BSc Computer Science / Physical Geography

This BSc joint honours degree programme in Computer Science and Physical Geography offers a stimulating combination of two highly complementary scientific and technological disciplines, balancing theoretical study alongside practical application.

Why study

Computer Science and Physical Geography at Aberystwyth? Our computer science courses are accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) on behalf of the Engineering Council, which means that they meet industry standards and requirements, giving you a head start when you enter the competitive jobs market. The Department of Computer Science is also designated a Centre of Excellence by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2014), 100% of research impact assessed was rated as being world-leading or internationally excellent. Many of our Computer Science staff are working at the frontiers of their disciplines and have significant experience in industry, often working in co-operation with major international companies, so you can confident that you will be learning the very latest concepts and working with cutting-edge technologies. As you would expect from a major research department, the facilities available to you are excellent.

As well as teaching laboratories equipped with high-performance multimedia workstations supported by powerful central servers and a Digital Systems laboratory, the Department of Computer Science has an extensive range of equipment used primarily for research, which is available to final year students who choose to undertake projects in these research areas. These include industrial robots, experimental mobile robots, a number of vision and motion tracking systems and many pieces of specialist software such as virtual reality environments. The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth is one of the oldest and most well-respected departments of its kind in Britain.

As one of the largest and most dynamic Geography communities in the UK, we are able to offer you an extremely broad range of geographical specialisms, ranging from concerns over climate change, the environmental impact of volcanic eruptions, and current trends in geohazards to urban sustainability, regional development and the future of the nation state, amongst others. Many of our lecturers are active researchers working at the cutting edge of their disciplines, and you will benefit from being taught the latest geographical theories and techniques. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2014) 78% of research submitted by the Department was rated as being world-leading or internationally excellent.

The teaching and research laboratories are equipped with an impressive array of analytical equipment such as mass spectrometers and core scanners, and an extensive range of equipment is available for fieldwork, such as surveying, remote sensing, and water and sediment sampling. Other resources include a digital map library, access to census data, and recorders and transcribers for social survey work. Our computer provision is second to none, with superb web-based support available.

Almost all of the Department of Computer Science lecturers are qualified to PhD level, and those who are not have considerable research or industrial experience. All new lecturers are required to obtain the PGCTHE, and hence are Senior Fellows or Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. The department also employs a number of part time demonstrators and tutors and some student demonstrators, who are selected from our undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Research fellows and research assistants (mostly PhD qualified) may also be involved in delivering occasional teaching when it is appropriate. Department of Geography and Earth Science: lecturers are all qualified to PhD level or working towards a PhD.