Computer Science

Computer Science underpins the exciting information revolution we've been living through in the past few years: the Internet and the web, mobile phones, wireless networks, digital audio and video, social networking, massively multiplayer games, 3D films and the advent of autonomous robots. What these widely disparate activities have in common is the central role that Computer Science plays in their invention and continued development.

Computer Science at Pembroke

Pembroke is very close to the central lecture theatres and a short bus or cycle ride from the Computer Lab. The college is well equipped with networked computers for student use: the spacious computer room is equipped with PCs and printers, and all student rooms are connected to the University-wide high speed data network for fast access to email and the web. Thus if you wish to bring your own computer you may do so, but there are plenty of computers for communal use if you do not have your own.

We have regular Pembroke Computer Science socials once or twice a term. Recent highlights have included a walkthrough of programming old Amiga computers, and a talk about using machine learning to find interesting mathematical conjectures, and a game jam where students coded alongside fellows and supervisors! We encourage students to also give informal talks about their own work, most notably the Part II students who are completing their final year projects. Our supervisors are drawn from a combination of industry and academia, and we carefully select them where possible to ensure a diversity of ideas and interests. We encourage freeform interaction with the supervisors, and host an annual Supervisor's Lunch at College to thank them for their hard work.

We have two Directors of Studies (DoS), Prof Anil Madhavapeddy and Dr Carl Henrik Ek. In common with other colleges, the role of the DoS is to fully support our students, this includes arranging supervisions to augment the lecture courses, normally given by PhD students who are experts in the relevant subject area. Pembroke is a medium-sized college, and we hope this makes for a welcoming, personal learning experience. In total there are three Computer Science Fellows at Pembroke, which means we are able to spend more time with students, assisting their studies. We also maintain contact with other Colleges, so gaining the study and social benefits of being in a larger group.

Pembroke Computer Science Teaching Staff

Prof Anil Madhavapeddy - Director of Studies

My own interests are in the environmental and conservation space. My research focusses on 'planetary computing', which seeks to aggregate the vast amount of data we receive from satellites and other sensors towards actionable insights for policymakers to improve conservation action. This includes building global maps of tropical forest health, to predicting where life on earth can be found to form biodiversity maps.

Dr Carl Henrik Ek - Director of Studies

Prof Amanda Prorok

Further information

Gap Year
We are happy to make offers to computer scientists who wish to take a gap year, and we encourage those who are very young (i.e. would be coming up to Pembroke under 18) to defer. It is often possible to obtain useful experience and sponsorship with computer firms.

If you have any questions about admissions to Pembroke, please contact the admissions office. Please see the page about Computer Science on the University website for further information. The College holds open days where Directors of Studies and current students are happy to take your questions. You may also email to the Student Administration Secretary of the Computer Laboratory