NCSS is about challenging students to think like computer scientists and providing an intensive programming experience in a university setting. As part of the program, students will go on industry site visits and meet industry professionals in a variety of contexts, including talks, competitions and meals. In 2011, NCSS students visited Altium, Atlassian, Google and Macquarie Group.

The main activity for the week is the creation of software to either implement a social networking site or to task a robot to perform a search and rescue mission. Social and teamwork games are included in the relaxation periods, as well as scheduled free time in Sydney.

All NCSS students reside at a residential college at the University of Sydney. The majority of students are housed in single rooms, occasionally students may be housed in same sex twin rooms. NCSS tutors reside at the same residential college, and provide pastoral care for the duration of NCSS.

To see what happens at a typical NCSS, check out the 2011 Newsletters, produced by Vanessa Moss and Thomas Kanold, or watch our video on YouTube.

Example NCSS Timetable

Note that this program is indicative only, as the exact timetable changes each year.

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1		Students arrive Introduction and Welcome	Introductory Lecture Meet your teammates.
Day 2	Introduction to the Projects	Programming Lectures and Labs	Trivia night
Day 3	Programming Lectures and Labs	Programming Lectures and Labs	NCSS Scavenger Hunt
Day 4	Breakfast Site Visit	Programming Lectures and Labs.	Free Time
Day 5	NCSS Masterclasses learn something new	Free Time in Sydney: movies/pool/shopping/be a tourist	Formal Dinner for NCSS students and industry mentors
Day 6	IT Company Site Visits	IT Company Site Visits. BBQ Lunch.	Cryptography Challenge.
Day 7	Mock Job Interviews	Project Lecture Project Planning session with your group.	NCSS Programming Competition.
Day 8	Programming session: implementation of your final project	Programming session: implementation of your final project	Simulation Challenge.
Day 9	Programming session: implementation of your final project	Robotics Competition Preparing the final presentations.	The "All-nighter"
Day 10	Final polish on the presentations Packing and preparing to leave.	Final Presentation. Students Depart.