Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Term Assessment 10 worksheets or online quizzes (to be signed of in practicals). | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Exam Period Assessment Written exam | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resit Assessment 2000 Words Essay | 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 and discuss properties of the different formats.
Manipulate logical expressions, write truth tables, discriminate between valid and invalid reasoning.
Perform matrix operations using 2 dimensional arrays.
Analyse simple algorithms and sorts and compare their efficiency.
Implement simple searches and sorts and compare their efficiency.
Be able to implement simple recursive algorithms.
Describe an important algorithm that has significant real-world impact.
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 Boolean logic, matrix operations, analysis of algorithms, searching and sorting, and 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); Boolean logic)
3. Matrices and arrays (2D arrays; matrix addition and multiplication)
4. Analysing algorithm complexity (asymptotic notation; worst, best, and average case)
5. Searching in a sorted array (linear, binary)
6. Sorting
7. Recursion (binary search, sorting)
8. Highlights of computer science (e.g., data compression, Page rank)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Different binary representations of numbers. |
| Communication | |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Weekly assessment guides in improvement of own learning and performance. |
| Information Technology | Inherent to the subject matter. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | By means of algorithm design and analysis; also using logic; making use of appropriate representations for data (using numbers as simple example). |
| Research skills | Pointer to literature as part of the reading list; assessed only in the supplementary assessment. |
| Subject Specific Skills | As laid out in the learning outcomes. |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4