Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science
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Originally known as the "Diploma in Numerical Analysis and Automatic Computing", the Diploma in Computer Science is a conversion course in Computer Science offered by the University of Cambridge. It is the world's oldest course in computer science, starting in 1953. It attracts students with degrees in mathematics, science and engineering. At its peak, there were 50 students on the course. EPSRC funding was withdrawn in 2001 and student numbers have dropped off since then.
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[edit] History
The introduction of this one-year graduate course was motivated by a University of Cambridge Mathematics Faculty Board Report on the "demand for postgraduate instruction in numerical analysis and automatic computing ... [which] if not met, there is a danger that the application to scientific research of the machines now being built will be hampered". The University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory "was one of the pioneers in the development and use of electronic computing-machines (sic)". It had introduced a Summer School in 1950, but the Report noted that "The Summer School deals [only] with 'programming', rather than the general theory of the numerical methods which are programmed." The Diploma "would include theoretical and practical work ... [and also] instruction about the various types of computing-machine ... and the principles of design on which they are based." With only a few students initially, no extra staff would be needed.[1]
University-supported teaching and research staff in the Laboratory at the time were Maurice Wilkes (head of the laboratory), J.C.P. Miller, W. Renwick, E.N. Mutch, and S. Gill, joined slightly later by C.B. Haselgrove.
[edit] The Diploma Today
The course is run by the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory and is a 10-month course divided into three academic terms. The course consists of a number of lecture courses on such topics as software engineering, complexity and computation theory, compiler construction and various others. Most of these lecture courses are shared by the second year ("Part IB") of the Computer Science Tripos. There are additional courses specifically for the Diploma and four of the third year ("Part II") courses are also included. In early June, four examinations are held on the lecture courses. These typically consist of 15 questions from which any 5 may be attempted. This "synoptic" examination system is a particular feature of the Cambridge Computer Science courses.
Additionally, students must conduct a practical project throughout the year on a topic of their own choosing. A project proposal is submitted in November after having been checked by the student's Director of Studies (appointed by their College) and two overseers (appointed by the University).
Students must then prepare and submit a project dissertation of at most 12,000 words in late July/early August. The dissertation counts one third of the final marks, while the remaining two thirds are allocated to the examination. It is important to note that students are assessed entirely on the dissertation. It is not necessary to submit any source code or executable files to the examiners, although the dissertation is expected to contain example output, an evaluation of the code, and sample code may be presented in an appendix.
There are three grades of result from the Diploma: distinction (roughly equivalent to first class honours), pass (equivalent to second or third class honours), and fail.
