Why study Informatics in Edinburgh?

... why Edinburgh?

• The University of Edinburgh has one of the best schools of computing in the world. Our undergraduate program offers unmatched opportunities for both interdisciplinary variety and focused depth—depending on which best suits you.
• At Edinburgh, computer science can be studied in individual depth or in a more integrated way as the science of Informatics, which we define as the study of the structure, behaviour, and interactions of natural and artificial computational systems.
• We are unique in the breadth of our coverage of Informatics and related disciplines, which makes us the UK's top computer science department, rated excellent for both research and teaching.
• There is substantial flexibility to move between degrees in the first and second year as your specific interests emerge, and to choose from a range of over 70 specialist courses in the third and fourth years, to match your interests.
• We have state-of-the art laboratories and computing facilities, naturally.
• Our home is Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, a country with respect for education and a long standing tradition of innovation. Edinburgh is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, with a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere. It's a place where you'll never be short of things to do. Edinburgh combines easy access to the Scottish countryside with the social and cultural excitement of a modern capital city, a metropolis that is home to one of Europe's foremost Universities.
• Throughout your degree programme, in addition to learning the scientific foundations of our subject, you will develop practical computing, engineering and experimental skills. In third year you have a group project, the system design practical, and learn to work in an interdisciplinary team. In your final year you undertake an individual project, which is a major piece of work resting on all you have learnt.

Our core disciplines

• Computer Science is an intellectually challenging subject. It underpins the core technologies of the 21st century. Its scope ranges from the design of programming languages and algorithms, to models of computation—such as distributed, parallel and quantum computing— and the study of the limits of computation—what can we compute, what resources (time and space) are required? The subject has its roots in mathematics and logic, which are used to express and reason about models of computation.
• Computer Systems Engineering draws on Computer Science, but also weaves together elements of psychology (how humans use computers) and electronics (which provides the building blocks for current computer architectures). Its concerns range from asking how we can make computing devices more usable, to how we can best match hardware and software to drive digital circuitry at peak efficiency.
• Software Engineering tackles the critical problem of building complex computer applications, that can be implemented and deployed effectively and economically. With a deep understanding of these issues, you will have the key skills required to design the software of the future.
• Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence use a computational metaphor to model, understand and reproduce human capabilities, such as understanding language, solving problems, and thinking creatively. They require a grounding in computer science but additionally draw on subjects as diverse as linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy. Computational models of intelligence may even lead us to answers to one of the oldest questions about human nature: what is consciousness?

... and why study Informatics?

• Be at the heart of an intellectual revolution Understanding computation provides new ways of understanding the world. Computational thinking—understanding systems in terms of the ways they store, process and communicate information—now pervades theories in all disciplines, and computational modelling allows us to explore the emergent behaviour of complex systems.
• Develop practical skills. The intellectual challenge is matched by a practical aspect, this gives you the satisfaction of creating something functional, whether software or hardware.
• Make the world a safer place. Understanding computation provides the basis for building and applying tools and methodologies that allow us to design, build and maintain hardware and software computer systems you would trust with your life.
• Control your destiny. We live in an information age. Most innovation today exploits novel uses of computation. Those who can safely harness the potential of information technologies will be at a substantial advantage for future employment. You also have the opportunity, if you are so-inclined, to take courses that will help you acquire and develop entrepreneurial skills that will allow you to make serious money.