BSc. Computer Science - Miva Open University

Admission for the May 2026 cohort is ongoing. Apply Now!

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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

BSc. Computer Science

This programme is designed to prepare you for a career in the ever-growing field of technology. You will learn the fundamentals of computer science, including programming, data structures, algorithms, and operating systems. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of computer science, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or software engineering.

Admission Options

Tuition Per Session

$560

Tuition Per Semester

$315

Introduction to BSc. Computer Science

Start Your Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

Learn on your terms with pre-recorded engaging and interactive videos on your educational journey for flexible, convenient, and self-paced study.

Why you should apply :

Our programme is taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members who are passionate about teaching computer science.
We offer a variety of resources to help you succeed, including a state-of-the-art computer lab, a career center, and a variety of student organisations.
Our programmes are designed to produce highly sought-after graduates.
A degree in computer science can lead to a variety of high-paying and rewarding careers.

Study Level

BSc. Computer Science

Study Duration

8 Semesters

Mode of study

Blended Learning

Tuition Per Session

$560

Tuition Per Semester

$315

Applications for May 2026 admission is ongoing.

Apply before 31st May 2026, to secure your place.

Curriculum

Programme Outline

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a variety of careers in the tech industry. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including programming, data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and artificial intelligence.

100 Level

1st Semester

Units

Communication in English I

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Identify possible sound patterns in English.
List notable language skills and classify word formation processes.
Construct simple and fairly complex sentences in English.
Apply logical and critical reasoning skills for meaningful presentations.
Demonstrate an appreciable level of the art of public speaking and listening.
Write simple and technical reports.

Elementary Mathematics I – Algebra and Trigonometry

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Understand the basic definitions of set, subset, union, intersection, complements, and use of Venn diagrams.
Solve quadratic equations.
Solve trigonometric functions.
Understand various types of numbers.
Solve some problems using the Binomial theorem.

General Physics I – Mechanics

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Identify and deduce the physical quantities and their units.
Differentiate between vectors and scalars.
Describe and evaluate the motion of systems based on the fundamental laws of mechanics.
Apply Newton’s laws to describe and solve simple problems of motion.
Evaluate work, energy, velocity, momentum, acceleration, and torque of moving or rotating objects.
Explain and apply the principles of conservation of energy, linear and angular momentum.
Describe the laws governing motion under gravity.
Quantitatively determine the behavior of objects moving under gravity.

General Practical Physics I

1

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Conduct measurements of some physical quantities.
Make observations of events, collect and tabulate data.
Identify and evaluate some common experimental errors.
Plot and analyze graphs.
Draw conclusions from numerical and graphical analysis of data.

Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Understand the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its application to libraries and Information Services.
Acquire essential ICT skills for information professionals.
Understand data communication and internet resources in electronic storage systems.
Explore web technology resources.
Learn the impact of ICT on modern libraries, along with ethical considerations and challenges related to applying ICT in library settings, particularly in the context of Nigerian libraries.

Descriptive Statistics

3

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Explain the basic concepts of descriptive statistics.
Present data in graphs and charts.
Differentiate between measures of location, dispersion and partition.
Describe the basic concepts of skewness and kurtosis and their utility function in a given data set.
Differentiate rates from ratio and how they are used.
Compute the different types of index number from a given data set and interpret the output.
Understand and apply frequency distributions to organise and summarise data.
Create and interpret various types of charts and graphs to visualise data effectively.
Compute and interpret measures of central tendency to identify the centre of a distribution.
Calculate and interpret measures of dispersion to understand the spread of data points.
Compare and contrast different approaches to probability.
Calculate and interpret conditional probabilities to make informed decisions based on given conditions.
Identify and work with probability distributions in the discrete case, including Bernoulli, Binomial, Uniform, Poisson, Geometric, and Hypergeometric distributions.
Analyse continuous probability distributions, such as Uniform, Normal, and Exponential distributions.

Introduction to Computing Sciences

3

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Explain basic components of computers and other computing devices.
Describe the various applications of computers.
Explain information processing and its roles in society.
Describe the Internet, its various applications, and its impact.
Explain the different areas of the computing discipline and its specializations.
Demonstrate practical skills in using computers and the internet.

Environment and Sustainability (Elective)

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Grasp environmental studies’ fundamental principles, human-environment relationships, and the impact of human activities on nature.
Examine energy resource usage and its environmental consequences.
Investigate chemicals and waste effects on ecosystems and health.

Contemporary Health Issues (Elective)

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Outline contemporary health issues and broadly classify them.
Discuss some basic concepts related to clinical medicine, disease prevention/management, and population health.
Explain the etiology, prevention, and management of key non-communicable diseases.
Discuss the epidemiology, personal and public health consequences of selected infectious diseases.
Discuss the personal and social determinants of health.
Explain the place of disease prevention and health promotion in personal and population health.
Explain the connection between contemporary health issues and sustainable development goals.
Relate contemporary health issues to global health challenges.

2nd Semester

Units

Problem Solving

3

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Explain problem-solving processes.
Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
Describe the concept of algorithms development and properties of algorithms.
Discuss the solution techniques of solving problems.
Solve computer problems using algorithms, flowcharts, pseudocode, etc.
Solve problems using programming languages such as C, PYTHON, etc.

Nigerian People and Culture

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Analyze the historical foundation of the Nigerian culture and arts in pre-colonial times.
List and identify the major linguistic groups in Nigeria.
Explain the gradual evolution of Nigeria as a political unit.
Analyze the concepts of trade, economic, and self-reliance status of the Nigerian peoples towards national development.
Enumerate the challenges of the Nigerian State towards nation-building.
Analyze the role of the Judiciary in upholding people’s fundamental rights.
Identify acceptable norms and values of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria.
List and suggest possible solutions to identifiable Nigerian environmental, moral, and value problems.

Elementary Mathematics II – Calculus

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Differentiate and explain rules in calculus.
Analyze real-variable functions and graphs.
Grasp limits and continuity.
Understand derivatives as the rate of change limits.
Gain proficiency in integration techniques and definite integrals for solving area and volume problems.

General Physics II – Electricity & Magnetism

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Describe and determine the magnetic field for steady and moving charges.
Determine the magnetic properties of simple current distributions using Biot-Savart and Ampere’s law.
Describe electromagnetic induction and related concepts and make calculations using Faraday and Lenz’s laws.
Explain the basic physical of Maxwell’s equations in integral form.
Evaluate DC circuits to determine the electrical parameters.
Analyze the characteristics of AC voltages and currents in resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

General Practical Physics II

1

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Conduct experiments on the measurements of some physical quantities.
Make observations of events.
Collect and tabulate data.
Identify and evaluate some common experimental errors.
Plot and analyze graphs.
Draw conclusions from numerical and graphical analysis of data.

Introduction to Web Technologies

3

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Plan, design, and develop effective web pages with a focus on the practical application of the technologies used in web development.
Use tools like HTML5, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) and Javascript.
Host a website on a selected web server.
Develop web content development skills.

Communication in English II

2

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Have a deepened understanding of communication skills both in spoken and written English.
Demonstrate an appreciable level of proficiency in the arts of public speaking, listening, and effective communication.

200 Level

1st Semester

Units

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2

Explain entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, opportunity seeking, value creation and risk-taking.
Analyse the importance of micro and small businesses in wealth creation and employment.
Engage in entrepreneurial thinking.
Identify elements of innovation and stages of enterprise formation and planning.
State the basic principles of e-commerce.

Mathematical Methods I

2

Describe real-valued functions of a real variable.
Apply the Mean Value Theorem and Taylor Series Expansion.
Evaluate line, surface and volume integrals.

Computer Programming I

3

Identify programming paradigms and approaches.
Write programs in C using data types and strings.
Design solutions using selection and loops.
Implement object-oriented concepts and classes.
Handle exceptions and file input/output.
Work with arrays in programming problems.

Discrete Structures

2

Translate statements into propositional and predicate logic.
Apply proof techniques and the pigeonhole principle.
Compute permutations and combinations.
Solve recurrence relations.

Digital Logic Design

2

Explain data representation in computers.
Describe computers as state machines.
Design combinational and sequential circuits.
Design core computer components such as ALU, registers and memory.

Introduction to Software Engineering

2

Describe the software life cycle.
Explain requirements analysis, design, testing and maintenance.
Differentiate software development models.
Use UML for object-oriented analysis and design.
Explain software project management and legal issues.

SIWES I

3

Explain how a computer firm operates.
Describe assignments and skills acquired.
Submit a comprehensive report of experience gained.

2nd Semester

Units

Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence

2

Survey branches of philosophy and symbolic logic.
Apply rules of inference and evaluate arguments.
Distinguish inductive and deductive reasoning.

Elementary Differential Equations

2

Define order and degree of differential equations.
Solve first and second-order equations.
Apply equations to geometry and physics problems.

Computer Programming II

3

Develop object-oriented programs in C++.
Use APIs and program organisation tools.
Implement searching and sorting strategies.
Develop multithreaded and GUI applications.

Computer Architecture and Organisation

2

Describe instruction formats and von Neumann architecture.
Explain interrupts and I/O operations.
Write simple assembly language segments.
Compare data path implementations.

Statistical Computing Inference and Modelling

3

Draw conclusions from statistical models.
Interpret statistical outcomes for decision-making.
Communicate statistical solutions effectively.
Use statistical tools and packages.

Linear Algebra II

2

Solve linear equations and eigenvalue problems.
Apply change of basis and orthogonal diagonalisation.
Use Gram-Schmidt and singular value decomposition.

Introduction to Electric Circuits and Electronics

2

Analyse DC and AC circuits.
Apply Kirchhoff’s laws and circuit theorems.
Understand RLC circuits and resonance.
Describe semiconductor devices and amplifiers.

300 Level

1st Semester

Units

Data Structures

3

Demonstrate understanding of programming concepts and data structures in C++ including primitive types, arrays, records, strings, and string processing.
Explain data representation in memory and allocate memory on the stack and heap.
Implement and apply data structures such as queues and trees using appropriate strategies.
Manage run-time storage using pointers and references and work with linked structures.
Write C++ functions and implement algorithms for arrays, records, strings, queues, trees, pointers, and linked structures.

Artificial Intelligence

2

Explain AI fundamentals including concepts, goals, types, techniques, branches, applications, and tools.
Discuss intelligent agents, environments, architectures, and the characteristics of problems AI systems solve.
Describe the Turing test and the Chinese Room thought experiment and compare human-like and optimal reasoning or behaviour.
Explain heuristics and trade-offs among completeness, optimality, time complexity, and space complexity.
Analyse search types and applications and explain combinatorial explosion and its consequences.
Demonstrate knowledge representation using semantic networks and frames.
Practice NLP: translate sentences into predicate logic, convert logic to clause form, and apply resolution to answer queries.
Analyse programming languages for AI and expert systems and apply AI to real-world domains.

Introduction to Cyber Security and Strategy

2

Explain cybersecurity concepts, methods, elements, and terminologies including threat, attack, defence, and operations.
Describe common cyber-attacks, threats, issues, challenges, solutions, and the actors of cyberspace and cyber operations.
Apply techniques for identifying, detecting, and defending against threats and protecting information assets.
Explain cybersecurity impacts on institutions, privacy, business, and government applications.
Identify perpetrators’ motives and methods and outline countermeasures for incidents and software vulnerabilities.
State ethical obligations of security professionals and evaluate cybersecurity and national security strategies.

Introduction to Data Management

3

Describe components of a database system and give examples of their use.
Differentiate relational and semi-structured data models.
Explain entity integrity and referential integrity constraints.
Apply queries, query optimisation, and functional dependencies in relational databases.
Explain normal forms and the impact of normalisation on database efficiency.
Describe database security and integrity issues in database design.
Explain concurrency control and recovery mechanisms in databases.

Data Communication System and Network

3

Define terminologies relating to data communication.
Explain the seven-layer ISO-OSI protocols and network architecture.
Describe error-detection methods.
Describe internet technologies and protocols.
List features and benefits of network operating systems.

SIWES II

3

Explain how a typical computer firm or unit operates.
Describe assignments carried out and skills acquired during the SIWES period.
Submit a comprehensive report on knowledge acquired and experience gained.

2nd Semester

Units

Peace and Conflict Resolution

2

Analyse concepts of peace, conflict, and security.
List major forms, types, and root causes of conflict and violence.
Differentiate between conflict and terrorism.
Enumerate security and peacebuilding strategies.
Describe roles of international organisations, media, and traditional institutions in peacebuilding.

Venture Creation

2

Identify business opportunities in Nigeria through environmental scanning and market research, considering social, climate, and technological factors.
Understand entrepreneurial finance options including venture capital, equity finance, microfinance, and small business investment organisations.
Apply principles of marketing, customer acquisition and retention, and e-commerce models (B2B, C2C, B2C).
Build skills in small business management, family business dynamics, negotiation, and modern business communication.
Generate business ideas and explore emerging technologies for market solutions and digital business strategies.

Operating Systems

3

Recognise operating system types and structures.
Describe OS support for processes and threads.
Explain CPU scheduling, synchronisation, and deadlock.
Resolve OS issues related to synchronisation and failure for distributed systems.
Explain OS support for virtual memory, disk scheduling, I/O, and file systems.
Identify security and protection issues in computer systems.
Use C and Unix commands, examine Linux performance, and develop system programs using OS concepts such as synchronisation, shared memory, mailboxes, and file systems.

Computer Science Innovation and New Technologies

2

Explain business models.
Identify entrepreneurial opportunities available in IT.
Describe business planning and start-up processes.
Explain business feasibility and strategy.
Explain marketing strategies.
Discuss business ethics and legal issues.

Data Management I

3

Explain principles and best practices for managing data efficiently and effectively.
Demonstrate knowledge of SQL and NoSQL.
Explain data warehouse concepts, methodologies, and tools.
Explain data mining architecture and applications.

Web Application Development

2

Design and implement simple client-side and server-side web applications.
Demonstrate hands-on skills in PHP and Python using open-source software.
Compare web programming with general-purpose programming.
Develop a functioning website and deploy it on a web server.

Introduction to Cloud Computing (Elective)

2

Explain cloud computing fundamentals and parallel algorithms.
Use languages, tools, and systems for parallel processing.
Implement cloud services for analytics and storage.
Explain distributed systems, databases, and file systems.
Apply cloud infrastructure and manage cloud operations.
Optimise performance and scalability in the cloud.
Explore legal aspects and service level agreements.

Big Data Technology (Elective)

2

Explain big data concepts and why they matter across domains.
Use tools such as Hadoop, Spark, and NoSQL databases.
Process, analyse, and visualise large datasets to extract insights.
Explore big data use cases in healthcare, finance, and marketing and discuss ethical challenges.

400 Level

1st Semester

Units

Research Methodology and Technical Report Writing

3

Distinguish qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their applications.
Identify and define a research problem in a given area.
Identify different methods of data collection and select the methods appropriate to a given situation.
Design and conduct simple research, including analysis and interpretation of results.
Document the research problem and methodology through to research report writing.
Defend the written research report.
Apply ethical principles in the conduct of research.

Algorithms and Complexity Analysis

2

Explain big-O, omega, and theta notation to describe the work done by an algorithm.
Use asymptotic notation to give upper, lower, and tight bounds on time and space complexity.
Determine time and space complexity of simple algorithms.
Deduce recurrence relations for recursively defined algorithms.
Solve elementary recurrence relations.
Match strategies (brute-force, greedy, divide-and-conquer, backtracking, dynamic programming) to practical problems.
Use pattern matching to analyse substrings.
Use numerical approximation to solve problems such as finding polynomial roots.

Project Management

2

Apply core project management practices including planning, scheduling, and resource use.
Manage project resources, procurement decisions, monitoring, and execution.
Lead and oversee projects to support timely and successful completion.
Handle project complexities, adapt to change, and make informed decisions to meet project goals.
Prepare for real-world project delivery scenarios.

Distributed Computing

3

Describe properties, challenges, and characteristics of distributed systems.
Explain distributed algorithms for synchronisation, concurrency, coordination, transactions, and replication.
Identify design, implementation, and debugging issues in distributed systems.
Compare replication schemes by performance, availability, and consistency.
Design, implement, and debug distributed systems.

Organization of Programming Languages

3

Explain the history of programming languages and major paradigms including procedural, object-oriented, functional, declarative, and scripting languages.
Explain how scale affects programming methodology and language definitions.
Describe data types and structures, control structures, data flow, and run-time considerations.
Explain lexical analysis and parsing at a high level.
Describe language syntax, semantics, abstract data types, and formal semantics.
Discuss object-oriented, functional, logic, and parallel programming concepts.
Deliver language presentations to strengthen communication and presentation skills.

Final Year Project I

3

Identify a researchable Computer Science project topic.
Search and review literature relevant to the problem statement.
Acknowledge and reference sources used in the research report.
Design a research methodology to address the identified problem.
Select tools for analysing data based on research objectives.
Write a coherent project proposal.
Present the proposal orally.

2nd Semester

Units

Ethical and Legal Issues in Computer Science

2

State laws and regulations related to ethics in computing.
Identify and explain relevant codes of ethics for computing practice.
Analyse social and ethical issues across areas of computing practice.
Review real-life ethical cases and develop ethical resolutions and policies.
Explain consequences of non-compliance with ethical provisions.
Apply sound approaches to resolving ethical conflicts and crises.

Machine Learning

3

Explain core machine learning algorithms and techniques.
Apply supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and decision trees to real-world problems.
Use linear regression including OLS and regularisation and apply linear classifiers.
Apply logistic regression and multi-class logistic regression for classification.
Use ranking algorithms, support vector machines, feature selection, PCA, and clustering methods such as k-means and soft k-means.
Apply ensemble methods such as Random Forest and AdaBoost and explain Bayesian probabilistic methods.
Explain neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and auto-encoders.
Evaluate and select models for different applications.

Human Computer Interaction

2

Explain the foundations and concepts of human-computer interaction.
Explain principles of human-computer interface design.
Describe the design and development process for human-computer interfaces.
Explain the importance of user feedback in interface design.

Final Year Project II

3

Demonstrate technical skills in Computer Science through an applied project.
Demonstrate transferable skills including communication and teamwork.
Produce a technical report for the chosen project.
Defend the written project report.
Apply full research practice from problem to conclusion.

Compiler Construction

3

Explain compilers, assemblers, and interpreters and their core functions.
Describe syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of programming languages.
Explain relationships between lexical analysis, expression analysis, and code generation.
Describe the internal structure of a compiler and use a standard compiler as a practical tool.
Detect and recover from errors efficiently.
Work with grammars and languages and apply top-down and bottom-up parsing methods.
Explain run-time storage organisation and storage allocation approaches.
Construct LR tables, organise symbol tables, and allocate storage to run-time variables.
Generate optimised code and translate programming systems effectively.

Cloud Computing Security

2

Explain cloud concepts, cloud computing benefits, virtualisation, and multi-tenanting.
Describe cloud services, service-oriented architectures, and cloud reference and service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
Explain deployment models (public, private, hybrid, community) and cloud design and management tools.
Explain cloud security concepts and apply approaches to securing cloud environments.
Explain cloud economics, payment models, strategy, standards, and future trends.
Analyse data centres, storage, networking, virtualisation, threats, risk mitigation, and real-world cloud security issues.
Differentiate key assurance and audit frameworks and approaches for effective cloud governance.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for BSc. Computer Science

100 Level Entry Requirements for BSc. Computer Science

Here’s what you need to study for a bachelor’s programme at Miva University

A copy of your O’Level result

The result must include a minimum of five credits in the following subjects in not more than two sittings:

Please note that submission of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results is not mandatory at this stage. However, upon admission to the university, the provided results will be thoroughly verified for authenticity and compliance with the stated criteria, including JAMB Regularisation.

Direct Entry Admission Requirements for BSc. Computer Science

Here’s what you need to study for a bachelor’s programme at Miva Open University

Direct Entry candidates must meet the programme’s O’ Level requirements, in addition to any of the following:

Two (2) 'A' Level passes in science subjects including Mathematics.
NCE merit passes in Mathematics and one other Science subject.
ND lower credit in Computer Science or other Mathematics/Computing/Physics/Electronics based programmes.
Very good passes in three (3) JUPEB subjects: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry or Biology.
'A' Level passes chosen from English Language, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Computer Studies and Information Technology
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in relevant subjects.

Careers

Potential Roles for BSc. Computer Science Degree Holders

Tuition

Payment Plans

Miva Open University offers a flexible payment plan for its degree programmes. You may choose to pay the year’s fee or per semester.

Tuition Per Semester

$315

/Semester

Tuition Per Session

$560

/Session

* Discount applies for full year’s payment