Computer Science (Software Engineering)

Our technological world has created a global demand for skilled professionals who can design, build and maintain computer programmes, databases and applications. This advanced four-year programme offers a thorough foundation in computing and application development, as well as a thorough exploration of software engineering. You will have the chance to showcase your abilities through practical work and extended projects, and the programme is particularly recommended if you have already experienced and enjoyed programming and you want to go on to postgraduate study or a specialist career in software.

Launched in 2015/16, this specialist programme will give you all the knowledge, skills and professionalism that you need for a successful career. Our software engineering teaching has been used as an example of ‘best practice’ in computer science education by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. You will learn from software professionals and leading academics in the field to apply engineering principles to the design, development, implementation and maintenance of all kinds of software. Our progressive curriculum has been developed in consultation with industry, with a modular structure that gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. From the outset you will be experimenting with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more, in our well-equipped laboratories. There is also the option of transferring onto our five-year, year in industry programme, subject to good academic progress.

We are a highly respected, research-focused department with award-winning teaching. We offer a summer work placement programme and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science.

The BCS has distinguished our teaching of Software Engineering as ‘Best Practice’.

You will be taught by staff with extensive industrial experience, three of whom are certified Scrum Masters.

You will learn to master the process of software engineering, from initial client meetings through to delivery.

In the fourth-year team project, you will run a start-up.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

• Object Oriented Programming I

• Object Oriented Programming II

• Programming laboratory

• Internet Services

• Mathematical Structures

• Machine Fundamentals

• Mathematical Methods for Computer Science

• Software Design

• Academic Integrity

Year 2

• Software Engineering

• Small Enterprise Team Project

• Operating Systems

• Databases

• Algorithms and Complexity

• Introduction to Information Security

• Computer and Network Security

Year 3

• Individual Project

• User-Centred Design

Year 4

• MSci Team Project

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• Symbolic Artificial Intelligence

• Multi-dimensional Data Processing

Year 3

• Computational Finance

• Intelligent Agents and Multi-agent Systems

• Machine Learning

• Applications of Cryptography

• Critical Infrastructure Security

• Digital Forensics

• Smart Cards, RFIDs and Embedded Systems Security

• IT Project Management

• Software Language Engineering

• Compilers and Code Generation

• Computational Optimisation

• Functional Programming and Applications

• Deep Learning

• Security Management

• Software Verification

• Advanced Algorithms & Complexity

Year 4

• Data Analysis

• Online Machine Learning

• Data Visualisation and Exploratory Analysis

• Advanced Distributed Systems

• Large Scale Data Storage and Processing

• Critical Infrastructure Security

• Digital Forensics

• Secure Business Architectures

• Security Management

• Security Testing Theory and Practice

• Smart Cards, RFIDs and Embedded Systems Security

• Computational Optimisation

• Business Intelligence Systems, Infrastructures and Technologies

• Autonomous Intelligent Systems

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/computer-science/computer-science-software-engineering-msci/

We are an award-winning department for software engineering teaching. Professor Dave Cohen won a College Excellence Teaching Prize for the re-design of our second-year software engineering courses, and he was shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year. We firmly believe that how we teach you is at least as important as what we teach, and we know the importance of giving you the time and space to experiment and put theory into practice. We encourage you to use your creativity, both in project teams and independently, and to have fun while you learn. Our software engineering and programming teaching is very hands on, allowing you to learn at your own pace, whatever your previous level of experience. We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, small-group tutorials, supervised computer lab classes and problem-solving sessions. You will also be expected to complete guided independent study and group work.

Assessment is through a mixture of examinations and coursework. Most course units have a written examination taken at the end of the year in which they are taught, but around half of your final award will come from assessed coursework, which could include project reports, essays, oral presentations and software submissions.