Comp3303

Module Outline: COMP3303 Elements of Computer Science 2016-17

Contents PageThings you need to know at the beginning 1Assessment Items 3Assessment grading matrix 5If you have problems with assessments 6Module Content 7

Things you need to know at the beginningOccurrence A Thursday 09:15 – 12:15 Room: CH1001

Teaching team Dr. Colin Price, c.price@worc.ac.uk, Room CHLG020, Phone 542024

MA in Natural Sciences (Cambridge), PhD Electronic Engineering (University of Leuven – Belgium), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, National Teaching Fellow. Over 60 research publications.

How this module fits into your course

This module builds on your experiences on the course so far. It revisits and develops some themes: you will be introduced to structured programming, investigate the Arduino microcontroller with a range of sensors, you will learn Pentium Assembler and program robots using a multitasking real time operating system.

How this module engages with the external environment

No trips or visits are planned for this module; engagement will be through a working with real differential-drive robots.

How this module will enhance your employability

This module will enable you to develop and enhance the following and evidence them on your CV: Application of relevant knowledge. This module will provide a grounding into various

elements of Computer Science useful to our future graduates. Critical Analysis. Students will develop skills of logical thinking and abstract thinking and will

have an opportunity to develop their mathematical skills. Numeracy. There is a clear mathematical component to this module which will develop

students’ “numeracy” skills Research and Problem Solving. Through learning how to craft structured computer programs,

students will enhance their problem-solving skills.

What you need to know before you start this module

Learning will be centred around set tasks where students carry out a number of activities, following input from the Tutor. Tasks will involve the use of simulation and professional software. Tutor input will consist of working together with the class to explore concepts; there will be no powerpoint presentations, but notes made during the sessions and voice recordings of the sessions will be placed on the module web pages.

Feedback from the previous year shows that students enjoyed the topics presented, the quality of teaching and the use of the viva voce as a method of assessment. Students noted that this module challenged them to develop their thinking and was relevant to the course as a whole.

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Higher education requires a lot of reading; this means you need to get used to using the library resources (available from the Library website and add the link (www.worc.ac.uk/library) and in particular the Talis Aspire Resource List (https://worc.rl.talis.com/index.html) which is a list of all the things you need to read for each module.

If you have further questions please contact Stephanie Allen the Academic Liaison Librarian for the Business School s.allen@worc.ac.uk or go to Business LibGuide www.worc.ac.uk/library/business or ComputingLibGuide www.worc.ac.uk/library/computing

Your responsibility

You must do all the required reading – or you will struggle with the classes and ultimately the assessments.

You must attend all sessions and undertake any and all of the required pre-reading, since failure to do so will affect your performance. If you cannot attend for any reason you must notify the module leader as soon as possible.

It is your responsibility to actively engage positively with sessions for example contributing to group discussions, asking questions and taking responsibility for your learning. This way you’ll get the most out of the lessons.

If there is anything which is unclear or you do not understand you must ask a member of the module team.

What help is there if you have a disability or a particular learning need?

The University of Worcester is committed to ensuring diversity and equality within its teaching practice. If you have a registered disability or particular learning need and you wish this to be taken into account please speak to your Personal Academic Tutor or let the module leader know. You will find additional useful information on the Disability and Dyslexia webpages at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/student-services/disability-and-dyslexia.htmhttp://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/StudentFeedbackCharter.pdf

Assessment(s) The assessment for this module is based a single assignment, a viva voce where you will have a 1-2-1 conversation with the module tutor who will ask you questions based on a portfolio of work which you will build up during the module sessions. During the viva you will be asked four questions on your individual portfolio, there will be one question for each learning outcome, therefore it is essential that you include material which refers to each learning outcome.

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Assignment 1 – Viva voce examinationWord Limit or equivalent (e.g. time) You may achieve the maximum grade for a portfolio of 3000 words,

however there is no word limit.Weighting 100%Learning Outcomes Assessed 1. Assess critically the use of Boolean algebra in constructing digital

electronic circuits.2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of CPU architecture, including

the fetch-execute cycle and associated assembler code.3. Reflect critically on the nature of abstraction, as applied to algorithms

leading to the development of structured code.4. Critically analyse the development of computer programs in one or

more languages.Submission date w/c 15 May 2017 Individual times will be arranged.Feedback date During the vivaModule Leader Colin PriceVerified by Pete Moody

If anything about this assignment is not clear to you, please contact the module leader.

You are expected to plan your time and work to manage your overall assessment workload.

What you need to do

During the module sessions, you will assemble a portfolio of work to address all four learning outcomes. The learning outcome(s) addressed during each session will be identified on the session worksheet. You must also include “original material” not seen in the sessions but informed by your own independent; guidance will be provided on the appropriate session worksheets.

Your portfolio will be assessed by a one-to-one viva voce with the module tutor. This is a conversation between you and the tutor, where the tutor will ask you questions about your work as presented in your portfolio. There will be one question for each of the learning outcomes listed above, though the module tutor may decide to ask additional questions. There will also be questions on your “original material”.

The viva will last about 30 minutes and will take place in City Campus during the week commencing 15th May 2017. The exact timing of your viva will be agreed between you and your tutor well in advance. A voice recording of the viva will be made, to allow moderation of marking on this module, and this recording will also be made available to the external examiners. You will also receive a copy of this recording as feedback via SOLE.

To prepare for your viva you will need to submit your portfolio to your module tutor during the session on Thursday 4th May 2017. Your tutor will read this portfolio and create four questions based on your individual work for your viva. It is essential therefore that you complete and submit your portfolio on time.

You will be allowed to bring a copy of your portfolio to the viva and you may add additional notes to this copy.

How you should present

You are free to assemble your portfolio as you choose to. However you must indicate which parts you are claiming for each Learning Outcome. An effective way to assemble your portfolio is to use

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your work the Learning Outcomes as section headers.

How we’ll give you guidance

To prepare you for the viva you will be given a mock viva at about half way through the module. This will be a short 10-minute viva and will be conducted in class. You will also be able to look at portfolios from previous students during the initial module session(s).

How and when to hand the assessment in

Following the viva you will be issued with a page confirming that you have attended. You must immediately scan this and submit this electronically to SOLE. The latest time to do this is Monday 22nd May by 15:00. If you do not then SOLE will assign a “non-submission”.

How the assessment will be marked

Specific criteria is in the Grading Matrix for this assignment, which can be found on page 5.

How you will get feedback

Feedback will be provided to you during the viva and will be part of the voice recording. This will be uploaded to you through SOLE following the completion of all vivas.

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Grading Matrix Student Number: Academic Year and Semester: 2016-17 S2 Module Code:

COMP3303Assignment 1 Occurrence: A

Learning Outcomes:1. Assess critically the use of Boolean algebra in constructing digital electronic circuits.2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of CPU architecture, including the fetch-execute cycle and associated assembler code.3. Reflect critically on the nature of abstraction, as applied to algorithms leading to the development of structured code.4. Critically analyse the development of computer programs in one or more languages.

Module Title:Elements of Computer Science

Assignment Weighting:100%

Assignment Description:Viva voce exam

Assessment CriteriaGRADE CriteriaA 1. You demonstrate a high level of critical thinking evidenced by your answers to all four questions.

2. You have shown a high degree of originality in your work, e.g., through discussing results of material not seen in the sessions or discussing material from journal articles.

B 1. You demonstrate a high level of critical thinking evidenced by your answers to three questions; your answer to one question may be weaker.

2. You have shown originality in your work, e.g., through discussing results of material not seen in the sessions or discussing material from journal articles.

C 1. You demonstrate an acceptable level of critical thinking evidenced by your answers to two questions; your answers to two questions may be weaker.

2. You have shown originality in your work, though this may not be evident for each question, e.g., through discussing results of material not seen in the sessions or discussing material from journal articles.

D 1. You have attempted to show critical thinking evidenced by your answers to at least two questions, though your answers may not be thoroughly explained.

2. You have attempted to show originality at some places during the discussion.

Fail (E-G)

1. There is little or no evidence of critical thinking about the material. You may not have included enough material or you may not have taken time to understand what you have presented.

2. There is little or no attempt to include original material, or you have not been able to discuss this to an acceptable level.

Assignment Grade: Marker: Colin Price Moderator: Pete Moody

RESULTS ARE PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGREED BY THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS

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If you have problems submitting work or submitting work on time:

Firstly, contact someone, your Module Leader or personal Academic Tutor.I t is essential that you submit your work, in order to be able to pass the module . Work which is submitted late will be subject to grade penalties as below.

Students who submit course work late but within 5 days of the due date will have work marked, but the grade will be capped at the minimum pass grade unless an application for mitigating circumstances is accepted.

Students who submit work later than 5 days but within 14 days of the due date will not have work marked unless they have submitted a valid claim of mitigating circumstances.

For full details of submission regulations see Undergraduate Regulatory Framework at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/UndergraduateRegulatoryFramework2007entry.pdf

If you are ill or have personal problems

The University has a system for applying for mitigating circumstances where things happen, beyond your control, which affect your assessments. Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to your Module Leader, your Personal Academic Tutor or a Programme Advisor.Full details of Procedures for Dealing with Exceptional Mitigating Circumstances are available at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/679.htm

If you engage in academic misconduct (cheating)

Do not use material from sources without acknowledging them using a recognised referencing system. Do not copy another student’s work. If you do you will be referred to the School’s Academic Integrity Tutor and may face further penalties. Details in your Course Handbook accessible via SOLE and at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Proceduresforinvestigationofallegedcheating.pdf

If you don’t pass at the first attempt

DON’T PANIC. In the event you are required to take reassessment you will receive formal notification of this via a letter from Registry Services posted on the SOLE page after the meeting of the Board of Examiners. The letter will normally include a copy of the reassessment task(s). Deadlines for re-assessment can be found in the University Calendar at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/655.htm

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Indicative Module ContentW/C date

Teaching week

Pre-class reading.

Topic Assessment Link

30 Jan 13 None Structured Programming 1 ILO 3,46 Feb 14 See webpages Structured Programming 2 ILO 3,413 Feb 15 See webpages Introduction to the Arduino ILO 2,420 Feb 16 See webpages Experimental Sensors ILO 2,427 Feb 17 See webpages Investigation of Sophisticated Sensors ILO 2,46 Mar 18 See webpages Fetch-Execute Cycle Simulation ILO 213 Mar 19 See webpages Assembler Programming Mock vivas in class. ILO 2,420 Mar 20 See webpages Boolean Algebra 1 ILO 127 Mar 21 See webpages Boolean Algebra 2 ILO 13 Apr 22 See webpages Differential-Drive Robot Architectures ILO 3,410 Apr Easter Vacation17 Apr Easter Vacation24 Apr 23 See webpages Robot Real-Time Operating Systems 1 ILO 3,41 May 24 None Robot Real-Time Operating Systems 2 ILO 3,48 May Assessment Week15 May Assessment Week

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