von Neumann Programme (vNP) for BComp (CS)


Blending academic knowledge and industry experience into Computer Science education
 

The von Neumann Programme is named after John von Neumann to commemorate this scintillating intellect of computer science.

John von Neumann is an excellent role model for students of the von Neumann Programme, inspiring them to pursue difficult large-scale problems, to enjoy translating theory to practice, and working in large team to make contributions to the world. This special programme thus aims to nurture students who aspire to engage in an industry career emphasising design of complex computing systems.

The von Neumann Programme is most suitable for students who love to solve complex real-world problems and develop complex computer-based systems for real-world applications. Students will be selected for admission into vNP at the end of their first or second semester of study based on their CAP and interview. Students admitted into vNP will be assigned CS professors and industry partners as their mentors, who will help them to blend academic knowledge and industrial experience into their studies. They must maintain a minimum CAP of 4.0 in every semester of their study.

vNP has similar curriculum structure as the revised BComp(CS) programme, but emphasizes design and development of complex computing systems. A complex computing system is a class of computing systems that have complex hardware and/or software architectures. Typically it is composed of an integrated collection of computing components that together solve complex problems. Examples of complex computing systems include parallel and distributed systems, systems comprising heterogeneous database systems connected by networks, grid computing and cloud computing systems, etc. Due to the complexity of such systems, their design and development require strong technical knowledge of the systems and their components, as well as knowledge and skills of the design and development methodologies, so that correct choices can be made in the design and development process.

Students in vNP will complete modules in selected vNP Focus Areas, namely Computer Networks, Database Systems, Parallel Computing, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, and Systems Security that cover technical details of each area. They will also take

·           CS3213 Software Systems Design

·        Computer systems team project: Students will take CS3281 & CS3282 Thematic Systems Project I & II under the co-supervision of CS professors and industrial partners to provide them with real-world experience in complex systems design and development.

·        CP4101 BComp Dissertation, focusing on complex systems design and development.

About John von Neumann

John von Neumann (1903-1957) was a mathematician and computer scientist.
He contributed to putting set theory on a firm foundation, thus resolving the crisis of Russell Paradox. He developed the operator theory of quantum mechanics, thereby unifying the formulations of Heisenberg and Schroedinger.
He also made key contributions to the development of the hydrogen bomb.
His minimax theorem, fixpoint theorem, and other equilibria results were significant to the development and study of game theory and economic behaviour.
He made famous a computer architecture -- now known as the von Neumann architecture -- that became the standard of computer architecture.
He contributed to the development of Monte Carlo simulations on computers and created the field of cellular automata.
He had made many contributions to practical algorithms, including merge sort (the most practical method for sorting large lists), random number generator (used in a wide range of applications), and artificial viscosity (highly developed jet and rocket engines might not be developed without this algorithm).
 

In addition, vNP students are encouraged to read the following modules to strengthen their industry links.

·        CP3201 Industry Seminar,

·        CP3200 Internship,

·        CS3882 Breakthrough Ideas in Digital Markets

·        CS4880 Digital Entrepreneurship

Students are also encouraged to take quality certification courses such as SAP, Java, Oracle database, DB2 database, CCNA, and CITPM to better prepare them for applied R&D in the industry.

CS Department is also working with prestigious overseas universities to include a concurrent overseas Masters part to vNP, which includes overseas applied R&D attachment.

 

  
 

Degree Requirements

The von Neumann Programme for Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) programme requires at least 160 MCs. Students in the programme must maintain a minimum CAP of 4.00 in every semester of their study.

(i)   PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS (Total of 124 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
CS2103T Software Engineering3
CS2105 Introduction to Computer Networks
CS2106 Introduction to Operating Systems
CS3230 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Computer Science Breadth & Depth
Complete 24 MCs of CS modules by satisfying the following conditions:4

  • Satisfy at least one vNP Focus Area by completing 3 modules in the Area Primaries, with at least one module at level-4000 or above. Computer Science Foundation modules that appear in Area Primaries can be counted as one of the 3 modules towards satisfying a Focus Area. After satisfying a vNP Focus Area, a student may choose to satisfy other CS Focus Areas.
  • At least 12 MCs are at level-4000 or above.

Complete the following modules:

  • CS3213 Software Systems Design5
  • CS3281 Thematic Systems Project I (with large-scale complex system development)
  • CS3282 Thematic Systems Project II (with large-scale complex system development)
  • CP4101 BComp Dissertation (with large-scale complex system development)

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

Mathematics & Sciences
MA1301 Introductory Mathematics6
MA1521 Calculus for Computing7
MA1101R Linear Algebra I
ST2334 Probability and Statistics8
PC1221 Fundamentals of Physics I or PC1222 Fundamentals of Physics II9
3 Science Modules10

(ii)   UNIVERSITY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (20 MCs)

(iii)  UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES (16 MCs)

vNP Focus Areas for BComp (CS)

The following CS Focus Areas for BComp(CS) are elected as vNP Focus Areas:

  • Computer Networks
  • Database Systems
  • Parallel Computing
  • Programming Languages
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Security

Modules classified in each focus area can be found here.

Study Planners

Students matriculated in AY2013-14 may click here to access to the sample planners.

Enrichment

Students are encouraged to read the following enrichment module:

  • CP3201 Industry Seminar
  • CP3200 Internship
  • CS3882 Breakthrough Ideas for Digital Markets
  • CS4880 Digital Entrepreneurship

Specialisation in Information Security

To satisfy Information Security Specialisation, students must:

  • Satisfy System Security Focus Area, i.e.,
    complete at least 3 Primary Modules in System Security Focus Area with at least 1 Primary Module at level 4000 or above.
  • Complete additional modules in the Primary and/or Elective lists of System Security so that a total of 12 MCs (including the Primary Modules taken) are at level 3000 or above.
  • Complete CP4101 BComp Dissertation (12 MCs) which must be an independent project on a topic related to technical aspect of information security.

 

University Scholars Programme (Computer Science)


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

  • 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).
  • They will not be required to read CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals. It is replaced by USP Foundation module: Writing and Critical Thinking
  • They will not be required to read two Science Modules (8 MCs). These are replaced by 2 USP Inquiry modules in Sciences and Technologies basket.
  • They will read CS3281 and CS3282 as independent study modules (ISMs) which will also be counted as 2 USP Inquiry modules in Sciences and Technologies basket.

Summary of degree requirements for Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) – von Neumann Programme (vNP)

Modules

MCs

Subtotals

UNIVERSITY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

 

20

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

 

124

Computer Science Foundation

36 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CS1010     Programming Methodology1

4

CS1020     Data Structures and Algorithms I2

4

CS2010     Data Structures and Algorithms II2

4

CS1231     Discrete Structures

4

CS2100     Computer Organisation

4

CS2103T   Software Engineering 3

4

CS2105     Introduction to Computer Networks

4

CS2106     Introduction to Operating Systems

4

CS3230     Design and Analysis of Algorithms

4

Computer Science Breadth & Depth

48

Satisfy 1 vNP Focus Area, with 3 CS modules at level-4000 or above.

After satisfying a vNP Focus Area, a student may choose to satisfy other CS
Focus Areas.4

24

vNP Focus Areas are:
- Computer Networks
- Database Systems
- Parallel Computing
- Programming Languages
- Software Engineering
- Systems Security

  

CS3213     Software Systems Design5

4

CS3281     Thematic Systems Project I (with large-scale complex system development)

4

CS3282     Thematic Systems Project II (with large-scale complex system development)

4

CP4101     B. Comp. Dissertation (with large-scale complex system development)

12

IT Professionalism

8

IS1103      Computing and Society

4

CS2101    Effective Communication for Computing Professionals

4

Mathematics and Sciences

 32

MA1301     Introductory Mathematics6

4

MA1521     Calculus for Computing7

4

MA1101R   Linear Algebra I

4

ST2334     Probability and Statistics8

4

PC1221 Fundamentals of Physics I or PC1222 Fundamentals of Physics II9

4

3 Science Modules10

12

UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES

 

16

Grand Total 

 

160


1: CS1010 can be replaced by CS1101S Programming Methodology.

2 : CS1020 (4 MCs) and CS2010 (4 MCs) can be replaced by CS2020 Data Structures and Algorithms Accelerated (6 MCs). The remaining 2 MCs 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. Students who are taking IEM1201x or IEM2201x module on grade basis in place of CS2101 will take CS2103 instead.

4: The 24 MCs of CS modules refer to CS-coded modules listed in the CS Focus areas. The listing of IS-coded modules in the CS focus areas provide a guide to students should they be interested in taking more related modules in the respective areas for depth. These IS modules, if taken, will be used to fulfill unrestricted electives.

5: CS3213 can be counted towards satisfying Software Engineering Focus Area.

6: 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.

7: Students pursuing double degree in Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics are recommended to replace MA1521 Calculus for Computing by MA1102R Calculus.

8: Students 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.

9: Students who have not taken'O'-level Physics may replace PC1221 or PC1222 by a Life-Science module from List S1 (recommended). Please click here for the list.

10: Students interested in Physics are recommended to read PC1221 Fundamentals of Physics I. Science modules must be either Physics, Chemistry or Life-Science modules. Science modules must be modules from List S1 (recommended) or List S2. Please click here for the lists.