Girton College University of Cambridge

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Computer Science

Fellows

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Computer Science in Cambridge

Computer Science is the study of information and computation. It asks questions about the nature of information and the operations which can be performed on it. The Cambridge course roams widely across the field of computing. It considers information acquisition, handling, retrieval and presentation. It looks at the design of machines on which these operations can be performed, the facilities required by these machines, and the myriad uses to which they can be put. It investigates the mathematical underpinnings of the whole edifice and the practical problems faced in getting the machines to do what you want them to.

The Cambridge course provides balanced coverage of the various aspects of Computer Science. It provides opportunities for hands-on practical experience of both advanced hardware and software, while providing a thorough coverage of theory. Graduates emerge with an understanding of principles that will outlast today’s technology.

For more information on the Computer Lab or the courses offered see the Computer Lab Home Page. Your attention is drawn in particular to the pages:

The Computer Laboratory

The Computer Laboratory is situated on the West side of Cambridge, in a new building with its own lecture theatres and other teaching facilities. First year undergraduate teaching takes place largely in the New Museums Site in the centre of Cambridge because at least 50% of lectures are shared with other Natural Science courses. Second and third year teaching takes place in the new Computer Laboratory. Note that this is particularly convenient for Girton undergraduates as Wolfson Court is only a short distance away. The main college site is approximately 10 minutes cycle away from the laboratory.

Undergraduate Computer Science courses

The Computer Science Tripos is divided into three years known as Parts: Part IA, Part IB, and Part II. In Part 1A we cover the foundations of Computer Science, including programming in two languages (ML and Java); introductions to computer hardware, operating systems, professional practice, and software engineering; mathematical preparation in both continuous and discrete mathematics; and a thorough grounding in computer algorithms. In addition, we believe that all computer scientists should be exposed to either science, mathematics or social science at university level. One quarter of the first year is thus spent taking a natural science subject (physics, evolution and behaviour, chemistry, geology, or physiology) or mathematics (from the Cambridge mathematics course) or social psychology (from the Cambridge social and political sciences course).

All Computer Science students take four papers. Two of the four are our foundation computer-science papers. The other two depend on which option you choose to take:

There are particular A-level requirements for each option. Applicants need to identify on their application forms if they wish to take the 'with Mathematics' option, but there is no need to indicate if you wish to read one of the other six options. If you are not reading Mathematics then the choice of which option you take does not need to be made until you arrive for your first term. Note that it will not be possible to switch to the Mathematics option if you didn't apply specifically for it because it requires a much higher level of mathematical ability than the others, and so the interview process will focus on that mathematical ability. You are advised only to apply for the Mathematics option if you are a very strong mathematician (which means that you have close to full marks on your Maths papers).

In the second and third years students study Computer Science only. There is no opportunity to combine Computer Science with another subject. In both years there are around twenty separate lecture courses, each of eight, twelve or sixteen lectures. The second year courses constitute the core of Computer Science. There is assessed laboratory work and a group project in which students learn some of the delights and pitfalls of working as part of a programming team. The third year (Part II) covers a number of advanced areas, following on from those provided in Part IB. Students are able to study subjects that span systems, engineering, theory, and application areas like artificial intelligence and vision. The lecture and examination structure is arranged to give students an opportunity to concentrate their study broadly on applications, hardware, systems, or theory.

Computer Science at Girton

Computer Science is still a relatively new subject at Undergraduate level in Cambridge, and the department is growing year by year. In common with most of the other colleges it is one of the smaller subjects at Girton. There are typically between 6 and 15 undergraduates studying the subject, between 2 and 5 in each year. This seems to work out well, people socialise outside of the subject !
The College has three Fellows in Computer Science:

All rooms occupied by Computer Scientists, either in College or in Wolfson Court, are fitted with ethernet sockets – allowing access to central College or University facilities and the Internet as a whole. In addition there are several well-equiped public computer rooms.

Admissions

The only essential A level for candidates wishing to read Computer Science at Girton is Mathematics. Further Mathematics to A-level is highly desirable, if your school teaches it. If A-level is not possible then Further Mathematics to AS-level is still very useful. If taking a modular Mathematics course then those modules covering Discrete Mathematics are particularly useful, Probability and Statistics will also be a great help. Physics or Chemistry to A-level is desirable, but not absolutely essential. Computer Studies is not required, but is considered useful, although less so than Further Mathematics. Information and Computing Technology is not considered useful. Non-technical A-levels (eg Art, Economics, French) will not be counted against you (unless you gave up Further Mathematics to take them!). The above will indicate to candidates that the course does require Mathematical ability, and the greater the level of your qualifications in this area the better. Girton does not require candidates to take any further test papers, such as STEP. There is more on this subject at Common myths and preconceptions about Cambridge Computer Science.

For many years well over half of Girton students have come from state schools. Places are offered on the basis of school reports, past exam results and an interview. Interviews are primarily technical, but do not rely on specific knowledge of any aspects of Computer Science – given the wide variety of backgrounds of our applicants that would not be fair – concentrating instead on mathematical and logical abilities. The usual offer is A*AA at A-level. Candidates taking examinations other than A-levels (eg Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate) will be asked for an equivalent standard.

Enquiries

The Director of Studies is always pleased to hear from prospective applicants. Further enquiries should be directed to C.Hadley, Computer Lab, William Gates Building, J J Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FD (Tel:01223 334686; E-mail: ckh@cl.cam.ac.uk).