Computer Science Durham University Degree level: Undergraduate

Course summary

This degree balances fundamental knowledge and practical application in order to provide you with both specialised and transferable skills that are greatly valued in the marketplace. The course emphasises from the start both programming and mathematical skills that allow in the later years engagement through your 'Individual Project' with cutting-edge research being done in the department.

Year 1
You will take five computer science modules, which cover programming, the characteristics of computers and computing systems, and the mathematical foundations of the subject. You will also be introduced to the concept and philosophy of computational thinking and explore cutting-edge technological applications of recent research. You will take an elective module, which may be from elsewhere within the Department, Faculty or University. Once you complete the first year you will have had a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and to the principles, practices and methodologies that make computer science unique as a scientific subject. You will also have had a glimpse at aspects of computer science research that have enabled major technological advances in society.

Compulsory modules:
Programming
Computational Thinking
Algorithms and Data Structures
Computer Systems
Mathematics for Computer Science.

Year 2
You will study six modules covering a core set of topics. One module Software Engineering (double module) involves a team software development project and enables you to usually work with external organisations and gain practical software development experience. Other compulsory topics include, for example, computer networks, parallel and distributed computing, concurrency, data structures, algorithms and complexity, image processing, different programming paradigms, systems programming, security, human-computer interaction, aspects of artificial intelligence, and computer graphics. The topics taken in the second year will prepare you with an excellent grounding in a wide range of fundamental subjects within computer science, ready for subsequent specialisation in your final third year.

Year 3
A key element of the third year is the individual project (which is a double module). This is undertaken under the direct supervision of a member of staff and gives you the opportunity to tackle a specific computing task in much greater depth than is possible for other modules. At the end of the project, you will write a technical paper describing your findings. You are given a considerable amount of choice as to the subject of your projects; indeed, you can suggest specific projects themselves. In addition, you will get to choose the four other modules that you undertake in your final year.

A range of modules is offered for example, previous modules have included: theoretical computer science, software and software systems, computing methodologies, applications and contemporary computer science . There is also the opportunity to follow specific modules offered such as a module involving the teaching of computer science in schools, giving an early taste of teaching computer science to those interested in pursuing it as a career or on other career pathways where a public understanding of science is required.

We review course structures and core content every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2020 entry from September 2019.

Study Abroad
Computer Science is an international discipline and living and working in another country is a valuable addition to your CV. We are part of the SOCRATES/ERASMUS and University Exchange programme, which encourages you to study for part of your course in a university worldwide. You can request to transfer onto the BSc Computer Science (with Year Abroad (G408) course at the beginning of your second year and will spend the third year studying at another EU or worldwide university, and then return to Durham for your final year.

Course details

How to apply

Fees and funding