Computer Science

Computer Science is concerned with every aspect of the use of computing in our daily lives. Computer Scientists study the techniques that underpin such areas as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, e-commerce systems, operating systems and computer security. Our courses embody the fundamentals of programming languages, the essential tool of the Computer Scientist, as well as a wide range of languages including C++, C# and Java. Students choose this subject at Reading because of the wide range of cutting edge technologies they can learn, including 3D graphics, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, the Semantic Web and Space Robotics, and also because of the superb links we have with our neighbours: Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Intel, and virtually every other blue chip IT company.

• In-house expertise from across research and industry: you'll be taught by lecturers with expertise across a broad range of areas from worldrenowned researchers to industry leading IT consultants who consult for companies such as Fujitsu-Siemens, the BBC and Oracle, or are entrepreneurs in their own right. This mix of expertise ensures you're taught real-world skills from those who put them into practice as well as cutting edge skills from those who are developing the next generation of computer technologies.

• Innovative teaching methods: how can you learn Software Engineering by making a board game? Come to our Open Days and find out.

• Cutting edge research: we're leaders in fields as diverse as computer vision, room-sized virtual reality systems, and robotics, all of which you can explore as part of your degree.

• Excellent links with industry, with major international IT companies actively involved in our teaching programmes.

• Extremely friendly environment, with staff and students working well together. There is also flexibility within our programmes, giving you the freedom to change course to the Information Technology degree at the end of the first year if you want to.

Skills and experience
Each of our degrees has a third year placement option, which you can opt to choose at the end of your second year. The placement lasts for a full year, during which you'll be established in a central role within a company, acting as part of a team with genuine responsibilities. Upon completion of the placement, you'll return to University to continue your degree. Because of our location, our placements are first class, with companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young and Williams F1 all taking on our students each year. We have dedicated computer labs that you can access throughout the day and night, and which contain the very latest state-ofthe- art software for you to work and develop on. Classes are taught in these labs as well, ensuring you get plenty of hands-on support as you develop your skills. We strongly encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in you, with lectures aimed at showing you how to earn money from the skills you acquire before you leave University, and a dedicated module in Entrepreneurialism, which sets you the task of creating an idea for a business, developing a business plan, and presenting it to a set of independent judges from the IT and business community.

Career prospects

With our graduates going on to careers in networking, programming, consultancy, computer security, database management, game development, and even robotics, a computing-related degree at the University of Reading gives you the skills you need for a highly rewarding professional career in computing. Recent Reading graduates have gone on to work at companies including Microsoft (Application Platform Solution Specialist and Infrastructure Optimisation Manager), Three (Product Developer), Tesco (Web Developer), Cisco Systems Inc (Embedded Software Engineer) and WebWayOne Ltd (Software Engineer)