Embedded Systems Development � � � � �

Strategic Management � � � � OptionInformation Systems in Accounting and Finance � � � � OptionPsychology and Work � � � � Option

Module CS GD SDCommercial Development Practice (double module) � � �

C++ Programming and Design Option � �

Real-Time Computer Graphics Option � �

Simulation and Concurrency Option � �

Component Based Architectures Option � �

Maintaining Large Software Systems Option � �

Distributed Applications � � �

Advanced Rendering and AI for Games � � �

Trustworthy Computing � � �

Open days are anopportunity to meetsome of the studentsand staff and to seesome of our facilities.

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We do not require you to have studied computing before, although wewelcome applicants with previous knowledge. Our experience has shown thatmature students generally flourish on our courses, and we welcomeapplications from candidates who may offer relevant career experience ratherthan recent academic qualifications. We also welcome motivated applicantswho wish to begin their study of computing with us.

Should you be interested in studying here, you will usually be invited to visit thedepartment on one of our open days. This gives you an opportunity to meet some ofthe students and staff and to see some of our facilities. You are also given a tour ofthe campus, guided by current students, which gives you the chance to discuss ourcourses and get a student’s view of the University and the department. The tourincludes the students’ union, the library and the large on-campus Sports andFitness Centre, plus a visit to some of the University accommodation.

If you are presently undecided about the most appropriate of our courses for yourinterests, then please apply using the general Computer Science code G400. Afteryour visit to the department and a discussion with our staff, you are able to changeyour course code if you wish. Subject to departmental approval, it is also possible tochange within the first few weeks of starting your degree here – in fact it is usuallypossible to transfer between the majority of the department’s courses during thefirst year of study on account of our largely common first year.

Scholarships, bursaries and industrial sponsorshipSeveral scholarships based on academic achievement are available each year.Applications for bursaries based on personal circumstances rather than academicqualifications are also considered. Please contact the department for further detailsof the scholarships and bursaries available.

We welcome applications from candidates who are sponsored and who wish tospend a year in industry during their course. Industrial sponsorships can provide asupplement to normal student funding.

Entry requirementsWe generally look for clear evidence of potential to succeed in university-levelstudies, with particular regard to the logical thinking, methodical working andbreadth of vision which are needed for success in software design and developmentwork. So we are interested in your choice of subjects at A level, or in otherqualifications such as BTEC or Baccalaureate, and in your achieved or expectedresults.

We normally ask for 260–300 UCAS points at A level or equivalent. A pass at grade Bor C in GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) is required for all courses; GCSE English atgrade C or equivalent is also preferred.

The four-year courses with a foundation year are designed for applicants who donot have the conventional background, subject or language qualifications, so lowerattainment (usually around 200 points) in relevant subjects – or good grades in lessrelevant subjects – can be considered for admission.

Admissions

Computer sciencewww.hull.ac.uk 19

How do I get to know other people in the department?Our induction week includes a welcome party where youmeet staff and other first-years. You will soon get toknow other members of your year through tutorials andpractical classes.

What is a typical week like?A typical week in the first and second years involvesaround ten hours of lectures and six hours of supportclasses such as practicals and tutorials. There is lessformal contact time in the final year, when students areworking on their individual projects. In between formalclasses, you have plenty of time to complete yourcoursework and pursue all your other interests.

Is there tutorial support?Teaching support is provided in a variety of ways. Forexample, several tutorial sessions or examples classesmay be organised per week, each for a subset ofstudents. Open-door clinic sessions may also beprovided to give practical support with lab work orcoursework.

How do I decide which modules to take?Each year you receive a handbook giving full details ofeach module and showing the compulsory and optionalmodules. Your supervisor is also available to advise you.

How are my modules assessed?The module specifications outline the method ofassessment for each module: normally a mix ofcoursework and written examination at the end of thesemester in which it is studied.

What happens if I fail a module? Do I have to leave?No. You may be able to retake the module. Most studentspass the resit, but even if you find that you are unable tomaintain the level required for an Honours degree, youmay be able to transfer to an Ordinary degree.

Can I get help if I am having problems with a module?Our open-door policy means that you can call at anytime on any member of staff and seek their help. Staff arebusy, of course, but you will find that we areapproachable and genuinely willing to help.

Who can I turn to for help and advice?Throughout your time here, one member of staff acts asyour personal supervisor. This ensures that there is atleast one person you can turn to for advice on anymatter, whether academic or personal. The CounsellingService, hall wardens and their assistants, tutors for

student houses and the students’ union Advice Centreare also concerned, in different ways, with your welfare.

Can I comment on the teaching I receive?Yes. At the end of each module we collect yourcomments. Staff review a summary of the feedback andpresent a report to the next staff and Staff–StudentCommittee meetings. Comments can be made in otherways too – through our Quality Incident Book, theQuality Officer, your rep on the Staff–StudentCommittee, your personal supervisor, the Director ofUndergraduate Studies or the Head of Department.

How easy is it to change degree course?It is usually possible to change courses up to the end ofYear 1 and sometimes up to the end of Year 2, dependingon the options you have chosen.

Is there any time for sport or leisure activities?Wednesday afternoons are free for all undergraduates.The compact nature of the campus means that you won’thave to spend much time travelling around. You couldeven fit in a game of squash between lectures!

Why do the courses encompass professionaldevelopment?Our courses are technical in nature, but it is no longerenough to be just a good ‘techie’. Computingprofessionals must be able to communicate at differenttechnical and organisational levels, to work in teams, tobe comfortable giving presentations and to use moderncommunications technology effectively. In addition tosuch transferable skills, we believe it is important thatgraduates have a firm understanding of the legal, moraland social implications of their future activities.

Do your graduates have good employment prospects?Students who work hard and attain a good degree arevery well positioned to take advantage of the excitingopportunities that careers in computing offer. All of ourdegrees provide a grounding in programming andsoftware engineering, which constitutes a solidfoundation for traditional computing careers. Dependingon the degree you choose, you can also gain a deepunderstanding of specific areas of computing such asinternet technology and software engineering.

FAQs

Hull graduates haverecently gainedemployment with,among others, Sony,the BBC, GovernmentCommunicationsHeadquarters,Logica, DellComputers, Fujitsuand NewsInternational.

Computer science20

Careers and further studyThe applications of computers and computing continue to grow in industry, incommerce and in pure and applied research. Our graduates have moved into all ofthese areas for their first employment – joining computer manufacturers, softwarehouses and IT departments – while others have undertaken postgraduate study andresearch. Hull graduates have recently gained employment with, among others,Sony, the BBC, Government Communications Headquarters, Logica, DellComputers, Fujitsu and News International.

In designing our degree programmes, we aim to provide you with a good theoreticaland practical training which will interest potential employers and equip you withthe tools to undertake further study.

The University has an excellent Careers Service, which gives individual advice tostudents about possible careers. It also arranges recruiting visits by prospectiveemployers during your final year. The University does consistently well in the‘graduate employment’ category of national surveys, and it has one of the lowestgraduate unemployment rates in the UK.

Research is an important part of the department’s academic work, and there areopportunities for graduates to undertake research leading to an MSc or PhD, orboth. Current research interests in the department include human–computerinteraction, artificial intelligence, virtual environments, local area networks,parallel computer architecture, graphics, medical imaging, graphical interfaces forspecialist information systems, expert systems and interactive system design.

AddressesFor general course or admissions enquiries, write to

Undergraduate Admissions SecretaryDepartment of Computer ScienceUniversity of HullHull, HU6 �RX01482 46506�dcs-ug@hull.ac.ukwww.hull.ac.uk/dcs

ApplicationsApplications are made online through the Universities and Colleges AdmissionsService (UCAS), either independently or with the help of your school or college.There are full instructions for all applicants at www.ucas.com, or you can call theUCAS Customer Service Unit on 08�1 468 0468 for further information and advice.

And finally …We are a friendly department, and if you decide to study at the University of Hullyou will have every opportunity to get to know us inside and outside of theclassroom and lab. One member of staff will be your personal supervisor from theoutset, and you will remain in touch with them throughout your University career.In addition, the Head of Department is willing to see any student at any time.

We have attempted to tell you as much as possible about the workings of thedepartment in this pamphlet. But if you require more information, do not hesitate tocontact us. If you have a UCAS personal ID number, please quote it in allcommunications.

Further information

Studying for a degree at the University of Hull is a unique experience. We aimto provide you with an education that offers both depth and breadth ofknowledge. To meet these ends the University has developed an optional FreeElective Scheme. This scheme enables the majority of undergraduate studentsto take one module a year from outside their main course of study.

So, how does it work?Each year you take 120 credits’ worth of modules.

What sort of subjects can I take?You can take almost any free elective module from outside your main course ofstudy, usually at your home campus. You can even take a module from anotherfaculty. You should discuss your choice of free electives with your supervisor.Among many others, options available might include

• Computer Games Technology• Quantitative Methods• Introduction to Psychology• Introduction to Business Management• Career Management Skills• modules in modern languages

What are the main reasons for participating?• The scheme gives you the opportunity to study a subject without having to

commit yourself to taking further modules in that subject area.• By taking a free elective you are able to follow up your interests as part of your

degree.• With a broader education you may acquire extra skills that will help you when

you enter the employment market.

Admissions policyAdmissions information provided

in this pamphlet is intended as a

general guide and cannot cover all

possibilities. Entry requirements

are generally stated in terms of A

level grades and/or UCAS points,

but we encourage applications

from people with a wide range of

other qualifications and/or

experience. Some further details of

the various entry routes are

included in our general prospectus.

Please contact the Admissions

Service (see below) with any

specific queries about admissions.

DisclaimerThis publication is intended

principally as a guide for

prospective students. The matters

covered by it – academic and

otherwise – are subject to change

from time to time, both before and

after students are admitted, and

the information contained in it

does not form part of any contract.

While every reasonable precaution

was taken in the production of this

brochure, the University does not

accept liability for any

inaccuracies.

AddressFor general enquiries, please

write to

Admissions Service

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 �RX

T 01482 466100

F 01482 442290

E admissions@hull.ac.uk

Free Elective Scheme

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits

20 credits

Here you take modules from yourmain course of study.

Here you have the option to take afree elective or another module fromyour main course of study.

Picture creditsPages 3: ©iStockphoto.com/dem10

Pages 4–5: ©iStockphoto.com/Eraxion

Page 6: ©iStockphoto.com/spxChrome

Page 10: ©iStockphoto.com/Henrik5000

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w.hull.ac.uk

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