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Computer Science

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Computer Science is a common entry course and offers the following two degree subjects:

  • Computer Science  [ Link to CSS1]
  • Computer Science with Data Science [Link to CSSC ]

Students decide on their degree subject at the end of Second Year.  If you are a logical thinker who likes problem solving and you enjoy subjects like mathematics, a degree in Computer Science could be for you.

Information on all our courses including pathways, internships and careers information is available in the UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Entry 2024 Brochure (PDF).

About This Course

The UCD Computer Science course includes two degree subjects: Computer Science and Computer Science with Data Science.

The fundamentals of Computer Science, including contemporary languages and technologies used in the industry. Topics include advanced software engineering, theory of computer science, networks, security and the underlying mathematics behind logic and formal software. Students learn programming languages such as Java; software development tools and   methodologies such as Git; web technologies such as JavaScript; and Big Data programming techniques. Students will also use different operating systems.

The Computer Science course is full time and includes a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical assignments.Assessment for each module will vary and may comprise a written exam, individual homework assignments, group projects and continuous assessment.

Students study the same modules in First and Second Year and at the end of Second Year, they choose their degree subject.

 

It is possible to study abroad for a trimester, usually in the third year of the course. Universities that students have visited to date include the University of Auckland, New Zealand, the University of California, Irvine, USA, and Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

A UCD Computer Science degree equips you with the fundamental skills to work in a variety of roles including software developer, software architect, engineering manager, database designer, web developer, network engineer, systems administrator or IT consultant. UCD Computer Science graduates work in a wide range of domains including internet, telecommunications, healthcare, finance, online retail, gaming and social networking. Some graduates start their own companies, even immediately after graduating. With a BSc in Computer Science, you are also eligible to pursue graduate study in computer science and in related areas, such as business, mathematics and engineering. Graduates also pursue research in computer science through PhD programmes in UCD or other institutions.

Students have an opportunity to undertake an industry placement for 5.5 months in Third Year from March to August. Assessment is based on a learning journal and a presentation from the student.

Students who do not undertake the longer internship option also have the opportunity to complete a Professional Placement module worth 5 credits. This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a placement in industry (6-10 weeks) in the summer following Third Year.

Students in recent years have completed internships in Ericsson, SIG, KPMG, Workday, Yahoo, Microsoft, General Motors, Intel, Deloitte and AMD.

Placements are secured on a competitive basis and are subject to change each year.



More information about the internship module and application process.



Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10030 Algorithmic Problem Solving Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10040 Introduction to Computer Architecture Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10070 Formal Foundations Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10110 Computer Programming I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10300 Functional Programming Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10050 Software Engineering Project 1 Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 COMP10120 Computer Programming II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10210 Foundations of Mathematics for Computer Science I Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10220 Foundations of Mathematics for Computer Science II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 STAT10430 Statistics with Python Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. All other students must take MATH10200.
MATH00010 Introduction to Mathematics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of O1 or H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics must take MATH00010. All other students must take MATH10200.
MATH10200 Matrix Algebra Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students may take COMP10310 instead of an Elective module in the Spring Trimester.
 COMP10310 Web Design Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20020 Digital Systems Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20070 Databases and Information Systems I Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20110 Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20320 Computer Networking Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20350 Object-Oriented Programming Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20050 Software Engineering Project 2 Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20180 Intro to Operating Systems Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20280 Data Structures Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 COMP20290 Algorithms Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MST20050 Linear Algebra II Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not taken in Stage 1 students must take MATH10200 in Stage 2
MATH10200 Matrix Algebra Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional Option Modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
 PHIL10040 Introduction to Ethics Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional Option Modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
 COMP20200 UNIX Programming Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional Option Modules from the list below in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
 COMP20330 Functional Programming II Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30010 Foundations of Computing Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30030 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30940 Information Security Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30950 Multi-paradigm Programming Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30770 Programming for Big Data Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30860 Web Development Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 COMP30870 Graph Algorithms Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of:
All students should select COMP 30880 at the start of the academic year. Students who wish to apply for the Industry Internship module and are successfully placed on an internship will be manually registered by the School Office to COMP30790 and subsequently dropped from COMP 30880. Further information is available at: http://www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students.
COMP30790 Industry internship 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  15
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of:
All students should select COMP 30880 at the start of the academic year. Students who wish to apply for the Industry Internship module and are successfully placed on an internship will be manually registered by the School Office to COMP30790 and subsequently dropped from COMP 30880. Further information is available at: http://www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students.
COMP30880 Software Engineering Project 3 Spring  15
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional option modules from the list below in order to fulfil their stage requirements.
COMP30060 Program Construction I Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional option modules from the list below in order to fulfil their stage requirements.
COMP30230 Connectionist Computing Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional option modules from the list below in order to fulfil their stage requirements.
COMP30960 Human Computer Interaction Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students may register to 10 elective credits or select additional option modules from the list below in order to fulfil their stage requirements.
COMP30970 Competitive Programming Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 COMP30170 Computer Science Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  15
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP30250 Parallel Computing Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP30520 Cloud Computing (UG) Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP30690 Information Theory Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP30220 Distributed Systems Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP30930 Optimisation Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP40010 Performance of Computer Systems Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP41960 Advanced Information Security Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 4 of:
Students take at least 4 modules from this list.
 COMP47480 Contemporary Software Development Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP30190 Program Construction II Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP30230 Connectionist Computing Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP40370 Data Mining Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP40610 Information Visualisation Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP41400 Multi-Agent Systems Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP41740 Human-Centred AI Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP47490 Machine Learning (UG) Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP47930 Augmented and Virtual Reality Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
SCI30080 Professional Placement-Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP30110 Spatial Information Systems Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP30540 Game Development Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP40660 Advances in Wireless Networking Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP47650 Deep Learning Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP47700 Speech and Audio Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
COMP47980 Generative AI: Language Models Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students take sufficient modules from this list to bring their total number of option modules to 9.
MATH30250 Cryptography: Theory & Practice Spring  5

This course offers a fascinating range of modules on every aspect of Computer Science. The opportunities to get involved with clubs and societies were fantastic. Through Netsoc, I made many new friends and contacts by attending and organising events. The highlight of my time here was hosting the SISTEM tech conference at UCD. In third year, I had the chance to undertake a six- onth software engineering internship at Amazon. It was a wonderful experience to apply my studies in a practical setting and receive invaluable mentorship from my teammates. This even led to me being hired as a full-time software engineer by Amazon, where I work on new and exciting problems every day. 

Thomas Creavin, Graduate

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Computer Science:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt CSSA
Computer Science
Bachelor of Science		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceEU DN201
Computer Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Computer Science:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt CSSA
Computer Science
Bachelor of Science		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.		 Apply
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