Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Computer Science or BComp (CS) programme aims to nurture students for a rewarding computing career in various industry sectors. Suitable for those who love hands-on work and keen to apply computing technologies to solve real-world problems, the programme will equip students with the critical knowledge and capacity to take on the world with confidence.
At the time of graduation, students are expected to demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of computer science foundations and fundamentals, including (a) familiarity with common computer science themes and principles, (b) high-level understanding of systems as a whole, (c) understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of computer science and their influences in practice.
• In-depth knowledge in one or more computer science specialisations.
• Individual competence in applying sound principles and rigorous thinking to (a) analyse an application problem, (b) understand user’s requirement, (c) formulate the problem in terms of computation requirements, (c) conceive novel solution ideas, (e) design appropriate solutions that meet the requirements, (f) implement the solution, (g) evaluate the effectiveness of the solution.
• Strong communication skills and ability work with, and contribute to, a multi-disciplinary team to bring a range of technologies together to develop computer systems and solutions of multi-disciplinary nature.
• Ability to engage in continuous professional development.
• Understanding of the responsibilities of an IT professional and the ethical, social, and legal issues related to computing.

Within 3-5 years from graduation, a graduate from the programme is expected to be able to:

• Have a career as IT professional engaging in research and/or development in one or more specialisation of computer science;
• Engage in a supportive or leadership role in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative, team environment;
• Engage in continuous learning of state-of-the-art advances in computer science (including graduate studies);
• Function as an ethical, legal and socially responsible member of the society;
• Apply computing knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the betterment of society.

For a well-rounded education, students pursuing this programme will also acquire knowledge in science, including life sciences, mathematics and physics.
The programme is recognised by ABET Inc., the world-respected US-based accreditation agency, as being "substantially equivalent" to similar accredited programmes in the United States.
Graduates with the Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Computer Science degree can position themselves in a large number of exciting fields of work, including project management, knowledge engineering, software architecture, web design, digital media and security consultancy.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) programme requires at least 160 MCs.

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS (Total of 120 MCs)

Computer Science Foundation
CS1010        Programming Methodology33

CS1020        Data Structures and Algorithms I34
CS1231        Discrete Structures
CS2010        Data Structures and Algorithms II34
CS2100        Computer Organisation
CS2103T      Software Engineering35
CS2105        Introduction to Computer Networks
CS2106        Introduction to Operating Systems
CS3230        Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Computer Science Breadth & Depth
Complete 24 MCs of CS modules by satisfying the following conditions:

• Satisfy at least one CS Focus Area for B.Comp. (CS) by completing 3 modules in the Area Primaries, with at least one module at level-4000 or above. Computer Science Foundation modules that appear in Area Primaries can be counted as one of the 3 modules towards satisfying a Focus Area.
• At least 12 MCs are at level-4000 or above.

Complete 8 MCs of Computer Systems Team Project modules from the following list, or modules approved by the Department of Computer Science:

• CS3201 Software Engineering Project I and CS3202 Software Engineering Project II, or
• CS3281 Thematic Systems Project I and CS3282 Thematic Systems Project II, or
• CS3283 Media Technology Project I and CS3284 Media Technology Project II

Either
CP4101 B.Comp. Dissertation
or
Complete 12 MCs by taking CS modules at level-4000 or above, or modules approved by the Department of Computer Science.

IT Professionalism
IS1103         Computing and Society
CS2101        Effective Communication for Computing Professionals

Mathematics & Sciences
MA1301      Introductory Mathematics36
MA1521      Calculus for Computing37
MA1101R    Linear Algebra I
ST2334        Probability and Statistics38
PC1222        Fundamentals of Physics II
3 Science Modules 39

(ii)   UNIVERSITY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (20 MCs)

(iii)  UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES (20 MCs)

Computer Science Focus Areas for B.Comp. (CS)
CS modules are organised into Focus Areas of coherent modules according to technical areas of study. A CS Focus Area is satisfied by completing 3 modules from the Area Primaries, with at least one module at 4000-level or above. CS Foundation Modules (CFM) that appear in the Area Primaries can be counted as one of the 3 modules towards satisfying a Focus Area. In this case, a student has to read just two other modules in the Area Primaries to satisfy the Focus Area. Elective modules are grouped into the Focus Areas as a guide for indicating their related areas of study.

• Algorithms & Theory
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Networks
• Database Systems
• Information Retrieval
• Parallel Computing
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Systems Security
• Visual Computing
• Interactive Media

Modules classified in each focus area can be found at:
http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/cs_cs_focusareas.html

Enrichment
Students are encouraged to read the following enrichment modules:

• CS3882               Breakthrough Ideas for Digital Markets
• CS4880               Digital Entrepreneurship

Specialisation in Information Security
To satisfy Information Security in Computer Science, students must:

• Complete 12 MCs from the CS Undergraduate Focus Area of System Security.
• Complete CP4101 B.Comp. Dissertation (12 MCs) which must be an independent project on a topic related to the technical aspects of information security.

Students in this Specialisation are recommended to complete the 8 MCs of Computer Systems Team Project modules on a topic related to the technical aspects of information security.

University Scholars Programme (Computer Science)
Students in the University Scholars Programme who choose the Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) major will follow the Computer Science programme, but with the following variations:

• They will not be required to read University Level Requirements (20 MCs). These are replaced by the 3 USP Inquiry Modules and 2 USP Foundation modules (Quantitative Reasoning Foundation and University Scholars Seminar).
• They will not be required to read CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals. It is replaced by USP Foundation module: Writing and Critical Thinking
• They will not be required to read two Science Modules (8 MCs). These are replaced by 2 USP Inquiry modules in Sciences and Technologies basket.
• They will read UROP modules (CP3208 and CP3209) in place of CS3201 and CS3202 or CS3281 and CS3282. CP3208 and CP3209 are independent study modules (ISMs) which will also be counted as 2 USP Inquiry modules in Sciences and Technologies basket.

Table 3: Summary of degree requirements for Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science)

40     MA1301 is waived for students with A-level Mathematics. The 4 MCs gained from the waiver should be used to read a letter-graded module.
41     Students pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics are recommended to replace MA1521 Calculus for Computing by MA1102R Calculus.
42     Students pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics will take ST2131 Probability and ST2132 Mathematical Statistics in place of ST2334 Probability and Statistics.
43      Students interested in Physics are recommended to read PC1221 Fundamentals of Physics I. A Science module can be either CM1121 (Organic Chemistry), CM1131 (Physical Chemistry I), CM1417 (Fundamentals of Chemistry), LSM1301 (General Biology), LSM1302 (Genes and Society), PC1143 (Physics III), PC1144 (Physics IV), PC1221 (Fundamentals of Physics I), PC1432 (Physics IIE) or courses approved by the Department of Computer Science.