Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science

at Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus United Kingdom

Data Science, as a discipline, sits at the intersection between Computer Science (including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), Mathematics (including Advanced Statistical methods) and selected areas of Engineering. The proposed programme aims to combine core elements of all these areas. Successful completion of this programme will allow the graduate to become a graduate data science engineer, enabling their company or employer to benefit from up to date knowledge in this area.

Key areas of the programme:

• The primary focus of the Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship programme is on developing the knowledge, understanding and skills outcomes sought by employers.

If you are looking for a career in the world of finance and love mathematical challenges, then Financial Mathematics is the degree for you. Just as civil engineering deals with the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and roads, financial mathematics is concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of financial products. It is well known that careers in financial mathematics offer some of the best salaries of all professions and graduates working in this area thrive on being offered many interesting challenges on a day-to-day basis.

Our Financial Mathematics programme develops the skills and knowledge required by the modern investment and asset management industry, where structured finance and relative value trading strateges dominate. The emphasis is on developing a range of practical skills relevant to the increasingly mathematical and ever-changing world of contemporary finance.

Financial Mathematics isn't just for aspiring bankers. The UK Government is the single biggest user of structured finance, through the Private Finance Initiative. Graduates are also attractive to the treasury function of international corporations and to the trading arm of commodities companies.

Students on the Financial Mathematics degree follow the same programme as Actuarial Science students for the first two years. The programmes diverge in third year and in the fourth year Financial Mathematics students will be able to study courses alongside Master's students on the Quantitative Finance and Mathematics programme. The aim is for Financial Mathematics graduates to achieve a skill set comparable to those graduating with a Master's degree.

Statistical data science is at the core of modern data analytics that turn data into intelligence to inform decision-making and solve challenging problems. Applications range from economics and medicine, to social and environmental sciences. This degree covers theoretical and applied elements of modern statistics, and provides training and practical experience in modelling, analysing and interpreting real data required in the economy, industry and research. The early years of the degree cover basic mathematics, probability and statistics. The final years focus on advanced specialist topics in statistical modelling, data science, machine learning, probability and stochastic processes.

This course combines the rigorous studies of the BSc (Hons) Computer Systems with a year of work placement in level 4. Good performance means 12 months experience of working in an organisation in the computing sector. The Diploma in Industrial Training is gained through successful completion of the work placement. The work placement helps you to develop specific work-related skills, giving you the opportunity to apply and build upon the theory you’ve learned. This course is well suited for students looking for a sound foundation in contemporary computing, complemented by the professional skills needed to design, deploy and manage robust systems in diverse organisations, from SMEs to large corporations as well as undertaking a year in industry.

Our MSc in Mathematics is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of a range of topics in mathematics. In addition, students who meet the appropriate criteria and proceed to the project will gain experience in presenting results in mathematics in a clear and concise manner. The MSc has at its core fundamental courses in pure mathematics and students will be able to take options from both pure and applied mathematics. Projects will concentrate on core mathematics.

Core courses include functional analysis and partial differential equations, while the various optional courses we offer include optimisation, solitons and differential geometry. The range of options for summer projects is broader and includes topics in spectral theory, applied analysis, integrable systems and mathematical physics.

Learn more about the MSc Mathematics directly from the Head of the Mathematics Department, Professor Bernd Schroers in this video.

This programme combines the core principles and techniques of international finance. It develops student knowledge and understanding of academic finance and of the financial sector, including theory, empirical research and practical issues. It is designed for those who wish to pursue a professional career which calls for familiarity with the financial world.

The programme is also designed to provide the knowledge base and the analytical and research skills necessary for doctoral study in finance. Many graduates pursue careers in the financial sector, some within Edinburgh, a major centre for fund management, and home to two of the world’s largest banks.

The programme enables students to understand core theories and concepts in finance; understand and use a range analytical techniques, for example the analysis of a company's financial statements or the application of models to value financial assets; evaluate methods of empirical research and empirical findings; develop practical knowledge of financial markets and institutions and financial decisions within companies; carry out original research via a dissertation; and develop transferable skills, particularly in analytical techniques, communication and teamwork, relevant to employment in the financial sector or in academic research.

Modern civil engineering professionals often require an extensive understanding of construction management due to the strategic benefits it can bring to both individuals and project teams.

As the industry becomes more competitive, organisations and their clients are increasingly demanding the combined time, cost and quality assurances that good project management practice provides. Furthermore, the industry now recognises that there is a need for engineers to gain specialist technical knowledge which compliments their academic and professional background.

The course uses experience from our internationally recognised Construction Project Management course and combines it with our high-profile Civil Engineering postgraduate course to provide a broad and valuable education. As a result, our recent graduates have been employed by a range of both national and international employers.

Chemistry is a dynamic and exciting subject which makes many important contributions to the world. It is a major contributor to the Scottish and UK economies and as such is a secure career pathway. Chemistry plays a crucial role in developing new medicines, materials and energy sources using greener methods for a better future.

At Heriot-Watt University, we make sure the theory we teach is linked to these practical applications so that when our students graduate, they are ready to address the biggest of global challenges. Heriot-Watt University is ranked first in Scotland for chemistry in the Guardian University Guide 2020.

The courses within our five-year MChem Chemistry include extensive laboratory work throughout. They provide students with hands-on experience and opportunities to link theoretical knowledge from lectures to the real world. As a result, our students develop practical lab experience as well as much needed teamwork, problem solving and communication skills.

Our four year BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) Honours degree is oriented to constructing robust and useable systems. We aim to teach people not just how to deploy cutting edge tools and techniques, but how to build the next generation of software tools that other system constructors will use. This course aims to give a well integrated balance of theoretical underpinnings and practical experience, strongly informed by the research expertise of our academic staff.

All Year 3 students take part in a year-long group project, where they co-operate in tackling a large, realistic problem. Year 4 students conduct a major, year-long, individual dissertation project.

The Artificial Intelligence specialism is gained through taking prescribed courses from the final year options (two of the following: Biologically Inspired Computation, Data Mining and Machine Learning, Intelligent Robotics) and having an approved AI topic for the final year project.

If you too are interested in a career in games design, our brand new Master of Design (MDes) programme in Games Design and Development allows you to explore your own creativity, develop game ideas, and launch your own games

Design your own games
The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is delighted to introduce a new Master of Design (MDes) programme in Games Design and Development, available for 2019 entry. This innovative programme provides students with a unique opportunity to design and develop their own computer game to the highest industry standards while gaining hands-on experience with the product lifecycle, gathering technical and professional skills, and further practical entrepreneurship knowledge. It is the perfect stepping stone to enable students to smoothly transition to design and programming roles in the games industry.

Our new Games Studio
The introduction of this Masters degree coincides with the launch of the new purpose-built Games Studio inside our new £19m innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building.  As there are only a handful of universities worldwide capable of offering such design-led programmes, this studio will provide students with a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.