As a Computer Science and Software Engineering student at the University of Westminster, you will be well placed to develop and exploit the existing and emerging technologies that play a key role in software systems used by both consumer and business markets. You will gain the skills to compete in the world’s rapidly changing technology environment. Our courses provide you with core software engineering and programming principles while allowing you to specialise in one of the industry-focused pathways. All of our computing undergraduate teaching is based at our Cavendish Campus in the heart of London, close to major industry headquarters and the City. You will have access to 700 recently updated desktops equipped with Windows, Solaris, Linux, Mac OS X and iOS, and fully equipped multimedia and computer games laboratories, all supported by specialist technicians. From designers and programmers to systems analysts and project managers, our graduates are flourishing in the business, commercial and entrepreneurial sectors. COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING 88 >> See also: Computer & Network Engineering p82 • Electronic Engineering p98 • Multimedia & Games Computing p156 COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING westminster.ac.uk/computerscience 89839 Teaching room Cavendish Campus The entrance of our Cavendish Campus Starting salaries for students from this course can be up to £28,000 Lecture in Windows compute r lab, Cavendish Cam pus Study area Cavendish Library Student research demonstratio n Cavendish Campu s “One of the reasons I enjoy my course is because most of the lecturers and tutors I have had are extremely nice and helpful. My personal tutor is very good; I always contact him if I am in doubt about anything, and I get a reply within 24 hours.” ANUM NAEEM Computer Science BSc Honours, second year Data from Key Information Set (KIS) westminster.ac.uk/computerscience COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERINGCOMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING westminster.ac.uk/computerscience90 91 Course content Year 1 (Credit Level 4) Subjects of study include: • Communication and Learning Skills • Computer Systems Fundamentals • Maths for Computing • Programming Methodology (Java) • Software Development Principles • Software Engineering Principles • Web Technology Year 2 (Credit Level 5) Subjects of study include: • Algorithms and Data Structures • Human Computer Interface Design • Object-Oriented Development • Professional Practice • Project Management plus two option modules from the following: • Database Design and Practice 1 • Database Design and Practice 2 • Introduction to 3D Graphics • Introduction to Symbolic Reasoning • Mobile Application Development • Mobile Computing Principles • Network Software Development • System Software and Tools • Web Programming Industrial placement year You can take a 12-month placement between Years 2 and 3. This experience will give you additional practical skills, and a competitive edge in the job market. Year 3 (Credit Level 6) Subjects of study include: • Computer Science Project • Computer Systems Security • Formal Specification • Requirements Engineering • Software Quality, Performance and Testing plus two option modules from the following: • Advanced Web Technology • Artificial Intelligence Applications 1 • Artificial Intelligence Applications 2 • Computer Forensics Investigation • Computer Systems Administration • Concurrent Programming (Core for MEng) • Distributed Systems and Network Software • Functional Programming • Native Programming • Programming Language Translation • Real-Time and Embedded Systems • Service-Oriented Architecture Year 4 (Credit Level 7) MEng only Selected modules from the postgraduate programmes, such as: • Advanced Algorithms and Complexity • Computer Vision and Image Processing • Database Administration • Data Warehousing and Data Mining • E-Application Development • Forensics Data Recovery and Analysis • Network Security • Research Methods • Semantic Web • Software Architecture • Software Project Management • Software Research Project • Web Services Professional recognition The BEng is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Engineering Council. International Foundation course We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements. See p212, or for more information visit kic.org.uk/westminster-london This course studies the best ways to design, build, maintain and evaluate software systems. It uses many of the technical aspects of computer science, especially programming, and aims to develop the professional attitudes, interpersonal and technical skills you will need in the software engineering industry. The course provides a solid foundation in software engineering theory and practice to develop professional software systems. It will equip you to take up a wide range of career opportunities, including software engineer, web application programmer, software designer/analyst or website designer/programmer. You will study software development, programming languages, technologies and applications including Java, C/C#, UNIX, UML, graphics, networks, concurrent systems, databases, artificial intelligence, and web and mobile computing. You will share a common first year with the Computer Science BSc Honours course; you can transfer in Year 1, and specialise in Year 3. The BEng emphasises fundamental principles, design, acquisition of practical skills and evaluation of technologies. You may go on to complete an integrated Masters programme with the award of an MEng degree after four years. Length of course MEng: four years full-time; five years full-time with industrial placement BEng: three years full-time; four years full-time with industrial placement or Foundation UCAS codes MEng: G603; BEng: G600; with Foundation: G601 Campus Cavendish (See p18) Typical offer for September 2015 A Levels – CCC/AA; International Baccalaureate – 26 points; Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ Diploma – MMM/DD; Advanced Diploma – Grade C in IT or Engineering and relevant ASL at Grade C. Plus GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above or equivalent grades in Key Skills (Functional Skills qualifications are not accepted). See also entry requirements on p233. SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MEng/BEng HONOURS COMPUTER SCIENCE BSc HONOURS This degree will give you the right computing skills and knowledge to be able to shape the future of businesses and organisations. This broadly based course covers the key topics in computer science, software engineering and development, and also explores specialised computer science topics, providing you with an excellent education and training for a rapidly changing environment. The key aspect of this course is its flexibility and the ability for you to build a customised route within computer science. You will be able to follow recommended pathways in a number of computing areas to suit your interests. You will develop a wide range of skills and knowledge in areas such as creative computing, information systems, graphics and games development, mobile and web computing, software engineering, design and development, and software security. Course content Year 1 (Credit Level 4) Subjects of study include: • Communication and Learning Skills • Computer Systems Fundamentals • Maths for Computing • Programming Methodology (Java) • Software Development Principles • Software Engineering Principles • Web Technology The first year is shared with the Software Engineering MEng/BEng Honours degree. On completing this year you are free to change to this course. Year 2 (Credit Level 5) Subjects of study include: • Object-Oriented Development • Professional Practice • Software Group Project and options from one or a mix of the following routes: • Games and Graphics Development (3G graphics and game engines) • Mobile and Web Computing (android development, client and server-side web development) • Multimedia and Creative Computing (HCI, multimedia tools) • Software Engineering and Information Systems (algorithms and complexity, database systems) Industrial placement year The course offers you the opportunity to take a 12-month industrial placement between Year 2 and Year 3. This will give you an excellent opportunity to gain valuable industrial experience that will enhance your studies and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Year 3 (Credit Level 6) Subjects of study include: • Project • Software Security and Forensics and options from one or a mix of the following routes: • Business Information Systems (database systems and management) • Games and Graphics Development (game engines and physics) • Mobile and Web Computing (iOS development, advanced web development, social web and marketing) • Multimedia and Creative Computing (web analytics and marketing, advanced client side development) • Software Engineering (formal methods) Professional recognition The course has British Computer Society (BCS) accreditation. International Foundation course We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements. See p212, or for more information visit kic.org.uk/westminster-london Length of course Three years full-time; four years full-time with industrial placement or Foundation UCAS codes G402; with Foundation G401 Campus Cavendish (See p18) Typical offer for September 2015 A Levels – CCC/AA; International Baccalaureate – 26 points; Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ Diploma – MMM/DD; Advanced Diploma – Grade C in IT or Engineering and relevant ASL at Grade C. Plus GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above or equivalent grades in Key Skills (Functional Skills qualifications are not accepted). See also entry requirements on p233. “At Westminster, I had the opportunity to work at Channel 4 as part of an internship; this helped me to gain invaluable experience of real projects in a professional environment. I have really enjoyed the experiences both at university and at Channel 4, I feel they have both prepared me for the real world.” Masuma Rahman Computer Science BSc Honours, graduated in 2014 92 COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING westminster.ac.uk/computerscience 93 If your results are just below the entry qualifications for our degrees, or you have an equivalent non-standard background, then this course is designed to improve your knowledge and skills to progress to any of our computer science degree courses. The course represents the Foundation Year (Credit Level 3) of the modular scheme, and is an integral part of an extended range of BSc Honours degree courses in computer science. It provides an informal and adult environment in which you can acquire the confidence and skills to study effectively at degree level. You will study eight modules. Most modules include weekly lectures. You will also have weekly tutorial seminar classes providing a stimulating environment for you to work through examples and case studies, experiment with hands-on solutions in the labs, engage in group discussions, and gain immediate feedback and support from tutors. Coursework is often based around written reports, laboratory practical tests, in-class theory tests, and individual and group project work. Some modules may include end-of-module exams. Course content The course will provide you with an introduction to all major areas of computing together with the necessary mathematical background. Emphasis is placed on the development of the analytical and practical skills necessary for you to start one of our degree courses. Hands-on experience will enable you to become competent in the use of computers in a range of business and industrial applications. Subjects of study include: • Computer Programming • Computer Science • Games Design Project • Mathematics • Professional and Transferable Skills • Spreadsheets and Databases Length of course One year full-time, as the first year of a full-time four- or five-year degree programme UCAS codes See individual course entries Campus Cavendish (See p18) Typical offer for September 2015 A Levels – DDD/BC; International Baccalaureate – 24 points; Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ Diploma – MMP/DM; Advanced Diploma – Grade D in a relevant subject eg IT or Engineering, and a relevant ASL at Grade D. Plus GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above or equivalent grades in Key Skills (Functional Skills qualifications are not accepted). See also entry requirements on p233. COMPUTER SCIENCE FOUNDATION Lecture in Windows computer lab, Cavendish Campus Cavendish Library, Cavendish Campus Bookshop, Cavendish Campus FACTS & FIGURES 90% of students were either in employment or further study six months after completing the Computer Science with Foundation BSc Honours degree.