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Computer Science
Postgraduate Diploma in ScienceMajorYear: 2017
Overview
The program in Computer Science allows students to study a selection of topics in some depth and to work independently on a medium-sized project. It provides an introduction to research methodology and greater experience in system development. It may be used as a preparation for postgraduate studies in computer science, and opens additional career opportunities in systems design and implementation and in research support.
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for the course, a student must have a three-year degree with substantial computing content as well as an average final-year mark at the level of at least the equivalent of 65. Industrial experience may also be taken into account. As a minimum, computing background should include solid experience with Unix and C programming, as well as good knowledge in the areas of data structures and algorithms for sorting, searching and graph manipulation, software development principles and tools, and software design, including object-oriented design. A student's computing background should also include good knowledge of several more specialised areas, such as artificial intelligence, computability and logic, operating systems, databases, human-computer interaction, computer networks, compilers, computer graphics, and software engineering. Finally, a student must have passed the equivalent of at least 25 points of level-1 Mathematics or Statistics.
Assessment: Assessment consists of written assignments, oral presentations and written examinations.
Seminars: The Department of Computing and Information Systems holds regular seminars; attendance at these is required for Postgraduate Diploma students. Other talks may also be recommended by the teaching staff; these, too, are considered to be part of the course.
Intended learning outcomes
The Postgraduate Diploma in Science is designed to:
- Allow students to study a selection of Computer Science topics in depth and to work on an investigative project;
- Provide an introduction to research methodology;
- Provide experience in system development;
- Improve career opportunities in research-oriented jobs, or in systems design and implementation;
- Encourage critical thought and novel ideas in computer science;
- Improve abilities to evaluate information and analyse experimental data;
- Improve oral and written communication skills.
It can be taken full time over 2 semesters or part-time over 4 semesters.
Last updated: 30 January 2024