Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

Computerisation is governing increasing parts of our daily lives. Through this practical subject, you will apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, problem solving and programming, and it will encourage you to look at the natural world through a digital prism. You will start by learning the fundamentals of computer science: the internal working of the central processing unit, how data is exchanged, software development, different data types and legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues associated with the subject. Then in the second year, you will study computational thinking, how computers and programs can be used to solve problems and how to produce algorithms in order to describe and solve problems. We use a variety of teaching methods including practical programming activities, presentations, field and university trips and - through scaffolded tasks - you will develop a mastery of the subject which will culminate in a software project that you will define, design, develop and test.