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Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Communications and Media

Overview

The four-year Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Communications and Media or BComp (Comms & Media) programme aims to train students for an exciting career in interactive and digital media technologies. Students will be well grounded in the technological underpinnings of interactive and digital media technologies as well as the skills of media design and content creation. Their technical knowledge will be tempered with an understanding of the artistic and informed by an awareness of how technologies should interface with humans. Students who are passionate about games and wish to further their knowledge and experience in games development may pursue a Specialisation in Games under this programme.

The following aspects of interactive media and games are covered in the programme:

  • Foundations of IT: This refers to the basics of computing required to understand, design and extend media systems.
  • Information encoding, customisation and repurposing: Information encoding, such as XML, is required for information to be mass communicated on the Internet and World-Wide Web (WWW). Customisation refers to the personalisation of information to individuals and groups as allowed by technology, and repurposing refers to the customisation of information to heterogeneous networks (wired and wireless) and the plethora of end devices (static and mobile, with varying display plus communication capabilities).
  • Text, multimedia information analysis and processing: These refer to the technological basis of various interactive digital media (text, image, graphics, audio and video) and the different types of processing, such as data rate transformation, summarisation, etc.
  • Human computer interaction: This refers to the human-centred design of intuitive and flexible interfaces for people to communicate via end devices on the fringes of the Internet.
  • Games design and games technology. This refers to the design of games and the technologies for the development of digital games.
  • Entertainment technology: This refers to the technologies used in developing interactive games and virtual reality systems.

Degree Requirements

 

To satisfy the requirements of the BComp (Comms & Media ) degree, students must accumulate at least 160 modular credits (MCs) as apportioned in the following three groups:

(1)   Programme Requirements (Total of 120 MCs)

Computer Science Foundation
CS1010 Programming Methodology1
CS1020 Data Structures and Algorithms I2
CS1231 Discrete Structures
CS2010 Data Structures and Algorithms II2
CS2100 Computer Organisation
CS2102 Database Systems
CS2103T Software Engineering3
CS2105 Introduction to Computer Networks

Communications & Media Breadth & Depth
CS3240 Human-Computer Interaction4
CS3241 Computer Graphics
CS3248 Design of Interactive Systems4
CS-coded module at level-3000

Complete 20 MCs from any CM Programme Elective Group, with at least 12 MCs at level-4000 or above4.

8 MCs of Computer System Project modules from the following list, or modules approved by the Department of Computer Science:


CS3281 Thematic Systems Project I and CS3282 Thematic Systems Project II, or

CS3283 Media Technology Project t I and CS3284Media Technology Project II4

Either
CP4101 BComp Dissertation
or
Obtain 12 MCs from any CM Programme Elective Group, with modules at level-4000 or above, or modules approved by the Department of Computer Science.

Enrichment
CS-coded or NM-coded module at level 2000

IT Professionalism
IS1103 Computing and Society
CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals

Mathematics & Sciences
MA1301 Introductory Mathematics5
MA1521 Calculus for Computing6
MA1101R Linear Algebra I
ST2334 Probability and Statistics7
Science Module

(2) University-level Requirements (20 MCs)

(3) Unrestricted Electives (20 MCs)

Specialisation in Games


To obtain a specialisation in Games, student must:

  • Specialisation in Games
    To obtain a specialisation in Games, student must:

      • Read CS3240 Human-Computer Interaction or CS3242 3D Modeling and Animation.
      • Replace CS3248 Design of Interactive Systems by CS3247 Game Development.
      • CS3283 Media Technology Project I and CS3284 Media Technology Project II on game development.
      • Take at least 20 MCs from any CM Programme Elective Group, with at least 12 MCs at level-4000 or above. Among these 20 MCs, at least 12 MCs must be chosen from Elective Group C, with modules at level-3000 or above.

      Programme Elective Groups

      A)   Interactive Systems Technology Group

      CS2106          Introduction to Operating Systems
      CS3103          Computer Networks and Protocols8
      CS3103L        Computer Networks Laboratory
      CS3240          Human-Computer Interaction
      CS3243          Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
      CS3245           Information Retrieval
      CS3246           Hypermedia and World Wide Web
      CS3248          Design of Interactive Systems
      CS3283           Media Technology Project I
      CS3284           Media Technology Project II
      CS3343           Digital Media Production
      CS4241           Multimedia Information Retrieval
      CS4243           Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
      CS4248           Natural Language Processing
      CS4345           General-Purpose Computation on GPU
      CS4347           Sound and Music Computing
      CS5240           Theoretical Foundation of Multimedia
      CS5241           Speech Processing
      CS5246           Text Processing on the Web
      CS5248           Systems Support for Continuous Media
      CS5249           Audio in Multimedia Systems
      CS5341           Computational Photography
      CS5342           Multimedia Computing and Applications
      CS5343           Advance Computer Animation
      Other relevant modules approved by the Department of Computer Science

      B) Content Creation and Mass Communications Group
      [NM modules are hosted by Communication and New Media (CNM) Department] *

      NM2210         Interactive Media Design: Theory
      NM2216         Interactive Media Design: Users
      NM2217         Interactive Media Design: Creating
      NM3221         Situated Interaction Design
      NM3222         Interactive Storytelling
      NM3223         Digital and Interactive Collage
      NM3226         Interactive Entertainment Design Methods
      NM3228         Interactive Sequential Art
      NM3229         Interactive Visualizations
      NM3231         Physical Interaction Design
      NM4210         User Experience Design
      NM4224         Sound and Interaction
      NM4225         Critical Interactive Design
      NM4226         HCI and Interactive Arts/Entertainment Design
      NM4227         Playable Art
      NM5209         Interactive Media Arts
      NM5210         Interactive Media Design Research
      NM5214         Interactive Media to Support Participation
      NM5215         Design Knowledge for Interactive Media
      Other relevant modules approved by the Department of Computer Science

      Note : For all NM modules, you are required to comply with the module pre-requisite(s) and CAP requirement as specified by the host department.

      C)   Games Technology Group

      CS3242         3D Modeling and Animation
      CS3247         Game Development
      CS3283         Media Technology Project I
      CS3284         Media Technology Project II
      CS3343         Digital Media Production
      CS4243         Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
      CS4247         Graphics Rendering Techniques
      CS4340         Digital Special Effects
      CS4344         Networked and Mobile Gaming
      CS4345         General-Purpose Computation on GPU
      CS5343         Advance Computer Animation
      NM3216         Game Design
      NM3227         Critical Game Design
      NM4209         Game Design Project
      Other relevant modules approved by the Department of Computer Science

      University Scholars Programme (Communications and Media)

      Students in the University Scholars Programme who choose the Bachelor of Computing (Communications and Media) major will follow the Communications and Media programme, but with the following variations:

    1. They will not be required to read University Level Requirements (20 MCs). These are replaced by the 3 USP Inquiry Modules and 2 USP Foundation modules (Quantitative Reasoning Foundation and University Scholars Seminar).
    2. They will not be required to read CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals. It is replaced by USP Foundation module: Writing and Critical Thinking.
    3. They will not be required to read one Science Module (4 MCs). It is replaced by 1 USP Inquiry module in Sciences and Technologies basket.
    4. They will read UROP modules (CP3208 and CP3209) in place of CS3281 and CS3282 or CS4201 and CS4202 or CS4203 and CS4204. CP3208 and CP3209 are independent study modules (ISMs) which will also be counted as 2 USP Inquiry modules in Sciences and Technologies basket.

      5. 1  CS1010 can be replaced by CS1101S Programming Methodology.
      2  CS1020 and CS2010 can be replaced by CS2020 Data Structures and Algorithms Accelerated. The remaining 2 MC will be added to the Unrestricted Electives Requirements.

      3: Students taking CS2103T Software Engineering must take CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals in the same semester.
      4 Students who specialise in games should refer to Specialisation in Games for the requirements of these modules.
      5 MA1301 is waived for students with A-level Mathematics. The 4 MCs gained from the waiver should be used to read a letter-graded module.
      6 Students pursuing double degree in Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics are recommended to replace MA1521 Calculus for Computing by MA1102R Calculus.
      7Students pursuing double degree in Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics will take ST2131 Probability and ST2132 Mathematical Statistics in place of ST2334 Probability and Statistics.
      8   Students who take CS3103 Computer Networks and Protocols must also take CS3103L Computer Networks Laboratory.

      Summary of Degree Requirements for BComp (Comms & Media)9

      Modules MCs Subtotals
      UNIVERSITY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS 20
      PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS 120
      Computer Science Foundation 32
      CS1010 Programming Methodology 4
      CS1020 Data Structures and Algorithms I 4
      CS2010 Data Structures and Algorithms II 4
      CS1231 Discrete Structures 4
      CS2100 Computer Organisation 4
      CS2102 Database Systems 4
      CS2103T Software Engineering 4
      CS2105 Introduction to Computer Networks 4
      Communications & Media Breadth & Depth 56
      CS3240 Human Computer Interaction10 4
      CS3241 Computer Graphics 4
      CS3248 Design of Interactive Systems10 4
      CS-coded module at level-3000 4
      20 Modular credits from any CM Programme Elective Groups, with at least 12 MCs at Level-4000 or above10 20
      8 MCs of Computer System Project modules from the following list, or modules approved by the Department of Computer Science:
      • CS3281 Thematic Systems Project I and CS3282 Thematic Systems Project II, or
      • CS3283 Mediat Technology Project I10 and CS3283 Media Technology Project III10
      		 8
      Either:
      • CP4101 B. Comp. Dissertation
      or
      • Complete 12 MCs from any of the three CM Programme Elective Groups, with modules at Level-4000 or above

      		 12
      Enrichment 4
      CS-coded or NM-coded module at level 2000 4
      IT Professionalism 8
      IS1103 Computing and Society 4
      CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals 4
      Mathematics and Sciences 20
      MA1301 Introductory Mathematics 4
      MA1521 Calculus for Computing11 4
      MA1101R Linear Algebra I 4
      ST2334 Probability and Statistics12 4
      Science Module13 4
      UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES 20
      Grand Total 160

      9 : There should not be any double-counting of a module’s MC towards different parts of the programme.
      10 : Students who specialise in games should refer to Specialisation in Games for the requirements of these modules.
      11 : Students pursuing double degree in Computer and Mathematics or second major in Mathematics are encouraged to read MA1102R Calculus in place of MA1521.
      12 : Students who wish to study more mathematics modules are recommended to read ST2131 Probability and ST2132 Mathematical Statistics.
      13 : A Science module can be LSM1301 (General Biology), LSM1302 (Genes and Society), PC1143 (Physics III), PC1144 (Physics IV), PC1221 (Fundamentals of Physics I), PC1222 (Fundamentals of Physics II), PC1432 (Physics IIE) or courses approved by the Department of Computer Science.