BSc/MSci in Computer Science Innovation

New in 2005: A research-led flagship course starting in Oct 2005. Focuses on the conceptual underpinnings of Computer Science and offers students the opportunity to work with word-class research groups on innovative new ideas in the field.

The UCAS code for this course is G401.

Overview

No field has ever progressed as fast as Computer Science and we now stand at the edge of a new age in which computers will be woven into the very fabric of everyday life. Making this next step requires innovative thinking and new solutions, and is set to challenge the creativity of Computer Scientists throughout the world.

This research-led course offers students the opportunity to study the conceptual underpinnings of Computer Science and to work with world-class research groups on innovative new ideas in the field. It is ideally suited to those wishing to study an intellectually stimulating discipline with both practical and theoretical content that can be used as a starting point for a wide range of careers.

Throughout the course each student will be associated with an internationally recognized research group and benefit from small-group tuition and training in problem solving and innovation. Topics studied will include the fundamentals of computer science, systems architectures for mobile and ubiquitous computing, the psychology and sociology of human-computer interactions, and the design of highly complex distributed systems. Subject to availability students on the MSci course will be offered the opportunity to spend a year (typically at the end of their third year) in a research-oriented academic or industrial placement either in this country or abroad.

The overall aim of this new degree scheme is to allow students to continue directly into careers involving innovative thinking and problem solving, perhaps as part of an advanced research, development or innovation team.

This flagship course is unique to Lancaster University and builds on the Department’s outstanding national and international research reputation (the Computing Department was rated 5 in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2001)). The Department offers state-of-the-art research facilities housed in the new £15M InfoLab21 building and receives research funding in excess of £1M a year.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have studied at least three A-levels, one A-level must be Maths or Computer Science. A typical offer would be AAB at A-level.

Course Structure

Part I

Students take the Computer Science courses CSC101 and CSC102, together with one chosen from a wide range of part I subjects including Mathematics, Psychology, Electronic Engineering, Linguistics, and Sociology.

Courses CSC101 and CSC102 comprise the following modules:

• CSC110 Java Programming
• CSC120 Programs and Data
• CSC130 Systems Architecture
• CSC140 Computational Fundamentals
• CSC150 Web Technologies
• CSC160 Software Engineering

Part II

This occupies the second and third year and comprises the following compulsory modules:

• CSC241 Computer Architecture and Operating Systems
• CSC242 Software Engineering
• CSC243 Databases
• CSC245 Computer Science Innovation A: Grand Challenges in Computer Science (Year 2)
• CSC251 Communications
• CSC252 Human-Computer Interaction
• CSC253 Networks and Distributed Systems
• CSC254 Language Fundamentals
• CSC255 Computer Science Innovation B: Exploiting the Results of Innovation (Year 3)

plus three of the following options:

• CSC352 Information Retrieval
• CSC353 Advances in Telecommunications
• CSC355 Artificial Intelligence
• CSC364 Advanced Databases
• CSC365 Critical Systems Engineering
• CSC366 Multimedia Computing
• CSC367 Component-based Systems

Fourth year

For the MSci degree students take a final year project and three options from a range including:

• Advanced Distributed Systems
• Advanced Interactive systems Design
• Network and System Security
• System Dependability
• Advanced Networking and the Internet
• Multimedia Systems Engineering
• Mobile Computing
• Ubiquitous Computing
• Contemporary Operating Systems: Inside Microsoft Windows and Linux

At the end of Year 3 it will be possible for students to graduate with a BSc in Computer Science Innovation.

Last Updated 24/August/2004: the details of this course are subject to change, and are awaiting Senate approval.

Further information

If you would like more information, please contact us at the address below.