Dear students,
As the start of term approaches I want to tell you how much I’m looking forward to welcoming you later this month. I’ve been at Goldsmiths for many years and I have found it to be a uniquely special place.
Our computing department is one of the most exciting places for teaching and research in the country. Currently we have a wide range of research in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, data science, music composition and analysis, cognitive science, games design, intelligence agents, biological modeling, drama, design and art.
We are confident that you will find this department an environment in which you can develop as a creative, skilled professional. We regularly introduce new programmes to ensure we are offering degrees that are fulfilling, cutting-edge, and relevant to industry. This year we launched the BSc in Business Computing & Entrepreneurship and next year we will launch a new BSc in Data Science. 2016-17 will also see the launch of the new Fabrication Lab to build on our range of specialist teaching and research spaces.
I hope that you will have fulfilling and exciting years of study with us – we will aim to do whatever we can to make this happen. As well as your degree study, I hope you take advantage of the wonderful opportunities that Goldsmiths gives you in terms of culture, charity, sport, art and music. Increasingly employers are not just looking for academic excellence but a well-rounded graduate who has been involved in a wide range of activities.
Before you arrive
- If you are starting in the foundation year, you might want to start familiarising yourself with How to think like a Computer Scientist, an online book which will help prepare you for the Introduction to Programming module you’ll be starting soon.
- Year 1 students on all of our programmes might want to look at this video series by Daniel Shiffman, which will help prepare you for the Introduction to Programming module. The link is to video 1.1 but you can carry on with the tutorials in order. You can download p5js here.
Have fun! (Of course, some of you will be too busy preparing for the new term to look at these resources before you get here. That’s fine; there’ll be plenty of time for studying once you arrive.)
All of us in the department very much look forward to welcoming you to Goldsmiths. I hope to see some of you at GoldStart – but please remember that you do still need to attend induction.
Yours faithfully,
Prof Robert Zimmer
Head of Department