University of Essex Online

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

The BSc (Hons) Computer Science is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 360 credits.

Level 4

Research and professional practice
Develop the fundamental skills required to engage in research activities, project management and professional conduct. This module incorporates relevant themes – including how to adopt sustainable development goals, minimise impact and promote social responsibility. You’ll also begin building your entrepreneurial skills and understanding of research methodologies through theoretical discussion, practical exercises and real-world case studies.

Introduction to maths and statistics
How do maths and statistics affect decision making in sustainable practices? Find out in this informative module. From summary statistics, hypothesis testing and linear algebra, to permutations, probability and parametric and non-parametric tests, you’ll cover a range of mathematical and statistical applications. And by the end, you’ll have a strong understanding of how they’re integral to the role of a computer scientist.

Fundamentals of programming
Gain a comprehensive introduction to programming. By writing, testing and debugging through Python, you’ll develop a strong understand of coding and the impact on software development. There’s also a strong emphasis on inclusive and sustainable software, as you explore the role of software in society and beyond.

Object-oriented programming
Ready to discover the fundamental principles of object-oriented programming (OOP) and their application in software development? From inheritance and polymorphism to encapsulation and abstraction, this module introduces key OOP concepts and techniques, giving you a solid foundation for a future career in computing. There’s also a strong focus on sustainability, as you consider resource-conscious software solutions to reduce energy consumption and waste.

Introduction to data modelling
Discover how to work with data in this exciting module. You’ll analyse the key concepts of SQL – such as relations, keys and normalisation – through the design and implementation of relational databases, ensuring you have a solid understanding of database design principles.

Web application development
Gain an in-depth knowledge of web application development. Froom conceptualisation to deployment, you’ll learn about the entire web application development lifecycle – ensuring you develop the essential skills to build modern web applications and foster strong entrepreneurship.

Fundamentals of networks
This comprehensive module introduces you to the fundamentals of computer networking. You’ll explore network architecture, protocols, models, services and security considerations – helping you gain the skills needed for a successful career in computing. Workshop sessions also allow you to build hands-on experience in configuring network devices and implementing solutions for various applications.

Digital systems fundamentals
How do you navigate the complexities of digital computer systems? Find out in this informative module on hardware components and low-level software. Through hands-on exercises incorporating binary arithmetic and logic circuit design, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the fundamental structure and operation of digital computers. And by doing so, you’ll develop key practical skills to succeed in computer science.

Level 5

Research and professional practice 2
Build the skills you need to succeed in your future computing career. Following a team-based projects framework, you’ll choose a team project that aligns with specific attributes that fit with your chosen topic. That way, you’ll develop a strong understanding of various professional competencies and ethical standards in project development.

Software engineering fundamentals
Discover the key concepts of software engineering in this exciting module. From design and implementation to testing, deployment and maintenance, you’ll explore the entire software development life cycle – as well as how to leverage technology to develop energy-efficient software. And through real-world case studies, you’ll develop core skills to succeed in any computing role.

Application programming
Hone your advanced Java programming skills with this core module. There’s a particular focus on database interaction and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) – as well as core Java application frameworks and the effective use of Java collections – to help you learn how to develop complex Java applications with interactive GUIs utilising design patterns. You’ll also gain an understanding of how to address challenges in practical application development projects.

Data structures and algorithms
Learn to think as a computer scientist. Data structures and algorithms are the basis for problem solving in computing, so you’ll build on the skills developed in the previous level – by exploring algorithm analysis, basis computability and data structures such as stacks, trees and graphs. By the end, you’ll have a strong understanding of core data types in Python, as well as how to write, explain and analyse commonly used algorithms and their application.

Web application programming
This immersive module emphasises the importance of dynamic web application development and database management. From server-side programming through PHP to database management via MySQL, you’ll explore all aspects of web programming concepts – ensuring you have the skills to create and maintain various web solutions.

Introduction to AI
Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing area – and this module offers an introduction to all facets of AI. You’ll explore the methodologies and techniques of search algorithms, knowledge representation and learning mechanisms – as well as the role of AI in computer games and robotics. And at the end, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of systems bult upon interacting intelligent acts.

Computer security
Gain a thorough introduction to cybersecurity with this informative module. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you’ll explore cryptography, user authentication, operating system security, malware forensics and more – ensuring you’re well prepared for a career in this sector.

Introduction to data science
Did you know data science plays a key role in medicine, climate science and business analytics? Discover the fundamental concepts of this rapidly growing field, as you explore key tools and techniques – as well as ways to analyse both textual and numerical data. By the end, you’ll have developed strong analytical skills and be ready to explore various application domains where data science is relevant.

Level 6

Capstone project
The Capstone project gives you the chance to demonstrate the academic knowledge you’ve gained throughout your degree. You’ll carry out a significant piece of independent research or an extensive practical project – showing off your creativity, innovation, and academic and professional abilities. You’ll also carry out meticulous research and present your findings in a professional setting.

Advanced programming
Develop your programming skills in this comprehensive module. From multiprocessing, threads and messaging, to input/output operations, remote method invocation, web services and server architecture, you’ll gain a thorough introduction to various programming topics – while honing your use of cloud technologies, such as Google Cloud.

Information retrieval
Discover how to design energy-efficient information retrieval (IR) systems in this inspiring module. You’ll learn all about the theoretical foundations of IR systems – such as text processing, indexing and querying – while considering how to minimise the carbon footprint of digital information processing during design and development. That way, you’ll have a strong understanding of the role IR systems in building environmentally responsible systems that drive social and economic value.

Natural language processing
How do computer programs perform everyday language tasks? Find out in this exciting module. You’ll be introduced to the three fundamental concepts of natural language processing (NLP): understanding the structure and grammar of language; considering language processing tasks that are simple for humans but challenging for computers; and using intelligent computing techniques to solve these challenges.

Computer vision
This module helps you gain practical experience in basic computer vision tasks. By actively writing computer programs to tackle various vision tasks – and exploring core principle and methods through visual data – you’ll begin building your own practical skills and experience in this area.

Network security
Learn how to keep computer networks safe from cyber-attacks in this informative module. You’ll begin by exploring the principles, techniques and tools used to secure computer networks – before moving on to network analysis, threat assessment and cryptographic approaches, and how these apply to real-life scenarios.

The BSc (Hons) Computer Science will give you the necessary skills to enter a wide variety of computing-related roles. These include IT consultant, business, cyber security or information systems analyst, data analyst, scientist or administrator; cloud analyst, developer or engineer; software tester or engineer; web designer or developer, and DevOps analyst.

You’ll also have the opportunity to progress onto one of our five postgraduate computing courses – MSc Computer Science, MSc Cyber Security, MSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Data Science or MSc Enterprise IT Management.

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2024 Career and Employability Survey showed:

• 7 in 10 undergraduate students would recommend us to a friend
• 4 in 5 undergraduates said their studies helped their career progression
• 2 in 5 students feel ready to make a career change
• 90% of students felt better prepared for their career after studying with us

Learning and assessment

Teaching methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

• multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
• discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
• live seminars and Q&A sessions with your tutors
• a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
• support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team

Assessments

You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, delivering live presentations or by submitting longer written pieces.

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways:

• our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent
• you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme
• you’ll be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log into the learning platform
• there’s a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work
• you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise