The CSIS Department

The Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) Department was set up in 1985 and has grown considerably over the years, responding to industry's need for qualified experts in various computing professions. The friendliness and enthusiasm of the staff and students within the Department create a stimulating learning and working environment. The Department has close links with industry and major computer software companies.

The attractive Chester Campus is close to the centre of the safe and historic City of Chester.

The Warrington Campus is set in parkland, a short way from the Warrington town centre. It benefits from being close to major electronics and logistics companies and has easy access from major transport routes.

At Chester and Warrington, the University of Chester has excellent student accommodation, sports and recreation facilities on or very close to the campus.

Resources

The CSIS Department has well-equipped teaching laboratories in modern, purpose-designed buildings and there are extensive open-access areas. The resources are available for student use in the evenings and at weekends.

A wide range of application software is available on all the workstations and there are many specialist computers for multimedia authoring, CD creation, web and media production and virtual reality. The Department has agreements with Microsoft and other software houses so that students can acquire free and/or substantially discounted software.

IBIS (the university's Intranet-based virtual learning environment) is used as a repository for learning materials, as an access point to library and external information sources, and for communication by email and electronic discussion boards. Registered students with an Internet connection can access all the facilities of IBIS from off-campus.

A CSIS Department network supplements the university provision, giving registered computing students access to subject-specific software, personal and shared file and web space, and Departmental information.

Students have access to the university's excellent library, well stocked with books and journals. There is ample study space and facilities for video film-making and other media activities.

As well as physical resources, the Library provides assistance with various study skills, information retrieval and technical support.

All the rooms used for teaching have data projection facilities and interactive whiteboards. Practical classes take place in well-equipped computer workshops.

Multimedia Studio

For dedicated multimedia work, our well-equipped recording suite enables students to work with high end digital audio hardware, state-of-the-art video production tools and the latest in software applications.

Our studio houses the latest Apple Mac Quad Core systems alongside powerful Windows machines to cater for both leading system preferences. We encourage all students to utilise these resources, which is why you'll often find our creative ones filming, DJ-ing, acting and jamming throughout the day! All as part of their assignments, of course...

Study Facilities

Outside formal classes, computing students primarily need access to hardware, software, library resources and the Internet.

There are ample open-access facilities in the Department and elsewhere on the campuses. High speed connection to the Internet is freely available to registered students.

In practice, however, students study mainly in their own accommodation (i.e. halls of residence, student flats, at home).

Apart from books, which students need to physically borrow and return, most learning resources are accessible remotely by Internet technology. Email and on-line discussion boards allow you to keep in touch with each other and with your tutors.