Computer Science

The Course

The Cambridge course combines practice and theory. Programming and hardware design are taught alongside automata theory, semantics, etc. This course is ideal for students who love mathematics but want to make an impact on the world.

In the first year of the Computer Science Tripos (Part IA), students take courses in modern programming languages (ML and Java), Software Design and Discrete Mathematics. They also study Digital Electronics and work in the Hardware Laboratory. A number of first-year options exist. Students can take Mathematics and certain experimental subjects from Part IA of the Natural Sciences Tripos. Computer Scientists also have the option of taking courses from the first year of the Mathematics Tripos. A Psychology option is also available.

The second year of the Computer Science Tripos (Part IB) covers core technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Graphics and Digital Communications. It also covers hardware and theory. There is some assessed laboratory work, including a group project.

The third year (Part II) covers advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and Computer Security. It also covers advanced theory, such as System Modelling, Denotational Semantics, and Formal Verification. Each student does a substantial project and writes a dissertation of up to 12000 words.

Lectures and project work take place within the Computer Laboratory. Founded in 1937, it is probably the oldest Computer Science Department in the world. At present there are about 320 undergraduate students, and about 180 research students. The Laboratory received the highest average score in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise (for Computer Science and Informatics) and was rated as excellent in the 2003 UK teaching quality assessment.

Consult the Computer Laboratory's web site for more details of the new first-year options. You may request information by sending an e-mail to admissions@clare.cam.ac.uk

Studying Computer Science at Clare

Clare is looking actively to attract greater numbers of good applicants in Computer Science. The College has a strong commitment to the subject, and provides an excellent environment for students.

Clare's computing facilities are excellent. Our student computer rooms provide approximately 35 computers (both PCs and Macs). Bring your own computer, if you prefer: all student rooms in Clare have an Internet connection. Clare is also an extremely convenient college for Computer Science students, since most of the College's accommodation is situated midway between the town centre and the West Cambridge site.

Admissions

Candidates for Admission will usually have two interviews and will also be required to take the UCLES Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). The TSA assesses two kinds of thinking: problem solving (reasoning using numerical and spatial skills) and critical thinking (reasoning using everyday written language). These general skills will be assessed by multiple-choice questions. In each case, a stimulus is presented, followed by questions and five options. The questions will not test your knowledge of any specific subject areas. It is a 90 minutes test, taken in College on the day of interview. Further information is available on the TSA website http://tsa.ucles.org.uk.

While practical experience (such as programming) will improve your admissions prospects, mathematical competence is essential. A typical conditional offer requires A*AA at A2-level. The Computer Laboratory publishes detailed information on the A-level requirements for each option. Briefly: single-subject Mathematics at A2-level is essential; Physics and Further Mathematics are valuable. The Computer Science A2-level is not required, but it is a useful way to gain practical experience.

Fellows in Computer Science at Clare

Clare has its own internal Director of Studies, Professor Lawrence Paulson (right), who is a Fellow of the College and a member of the Department. He has an international reputation for his work on computational logic, but among students he is best known for his down-to-earth lecturing style. He gives lecture courses in the first two years of the Computer Science Tripos and has written a popular textbook on the programming language ML. He teaches many Clare students directly, particularly in their second year.