Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CSM0110 - Foundation Studies

Brief Description

This module gives a basic introduction to the use of computers and is intended for students with little if any previous computing experience. It is available only to students registered for the MSc/Diploma course. Students who complete the module successfully will be familiar with the basic topics in computing enabling them to understand the more advanced material covered in the follow-up modules.

Practical sessions introduce students to the facilities available at Aberystwyth They provide participants with supervised sessions during which they can carry out a series of assignments associated with the theoretical material.

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures: 42
Number of seminars/tutorials: 16
Number of practicals: 15 x 3 hours, 7 x 2 hours
Coordinator: Dr. Edel Sherratt
Other staff involved: Not yet known
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Incompatibilities: This module is not available to undergraduate students
Assessment: Assessed coursework 50%
Written exam 50%
Timing: This module is offered in September only

Aims

This module provides an introduction to computer science by covering a wide variety of topics fundamental to concepts covered in the later modules. Concentrating on software development, the module introduces the idea of problem solving and algorithm design. The programming language Ada is used to implement these designs.

It is not assumed that participants on this module have any prior knowledge in computing. This is an intensive module designed to cover a wide range of material in a short amount of time. In addition to the lectures, a substantial amount of time is spent in tutorials and supervised practicals.

Objectives

On successful completion of the module, students should:

be familiar with a broad range of introductory topics including computer systems appreciation, mathematics for computing, document preparation and professional issues;
understand the most basic concepts of software development;
be familiar with the range of computer equipment available at Aberystwyth, its availability and capability.

Syllabus

Introductory lectures and Pre-view: management issues and professional conduct - 4 Lectures: Introduction to the department and the course. What is computing all about: growing role of computing, software, the need for software engineering, professionalism. Software engineering: requirements, design, implementation, testing, maintenance, quality, need for documentation.
Computer system appreciation - 3 Lectures: Introduces the student to basic computer organisation. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between hardware, architecture and software. These presentations are illustrated by reference to the computer systems at Aberystwyth.
Departmental computing facilities - 3 Lectures: This acquaints the student with the computing facilities run by the department. The work is primarily concerned with high performance workstations. The topics covered will include file preparation and manipulation followed by the use of our Ada language system. Use of the electronic mail system will also be covered. The material will be supported by timetabled practical work with assistance from demonstrators.
Introduction to software development - 22 Lectures: This introduces the idea of problem solving and algorithm design together with subsequent implementation using Ada. The following topics are covered (Number of lectures in brackets): Software crisis, abstraction, algorithms and programs. (1) The design of algorithms and introduction to Ada. (2) The representation of algorithms. (2) Programming constructs, expressions, simple types. (3) Testing - techniques and aids for error detection. (2) Information hiding - introduction to procedures. (4) Abstraction support using packages. (5)
Mathematics for computing - 5 Lectures: This covers various mathematical topics which are important in computing. The following topics are covered (Number of lectures in brackets): Propositional calculus. (1) Boolean algebra and its applications to switching theory. (1) The algebra of sets. (1) Numbers and number systems. (1) Rates of growth of functions. (1)
Introduction to telematics: - 3 Lectures: Telematic applications - mailers, teleworking, the internet.
Document preparation - 2 Lectures: This introduces students to the document preparation facilities provided by the main College Computing service. It also introduces Windows which is frequently encountered on small business computers.

Booklist

It is considered essential to purchase the following

: Shelley and Hunt. Computer Studies - A First Course. Pitman, 1985.
: J.E.Cooling, N.Cooling, and J.Cooling. Introduction to Ada. Chapman and Hall, 1993.

Notes: Students need only obtain either Barnes or Cooling, Cooling and Cooling. The latter is better suited for those who have no programing experience.

Students are likely to need ready access to the following

: D. Gilly. Unix in a Nutshel. O'Reilly and Associates, 1992.
: T. Andreasson and J. Skansolm. Getting Started with UNIX and X. Addison Wesley, 1992.

Version 1.5

Syllabus

Nigel Hardy Departmental Advisor

nwh@aber.ac.uk

Dept of Computer Science, UW Aberystwyth (disclaimer)