Why Computer Science?
Computer science is everywhere: the Internet, special effects films, music, mobile phones, PDAs, cars, trains, planes, games, in fact, most of our everyday activities depend on computer science.
Computer science isn't just about computers; it brings together subjects like sociology, psychology and philosophy, as well as linguistics, logic and mathematics.
Computers are changing our world and there are exciting careers out there for the next generation of computer scientists. We can help you be one of them.
The future of computing is limitless and because we teach you the basics as well as the most up to date technology, you will be 'future proofed'; as the technology changes you will have the skills to keep up. This important aspect is also recognised by industry, as voiced by EA Games:
Vocational training for Video Game Programmers?
No thanks!
Some institutions are offering complete undergraduate degrees in video game
programming. These degrees, for the most part, are vocational in nature: their stated purpose is to
prepare students for the current industry requirements. Core computer science courses are often
replaced with technology-specific courses. This vocational approach does not prepare students to
grow with an industry that changes its base technology and its practices every 5-6 years.
It takes all sorts of ideas to make the computer science world.
For example, computer science uses sociology and psychology to make new technology easy to use, and more psychology to trick your ears with MP3, it uses maths and logic to work out the best way to build safe computer software, or probability theory for intelligent systems for digital TV sets that recommend a good show to watch or to recognise what villains are up to on a surveillance video, just to mention a few. It's fascinating and fun, and can lead to a rewarding, endlessly interesting career.
Done ICT, Done computing?
No, not at all. Think of ICT like being able to drive a car: lots of people can drive and it is very useful. However, computer science teaches you how to tune the engine, fix the car when it breaks, customise it and build new and better cars.
The course prepares students for employment by teaching the latest and sought-after skills.
Computer science - it's a boys thing?
Absolutely not. There are loads successful women in Computer Science; in fact the first ever computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, was a woman. We also had the first women professor of Computer Science in the University of London, and a large number of our students are female.
Will I enjoy computer science?
YES - if you:
- like making things that actually do something
- are good at lateral-thinking - the sort of person who comes up with new ways of doing things
- like problem solving
- are creative and like solving puzzles
- like thinking about the future and want to discover, say, the next iPod™
- have a broad outlook on the world.
