Newcastle University

Computing Science with Industrial Placement (Games and Virtual Environments) BSc Honours UCAS Code: G451 (4 years)School of Computing Science

• Subject Overview |
• Course Content |
• Teaching and Assessment
  
• Entry Requirements |
• Careers |
• Finance |
• Related Courses

The focus of this degree is on the design, development and implementation of computer games applications, including computer graphics and artificial intelligence.

As some of the most cutting-edge applications to date are computer games, the subject draws on a range of topics in computer science, including:

• artificial intelligence
• advanced computer graphics
• networking
• computer security

Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage.

Stage 1

We introduce you to the basics of computing science, with an emphasis on developing your skills in problem solving, and program design and implementation.

Compulsory modules

• CSC1011 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming
• CSC1012 Object-oriented Programming
• CSC1014 World Wide Web and its Client-side Technologies
• CSC1015 The IT Professional in Today’s Society
• CSC1016 Computer System Organisation

Optional modules

You will take one of the following optional modules:

• CSC1013 Foundation Mathematics for Computing Science
• MAS1404 Mathematics for Computing Science

Stage 2

Compulsory modules

• CSC2011 Advanced Programming
• CSC2012 Database Technology
• CSC2013 Computer Networks 
• CSC2014 Modelling and Computation
• CSC2015 Software Engineering Team Project
• CSC2016 Algorithm Design and Analysis

As the first two years of all of our Single Honours Computing Science degrees are the same, transfer between them is possible at the end of either Stage 1 or Stage 2 should you find your interests change.   

Industrial placement

You spend the year between Stages 2 and 3 on a work placement in an IT-related company.

The School of Computing Science and the Careers Service will suggest potential employers and guide you through the application process but the final decision on the placement will lie with the company.

The placement will be assessed via a short report and presentation on a pass/fail basis, which will not contribute towards your final degree classification.

Students who are unable to secure a suitable placement or who do not pass the placement year will transfer to the equivalent degree without an industrial placement and continue into Stage 3.

Stage 3

Your study programme becomes more specialised in computer games and this is reflected in the compulsory modules you undertake:

Compulsory modules

• CSC3095 Project and Dissertation in Computing Science
• CSC3201 Graphics
• CSC3202 Computer Games Development
• CSC3203 Artificial Intelligence for Games
• CSC3204 Advanced Graphics and Virtual Environments

Optional modules

You choose modules from the following list to bring your total credits to 120:

• CSC3002 Reliability and Fault Tolerance
• CSC3003 Interaction Design
• CSC3004 Understanding Programming Languages
• CSC3005 Real-time Programming
• CSC3006 Evolution of Complex Systems
• CSC3101 Distributed Systems
• CSC3102 System and Network Security
• CSC3103 Internet Technology and Electronic Commerce
• CSC3303 Software Project Management
• CSC3304 Software Verification Technologies
• CSC3503 Graphical User Interfaces
• CSC3504 Web Site Management and Design
• NCL3007 Career Development for Final Year Students
  

Further study

You may choose to progress to our MComp degree after Stage 3 and complete an additional year from our Master’s course, but this is subject to you passing your Stage 2 and Stage 3 examinations with an overall Stage average of 60 per cent. Please note that our MComp degrees do not currently carry Industrial Placement in their title.

Please note

The modules listed here are those currently being taught in this academic year and may vary for your year of entry.