BSc Computer Science and Mathematics with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

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1st Year Team Projects - Computer Science UoM

Choosing the Computer Science and Mathematics programme allows you to combine the study of these two disciplines, each occupying half of your studies, and explores the reliance of each on the other.

This joint honours degree programme enables you to acquire a useful combination of mathematical and computer science knowledge and skills. It covers the knowledge needed to implement mathematical models in simulations that evaluate real world situations such as stress analysis in bridges and buildings, airflow over aircraft wings, or financial modelling.

The topics studied include a number of important ideas of mathematics, including the concepts of rigorous argument, formal proof and the power of abstract formulation of problems. This is combined with the core computer science topics of programming and software engineering, together with the study of mathematical principals underpinning the foundations of computing.

You will gain not only knowledge and practical experience of the latest technologies, but also a grounding in the underlying principles of the subject. It is this combination of skills that enable our graduates to keep pace with this fast moving subject, and secure top jobs in industry and research.

The industrial experience element of the programme involves you undertaking a one year work placement in industry between the second and third years of your study at Manchester. Besides the money that you earn during this year, you also gain practical experience that can be invaluable both in your final year project and when competing for graduate jobs. Students with industrial experience not only tend to improve their final degree performance but also tend to develop clearer ideas about their future career path.

Detailed programme and course unit information is available here

Special features

The CS & Maths course has a real sense of community around it, which helps create a culture of students supporting each other.

The course covers exciting areas such as machine learning and data science which are maths heavy, so this enables students to go in careers or further studies in Maths or Computer Science.

Dr Andrea Schalk / Computer Science & Maths Programme Director
  • Ability to get relevant industrial/business experience as part of the degree programme.
  • Traditional careers to which both computer science and mathematics graduates progress are open to you.
  • By drawing staff from two 'excellent' rated departments students are taught by experts in each field.

Teaching and learning

At Manchester we aim to provide a unique experience. Studying Computer Science with us will give you the chance to follow your academic curiosity and explore a fascinating subject.

A significant amount of your work will be project-based team work, tackling real problems. You will see how computer science is directly applicable to solving problems, across a broad range of areas.

The emphasis throughout is on independent learning, supported by regular meetings in small groups with personal tutors. You receive practical help and support from experienced staff and postgraduates, with leading experts guiding your learning and stimulating your interest. This approach is supported by conventional lectures and comprehensive on-line learning resources. We also provide excellent facilities, including specialist laboratories to support areas such as engineering and robotics.

Coursework and assessment

Unseen examinations account for about 60% of the assessment. These assess your abilities in the selection and application of knowledge, problem solving, and the design and evaluation of software or electronics. Other assessment is mainly through laboratory-based coursework that provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of computer science of electronic principles by tackling specific problems on a more realistic scale, both individually and in groups.

The remaining assessment is through presentations and essays where, in particular, you demonstrate the transferable skills you have acquired. In the third and final year, the non-examination assessment is mainly made up of the practical project.

Course content for year 1

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
First Year Team Project COMP10120 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming 1 COMP16321 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming 2 COMP16412 10 Mandatory
Linear Algebra MATH11022 20 Mandatory
Mathematical Foundation & Analysis MATH11121 20 Mandatory
Probability I MATH11711 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Computation COMP11212 10 Optional
Data Science COMP13212 10 Optional
Operating Systems COMP15212 10 Optional
Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations MATH11412 10 Optional
Statistics I MATH11712 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 1

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
COMP - Careers Yr 2 COMP2CARS 0 Mandatory
Groups and Geometry MATH21120 20 Mandatory
Logic and Modelling COMP21111 10 Optional
Database Systems COMP23111 10 Optional
Software Engineering 1 COMP23311 10 Optional
Software Engineering 2 COMP23412 10 Optional
Introduction to AI COMP24011 10 Optional
Programming Languages & Paradigms COMP26020 20 Optional
Algorithms and Data Structures COMP26120 20 Optional
Introduction to Visual Computing COMP27112 10 Optional
Distributed Systems COMP28112 10 Optional
Principles of Mathematical Modelling MATH20521 10 Optional
Random Models MATH20712 10 Optional
Introduction to Financial Mathematics MATH20912 10 Optional
Metric Spaces MATH21111 10 Optional
Rings & Fields MATH21112 10 Optional
Numerical Analysis 1 MATH24411 10 Optional
Fluid Mechanics MATH24412 10 Optional
Partial Differential Equations & Vector Calculus MATH24420 20 Optional
Linear Regression Models MATH27711 10 Optional
Stochastic Processes MATH27712 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 21 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Third Year Project Laboratory COMP30030 30 Mandatory
Giving Meaning to Programs COMP31311 10 Optional
User Experience COMP33511 10 Optional
AI and Games COMP34111 10 Optional
Cognitive Robotics COMP34212 10 Optional
Algorithms and Complexity COMP36111 10 Optional
Mathematical Systems and Computation COMP36212 10 Optional
Graphics & Virtual Environments COMP37111 10 Optional
Computer Vision COMP37212 10 Optional
Advanced Distributed Systems COMP38311 10 Optional
Quantum Computing COMP39112 10 Optional
Mathematics Education MATH30002 10 Optional
Fractal Geometry MATH31042 10 Optional
Topology MATH31051 10 Optional
Group Theory MATH32001 10 Optional
Commutative Algebra MATH32012 10 Optional
Coding Theory MATH32031 10 Optional
Hyperbolic Geometry MATH32052 10 Optional
Algebraic Geometry MATH32062 10 Optional
Number Theory MATH32072 10 Optional
Combinatorics and Graph Theory MATH32091 10 Optional
Complex Analysis&Applications MATH34011 20 Optional
Wave Motion MATH35012 10 Optional
Mathematical Biology MATH35031 10 Optional
Mathematics of a Finite Planet MATH35062 10 Optional
Symmetry in Geometry and Nature MATH35082 10 Optional
Matrix Analysis MATH36001 10 Optional
Numerical Analysis 2 MATH36022 10 Optional
Problem Solving by Computer MATH36031 10 Optional
Convex Optimization MATH36062 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 30 course units for year 3

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our  undergraduate student finance pages .

What our students say

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CS@ Manchester - What our students say?
Todd Davies, BSc Computer Science

I always has the mind-set in my degree that I was learning how to learn. I feel like the BSc in Computer Science gives you a very holistic view of the subject, all the way from logic gates to high-level modules like Computer Vision.

Seb Masaru, BSc Computer Science

The community, the Department, the University, and the city itself are so vibrant in Manchester. You get the sensation that the people here are all extremely approachable.

Facilities

As you would expect from leaders in the field, we offer some of the most up to date facilities in the world. Amongst the wide range of facilities available to you are:

  • Newly refurbished computing labs furnished with modern desktop computers, available with Linux and Windows
  • Access to world leading academic staff
  • Collaborative working labs complete with specialist computing and audio visual equipment to support group working.
  • Over 300 Computers in the Department dedicated exclusively for the use of our students.
  • Access to a hardware library, with top of the range equipment, including drones, robots and oculus rifts.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk