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University of Otago, New Zealand
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Study Computer Science at Otago

Overview

Computer Science is the study of computers and the work they do. We need a science of computers because, unlike other machines, computers are general purpose; the same machine can perform many different tasks and the same tasks can be done equally well by different computers.

Because of this, the study of what a computer can do is more than the study of a particular machine. It is the study of what can be done by a device which processes information. Naturally Computer Science papers deal with the practical matter of making the computer do what we want it to (programming). But we also deal with many other questions about computing and computers. How do they work? How are they used? How do they fit into our society? What are their limitations?

Today computers are used not only as a tool in commerce and science, but also for research in many disciplines, such as Anthropology  and Linguistics. Computer Science can be taken as a major for both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees and can also be included as a supporting subject in a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Some knowledge of computing is useful to many arts students even if they do not intend to major in Computer Science.

Also see the subject entries for Computer and Information Science and Information Science.

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Qualifications

Papers

See the full list of Computer Science (COSC) papers.

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Computer Science

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

BSNS 106

COMP 160

ENGL 127

18 100-level MATH, COMO or STAT points

COMP 150 (recommended)

18

18

18

18

18

200-level

COSC 241

COSC 242

COSC 243

COSC 244

18

18

18

18

300-level

COSC 326

Three of TELE 301, COSC 341, COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, COSC 346, COSC 348

18

54

Plus

126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts

126
Total 360

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Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Computer Science

StagePapersPoints
1st stage

COMP 160

BSNS 106

MATH 160

COMP 150 (recommended)

54 further points

18

18

18

18

54

2nd stage

COSC 241

COSC 242

COSC 243

COSC 244

54 further 200-level points

18

18

18

18

54

3rd stage

COSC 326

COSC 341

Three of TELE 301, COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, COSC 346, COSC 348

36 further 300-level points

18

18

54

36

4th stage

COSC 480

Six of COSC 410, COSC 411, COSC 412, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, COSC 430, COSC 431, COSC 440, COSC 441, COSC 450, COSC 470, COSC 471, TELE 402

36

108

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Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Computer Science

Level Papers Points
100-level

BSNS 106

COMP 160

ENGL 127

18 100-level MATH, COMO or STAT points

COMP 150 (recommended)

18

18

18

18

18

200-level

COSC 241

COSC 242

COSC 243

COSC 244

18

18

18

18

300-level

COSC 326

Three of TELE 301, COSC 341, COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, COSC 346, COSC 348

18

54

Plus

126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science

126
Total   360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Computer Science

Stage Papers Points
1st stage

BSNS 106

COMP 160

MATH 160

COMP 150 (recommended)

54 further points

18

18

18

18

54

2nd stage

COSC 241

COSC 242

COSC 243

COSC 244

54 further 200-level points

18

18

18

18

54

3rd stage

COSC 326

COSC 341

Three of TELE 301, COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, COSC 346, COSC 348

36 further 300-level points

18

18

54

36

4th stage

COSC 480

Six of COSC 410, COSC 411, COSC 412, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, COSC 430, COSC 431, COSC 440, COSC 441, COSC 450, COSC 470, COSC 471, TELE 402

36

108

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Computer Science

Papers
126 points from COSC 410, COSC 411, COSC 412, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, COSC 430, COSC 431, COSC 440, COSC 441, COSC 450, COSC 470, COSC 471, COSC 480, TELE 402

Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above.

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Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science

Papers

Papers worth at least 126 points from COSC 410, COSC 411, COSC 412, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, COSC 430, COSC 431, COSC 440, COSC 441, COSC 450, COSC 470, COSC 471, COSC 480, TELE 402

COSC 5 (thesis)

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Minor Subject Requirements

Computer Science as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

COMP 160

One of BSNS 106, COMP 111, COMP 112, COMP 150

18

18

200-level

Two of COSC 241, COSC 242, COSC 243, COSC 244, COMP 212

36

300-levelOne of COSC 326, COSC 341, COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, COSC 346, COSC 348, COSC 360, TELE 30118
Total 90

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Further Information

Email us at computer-science@otago.ac.nz or visit our website http://www.otago.ac.nz/computerscience


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