Diploma in Computer Science
Encyclopedia
Originally known as the "Diploma in Numerical Analysis and Automatic Computing", the Diploma in Computer Science was a conversion course in Computer Science
offered by the University of Cambridge
, England
. Although a "Diploma" for historic reasons, it would be considered a "conversion Masters course" at other institutions.
The Diploma was the world's first full-year taught course in computer science, starting in 1953. It attracted students with degrees in mathematics, science and engineering. At its peak, there were 50 students on the course. UK government (EPSRC) funding was withdrawn in 2001 and student numbers dropped dramatically. In 2007, the University took the decision to withdraw the Diploma at the end of the 2007-08 academical year, after 55 years of service. The spirit of the Diploma lives on in the Computer Science Tripos
, a three-year undergraduate programme which developed out of the original one-year Diploma.
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 de 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.
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.
In its final incarnation, the Diploma was a 10-month course, evaluated two-thirds on examination and one-third on a project dissertation. Most of the examined courses were shared by the second year ("Part IB") of the undergraduate Computer Science Tripos
course, with some additional lectures specifically for the Diploma students and four of the third year undergraduate ("Part II") lecture courses also included.
There were three grades of result from the Diploma: distinction (roughly equivalent to first class honours), pass (equivalent to second or third class honours), and fail.
Starting from 2009, Computer Lab is now offering a postgraduate degree in Advanced Computer Science, as a replacement to the Diploma course.
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
offered by the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Although a "Diploma" for historic reasons, it would be considered a "conversion Masters course" at other institutions.
The Diploma was the world's first full-year taught course in computer science, starting in 1953. It attracted students with degrees in mathematics, science and engineering. At its peak, there were 50 students on the course. UK government (EPSRC) funding was withdrawn in 2001 and student numbers dropped dramatically. In 2007, the University took the decision to withdraw the Diploma at the end of the 2007-08 academical year, after 55 years of service. The spirit of the Diploma lives on in the Computer Science Tripos
Computer Science Tripos
The Computer Science Tripos is the undergraduate course in computer science offered by the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory. It evolved out of the Diploma in Computer Science, the world’s first taught course in computer science, which started in 1953...
, a three-year undergraduate programme which developed out of the original one-year Diploma.
History
The introduction of this one-year graduate course was motivated by a University of CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
Mathematics Faculty Board Report on the "demand for postgraduate instruction in numerical analysis and automatic computing …
University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory
The Computer Laboratory is the computer science department of the University of Cambridge. As of 2007, it employs 35 academic staff, 25 support staff, 35 affiliated research staff, and about 155 research students...
"was one of the pioneers in the de and use of electronic computing-machines (sic)". It had introduced a Summer School in 1950, but the Report noted that "The Summer School deals
University-supported teaching and research staff in the Laboratory
University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory
The Computer Laboratory is the computer science department of the University of Cambridge. As of 2007, it employs 35 academic staff, 25 support staff, 35 affiliated research staff, and about 155 research students...
at the time were Maurice Wilkes (head of the laboratory), J. C. P. Miller
J. C. P. Miller
Jeffrey Charles Percy Miller was an English mathematician and computing pioneer. He worked in number theory and on geometry, particularly polyhedra, where Miller's monster refers to the great dirhombicosidodecahedron....
, W. Renwick, E. N. Mutch, and S. Gill, joined slightly later by C. B. Haselgrove.
In its final incarnation, the Diploma was a 10-month course, evaluated two-thirds on examination and one-third on a project dissertation. Most of the examined courses were shared by the second year ("Part IB") of the undergraduate Computer Science Tripos
Computer Science Tripos
The Computer Science Tripos is the undergraduate course in computer science offered by the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory. It evolved out of the Diploma in Computer Science, the world’s first taught course in computer science, which started in 1953...
course, with some additional lectures specifically for the Diploma students and four of the third year undergraduate ("Part II") lecture courses also included.
There were three grades of result from the Diploma: distinction (roughly equivalent to first class honours), pass (equivalent to second or third class honours), and fail.
Starting from 2009, Computer Lab is now offering a postgraduate degree in Advanced Computer Science, as a replacement to the Diploma course.
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