CS1FC16-Fundamentals of Computer Science

Module Provider: Computer Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Hong Wei
Email: h.wei@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module introduces the essential concept of computer systems in the autumn term, and the foundations of data structures and algorithms in the spring term.

Aims:

The module aims to establish a foundation for computer science students with the main features of computer system architecture, system operations, and algorithms, from which students can appreciate the relevance and interrelationships of further studies in the discipline.

This module also encourages students to develop a set of professional skills, such as problem solving, creativity, and numeracy.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students completing this module should be able to:

• describe the structure of computer systems and the interaction between software and hardware; use binary code for information representation


• articulate data manipulation inside a computer system through a machine language (instructions) and relevant operations


• establish knowledge of instruction set and memory hierarchy architectures in a computer system


• explain the role of computer networking in computer communication, including internet and its applications


• appreciate the importance of information security in computer design and usages explain the role of designing algorithms, as distinct from designing programs describe and use various data structures in computer programs


• implement and analyse an algorithm and assess its efficiency


• Perform simple computations, and suggest a suitable encoding for data structures and write code to process it


• Compare and contrast different machine arithmetics, such as fixed point and floating point

Additional outcomes:

Programming skills are enhanced in solving real world problems.

Outline content:

In the autumn term:

• General introduction to computer systems and hardware/software interaction;


• Information representation: binary representation of text, integer, and floating points;


• Data manipulation: the role of computer architecture, instructions and program execution;


• Instruction set architecture


• Processors and pipelining


• Memory hierarchy design

In the spring term

• Operating systems: components and their functions;


• Computer networking: network classification, protocols, internet architecture and applications;


• Information security: threats and protections, good practices;


• Algorithms: the art of problem solving, iterative and recursive methods and assessing complexity;


• Practical examples, including searching and sorting, graphical and numerical;


• Data structures: arrays, stacks, queues;


• Encoding of strings, vectors and matrices;

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module comprises 2 lectures per week, associated with laboratory practicals and tutorials. Coursework assignments are used to reinforce the relevant lectures.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20	2
Tutorials	4	3
Practicals classes and workshops	3	6
Guided independent study:	72	70
Total hours by term	99	99	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Report	15
Class test administered by School	15

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 3-hour examination paper in May/June.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Autumn term:  two on-line tests (5% each), and a lab report (5%).  

Spring term: programming exercises, worth 10% and one on-line test counts 5% of the module assessment.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be provided with feedback throughout tutorials/practical classes.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

One 3-hour examination paper in August/September.  Note that the resit module mark will be the higher of (a) the mark from this resit exam and (b) an average of this resit exam mark and previous coursework marks, weighted as per the first attempt (70% exam, 30% coursework).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 13 November 2023