About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Computer Science
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Code
CK401
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College
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Duration
4 Years
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Teaching Mode
Full-time
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Qualifications
BSc (Hons)
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Fees
Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.
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Entry Requirements
2 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; O2/H6 in Maths. See Requirements for full details.
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CAO Points
2022: 509
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CAO Points Range
509-625
Course Outline
Graduates of Computer Science at UCC understand how computer-based systems work and how we can harness their potential to develop sophisticated computer applications upon which our modern world depends. The BSc in Computer Science is a full-time four-year degree course that encompasses all aspects of computer systems (both software and hardware) and ICT (information and communication technology), including software development, database technology, computer networks, operating systems, algorithms, security, web technology and applications.
Modules
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
Year 1
Core
- CS1106 Introduction to Relational Databases
- CS1110 Computer Hardware Organisation
- CS1111 Systems Organisation
- CS1112 Foundations of Computer Science I
- CS1113 Foundations of Computer Science II
- CS1115 Web Development I
- CS1116 Web Development II
- CS1117 Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
Electives
If you are a proficient or native speaker it is not recommended that this language be taken as an elective.
- CS1130 & CS1131 Irish Language for Computer Science I & II
- CH1001 Chinese Language (Mandarin) I (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
- EC1202 Economic Reasoning for Business & EC1203 Macroeconomic Context and Business
- FR0105 Introduction to French & FR1005 French for Near Beginners OR FR1105 Threshold French & FR1107 French for Reading Purposes I
- GE0005 & GE0008 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1 & A2.2)
- HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
- IT1102 Non-Beginners’ Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits) OR IT1109 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- MA1001 & MA1002 Calculus for Science Parts 1 & 2 OR MA1059 Calculus, MA1060 Introduction to Analysis
Year 2
Core
- CS2208 Information Storage and Management I
- CS2209 Information Storage and Management II
- CS2503 Operating Systems I
- CS2505 Network Computing
- CS2506 Operating Systems II
- CS2507 Computer Architecture
- CS2513 Intermediate Programming
- CS2514 Introduction to Java
- CS2515 Algorithms and Data Structures I
- CS2516 Algorithms and Data Structures II
Electives: Computer Science options; Language options; Mathematics.
Year 3
Core
- CS3305 Team Software Project (10 credits)
- CS3306 Workplace Technology and Skills (10 credits)
- CS3318 Advanced Programming with Java
- CS3500 Software Engineering
Electives
Students also take 20 credits worth of computer science electives
Work placement: 6 months (March to September) or 12 months (from March)
Year 4
Core
- CS4501 Computer Science Project (15 credits)
Electives
Students also take 20 credits worth of computer science electives
BSc SINGLE HONOURS COMPUTER SCIENCE (SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
From Year 2, students can choose the Software Entrepreneurship stream.
Year 2 Modules
(25 Computer Science; 35 Economics)
Year 3 Modules
(40 Computer Science; 20 Economics)
Core: Work Placement: 6 months (March to September) or 12 months (from March)
Year 4 Modules
(35 Computer Science; 25 Economics)
See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further details on modules.
Course Practicalities
Expected lecture/lab hours: This is a full-time course demanding a full-time commitment. The annual 60-credits workload typically equates to 12 hours of lectures per week and a comparable amount for laboratory work and tutorials.
Expected reading/practical hours: The course also demands a significant amount of additional time for study, reading, completion of project and assignment work.
Why Choose This Course
Computer Science encompasses all aspects of computer systems, software and hardware, as well as information and communications technology. Topics include software development, database technology, computer networks, operating systems, algorithms, security, web technology and applications. Graduates learn to harness the potential of these technologies to develop useful and sophisticated computer applications.
The School of Computer Science and Information Technology aims to ensure you are work-ready, and it has a mandatory work placement module in Year 3.
To complement the work placement module, you will undertake a Year 4 project, supervised by one of our academic staff. This will require you to apply your knowledge to a technological challenge of your choice and will help develop your skills and understanding of computer science.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work placement:
In Year 3 (end of second term), you will undertake mandatory work placement which provides real-life experience of the workplace. The placement can be for a 6- or 12-month period. Working in a company setting provides you with additional skills that cannot be taught through lectures or in the laboratory. You work as part of a team to solve real problems that have economic consequences. The placement is jointly monitored by an academic staff member and employee of the company. Our students have been placed in SME’s, national and international companies. Companies that repeatedly employ student on placement include DELL EMC, Amazon, Intel, Pilz, Teamwork, Tapadoo, Workday, EMBL, Laya Healthcare, McAfee, CoreHR, Fidelity Investments, JLR, Johnson Controls, KPMG, Accenture, Tyco, IBM, Janssen, Microsoft, Netgear and others.
Skills and Careers Information
The technology sector in Ireland directly employs over 105,000 people, with 75% employed in multinational companies and the remainder in the indigenous digital technology sector.
In 2017 92% of graduates from the BSc (Hons) Computer Science surveyed were in employment while a further 6% went on to further study or training. Employers taking people on from this cohort of graduates included Dell EMC, Google, Amazon Web Services, Johnson Controls, McAfee, Teamwork, McKesson, Stryker, and many more.
Ireland is home to:
- The top 5 global software companies
- 9 of the top 10 US technology companies
- Top 3 global Enterprise Software Companies
- 4 of the top 5 IT services companies (Source: idaireland.com)
“Driven by the continued growth of Ireland as a global technology hub, as well as the spread of digitalisation across all sectors of the economy, demand is forecast to grow at 8.5% annually, generating potential job openings of almost 73,000 during the period 2018-2022.” (Source: Tony Donohoe Chairperson, Expert Group on Future Skills Needs)
“The current trend for digital transformation is steadily driving the demand for ICT skills to new levels. According to studies on monitoring skills demand and supply, by 2020 there will be a demand for almost 6.3 million IT professionals in the EU.” (Source: Forecasting the Future Demand for High-Level ICT Skills in Ireland, 2017 – 2022, National Skills Council)
Starting Salaries
Many employment agencies report on typical salaries for different sectors; an example of those reported for careers in computer science are as follows:
- Mid-Level Software Developer: €50,000 – €65,000
- Senior software engineer/developer/programmer: €80,000 – €110,000
- Mid-level python developer: €55,000 – €65,000
These figures are indicative only. Salaries are in general higher than many other industries. The following link provides details of the Brightwater Salary Survey 2020.
Requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Maths |
|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O2/H6 |
Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and may be called for interview. Either second-level mathematics or a background in IT is required. Approximately twelve places are available on this course for mature applicants.
Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our EU/EFTA/UK Applicants pages for further information.
International Students should visit the International Education website.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such appicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138.
See Fees Office for more information.
For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.
How Do I Apply
EU Applicants:
Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1 February of the year of entry.
Non-EU Applicants:
Go to Non-EU Applicants for international application information.
Mature Applicants:
Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1 February of the year of proposed entry.
EU Applicants
The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.
Mature Applicants (age 23 or over)
All interested mature applicants must make an application through the Central Applications Office (CAO). See the CAO Mature Applicants and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) pages. Visit our Mature Student Entry page for more information.
QQI/FET
See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)/Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.
All Applicants
Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.