BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Education and Qualified Teacher Status draft

Program Overview

This is a highly practical course which combines a thorough understanding of computer science with a carefully supervised programme of education theory and practice - involving regular stints in schools.

For two thirds of your time you will study alongside specialising computer science students as you learn the main areas of the subject. These include software engineering and programming languages, as well as computer systems, computer architecture and data structures.

In addition to the technical knowledge you'll need to pursue a career in this field, you'll learn about the impact of technology on individuals, organisations and society.

But from your first year you will also have regular experience of working, and eventually teaching, in schools, so you will emerge ready to take up a teaching career straight away. Your progression will be carefully supported and monitored by tutors who are acutely aware of how to pace your experience.

Program Outline

Your computer science modules will encourage you to apply your skills to a range of practical problems. In your first year, you'll gain a solid grounding in computer science fundamentals, including Software Development, Networks and Web Technologies.

In your second year, you'll learn about operating systems, databases, data science and data structures. For your final year, you'll have the chance to specialise in areas such as mobile application development and distributed systems, as well as completing an industrially relevant project.

Meanwhile, your education modules will involve you studying Computer Science Teaching and Learning in year one, as well as spending spend six weeks working in a school.

Year two will see you researching Computer Science Learning, with another six-week school placement.

In your final year, you will conduct an Active Inquiry into an educational topic of your choice, and spend 12 weeks in a school, by which time you will be teaching pupils.

Your computer science modules will be delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, while your education modules and placements will be run by the School of Education and Communities.

Our Docklands campus has excellent computing resources, including specialised labs to study networking and operating system environments. You'll be given software tools for programming, database development, computer-aided software engineering, internet access and web-based development.

Our teaching staff will give you a great deal of personal attention and feedback as you get to grips with the course content.

You will be introduced gradually to the idea of teaching pupils computer science through three school based placements, the last of them for a whole term. Your first visit may involve observing and getting yourself familiar with the workings of the school. By your third-year visit, however, you will be in charge of classes.

You will benefit from doing group projects with fellow students. And you'll also gain insights from our industrial partners through guest lectures and visits to ensure you stay on top of what this fluid industry demands. The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.

You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm.

We'll assess you through a combination of coursework and exams. Coursework will include presentations, software demonstrations, research-based assignments and practical exercises involving system or program specification, coding and testing. You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve.

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.