Course overview

If you look at the word ‘compute’ in its literal sense it means calculating or working out. That is exactly what is required when you get involved in the world of computing. The systems we use all have to be created. Someone, somewhere has to invent them, work them out and make sure they do what we want them to do. Computing is the discipline which makes that happen, from system analysis and design to programming. It’s a language that keeps our society communicating in the modern world.

As computing is a complex profession with many skill areas, this course allows you to construct your own study route according to your aspirations and interests. Offering you a wide range of personal choice in terms of the course units you decide to study, means that you can begin the course without committing to a particular area of specialism. You can develop this as you progress or join at a later stage if you already have a suitable qualification such as an HND in Computing. Teaching is very much based on engineering principles and has a strong practical basis.

If you have the ability to think logically, systematically and creatively you have the ideal attributes for this course. You should have an interest in computers and a curiosity regarding their construction and operation. You are probably also keen to know how computer programs are created and the steps involved in going from the initial idea for a computer application through to the generation of a useful working system.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and carries exemptions from the professional examinations for Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist for those who complete all three years of their course in Portsmouth.

Course content

Core units ensure you develop the key skills in software engineering, systems analysis and design that you need as a computing professional. A wide variety of specialist options, from artificial intelligence and computer animation to ecommerce, will allow you to specialise in areas of personal interest.

In addition, you will also have the chance to study a foreign language through our electives programme and your final-year project will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your newly acquired skills. All of these come together to make a varied and interesting study path, geared specifically to the demands of today?s fast moving computer market.

Year one

In the first year the course introduces you to the central skills and topics you will need as a computing professional. This year is more about building the foundations for future specialist areas at more advanced stages in the course. These foundation areas include a broad spectrum of topics such as:

• Information systems, which introduces organisational needs and provides you with the opportunity to use systems analysis and design tools and techniques.
• Computer architecture, which investigates the hardware and software of a computer system.
• Data communication, which provides the opportunity to get hands-on experience of building small networks together with the simulation of more complex infrastructures.
• Computer programming, where you will gain experience of both Python and Java.
• Web authoring and design of interactive web pages using a number of different tools, both industry standard and open source.

Year two

In year two, you will start to define your specialist area through a range of options. Core units concentrate on the key topics including the development of databases using Oracle and advanced architectures. Alternative options will enable you to choose between a more hands-on programming route or a more analytical systems analysis route.

At this level the course also introduces the concept of usability, which is based around systems design issues. Optional units on this course range from gaining further experience in programming using a variety of languages, to knowledge management or project management.

Sandwich year (optional year in industry)

You can opt to do a placement year before continuing to your final year of study. Placements in a wide range of organisations will show you how things are done in the real world and why some of the more academic knowledge you gain is crucial. The University can help you find employment with a range of commercial and public sector companies, plus it has exchange schemes with a number of European countries.

A placement year can significantly enhance your job prospects and your employer pays you a salary during the placement.

Final year

In this year you will consolidate your skills. Having decided what part of the computing profession interests you the most, you can now concentrate your study on specialised areas at a more advanced level. You will also complete a project and two other core units, which allow you to build on the skills you developed in year two. These units encompass advanced networks, looking at new developments in the communications world, to investigating how users interact with technology, whether a new device or piece of software.

The project provides the opportunity for you to consolidate all your learning and research techniques to analyse, design, build and evaluate your own work. The numerous options available to choose from include such areas as wireless networks, educational computing and computer animation.

Further information about the content and structure of our courses can be found at our online unit web search at www.port.ac.uk/unitwebsearch.

Teaching and assessment

By coming to Portsmouth you will experience a lively and modern learning environment with a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory and project work. Lecture classes can be large and in the first year you will have about 12 hours of this type of contact every week. Further time is spent in small group seminars and tutorials. Small group work gives you plenty of opportunity to get individual help in those areas in which you would like to know more or are perhaps experiencing some difficulty. Some course material will also be provided via the internet, so that you can work at your own pace and from any location.

Assessment is geared towards the subject matter in a way that encourages a deeper understanding and allows you to develop your skills. It takes many forms from examinations, multiple choice tests, essays and portfolio work, to mini projects, seminars, presentations, case studies or extended review articles.

You will be supported by your own Personal Tutor who will follow your progress right through to graduation. They are there for day-to-day advice and guidance throughout your course. In year three when you commence your project you will be provided with a Project Supervisor who will guide you through the whole project experience. Generally, where possible, they will be a specialist in the area of your project interest. The School of Computing also has a Tutor Centre where students can just drop in for both academic and pastoral support. It provides a study area and support on many different issues and runs workshops on areas such as programming and project development.

Career prospects

On graduating from this degree you will be equipped with all the skills needed to pursue a career in this rapidly evolving and dynamic industry – systems design and analysis, commercial or scientific computer programming, or other related computer work.

Students who have studied this degree have gained employment in varied fields of the computing industry and further study. Recently graduates have gained employment as IT managers, network support, database administrators and web development roles. Some have gained teaching qualifications specialising in IT. Others have continued their study at both MSc and PhD levels, specialising further in areas such as health informatics, forensic IT and networking.

Facilities and features

Portsmouth has a long and distinguished record of running very successful degree courses and prides itself on working at the leading edge of technology and learning methods. You will have easy access to a wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers and associated hardware equipped with the latest software, as well as day-to-day contact with knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly motivated staff. In addition, academic staff maintain close links with the world of work, both in Portsmouth and further afield, ensuring that the programmes reflect the current and future needs of commerce and industry.

Many of the specialist units available are strongly research-orientated and we have active research groups in a number of areas, for example intelligent systems, human computer interaction, computer aided learning, multimedia and internet applications, medical applications of IT and distributed systems. You will often be taught by active researchers in these fields.

Tutor Centre

The School of Computing Tutor Centre provides friendly, one-to-one academic support for all School of Computing students. If you need help understanding your assessments, or with a wide range of subjects (programming, networks, systems analysis, databases, web apps), or if you want to talk to someone about your project or about any other academic issues (revision, referral, improving your marks), please come and see us. Appointments not necessary.

Maths Café

The Maths Café is a daily drop-in facility, where ANY student of the University can receive help on any maths or statistics problem they encounter in their studies. We operate in a friendly, informal location which we hope will encourage students to visit us. Handouts on key topics are available to take away. Students can be shown how to use computer aided learning packages, which can be accessed from any computer attached to the University's computer network.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Computing for the academic year 2012/13 (opens in new window).