Computer Science

www.cs.waikato.ac.nz

Computer use in entertainment, industry, business, education and government is widespread, and there is an ongoing need for qualified professionals. Computer science is the body of knowledge that lies ‘behind the scenes’; the fundamental question it asks is: What can be efficiently automated?

Computer scientists look at ways to systematically describe and transform information – some focus on theory, some on implementing computations, others on programming languages and yet others on ways to improve human-computer interaction. Computer Science majors learn about software systems and how people and computers interact. You’ll learn how to create new software, how to ensure it works well and does what it is supposed to, and how to make it easy for people to use.

The following specialisations are available:

Applied Computing
Applied Computing is an in-depth exploration of computer technologies, techniques and methods used to build sophisticated, usable and robust computer systems (or applications). You will acquire knowledge and skills to keep up with the fast-changing landscape of real-world application development. Applied Computing is also a major for the Bachelor of Electronic Commerce, and can be taken as a second major or supporting subject within most degrees.

Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence researchers are working to develop computer systems that match or exceed the capabilities of the human brain. This has led to many practical developments in the computer industry, including data mining and natural language interfaces to commercial software. A specialisation in this area will enable you to understand and even build your own artificial intelligence applications.

Computer Technology
Computer Technology is the study of the hardware, networks, communications and software that are the foundations of modern computer systems. The need to build and deploy effective computing infrastructure is crucial to business and other organisations; modern computer systems depend on the networks that interconnect them. The demand for people who have the skills to build new and better networks is ever expanding. This specialisation will give you those skills.

Data Mining
Data Mining is an area of high demand within industry. It refers to the process of extracting potentially useful information from complex data using computational methods. Data Mining has its roots in artificial intelligence, databases and statistics. You will learn how to prepare the data for mining, get to know data mining algorithms, and learn to understand and evaluate the models that summarise the extracted information. This specialisation will enable you to understand and use data-mining techniques.

Games and Multimedia
Games and Multimedia is an area of high profile and rapid growth, with jobs in advertising, game development, entertainment and interactive learning. Combining Computer Science education with arts, design and creativity, this specialisation contains a series of core papers in games and interactive multimedia, and a selection of others from related areas such as video, film and music.

Information Systems
Information Systems prepares students for careers in the development of computerised business systems, the area of greatest opportunity in the New Zealand computer industry. You will be taught how to build appropriate information systems for many different kinds of situations. Information systems design, software development, information systems technologies and practical work are strongly emphasised.

Interaction Design
Interaction design is a rapidly growing field of study with a particular focus on complementary skills needed for the design, development and evaluation of digital products and services in everyday use. Interaction design is inherently interdisciplinary in nature and combines strong technical design skills with other forms of creative design skills. Interaction design practitioners therefore require a sound knowledge of computer science as well as practical skills in applied areas such as visual design and psychology.

Internet Applications
Internet Applications will enable you to understand and use the software that makes the technological age we live in possible; from building individual web pages, through client and server scripting to provide interactivity, to the methods of identifying people visiting a website and storing information that will enable you to construct web-based information systems.

Networks
The uses and importance of computer networks continues to increase. These networks include the internet and private networks such as those operated by banks, government agencies and large retail organisations. The Networks specialisation will prepare you to take a major role in this dynamic and growing area.

Software Development
Software Development is the specification, design, implementation, documentation and maintenance of computer programs. The software development specialisation will help you to take a systematic approach to the development of quality software, have an understanding of the software life cycle, gain an appreciation of the role of formal methods in software development, be familiar with a variety of programming languages and tools, and be able to use a wide selection of algorithms and data structures in your programming.

Career Opportunities

IT Consultant
Network Engineer
Programmer
Software Developer
Usability Engineer
Web Architect

Potential Employers

Consulting Firms
Hardware Manufacturers
Major Private Companies
Software Companies
Telecommunications Firms
Web Development Firms

Degrees

Computer Science can also be taken as a second major or supporting subject within most degrees.

School subjects required

There are no specific subjects you need to study at secondary school to study Computer Science at Waikato. However, some first-year papers have specific prerequisites so check the paper list carefully.

Other subjects that may interest you

Computer Graphic Design, Mathematics, Psychology.

Papers

COMP103 Introduction to Computer Science 1
This paper introduces computer programming (assuming no prior knowledge) and a variety of concepts in computer science including representation, storage and manipulation of computer-based information, algorithms for problem-solving and an introduction to information systems.

COMP104 Introduction to Computer Science 2
This paper continues from COMP103, expanding upon data organisation and algorithms, and introducing computer architecture, Boolean algebra, assembly language, program analysis and object-oriented programming.

COMP123 The Computing Experience
This paper introduces a range of computer tools for application in the sciences, the arts and other disciplines. Students tailor the paper to their own needs by selecting sets of exercises to extend their prior knowledge. This paper is not available to students majoring in Computer Science.

COMP124 He Tomokanga ki te Ao Rorohiko
He tirohanga whānui tēnei ki ngā whakahaeretanga o te rorohiko. Tata ki te katoa o ngā mahi he mahi-a-ringa. Ka whakamahia ngā pūmanawa e hangai tonu ana ki te reo me ngā kaupapa Māori.

COMP125 Visual Computing
This paper enables students to perform basic computing operations and to operate software packages for the manipulation of visual images and text for use in screen-based applications. Students will be introduced to basic computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises.

COMP126 Computing Media
This paper enables students to operate software packages for the manipulation of images and sound to create interactive and animated output. Students will be introduced to relevant computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises.

COMP134 Software Engineering 1
This paper introduces more advanced material on data abstraction, dynamic data structures, object-oriented programming and event-driven programming as well as material on computer architecture. This paper is normally available only to students in the BE(Software Engineering).

ENEL111 Introduction to Electronics
This paper is concerned with basic electronic concepts. Topics covered include fundamental DC and AC circuits, Boolean logic, digital circuits, analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion and computer architecture.
Prerequisite: 14 credits at Level 3 in NCEA Physics, or Mathematics with Calculus, or Statistics and Modelling, or CIE Physics or Mathematics with a minimum D pass at AS or A level.

200 Level and Beyond
Numerous 200 and 300 level papers are offered to suit students’ areas of interest. While there is a core of compulsory papers, many optional papers are offered to suit the interests of the individual. We are constantly updating our offerings to move with the fast pace of technological change, so our graduates are more competitive.