BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Why study this subject?

If you love the idea of creating valuable new applications and software, then our Computer Science programme could be perfect for you. Across the world businesses and organisations rely on complex computer-based systems, and there is an ever-increasing demand for people with the skills to update, maintain and enhance the software. It is essential for qualified professionals to be available to keep national and international economies running.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industry – and the world we live in. Experts are applying their skills to improve care in hospitals, control robots in space, help companies understand buying habits, and more. By 2035, it’s predicted that AI activity could be worth an impressive £630 billion in the UK. A degree in this field will help give you the skills and knowledge you need to help play your part in shaping the future!

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Buckinghamshire New University is invested in you and your future. We work hard to ensure that our courses are designed with you and industry in mind, so that you can graduate confident that you can make competitive job applications post-university. We know that the industry is constantly changing and rapidly evolving, which is why we are committed to implementing new and improved technologies in our topics, teaching and facilities.

We’ve created our Computer Science programme to help you design and programme systems capable of solving real-world challenges. Our programme is a part of our strong Computing school, and you’ll be taught by a team of expert lecturers who have vast experience of working in their respective fields. To further enhance your education, we invite in guest lectures to share their experience and expertise and host day-long interactive events run by leaders in their field giving you the chance to put your knowledge into action.

This exciting course allows you to explore the diversity of modern computer science and software engineering, gaining the integral skills required for today’s industry workplace. We do not just teach in the classroom; you will increase your knowledge through involvement on real-life projects and gain hands-on experience of working either individually or in a software development team.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied computing before – we’re looking for students who want to be at the forefront of the developments in technology that will shape society in the very near future. During this course you will acquire a broad range of skills covering computation theory, fundamentals of computer science, compliers and operating systems, basic programming, software development and testing, web applications and databases, algorithms and data structures, whilst building secure web and mobile applications, alongside analysing life-critical systems. From your first day and onwards, you are with us, you will be studying topics ranging from, Computer Architecture, Discrete Mathematics, User Experience (UX) and Data Science.

This programme is founded in software and web technologies with a focus on the technical side of web-based applications and services for working in industries that require expertise in web focused sectors of computing. You will gain an appreciation of the role that web-based computing can have in a range of business and industry contexts. The course provides a balance of theory and practice, providing opportunities to apply knowledge into real projects where possible. You will acquire a wide range of skills and competences such as the ability to think critically about real-world problems. You will be exposed to a variety of computing discipline areas, so that you will then be able to select and apply appropriate principles, theories, best practices and appropriate technologies to address the needs of different business contexts, users, customers and stakeholders.  

You’ll learn how to develop highly dependable and reliable systems, within an object-oriented design approach, using a range of industry standard approaches, such as UML. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the process involved in managing the development of large-scale software projects. Specialist modules allow you to further explore the areas of artificial intelligence, media programming, real-time systems, cloud computing and security.

There will be progression and development in your learning through the programme, from initially learning the fundamentals in areas such as web and mobile development, IT support, software development, programming, analysis, design and network industries, before going on to apply what you have learned to various individual and team assignments. You’ll have the chance to develop skills in machine learning and artificial neural networks, data analysis, fuzzy and expert systems. But AI is also underpinned by mathematics, logic, philosophy, cognitive psychology, linguistics and sociology, so you’ll explore these areas too.

On our BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence pathway, in your second year you’ll start looking at AI in more depth and understand how machines search, reason and problem solve. At the same time, we’ll also explain the role of classical logic in machine intelligence, algorithms to search state spaces, and natural language processing systems. Then we’ll put your knowledge to the test. In workshops, you’ll work as part of a team to build AI machines – whether these are in the form of Expert Systems, Intelligent Agents or robots. You’ll also become confident using a range of AI-related tools and techniques including MATLAB and Jason with AgentSpeak.

In the final year of the programme, you will be expected to integrate, apply and evaluate the knowledge you have gained through independent, work-relevant study as part of a major project or extended written piece of work. The course provides, through the choice of research topic and via selection of particular option modules, for you to tailor your studies to suit your own individual interest areas and future career ambitions. 

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

You will also get opportunities to expand your knowledge both inside and outside of the lecture theatre. Students have previously visited sites of historical importance, including Bletchley Park, to learn more about the history of computing and how it impacted the world.

What facilities can I use?

BNU has invested in our facilities to ensure that you can learn on industry standard systems and software, meaning that you can make an easy transition from education into employment. Quite simply we are committed to making sure we provide you with the best learning experience possible.

We make sure we keep the University’s computing facilities well maintained and equipped. We have a range of large labs; some being enhanced with cyber and A.I. specific facilities. Furthermore, many of these rooms are filled with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems. Latest industry standard software is also included on devices to allow you to develop your skills to what is needed in the workplace.

Labs have been custom built to provide the best spaces to nurture the specific skills needed for game and internet development. These allow you to build your skills within key areas of future employment.

Hands-on experience is what we are all about. We have numerous devices that will provide the basis for various supervised projects you will carry out across the programme. These include but are not limited to Virtual Reality headsets, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi microcomputers, EEG headsets.

Furthermore, we provide online facilities to enhance your independent learning, via our Virtual Learning Environment. This will provide you with access to additional material and collaborative learning tools 24/7. And our virtual server technology will allow you to use our operating systems remotely.

How will I be taught and assessed?

At Buckinghamshire New University we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

We like to design our course to reflect the workplace so you will have the opportunity to carry out independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment. We will also provide reading lists and suggested resources to enhance independent study.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with informal feedback throughout the programme of study.

Over the years of your course you will be assessed and graded in a multitude of ways to allow you to develop and expand on your abilities and skills. Assessments for the various modules will mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab tests and written exams, with the focus being on testing the practical application of the various concepts and techniques being conveyed.