Our era will be known in history as the age of Information & Communication Technology (ICT). In the Department of Computer Science, we are serious about preparing you for life in the Information Age.

Computer Science is offered as a 3-year major course in the Faculties of Science, Commerce and Humanities. When demand and resources permit, we also offer a Foundation course, (CSc1B0), as a precursor to the main undergraduate stream in a pro-active effort to equip students from technologically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is also offered as a 4-year degree in the Faculty of Science as a BSc Software Development.

Following the undergraduate degree, a fourth year Honours degree in Computer Science is offered. This course allows study into more specialised areas of computing, and introduces the concept of project work on a larger scale than is possible in undergraduate years. The fourth year of study also provides the minimum status needed for registration by professional bodies, and for international recognition (such as would be required to register as a graduate student at a foreign university).

The Department of Computer Science houses a strong postgraduate school which prepares MSc and PhD students. Work is particularly concentrated in the field of Distributed Multimedia, and Rhodes is sponsored as a Centre of Excellence in this area by Telkom, Comparex Africa, Letlapa Mobile Solutions and the Department of Trade and Industry. The work of this centre incorporates Data Communications and Networks, Graphical Visualisation and Virtual Reality, Audio Engineering, and Distributed Computing. The Computer Science department enjoys “grant receiving status”, based solely on merit, from the National Research Foundation.

Our department lays great stress on the teaching and learning processes in tertiary education, and is known for having some of the finest, most dedicated teachers in the country.

The department of Information Systems dovetails and complements Computer Science at Rhodes University, and the two departments work closely together. The first year Computer course feeds both of these major streams, and joint postgraduate programmes are in place. Whereas Computer Science concentrates on the technical aspects of software development and application, Information Systems addresses higher level human, management and strategic aspects of Information Technology.

In 2001, the Hamilton Building at Rhodes University was completed to house these two departments together. The new facility is one of the most technologically advanced ICT buildings in Africa.