The Level 1 modules in Computer Science intended for students wishing to proceed to single or joint honours degrees in Computer Science or Software Engineering, or to a degree in Information Science are described below. Service modules in Computing, i.e. modules intended for students taking honours in other subjects, are described elsewhere.
The following Level 1 modules are available to honours students:
All students wishing to proceed to a single or joint honours degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering must take the Computer Science modules, CS11010, CS11110, CS12010 and CS12110, in their first year. All students who have no previous experience in computing must also take the introductory module, CS10010. Unless students are taking the Mathematics courses MA10110 and MA10210, they must also take one of the Mathematical Techniques courses, MA12010 or MA12510 depending on A level experience, together with the Logic and Machines course MA13310. They may, if they wish, take the Computer Hardware modules, CS15010 and CS15110, provided that the required prerequisites are met.
Note that CS15010 must be be taken by all single and joint honours Computer Science students and by all engineering degree students at some stage in their degree.
Students admitted to study for a degree in Information Science must take CS11010, CS11110, CS12010 and CS12110. Students should consult the departmental advisors for full details.
Students who wish to study some Level 1 Computing and who do not fall into one of the above categories are usually advised to take one or more of the service courses. These courses do not lead to modules in Part 2 Computer Science. Any such students who wish to take the Computer Science honours modules should consult the department at registration.
Students on each of the modules described in this booklet are assessed during the semester in which the module is given. The grades achieved are published. In order to proceed to CS11110 and CS12110, students must have followed CS11010 and CS12010.
Details of the basis of the assessment are given under the individual course descriptions.
Students are required to attend lectures; much of the material taught is not readily available in text books. They are also required to attend tutorials, timetabled practical sessions and other classes as may be arranged in connection with individual courses (see the individual course descriptions). Tutorials and practical sessions will be arranged at the start of the course, each in such a way as to take into account students' other academic commitments. Students who are unhappy with the groups to which they are assigned should see Mr. Graham Parker.
Illness or family bereavement are acceptable reasons for failure to attend lectures, tutorials or practical classes, but the department should be informed as soon as possible. Every effort should be made to inform the department in advance if you are unable to attend for whatever reason. A medical note is required if absence through illness lasts for more than one week; it should be submitted to the Student Health Centre but it is helpful if you can also inform the Departmental Office.
Disciplinary action may be taken against students who are persistently absent from lectures, tutorials, practical classes or examples classes, without good reason or who fail to submit course work punctually.
The Tutorials of CS11010 and CS11110 are used to provide small group teaching (usually in groups of ten to twelve) to reinforce the material covered in lectures and to handle individual problems, including difficulties with assignments. In both CS12010 and CS12110, there is a two hour supervised practical session per week; the purpose of this is to introduce students to the equipment and the computing environment and to assist with any problems that may arise. Throughout the course, worksheets intended for the practicals will be set at a rate of about one a week; students are expected to prepare for these in advance of the timetabled periods.
An advisory service is available both in the Sunlounge(C56) and the Solarium (B24) of the Llandinam building each day during term time. This is intended to provide emergency help with small difficulties; more substantial problems should be taken to the practical sessions.
The assessment methods for all modules are described under the detailed module descriptions in this brochure. In order to enter the second year of any course involving Computer Science at honours level, students must satisfy the College regulations for the completion of Part 1 (see the College handbook) and achieve at least 40% in both CS11110 and CS12110.
For students wishing to proceed to the second year of the BEng/MEng, the requirement is higher (see the departmental document on this).
Subject to the general regulations of the University, students who fail to meet the required standard in any of their modules may be eligible to resit that assessment in September or in the following year. Students who fail the Software Laboratory modules, CS12010 or CS12110 and are allowed a resit will be required to submit a resit project; the cost of returning to College in order to carry out the resit project is the student's responsibility.
The practical work is very important; one cannot pursue computing without becoming proficient at computer programming. What is more, it is time consuming and cannot be done in a hurry, so it is most important for you to keep abreast of practical assignments as they are set.
The following recommendations should be carefully noted:
One final piece of advice.
Although zeal in one's studies is generally accounted a very good thing, there are dangers. It is very easy for some people to become `hooked' on computing, to the detriment of their studies in other subjects. If you find that you have a talent for computing and that you enjoy it, beware of spending a disproportionate part of your time doing it. We look forward to welcoming you into Part 2; but this can only happen if you pass Part 1 in your other courses as well. If you find that you can complete the programming assignments well within the set time, spend the rest of the time working on your other courses.