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Welcome to Aberdeen

Welcome to Level 1 Computing Science

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Where is Computing Science?

• www.csd.abdn.ac.uk• www.csd.abdn.ac.uk/teaching/levelone/• www.csd.abdn.ac.uk/teaching/levelone/CS1

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Meston Building

CSD: 2nd Floor

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People

• Level 1 Coordinators:• Tim Norman, Roly Lishman, Kathleen Christie,

Frank Guerin• Advisers:

• See your Adviser to register for or change courses!

• You:• www.abdn.ac.uk/studentportal/• Need to elect 2 class reps!• Two staff/student meetings per year (in week 5)• We need YOUR feedback!

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Attendance

• Good attendance => Good exam results• For example, CS2006 (Databases):

• 2001/02: 50% attendance, 50% pass rate• 2002/03: 75% attendance, 80% pass rate• 2003/04: 60% attendance, 60% pass rate

• Have to sign-in for practicals• Registry still send C5, C6 “warning” letters

etc…• See on-line CSD Handbook for rules…

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Assessment & Progression

• Examination & Continuous Assessment• Feedback from CAs should help you

measure how well you’re doing…• Typically: exam 50% + continuous 50%• Passes in CS1014 and CS1512 are

required for entry to Level 2 Computing• Resits – August (best to avoid!)

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Absences & Medical Notes

• Please notify Course Organiser if you miss a deadline due to illness (before deadline)

• Only Level Coordinators (for HoD) can grant “extensions” to deadlines

• But illness can be taken into account…• You must supply written evidence of illness

(GP’s note) if absent for more than 7 days• Hand in doctor’s note to Meston Reception

or Student Reception (main uni office)

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Mentoring

• The University is concerned about drop-outs and poor attendance, esp in Level 1, so now:

• Mentoring Scheme:• Groups of about 10 Level 1 CS students• Two Level 3 student mentors (CS3021)• One PhD/Postdoc supervisor• Friendly faces, similar experiences…• Advice/discussion on issues/problems…

• Compulsory for all Level 1 CS students• Very successful/popular last year – try it and

see!

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Plagiarism

• Very serious issue! • In simple English: cheating, copying, etc.• With computers, plagiarism is easy!• With the Internet, plagiarism is increasing!• Staff obliged to report suspected plagiarism• Penalties:

• Zero for assignment … zero for course!!

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Plagiarism – How to Avoid

• Read assignment instructions carefully• Usually, this means do the work on your own• Note: it is OK to discuss assignments in general

terms with your colleagues…• Read the Level 1 Handbook!

• Leave plenty of time for assignments• Most copying happens the night before the deadline

• Occasional missed assignments won’t hurt• Consider risk v’s reward!

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Information & Contacts

• Bookmark the Level 1 Home Page:• http://www.csd.abdn.ac.uk/teaching/levelone/

• E-mail - check regularly for announcements• CSD: Plasma screen & Level 1 notice board• Regulations Booklet & Online Level 1 Handbook• Talk to us!

• Course Tutors, Demonstrators & Lecturers• Head of Teaching (Judith Masthoff, by appointment)