Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
+44 (0)1509 263171
Loughborough University

Undergraduate study 2013 prospectus

Computer Science

Two Computer Science students looking at a computer screen

Ranked 9th for ‘Overall Satisfaction’ in the UK

National Student Survey 2011

The Department

The Department of Computer Science is one of the largest science departments at Loughborough. There are over 20 academic staff and a further five part-time lecturers as well as contract research staff, administrative and technical support staff.

The student population comprises approximately 400 undergraduates, 50 postgraduate taught MSc students and a further 50 research students. Visiting lecturers and researchers from abroad are routinely welcomed and contribute to the intellectual and social life of the Department.

Staff and students together represent a lively community, and a stimulating learning and working environment.

Flexible Learning

You will be learning a balance between theory and practice, meeting both the demands of a rapidly evolving subject and those of employers in the computing industry.

In addition to the academic content of the degree courses, emphasis is placed on the development of your personal, managerial and presentation skills. On graduation you will possess a sound understanding of the fundamentals of computing and a flexible, well-developed approach to problem solving.

Selection

You will normally be selected after careful consideration of your UCAS application form and, in some cases, an interview. If you are offered a place, you will be invited to visit the Department giving you the opportunity to meet staff, students, visit facilities and see what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.

Course Structure

The degree courses offered by the Department contain a core computing or IT component. In addition to this central core, you will be doing further modules depending on the exact nature of degree course. In the first two years the core component includes:

This foundation is then complemented in the final year by

In Computer Science and Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence the computing core is accompanied by specialised modules in:

For Computer Science and Mathematics, a selection of core modules accompanied by specialist mathematics modules.

All undergraduate courses demand and nurture practical skills, culminating in the submission of a major project.

The MSci

The Masters in Science (MSci) degree provides an ideal preparation for research and development work in industry or a PhD course as the final year provides broadening, through the use of modules covering group work, entrepreneurship, leadership and management issues, and deepening through a significant, research-based individual project.

Assessment

The academic year comprises two semesters. Assessment may take the following forms:

Research

The Department is active in high-quality, international projects comprising of pure and applied research and collaborative ventures with industrial and commercial partners. In seeking to identify future developments in computing, these research courses strengthen and inform teaching quality and relevance at all levels.

The Department is a major participant in the recently established Research School of Informatics, part of a £100M University expansion in a number of areas including Computer Science and Information Science. The School provides opportunities for undergraduate students to take part in project work connected to the Department’s research groups.

Professional Training

A feature of the Department’s courses is the professional placement (sandwich) option which is available on all undergraduate degree courses. Many students in the past have chosen to take this option and have found it a valuable experience that has enhanced their studies and employment opportunities. Satisfactory completion of the one-year placement leads to the additional award of Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS).

The sandwich versions of our courses give you the opportunity of professional training after Year 2. Responsibility for finding a suitable placement rests with you, but assistance is given by the Department’s Professional Placement Tutor who has contacts with a wide range of industrial and commercial organisations.

During your professional placement year you will be employed in the business of a company and treated as a graduate trainee. Many companies offer regular training opportunities which supplement the course modules, providing experience on a wide range of commercial software and business practice.

The range of potential companies is large; many students find employment with IT companies and other major industries, and some placements may be with small establishments, matched on the basis of subject or geographical location. You will most likely gain a favourable salary from the placement and may even be fortunate enough to gain a job offer.

If you are considering a sandwich course, please quote the appropriate course code on your UCAS application form, since an early choice assists the Department in planning.

Career Prospects

Listed below are a few examples of jobs our graduates have obtained: