- UCAS course code
- G405
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Computer Science with Industrial Experience
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: G405 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Industrial experience
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*A*A including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
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 .
Course unit details:
System Architecture
| Unit code | COMP25212 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The basic architecture of computer systems has been covered in first year course units which detailed both the instruction set architecture and the micro-architecture (hardware structure) of simple processors. Although these principles underlie the vast majority of modern computers, there is a wide range of both hardware and software techniques which are employed to increase the performance, reliability and flexibility of systems.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Computer Architecture | COMP15111 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The aims of this course are to introduce the most important system architecture approaches. To give a wider understanding of how real systems operate and, from that understanding, the ability to optimise their use.
Learning outcomes
- describe the techniques which are employed in modern computing systems to increase performance, reliability and flexibility.
- compare the strengths and weaknesses of different system architectures.
- explain how and predict to which extent such techniques impact the performance, reliability and flexibility of computing systems.
- identify suitable system architectures for a given set of system requirements.
Syllabus
Introduction
The motivation behind advanced architectural techniques.
Caching
The need to overcome latency. Caching as a principle, examples of caching in practice. Processor cache structure and operation.
Pipelining
Principles of pipelining. Implementation of a processor pipeline and its properties. Pipelining requirements and limitations. Additional support for pipelining.
Multi-Threading
Basic multi-threading principles. Processor support for multi-threading. Simultaneous multi-threading.
Multi-Core
Motivation for multi-core. Possible multi-core structures. Cache coherence.
File System Support
Implementation of file systems. RAID
Virtual Machines
Motivation for Virtual Machines. Language Virtual Machines. System Virtual Machines. Virtual Machine implementation. Binary Translation.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, coursework, online quizzes.
Guest lecture from industry (TBC).
Continuous feedback with students will be maintained through active participation in the classroom.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 70% |
| Practical skills assessment | 30% |
Feedback methods
Feedback given after assessment
Recommended reading
COMP25212 reading list can be found on the Department of Computer Science website for current students.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 12 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 64 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Oliver Rhodes | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Course unit materials
Links to course unit teaching materials can be found on the School of Computer Science website for current students