Computer Science Common Entry

Key information
About the course
What you will study
Entry requirements
How to apply
Fees and funding
Your future career

Computer Science Common Entry
NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree

Apply now for September

CAO points history:

351

Course code:

LM121

Duration:

4 Years

Fees: See what fees may apply to students
Subject area: Engineering Science

Course leader:

J.J. Collins

Email:

J.J.Collins@ul.ie

Tel:

00 353 61 202409

Admissions:
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
Queries: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus

Work experience Electives Scholarships

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Are you the kind of person who:

Likes problem solving, even if it takes time?
Appreciates creativity, and gets a buzz from making “things”?
Enjoys using the computer, but you’re curious about how it works?
Would like to enrol in a degree program that leads to a wide variety of career paths and opportunities?

Why study Computer Science at UL?

LM121 Computer Science Common Entry is designed to provide you with a gateway to better choice if you’re unsure which area you’d like to study. You can avail of a broad common first semester which will introduce you to various topics in Computing. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise for the remainder of your degree programme. At UL, you get to try before you decide.

LM121 Computer Science is a gateway from Semester 2 (Year 1) to a degree in either:

B.Sc. Computer Systems

B.Sc. Mobile Communications and Security*

B.Sc. Computer Games Development

*Please note - The BSc in Mobile Communications and Security has undergone a restructuring and is now more Cyber Security and IT focused. Given this, the title has changed to the BSc in Cyber Security and IT Forensics. LM121 students entering in September 2021 will have the new programme title as an option in Year 2 when they make their final course selection.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering currently offers a number of degree programmes oriented around computer science. This programme allows you to take a variety of subjects centred on Computer Science (Common Entry) before deciding to choose a specific programme.

The Computer Systems degree is a blend of typical computer science and software engineering degree programmes; with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and data science

Mobile Communications and Security focuses on the construction of safe and secure networks and systems of the future.

Computer Games Development concentrates on approaches and technologies for the design and implementation of intelligent games.

In all of the programmes, you will learn to develop mobile applications and web/ cloud systems applicable to a broad set of areas such as connected health, smart cities, smart homes, entertainment, communication, and automation. Each degree pathways requires three years of study in addition to the one introductory year for LM121.

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Read about our students experiences

What you will study

Computer Science (Common Entry) offers exposure to a variety of subjects relating to different areas of computing such as general programming, knowledge of computer architecture, games modelling, and an understanding of the mathematical basis that underpins computing. Our well-equipped and modern laboratories will enable you to acquire practical experience and skills with confidence. You will follow a common first-year programme of study and then select one of the three BSc programmes during the second semester. During the first year you will become well-versed in a range of computing subjects, and therefore, can make better choices that suit your particular needs and interests.

The modules provide students with a foundation in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), and introduce functional and assembly languages. The modules are selected to give insights into the three Denominated Programmes (options), these being (a) BSc Computer Systems, (b) BSc Mobile Communications and Security, and (c) BSc Computer Games Development.

The basics of computation are discussed in the computer science modules. The structure and operation of a computer and networks are presented in the computer organisation modules. The Games Design module introduces design and programming of games. A basic competency in discrete and computer maths is necessary for all of the above, and for the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science streams in years 3 and 4 of two of the Denominated Programmes. Abstraction and problem solving are fundamental in computer science and these are covered in the module Representation and Modelling.

Year 1

	Semester 1		Semester 2
CS4012	Representation and Modelling	CS4043	Games Modelling Design
CS4141	Introduction to Programming	CS4222	Software Development
CS4221	Foundations of Computer Science 1	CS4182	Foundations of Computer Science 2
ET4011	Fundamentals of Computer Organisation	ET4162	Computing Systems Organisation
MS4111	Discrete Mathematics	MA4402	Computer Maths 2

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Entry requirements

CAO points history	351
Minimum grades	Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
Subject requirements	In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O2/H6 in Mathematics.
Additional considerations	A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF)

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Fees & funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Centre Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
SUSI pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
Student pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
Student pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

Non-EU Students

Student pays	Tuition Fees	€16,373
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€16,465

Student course fees are comprised of three components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The curent student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Centre Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Centre Levy of €90. Please note the Student Centre Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
Course Requirements (all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

Title	Award	Scholarships available
Intel, Shannon Women in Technology Scholarship	€2,000 grant for the remainder of your degree
Intel Shannon "Paul Whelan" Scholarship	€2,500 for the remainder of your degree
The Ei Electronics Women in Engineering Scholarship	€2,500 for 3 years	1

These scholarships are available for all courses

Title	Award	Scholarships available
Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme	Individual Award - a bursary to the value of €2000. Team Project Grant - €1750	1 of each
Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme
All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus	€6,750	125
Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants
Financial Aid Fund
Elaine Fagan Scholarship	€5,000	5
Stuart Mangan Scholarship
Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme	€750
The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship	Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value
Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship	€2,500
UL Sports Scholarships	Varies depending on level of Scholarship	Multiple
Cooperative Education Award		1 award per faculty
UL 40 Entrance Scholarship	€2,000	40

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Your future career

The career opportunities will depend primarily on the BSc programme chosen by you. One specific career path open to a graduate from all three programmes is that of Software Developer / Software Engineer. There are attractive follow-on postgraduate options, both nationally and internationally, leading to Masters and PhD awards.

Computer Systems
IT Consultant, Web Developer, Data Analyst, Software Project Manager, Application Specialist, Business Analyst, Technical Sales Consultant.

B.Sc. Mobile Communications and Security
IT/Networking Project Manager, Network Designer/Administrator, IT Administrator/Manager, Network Security Analyst/Consultant, Computer Crime Consultant.

B.Sc. Computer Games Development
Games Programmer, Graphics Programming, High-Performance Computing.

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