Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

Computer Science Modules For Life Sciences

Introduction

Outlined in this brochure are the Level 2 modules in Computer Science intended for students studying in the Life Sciences.

These modules are:

• CS20010 "Basic Computer Equipment"
• CS20210 "Computer Programming for Life Sciences"
• CS20510 "Computing for Life Sciences"

CS20210 will typically be taken by students in their third year.

CS20010 is not available to those students with significant previous experience of computing. It is designed for beginners. CS20510 expects previous experience which might have been obtained in CS20010 or through other formal or informal means.

The modules make use of the College's IBM PC clones. As appropriate, these are used as workstations running applications packages, or as terminals to mainframes.

General Advice to Students

The practical work is very important; one cannot become proficient at using computers without practice. 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.

It is expected that students will spend some of their own time, over and above that spent in the practical sessions, working on the assignments associated with these modules. The extent of this varies between the modules.

Most practical assignments will have more than one component. Often these are, to some extent, independent. You should beware of concentrating on one component to the exclusion of others since marks will be available for each component and a good overall mark cannot be achieved on the basis of only one.

The following recommendations should be carefully noted.

• Spread the work load for practical assignments evenly throughout the time allotted. Leaving work to accumulate near a deadline usually means that there are insufficient computing resources available to complete the work on time.
• Come to the computer prepared with detailed plans of action.
• Use the published lists of available terminal rooms and the times at which they are available to plan your work schedule carefully.

Although zeal in one's studies is generally accounted a very good thing, there are dangers. Some students can 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 amount of your time doing it. If you can complete the practical assignments well within the set time, spend the rest of the time working on your other subjects.

Additional Information

All students following modules in the Department should receive a copy of a departmental "Student Handbook". This should be read carefully and acted on.

Version 1.2

John Hunt Departmental Advisor