Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 10 Hours Term Assessment 10 worksheets or online quizzes (to be signed of in practicals). | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Exam Period Assessment | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resit Assessment Essay 2000 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written Exam | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe the concept of computability and give an example of a non-computable problem.
Convert integers and rational numbers into binary representations, discuss properties of the different formats, perform simple arithmetic operations in binary representation
Manipulate algebraic formulae and simplify basic algebraic expressions, including logarithms and exponents
Perform matrix operations using 2 dimensional arrays.
Analyse simple algorithms and compare their efficiency.
Implement simple searches and sorts and compare their efficiency.
Be able to implement simple recursive algorithms.
Brief description
This module provides an introduction to some aspects of theoretical computer science. It reviews fundamental mathematical concepts and illustrates how those concepts are implemented in computing contexts. Topics covered include computability; representation of numbers; fundamental arithmetic, dealing with basic algebraic expressions, logarithms and exponents; matrix operations; analysis of algorithms; searching and sorting; recursion.
Aims
The module makes students familiar with some fundamental aspects of general computer science and theoretical computer science. It helps to gain a deeper understanding of the working principles and limitations of computers and algorithms. It lays the foundations for most advanced modules in the second and final year.
Content
1. Computability
2. Fundamentals of Computing (representing numbers (integers; floating point); arithmetic)
3. Matrices and arrays (2D arrays; matrix addition and multiplication)
4. Algebraic expressions and their manipulation, including logarithms and exponents
5. Analysing algorithm complexity (asymptotic notation; worst, best, and average case)
6. Searching in a sorted array (linear, binary)
7. Sorting
8. Recursion (binary search, sorting)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Different binary representations of numbers. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Weekly assessment helps students to continually assess and improve their learning and performance |
| Information Technology | Inherent to the subject matter. |
| Problem solving | By means of algorithm design and analysis; making use of appropriate representations for data (using numbers as simple example). |
| Research skills | Pointer to literature as part of the reading list |
| Subject Specific Skills | As laid out in the learning outcomes. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4