computer science at cambridge inspire develop create innovate learn dream create the future
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Computer Science at Cambridgecreate the future
Our key aims
To give an understanding of fundamental principles that will outlast today’s technologyTo produce graduates who will create the future not merely cope with it
The Course
Part IAPart IA Part IBPart IB Part IIPart II
Programming
Foundations
Mathematics
An option (maths, science, psychology)
Theory
Systems
Hardware & Languages
Mathematics & Applications
Free choice from a wide range of advanced courses
Personalproject
The Course
Part IAPart IA Part IBPart IB Part IIPart II
Programming
Foundations
Mathematics
An option (maths, science, psychology)
Theory
Systems
Hardware & Languages
Mathematics & Applications
Free choice from a wide range of advanced courses
Personalproject
Part IIIPart III
Free choice from a wide range of research courses
Research project
First Year: CS with NST/SPS
Computer Science
Maths from
Natural Science
s
Choice from
NST or SPS
Any one of:Physics
Social PsychologyEvolution & BehaviourGeology
ChemistryPhysiology
It is possible to switch out of CST to any of these subjects in the
second year
First Year: CS with Maths
Computer Science
Half the Maths that a full maths
undergraduate would do
BUT you can’t then do maths in your
second year
Maths from Maths Tripos
First Year: NST CS Option
Computer
Science
Maths from
Natural Science
s
Choice from
NST or SPS
Half the CS a CS undergraduate would
do
It is possible to catch up the other half and switch to CST in the second year, but this
is not the recommended route
Choice from
NST or SPS
Course Content
Maths
Theory
Systems
Applications Programming
Hardware
Course components
12 one-hour lectures per (6-day) week•plus similar time in review
and private study
6 hours of practical work•More detail shortly...
2 or 3 supervisions of one hour each•plus 4 hours of
preparation each
Practical skills
•Hands-on Practicals in electronics and programming (ML, Java)
First Year
•Practicals in hardware design and Java
•Group Project (team work)
Second Year
•Individual Project
Third Year
Employability
The course is designed to give you vital skills whatever you choose to do
Good computer scientists can go on to a multitude of careers: IT, business, politics, finance, science, engineering, education, arts
Graduate employment types
IT Sector
Other
Banking & Investment
Manufacturing
Management Consultancy
Research
Media
Public Service
Teaching
Sought-after graduates
What job shortage?• Our annual Recruitment fair
attracts 50+ companies• Each looking to recruit 3 or 4
graduates• We only have 80 graduates
in total!!Some of the 2009 companies • Google, ARM, Barclays, BT,
MathWorks, RBS, Disney, Citrix, Frontier
Mathematical LaboratoThe Working Environment
The Cambridge phenomenon
Cambridge has developed rapidly over past 25 years New technology and start-up companies Many spin-offs from University research groups IT companies around Cambridge – Silicon Fen 1600 companies in 2000
Prerequisites
At least A*AA grades at A-level• further A-level or AS-levels valuable
Mathematics to A-level• is absolutely essential
Further Mathematics• to AS-level is essential if your
school offers it• to A-level is desirable• AEA or STEP is useful
Computing/CS/IT A-levels
Computer Science• is similar in character to university-level CS• but very few schools offer it so the degree
has to cover the same ground to get everyone up to speed
Computer Studies, Information Technology,…• are quite different in character to university-
level Computer Science• emphasise vocational aspects and are not
particularly relevant to us
Other A-levels
Physical Sciences• Physics, Chemistry, etc.• Very useful and desirable
Also...• Electronics can be useful but isn’t a
pre-requisite
Programming Experience
You DON’T need programming experience• You will be taught programming from the ground up• If you have experience, it might give you a small
advantage initially• Any advantage is gone by the second year
This year...
No experience (39%)
Not much experience (24%)
Some experience (18%)
Quite a lot of experience (14%)
Programming expert (2%)
Visit www.cscubed.org for more details
(and pick up a puzzle today for your chance to
win!)