Course Information
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Undergraduate Full Time
CAO Code: DN700
CAO Points Range 2021: 465
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 525
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics and three other recognised subjects
In order to study this degree, we strongly recommend that you also have at least a Grade H4 in Leaving Certificate mathematics, or equivalent.
Why is this course for me?
Do you want to work for companies like Google or Facebook or a Public-Sector organisation that deals with big data about individuals, social networks or social groups? Then the BSc Computational Social Science is for you.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
This degree is designed to prepare students for employment in companies such as Google or Facebook, but also for work in traditional sectors where the analysis of social data is becoming more and more important. It combines Sociology, Politics, Economics and Geography with a strong computational training.
Over the next few years, there will be an increasing demand for graduates who can combine social sciences training with analytical and programming skills. It also leads to a range of graduate study opportunities in social sciences, social data analytics, statistics or computer science.
What Will I Study
Our social world is dramatically changing. We are all connected and leave digital footprints behind. Computational Social Science is about leveraging the power of big data, computer simulations and social networks to understand social phenomena and individual behaviour. The new BSc degree in Computational Social Science is at the forefront of this development in Europe. It provides a unique combination of training in social sciences subjects. It provides a unique combination of training in computational and social science subjects. You will study two subjects out of Sociology, Politics, Geography or Economics, but you also learn how to understand human social behaviour through data analysis, social simulation and mathematical modelling, providing crucial skills for a competitive job market.
First Year
The first year includes core modules in:
- Computational Social Science
- Programming
- Statistical Modeling and Linear Algebra
In addition, students choose two social sciences subjects from:
- Sociology
- Politics
- Economics
- Geography
- Plus an Elective module.
Second Year
The second year includes further courses in:
- Probability Theory
- Programming
- Calculus
and modules in your two social sciences subjects, as well as options from a range of other subjects.
Third Year
The third year provides the opportunity for a trimester abroad at another leading university in Computational Social Science and internship with an industry partner.
Fourth Year
The fourth year includes an interdisciplinary workshop and an individual capstone project with industry partners, in addition to modules that will strengthen and consolidate learning in key areas of Computational Social Science.
Assessment
Students usually attend lectures and participate in seminar discussions and lab tutorials. Assessment is based on assignments throughout the semester, small group work, individual reports, traditional exams and other forms of assessment.
International Study Opportunities
During the third year, semester-long study opportunities will be offered in a number of international partner universities.
Testimonial
“What I like about Computational Social Science is that I am able to study different areas that differ from one another but also blend well together. From statistical modules overlapping with my Sociology modules, I believe this course offers a great balance of computer science, maths, statistics and social sciences. With the amount of big social data surrounding us, taking a computational approach to understand and interpret social data is definitely going to revolutionise how we study social phenomena. The research and analytical skills will offer me unique and interesting opportunities in the near future to assess and organise the new digital space we live in.”
Alyssa Alcantara, Student
