Module title
Introduction to Computer Science 1
Module code
INT0010
Academic year(s)
2015/6
Credits
20
Basic module details
Module staff
Andrew Mackenzie Robertson - Convenor
Duration (weeks) - term 1
12
Duration (weeks) - term 2
Duration (weeks) - term 3
Number students taking module (anticipated)
16
Description - summary of the module content
Module description
This module provides an introduction to Computer Science which will provide the basis for undergraduate degree studies that
involve computing, either in full or in part. Topics studied will include the History of Computing, Operating Systems, Programs
and Applications, Databases, Communications, Networks, the WWW, Clients and Servers, HTML and safety, security and
encryption. Ethical issues of the Web will also be considered.
Practical sessions will include file system navigation, use of the command prompt, applications (with an emphasis on human
computer interaction), a database project and writing web pages.
The course has been designed to be relevant to modern computing with an emphasis on how computers are used in today's
world.
You should have a good grasp of Mathematics to at, the very minimum, a good GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent standard before
undertaking the course.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Module aims
To introduce the fundamental concepts of Computer Science which provide a foundation for further study of computing at a
level necessary to commence an degree programme that involves computing.
To consolidate a common knowledge base and begin the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a degree
programme that involves computing, either wholly or in part.
Intended learning outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
1. demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of computer science
2. apply basic concepts in the analysis of problems that involve computing
3. carry out simple computing activities and record and interpret results
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
4. demonstrate understanding of theoretical principles through application to problems
5. construct models and solve problems which represent situations in science and engineering
6. provide answers to problems with appropriate accuracy
7. demonstrate understanding of health and safety during practical work
ILO: Personal and key skills
8. collect and interpret appropriate data and information
9. communicate effectively in written or spoken form
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
Introduction – what is a computer? hardware and software; architecture and input/output; data representation; memory and
storage
History – early computing to the modern day including the impact of the transistor, e-mail and the WWW. Operating systems –
OS as a manager of programs and data; Windows, Mac OS and Linux; system layers; file systems; use of the command
promptPrograms and applications – spreadsheets, word processors, Notepad (++), web browsers; Office suite; media players;
different versions of hardware and OS; HCI; usability; GUI and command lineDatabasespractical SQL; linked databases
Communications, networks and WWW – reasons for communications; physical connections; USB; Ethernet; firewire, clients
and servers – client-server model; communication protocols (e-mail, ftp, http); e-mail using telnet and SMTP
HTML – markup language; elements (including title, heading, paragraph, lists, images, hyperlinks, fonts and tables)
Web and ethics – notions of right and wrong; ethical dilemmas; professionalism; 'netiquette'; legal issues
Safety, security and encryption – sources of problems; safety critical systems; reasons for security; codes, ciphers, public key
cryptography
Future worlds – limits of silicon computing; quantum, bio-molecular and nature-inspired computing; artificial intelligence
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
Activities
Guided independent study
Placement / study abroad
70
130
0
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category
Hours of study time
Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
activities
60
Lectures (including solving tutorial
problems)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
activities
10
Laboratory based activities supervised
by lecturer and technician
Guided independent study
20
Writing reports on laboratory sessions.
Preparation of course work presentation
and written assignment
Guided independent study
110
Preparation for lectures. Tutorial
problem solving. Reading and research
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment
Size of the assessment (eg
length / duration)
ILOs assessed
Feedback method
Practical sessions
10 hours in total
1,2,3,4,7,8,9
Verbal feedback on review
Tutorial examples
In class
1,2,4,5,6,9
Verbal feedback on review
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework
Written exams
Practical exams
40
60
0
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment
% of credit
Size of the
assessment (eg
length / duration)
ILOs assessed
Feedback method
Assignment
15
Database exercise
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Written feedback on
formal submission
Assignment
15
Webpage
1,2,3,4,6,8,9
Written feedback on
formal submission
Presentation
10
10 minutes per student
1,8,9
Written feedback on
formal submission
Final exam
60
2 hours
1,2,4,5,6,9
Written feedback on
formal submission
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment Form of re-assessment
ILOs re-assessed
Timescale for reassessment
Final exam (referral)
1,2,4,5,6,9
Usually taken in next exam
period
Exam
Final exam (deferral)
Exam
1,2,4,5,6,9
Usually taken in next exam
period
Re-assessment notes
Referral will constitute a second formal examination – coursework will not be included in the re-assessment.
All summative coursework must be completed before entitlement to a referral.
Resubmission of coursework is impractical since coursework answers and feedback are given to students after marking.
The grade for the referred exam, and therefore the module grade, will be capped at 40%.
Deferred exams will not be capped and will include summative coursework marks in the final module grade.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Other details
Module ECTS
10
Module pre-requisites
None
Module co-requisites
None
NQF level (module)
3
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
06/01/2014
Last revision date
09/01/2014
Key words search
Computer Science, Operating System, Database, Programming, Network, Internet, Web, data representation, Digital