About Computer Science and Informatics

Welcome to Computer Science and Informatics, part of the School of Systems Engineering at the University of Reading.

Computer Science and Informatics comprises twenty full time academic staff and about thirty-five researchers, technical and clerical staff. Computer Science provides the theory and practice that supports the practical application of computers in our everyday lives. Informatics includes the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of information systems.

Our staff have a wealth of both industrial and academic (research) experience and we pride ourselves on this mix. This ensures that our degrees are not only taught to a high standard but also means the course material is fully up-to-date and entirely relevant to today's industrial demands. We aim to equip our students with a degree level education as well as provide other non-academic skills that will prepare them for roles in the demanding professional world of Information Technology, Computer Science and related professions.

Our laboratories are equipped with modern Sun and Silicon Graphics computer systems as well as access to PC laboratories, both locally and centrally operated, and workstations specially designed for teaching (e.g. real-time programming). Final year students are welcome to link their major projects with industrial partners or to work with research groups to produce innovative solutions to present day problems. Alliances with software vendors also mean that our students have access to their own copies of a wide range of software, either freely or at a reduced cost when the software is used for academic purposes.

You can read single subject Computer Science or Information Technology or combine them with , Management or  Economics (subject to timetabling and pre-requisites). These degrees also offer you transferable skills such as group working, project and communication skills that employers expect. Applied variations allow students to spend a period working in industry. Students outside the School may also take modules offered by Information Systems as options.