Newcastle University

Computer Science (Mobile and Distributed Systems) MComp Honours
UCAS Code: I120 (4 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
• Careers
• Finance

‎We offer a wide range of degree in Computer Science and our broad curriculum gives you the chance to try lots of different aspects of computing science - such as games design, bioinformatics, and security - before deciding where your interests lie.

Our four-year Computer Science (Mobile and Distributed Systems) MComp Honours degree covers a broad range of computing science topics for the first two years before you specialise in Stages 3 and 4.

• You study a common curriculum for the first two years
• In Stage 3 you select modules in mobile and distributed systems, providing you with specialist skills and knowledge for your future career
• In Stage 4 you study Master's-level modules from our MSc in Cloud Computing. This programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to design, build and extend the Internet infrastructure and to design a variety of distributed applications in the fields of scientific computing, electronic retailing, home banking, and information and service brokerage, to name just a few.

About Mobile and Distributed Systems

Mobile and distributed systems involve multiple computers processing data and communicating the results to each other, such as in electronic banking or online gaming, where the users are geographically separated.

Students on these degrees use their computing knowledge to solve the challenges posed by such systems, for example, how to move money between accounts online without losing it.

Our degrees draw on three main areas of expertise of our research groups:

• design of the algorithms that drive networked systems
• fault tolerance theory to make sure that if a process fails, the system survives
• formal methods to make sure that the process doesn’t fail in the first place

Graduates will be able to design, build and integrate advanced networked computing systems in a range of application areas, such as mobile and wireless communications, computationally intensive financial and health applications, and applications involving multiple business and outsourcing.

Quality and ranking

The quality of the computer science study experience at Newcastle is recognised with an overall student satisfaction score of 91% in the 2013 National Student Survey.

Professional accreditation

We have a policy of seeking British Computer Society (BCS) accreditation for all of our degrees, so you can be assured that you will graduate with a degree that meets the standards set out by the IT industry.

Our existing degrees are already accredited and we apply for accreditation for all new degrees.

BCS is the chartered institute for IT. Studying a BCS-accredited degree provides the foundation for professional membership of the BCS on graduation and is the first step to becoming a chartered IT professional.

Please note that students who choose to undertake a study abroad exchange as part of their degree do not meet the requirements for BCS accreditation.

Teaching and assessment

The activities of the School's research groups play an important part in our degrees, giving you the chance to gain knowledge that is at the cutting edge of computing. We also have four research centres that further stimulate our research.

Teaching is through a combination of lectures (including guest lectures by visiting IT professionals), tutorials, and supervised practical work. Practical work accounts for a significant amount of your time. 

Your practical skills will be assessed through course work, which includes team and individual project reports. Modules involving key transferable skills will be assessed through written and oral presentations. You will also sit examinations for some modules. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Flexible degree structure

We understand that you might not be sure which area of computing science you want to specialise in. That’s why we've designed all of our Computing Science degrees so that all students – regardless of which degree they are registered on – study the same modules for the first two years.

You can use this time to explore the subject and decide whether you want to specialise in a particular area or continue with a broad-based degree.

You can transfer between all of our degrees up to the end of second year. Transfer from a BSc to an MComp is dependent on your academic performance.

Project work

We put a lot of emphasis on project work to help you develop the sort of real-world business skills that will be invaluable throughout your university career and beyond, such as teamworking and project management.

All students take part in a team project in second year to develop a substantial software product. You also undertake a major individual project in Stage 3 combined with a dissertation. See an example of one of our undergraduate student projects on the School of Computing Science's website.

Industry links

We have strong links with a number of organisations within the industry:

• various parts of our degrees attract prizes awarded by major companies
• companies such as Waterstons, Accenture, IBM, Procter and Gamble, Deloitte and GSK regularly recruit our placement students
• local businesses approach the School to advertise small, part-time or voluntary work opportunities, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience

Study abroad

UK and EU students have the opportunity to gain an international perspective on their subject by taking part in an Erasmus study exchange and studying abroad for one semester.

Facilities

All of our students enjoy access to specialist IT facilities to support their studies including:

• over 300 dedicated PCs running Linux and Windows
• an immersive virtual reality suite
• motion capture facilities
• 3D printing facilities

Take a virtual tour of our facilities on the School of Computing Science's website.

School of Computing Science

Study at Newcastle and you will be part of the School of Computing Science. We are a friendly community of staff and students based in Claremont Tower in the heart of campus.

Our student-led Computing Society offers a range of activities throughout the year to help you meet people on your course, ranging from coding and gaming nights to events with key speakers from industry.