How To Get A Computer Science Degree At The University Of Sunderland

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1 COMPUTING COURSES THAT COUNT Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology

2 Industry Links The department works closely with industry from global companies to local IT firms. We have developed partnerships with a number of major companies including Microsoft, Sony, CISCO and RIM (Blackberry), and we have strong links with Nissan, Sage and British Airways, all enhancing our students experience. These partnerships allow students to experiment with cutting-edge and current applications and many partners provide modern hardware and software for our courses, including Microsoft and Sony gaming console technologies, and RIM (Blackberry) mobile smartphones and tablets. Many of our partners offer placement opportunities and mock graduate interview sessions to our students to help ensure they succeed in getting the graduate jobs they want. We are also a leading partner in the Sunderland Software City initiative, which aims to develop the software industry in our city and region. Computing Courses That Count Why Sunderland for Computing? Studying computing at the University of Sunderland gets results. First class teaching in state-of-the-art facilities, fantastic industry links and our focus on employability ensures our computing graduates have the desired skills to find employment. Your future is what matters to us, and our teaching staff are always on hand to offer advice, guidance and support to make sure students get the most out of their degree. What s more, Sunderland is an exciting and vibrant place to live, study and work while you re building for your future. Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) Our courses are accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. Also accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer. 2 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 3

3 Our Courses Extended Programme Sciences Computing Pathway UCAS CODE: I101 This is a four-year course, made up of a one-year foundation course which allows you to progress straight onto a three-year Computing undergraduate course. The foundation course provides you with a solid grounding in Computing / IT, as well as the study skills you need to tackle a degree. This course can provide an alternative route onto a Computing course for people with the following situations: You have relevant industry experience but lack formal entry qualifications You have previously studied A Level or equivalent but failed to gain enough UCAS points for entry onto an undergraduate Computing course You are returning to education and lack the formal entry qualifications required for an undergraduate Computing course You want to refresh your computing knowledge and study skills The one-year foundation course is taught at the University by academic staff who will also teach you in the following three years.?? My Extended degree allowed me to gain an excellent scope of all of the aspects of computing courses available to study here at Sunderland. It also allowed me to make sure I made the right choice going forward, ensuring I was specialising in the field that suited me most. Daniel Marshall - Extended Programme Sciences - Computing Pathway 4 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 5

4 Sunderland s suite of computing degrees shares a common structure so it is often possible to switch to a different computing course after the first year. BSc (Hons) Computer Science The diversity offered is incredible, with subjects being taught in-depth. Richard Cripps, BSc (Hons) Computer Science UCAS CODE: G401 Mixing hands-on development with the theories behind how and why computers work makes this course both interesting and challenging. Specialist topics include the development of database-driven applications using PHP, Oracle, SQL Server and MySQL. Distinctive core modules include Artificial Intelligence and Concurrent and Distributed Systems. To support these modules, we have several high-performance computing platforms including a grid distributed system. The course also covers all the fundamentals of software development such as web applications, database systems and programming. 6 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 7

5 BSc (Hons) Computer Forensics BSc (Hons) Network Computing UCAS CODE: G403 In this course, you will develop both practical skills in designing and building networks as well as expertise in five key areas of network management: fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security. You will learn about available protocols and how to analyse different models and standards. Taught in specialised CISCO laboratories, the course includes the Cisco Certified Network Associate curriculum for small and medium-sized networks. You will also study all the fundamentals of computing including web applications, database systems, programming and software development. UCAS CODE: FG45 Learn how to find hidden digital information, and how to analyse data in order to illuminate wrong-doing. You will develop expertise in the requirements for locating, preserving and presenting reliable evidence and in the use of ethical hacking to identify, access and recover information that is held in secure digital media. The course is excellent preparation for jobs in computer forensics, which is a rapidly growing area given the rise in computerrelated crime. At the same time, it also covers all the fundamentals of computing, leaving your career options open. Core topics include web applications, database systems, programming and software development. This course is also accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. 8 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 9

6 Staff are very supportive. Michael Hanratty, BSc (Hons) ICT The lecturers passion and enthusiasm about their subject rubs off when they are teaching us. University is a rewarding challenge that really is life-changing. Jonathan Gatenby, BSc (Hons) Computing 10 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 11

7 BSc (Hons) Information Communication Technology (ICT) BSc (Hons) Computing UCAS CODE: G400 UCAS CODE: G420 If you have studied ICT previously, this course will develop your skills and knowledge to honours degree level. You will cover all the fundamentals of computing and systems administration, then progress on to information systems, advanced databases and managing IT projects. You will gain plenty of hands-on experience through challenging projects that develop your creativity and technical skills. These make full use of our outstanding IT facilities. We provide professional-level developer software and advanced hardware through accreditations with Microsoft, Cisco and other major companies. This course is the broadest of our suite of courses. You will cover all the fundamentals of computer science and systems administration, gaining experience and expertise in web design, programming, multimedia and mobile development through engaging projects that develop your creativity and technical skills. Teaching is fully up-to-date with the latest trends in technology and the needs of high-tech employers. The course is further enriched by our research into areas such as human-computer interaction, intelligent systems and internet technologies. My tutors are really approachable and friendly and the facilities are amazing always up-to-date. I find myself at Uni even when I don t need to be in! Paul Bradley, BSc (Hons) ICT 12 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 13

8 BSc (Hons) Games Software Development The Games Software Development course is a great start for my career in the games industry. Emil Janowiak, BSc (Hons) Games Software Development UCAS CODE: GG46 This course has computer science at its core, with a further focus on games technology and development. You will develop your expertise in games software design and realisation, beginning with Epic s UDK toolset and UnrealScript, and then moving to Microsoft and Sony technologies to develop software on their games consoles. The course also covers all the fundamentals of computing, including web applications, database systems, programming and software development. Throughout the course, you will have the support of up-to-date teaching and high-tech facilities. We provide access to Sony games console devkit hardware and software packages, which are not available to the public and require a licence that is held by the University The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 15

9 Teaching and assessment Facilities Sunderland s outstanding IT facilities include the David Goldman Informatics Centre, which has over 200 computers so it s easy to find a free workstation with the software you need. Other facilities include: CISCO Academy Grid distributed system Sony games console devkit hardware and software BlackBerry Smartphones Free WiFi Dedicated IT Helpdesk Industry leading software tools In addition to this the University is a member of DreamSpark this provides cost free access for students to Microsoft software and more. Software Hatchery Students with business ideas can develop them at our office space that is specifically for software entrepreneurs, based at our campus and supported by Sunderland Software City. Our Software Hatchery package includes mentoring, state-of-theart computing infrastructure, a meeting area and networking opportunities. Other support for student entrepreneurs includes our annual Blueprint Business Planning Competition, run by the University s Enterprise Team. We use a blend of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer laboratory sessions, individual and group activities. We also use the University s Virtual Learning Environment for discussions, collaborative learning and links to resources. We encourage you to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on the course. As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also on-going opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include coursework and exams. Developing your e-portfolio Employers are increasingly looking not only for strong CVs but also for real-life demonstrations of technical know-how and commitment to self-development. All computing students at the University of Sunderland develop e-portfolios that showcase personal progress. A typical e-portfolio would include examples of software systems and apps you have built as well as personal statements, skills audits and reflections on your learning and future development aspirations. Final Year project In your Final Year, you will undertake a major individual project, sometimes working with a company or on a currently active research project in the department. Placements* The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. To enhance this mix, we encourage you to apply for a 48-week placement between your second and final year. It effectively becomes a third year of a four-year course. Placements are usually paid, with an average salary of 14,000-18,000 a year depending on your location. Placements are an excellent opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. The contacts made during placements can also be valuable for future job offers. Research Teaching is fully up-to-date with the latest developments and is enriched by Sunderland s strong and growing research profile in areas including: user experience design, intelligent systems and internet technologies. * Placements are subject to availability and interviews are required The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 17

10 Career opportunities The North East ranks as No.2 region in the UK for the number of software companies, second only to London. Regional employers include Sage, the FTSE 100 s only digital company. As a result, there are excellent opportunities for well-trained graduates. Our graduates have become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over 50,000 a year. Work placements gave me the vital extra-curricular experience that allowed me to stand out from other candidates. Liam Swinney - BSc (Hons) Computing graduate Graduate Front-End Developer, Bede Gaming Ltd Sunderland has been a fantastic experience and I ve taken my career ambitions from wanting to work in IT support to a different level of responsibility, validating large network systems for major international clients. Andrew Guthrie - BSc (Hons) Network Computing graduate Network Test Engineer, Cisco 18 The University of Sunderland offers an outstanding high-tech computing environment 19

11 Other courses We offer 3 undergraduate computing top-up courses which are designed for people who want to top-up their existing qualification to a full honours degree. BSc (Hons) Applied Business Computing (Top-Up) UCAS Code: G424 This covers a range of practical computing and business modules. BSc (Hons) Network Systems (Top-Up) UCAS Code: GH46 This covers a range of practical network systems modules. BSc (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Top-Up) UCAS Code: G602 This covers a range of practical computer science modules. Entry requirements For full information on all our entry requirements, visit and search using the UCAS course code Further information Marketing and Recruitment The David Goldman Informatics Centre The Sir Tom Cowie Campus St Peter s Way Sunderland SR6 0DD t: e: cet-courseenqs@sunderland.ac.uk w: Applications for entry must be submitted through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). For further details go to When completing your UCAS form please use the following code for the University of Sunderland S84. On the academic side, you will start by studying a module on approaches to research. This will explore how to specify a problem and how to decide on appropriate methodologies, collect relevant data, analyse the data and develop evidence-based action plans. In addition to this you will undertake a major hands-on project that involves developing a working solution to a particular problem.