BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Program Overview

Bournemouth University's BSc (Hons) Computer Science program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of software development and theoretical computing principles. Through a balance of practical and theoretical coursework, students gain the versatility and technical skills necessary for a successful career in the IT field, preparing them for a wide range of roles in a global context. The program emphasizes industry-focused learning and provides opportunities for practical experience through placements and research projects. Graduates are well-qualified for various IT professional roles, including software engineers, network technicians, and business information specialists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BSc (Hons) Computer Science program at Bournemouth University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in the computing field. The program emphasizes both software development and theoretical aspects of computer science, preparing graduates for a wide range of roles in a global context.

Key Objectives:

• Versatility and Personal Qualities: Develop the versatility and personal qualities to combine software development and theoretical aspects of computer science to meet the most versatile and broadest needs of employers in a global context.
• Applied Technical Skills: Build and improve applied technical skills with a strong appreciation of a wider range of computing topics to develop a broad range of computer applications and solutions for any organization.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Study and practice in state-of-the-art speciality labs with enterprise-grade hardware and fully virtualisation-ready enterprise-level infrastructure.
• Industry-Focused Learning: Engage in practical industry-focused tasks and co-participate in research projects with BU staff, experts from other institutions, and industries in the UK and worldwide.
• Placement Opportunities: Gain valuable work experience on a placement year (optional).
• Career Readiness: Be qualified to work as an IT professional in various roles, ranging from software engineer/developer to AI researcher, front-end developer, or DevOps engineer.
• Introduction to Computers: Gain a basic understanding of computer technology and its role in the modern world, covering practical computing skills and techniques.
• Introduction to Programming: Develop basic knowledge and understanding of computing programming, demonstrating coding and problem-solving skills through application design, build, and testing.

Year 1:

• Core Units:
• Computer Fundamentals:
Understand concepts and terminology of computing, networking, communications, security, and virtualization.
• Mathematics for Computing: Develop mathematical knowledge for modeling and solving real-world computing problems.
• Programming: Develop skills and understanding to implement software solutions to different problems, gaining hands-on experience in programming and testing.
• Data Management: Develop practical expertise in database querying and database design techniques.
• Introduction to Reliable Computing: Gain an introduction to the concepts of modeling and system analysis in a team approach.
• Elective Units:

Year 2:

• Core Units:
• Software Engineering: Learn about the theory and practice of software engineering, including the software development process.
• Technological Innovations in Computing: Gain practical knowledge of current and emerging technological innovations, building on previous programming knowledge in a team approach.
• Elective Units:
• Software Business:
Gain a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of software business, various business models, and innovations.

Optional Placement Year:

• Minimum 30-week work placement: Gain practical experience and make contacts for the future.
• Option to opt out: Complete the degree in three years without the placement year.

Final Year:

• Core Units:
• Systems Development: Gain a critical understanding of the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-grade applications to allow organizations to scale their IT provisioning in an agile way.
• Individual Project: Pursue a topic of choice, identifying a problem and selecting and implementing a solution.
• Option Units:
• Deep Learning and Applications:
Gain an introduction to Deep Learning approaches and their applications for Machine Learning tasks.
• Digital Innovation and Transformation: Learn the skills, techniques, and technologies necessary to develop a digital portfolio based on digital transformation in business innovation efforts.
• Internet and Wide Area Networks: Investigate networking aspects such as design principles, implementation in practice, analysis, and evaluation of large-scale networked systems.
• Elective Units:

Assessment:

• Assessment methods and contact hours: Details are available in the program specification.
• Foundation Year Program Specification: Downloadable PDF (245kb)
• Program Specification: Downloadable PDF (330kb)

Teaching:

• Teaching Staff: A range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the unit content, including senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians, and research students.
• Guest Lectures: Regular guest lectures from industry professionals.

Careers:

• IT Professional Roles: Graduates are qualified to work as IT professionals in various roles, including:
• Digital Project Manager
• IT Analyst
• Software Developer
• Android Developer
• Network Technician
• Software Engineer
• Web Developer
• Example Employers:
• Accenture
• Airmax
• Altaire Ltd
• Bank of America
• Bistech BT
• Capgemini
• Codepainters
• Ebase Technology Ltd
• FDM Group
• Gamma
• Geeks Ltd
• Hewlett Packard
• IBM
• Kingfisher IT Services
• Matrix Solutions
• Redweb
• Siemens
• Squire Technologies
• Unity5
• Urban Science
• Web Reality
• Chartered IT Professional Status: To be awarded Chartered IT Professional status from BCS, students need to complete a year of further learning beyond graduation and meet other criteria.
• Further Study: Graduates can pursue postgraduate degrees, such as Master's degrees.

Other:

• Cisco Network Academy: BU is a member of the Cisco Network Academy program, offering students the chance to study for internationally recognized industry certifications in computer networking and related areas.
• Talbot Campus: Students will have access to facilities such as The Sir Michael Cobham Library, the Student Centre, the Fusion Building, and the Poole Gateway Building.
• CareersBU Service: Provides services like CV checking and careers fairs to meet employers.
• Placement Development Advisors: Support students once they have started their sandwich placement.
• AccessBU: Provides an opportunity for students to tell BU about their circumstances that may not be evident in their UCAS application.
• Apprenticeships: BU welcomes applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognized by the Institute for Apprenticeships.
• Deferred Entry: BU considers eligible applicants for deferred entry.
• Direct Entry: BU welcomes applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course.
• Mature Applicants: BU considers applications from mature applicants based on their experience.
• Additional Attributes: Students should be hard-working, committed to their studies, good team players, and able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Offer Making Process: Offers are typically based on the applicant's most recent qualifications, including any required subjects.
BU considers all qualifications when assessing applications.

UK, ROI & CI:

£9,250 per year

International:

£18,800 per year

Foundation Year:

£9,250 (UK, ROI & CI) £18,800 (Int'l)

Placement year:

£1,850