Department of Computer Science

What is Computer Science?

	Computer Science is a diverse and interesting subject. It has connections with mathematics, engineering, physics, commerce, telecommunications, linguistics, psychology and many other disciplines. During the last two decades, Computer Science has assumed a character that takes it beyond being just a collection of design techniques and design problems. It is becoming clear that Computer Science promises a view of the world that is as all-embracing as that of Physics: where Physics treats concepts like mass and force, Computer Science treats concepts like information, action and communication. A reasonable working definition of this new science is: the structure and behaviour of discrete dynamic systems.

Computer science deals with computers and the underlying theory behind them. Just like other science disciplines some parts of more theoretical and others more practical.

Where are the Everyday Examples of Computer Science

Computer science can be seen everywhere in day-to-day life. All businesses now use computer applications to help them carry out their work. Have you ever wondered what makes the latest video games run so smoothly or how those stunning 3d-graphics are created. All these things are the result of computer science research. Computer science also deals with the hardware (the electronic components). Objects ranging from jumbo jets and cars to washing-machines and bank cards now contain computers. Much research goes into finding the best ways to make computers run faster or more efficiently.

As you can see computer science is a broad and wide-ranging discipline. Perhaps the best way to get a feel for What is computer science? is to have a look at some of the topics being taught and researched within our department at the moment.

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