Overview
This course is accredited by Engineers Ireland.
What is Computer Science?
Computer Science is concerned with the study of everything to do with computers and our relationship with them. Computer scientists are critical to the efficient running of modern societies, dealing with health, security, banking and finance, transportation, and now increasingly our interaction through social networks. Computing professionals deal with theoretical issues, solve complex problems, deal with matters of ethics and with society at large. Theoretical issues in computer science relate to the abstract notions of computation and information.
The study of these issues leads, for example, to efficient and robust algorithms for problems in many areas. Applications of computer science range from artificial intelligence to health informatics, from smart cities to information security, and from educational and training systems to analysis of content on social network sites.
Computer Science: The course for you?
Computer Science at Trinity is a challenging and exciting course with a focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology. To get the best from the course you need to be interested in developing clear logical ideas about situations and about how to develop feasible schemes (‘algorithms’) for computers to deal with these situations. You should be comfortable using mathematical techniques to solve problems. If you are knowledgeable about computers already, to the extent of building them or writing programs for them, so much the better – but bear in mind, no prior knowledge of computer science is assumed.
Computer Science at Trinity
The School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity is recognised for establishing computer science as an academic discipline in Ireland. The School has earned a strong international reputation and has partnerships in education, research and industry across the globe.
The School collaborates with leading employers and fosters innovation through its many successful startups including Iona Technologies, Havok, Kore, Swrve, Quaternion Labs, LinguaBox, WiFi Guard, CipherApps, Haunted Planet Studios, Haptica, GLANTA, Tolerant Networks, Cara Health, X Communications Ltd, EmpowerTheUser, Insight Statistical Consulting, Xcelerit, Wripl and Emizar, SoapBox Labs, Good Travel Software, SilverCloud, Danalto, Volgrams and Data Chemist.
Graduate skills and career opportunities
Graduates from computer science are highly sought after and can expect to find employment anywhere in the world. Each year leading employers in the sector attend a special recruitment fair held at the School of Computer Science and Statistics which affords students an opportunity to chat informally regarding their career opportunities. Graduates find employment in almost every sector from communications and entertainment to manufacturing and transportation, government, healthcare, education and many more. Positions can be found within: design, testing, manufacturing, support and implementation, information systems, research and development, operations and management. Many graduates hold senior positions such as CTO and CIO. Others pursue careers in research to Ph.D. and beyond. The School is proud of the entrepreneurial and academic success of its graduates.
Your degree and what you’ll study
First, second and third years
In the first three years of the programme, you will develop key skills in designing and implementing computer programs and systems, solving problems, using mathematics, statistics and data analytics and communicating both orally and in writing. You will learn how to use a range of programming languages and how to tackle large software engineering projects. You will also learn about computer hardware and develop a broad knowledge of other topics, including networks and telecommunications, information management and the relationship between computers and society.
Students will take two Trinity Electives in the second year, one in the first semester and one in the second semester. At the end of third year, you choose to study either for the Honours degree (B.A. Moderatorship in Computer Science) or the Master's degree in Computer Science (M.C.S.).
Fourth year
If you decide to study for the Honour's degree in Computer Science over four years, you can choose from a range of advanced subjects to study including: Artificial Intelligence; Computer Graphics and Animation; Computer Vision; Internet Applications; Advanced Computer Networks; and many others. Topics are reviewed annually to reflect developments in the field of computing.
You will spend the second half of this fourth year working with an academic supervisor on a substantial Capstone project in an area of your choice.
If you decide to study for the Master's in Computer Science degree over five years, you also choose from the range of advanced subjects listed above.
Internship
Fourth-year students who opt for the master’s degree undertake an internship in industry or in a research laboratory at home or abroad. The aim is to develop your understanding of how design and theoretical aspects of computer science are applied in a commercial or research workplace.
Companies participating in our internship programme include: Cisco, DemonWare, Microsoft, MasterCard, Murex, Susquehanna International Group (SIG), Accenture, Google, First Derivatives, Havok, Bloomberg, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Glanta Ltd., SAP, Amazon, AOL, Incognito, Swrve, ALTV, Citi, EATON, Edgescan, Effective Software, Enernoc, Ezetop, FieldAware, Hosted Graphite, Hubspot, Intel-Movidus, KDEG/CNGL TCD, LexisNexis, Popdeem, Popple, PricewaterhouseCoopers pwc, Purpledecks, Qualtrics, Revenue, Shutterstock, SQA Consulting, Ticket Chain, Toast, Touchtec Payments, Travelport Digital, Ultan Technologies, Visible Thread, and Workday.
Fifth year
In your fifth and final year, as well as continuing to study advanced subjects, you will spend the second half of the year working with an academic supervisor on a substantial research dissertation in an area of your choice.
On successful completion of the five years, both a B.A. Moderatorship and Master's degree in Computer Science are awarded.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Study abroad
You may apply to spend your third year studying at a university abroad as part of an exchange programme. For more information on study abroad destinations and requirements visit: www.tcd.ie/study/study-abroad
