Overview

Computational thinking now touches nearly every industry, and building genuine technical versatility means combining strong programming fundamentals with the freedom to specialise. The BSc (Hons) Computer Science at the University of Essex offers exactly that flexibility, letting students tailor their studies toward areas such as assistive technologies, computer games, artificial intelligence, evolutionary computation, big data or robotics. Teaching takes place within the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, a department founded by Professor Tony Brooker, a former colleague of Alan Turing, and now home to active researchers spanning brain-computer interfacing and financial forecasting. The course suits students with a genuine aptitude for computational thinking who want a broad, adaptable route into computer science, with dedicated support to build programming confidence from day one.

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What You'll Learn

• Algorithm analysis and the fundamentals of basic computability

• Software engineering principles and practices

• Java language principles and application programming interfaces

• Programming fundamentals, introduced through Python in the first year

• A wide choice of optional modules allowing genuine specialisation

• Artificial intelligence and evolutionary computation

• Assistive technologies and computer games development

• Big data and robotics

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply core computer science principles across algorithm analysis, software engineering and programming to design effective computational solutions. They will be equipped to think in a genuinely computational way, using this skill as a foundation for specialising in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, robotics or computer games. Through a broad choice of optional modules, students will develop the flexibility to shape their studies around their own technical interests and career goals. Graduates will leave with a strong, adaptable grounding in computer science, well prepared for further study or a wide range of careers spanning IT, healthcare, finance, energy and the games industry.