Level
1 units
Mathematics
for computing [2910102]
Number systems; sets and subsets; set algebra; symbolic logic
and logic gates; sequences; summations; elementary counting
principles; probability; relations and functions; matrix algebra;
systems of linear equations; introduction to the theory of graphs
and digraphs.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper.
Introduction
to Java and object-oriented programming [2910109]
Basic Types and Expressions; Assignment Statements; Loops and
Conditionals (Simple and Nested); Handling Simple I/O; Objects
and Classes; Methods with and without parameters; Inheritance;
Constructor Methods (and the use of 'new'); Method Overloading;
Method Overriding; Arrays and simple sorting; Basic File Handling;
Try and Catch (Simple Exception Handling); Implementing Simple
Graphical User Interfaces; Incorporating Applets in a Web page;
Simple built-in Dynamic Structures - Vectors; Types vs. Classes;
Scope of Variables; Code Layout and Documentation.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Introduction
to computing and the internet [2910110]
Basic computing and communication skills. Fundamentals of computing
- hardware, software, architecture, operating systems. Data
storage, representation and transmission. Fundamentals of networking
and the Internet/WWW: technology, protocols, standards and applications.
Professional, legal and social issues relating to the Internet
and WWW.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Creative
computing 1 [2910112]
The Bauhaus; History of mathematics and computing in
creativity;
Multimedia; Point, Line, Plane; Trigonometry 1; Animation 1;
Bits
and Pixels; Motion 2; Perspective, Projections and Affine
Transformations; Open GL; Genetic programming; Simulation;
Filters and Special Effects.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Level
2 units
Database systems
[2910209]
Introduction to Database Systems (motivation for database systems,
storage systems, architecture, facilities, applications). Database
modelling (basic concepts, E-R modelling, Schema deviation).
The relational model and algebra, SQL (definitions, manipulations,
access centre, embedding). Physical design (estimation of workload
and access time, logical I/Os, distribution). Modern database
systems (extended relational, object-oriented). Advanced database
systems (active, deductive, parallel, distributed, federated).
DB functionality and services (files, structures and access
methods, transactions and concurrency control, reliability,
query processing).
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Programming:
advanced topics and techniques [2910212]
Topics in the Logic, Functional and Object-oriented Programming
Paradigms. Design of algorithms and data structures using Abstract
Data Types within these paradigms.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Software engineering,
algorithm design and analysis [2910226]
This course unit provides an introduction to software engineering,
algorithm design and analysis. The main topics include: Software
design in UML: use cases, class modelling, objects and links,
aggregations and dependencies, activity diagrams, state-charts;
Principles of good software design, software development lifecycle,
the role of design and modelling in software development;
Software verification and validation; Project management and
planning; Case studies and software horror stories. Abstract
data
types, design patterns, algorithmic issues, complexity theory,
the
application and implementation of common data structures in
Java.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Creative
computing 2 [tbc]
This course aims to build on the skills and competences
developed in Creative computing 1 and Java programming units.
It will provide students with detailed knowledge of how to create
multimedia software applications using advanced new media application
development and programming. A further aim is to equip students
with a detailed understanding of the major issues regarding
the deployment of new media applications in artistic, commercial,
educational and cultural contexts.
Assessment: One three-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Level
3 half units
Artificial
intelligence [2910310]
Knowledge representation, propositional and predicate calculus;
problem solving: state-space search; breadth-first and depth-first
search; planning; non-monotonic reasoning; natural language;
expert systems; philosophy of AI; Prolog. Additional software
requirements: Prolog is needed. Can be SWI-prolog from http://swi.psy.uva.nl.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Neural networks
[2910311]
The artificial neuron; network architecture; perceptrons. Single
layer networks; supervised training in batch and individual
mode. Multilayer feedforward networks; backpropogation; momentum.
Counterpropogation networks; unsupervised training; initialisation
of weights. Statistical methods; Boltzmann training. Feedback
networks; Hopfields nets; energy; training. Applications. Additional
software requirements: recommended that some neural nets software
is obtained (eg MATLAB).
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Software engineering
management [2910314]
This half unit aims to develop understanding and skills in identifying
the factors influencing software engineering costs and in applying
analysis techniques to software engineering decisions. It includes
the following topics. Product and process attributes, metrics
and measurements. Estimation methods; effort estimation, schedule
estimation, effort/staffing/schedule tradeoffs, maintenance
effort estimation. Cost models (Putnam, Jensen, COCOMO). Nonparametric
methods of estimation. Software sizing, project risk engineering.
Software process modelling, process maturity framework. systems
safety. Software quality issues.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Human computer
interaction [2910315]
This half unit introduces the interdisciplinary area of Human
Computer Interaction (HCI). It covers the underlying principles
of psychology, computer science and ergonomics that influence
theory and practice of HCI design and usage. It includes the
following topics: models of human information processing, organizational
structures and sociotechnic approaches to information system
design; design principles for dialogue management, issues of
systems useability; hypertext, natural language processing,
virtual reality and multi media applications.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Mathematical
techniques of operational research [2910316]
Modelling with linear programming; geometrical solution to problems
with two decision variables; the simplex method including the
problems with mixed constraints. Duality. Theory of zero sum,
two person matrix games. Introduction to network algorithms
including minimum connector problem; shortest and longest path
algorithms in acyclic graphs and critical path analysis.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper.
Accounting
information systems [2910317]
This half unit describes the accounting process and the nature
of Accounting Information Systems (AIS). It addresses the following
subject areas: the measurement of business reality; the role
of AIS in planning and control; product costing, project costing
and performance measurement. It covers computer support for
all of these areas and also provides an overall conceptional
framework for AIS.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Information
systems management [2910318]
An introduction to the various facets of Information System
Management to help students understand the importance of non-technical
issues. The importance of close integration between business
and IS planning will be stressed. The following topics are included:
information security and safety critical systems; data protection
legislation; Computer Misuse Act and other relevant legislation.
Ethical and professional issues. Strategic planning of IS; evaluation
of IS investments.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Decision support
and executive information systems [2910319]
This half unit aims to study the nature of business decision
making in the context of the support that can now be provided
by information technology. The following topics are included:
the nature of decision making, the use of information by the
executive decision maker, the concept of decision support, models
of Decision Support Systems; review of classes of software:
text-orientated (WP, Outlining, Hypertext etc.), data-orientated
(spreadsheets, data managers, financial management, quantitative
analysis), graphics-orientated (desk-top publishing, business
graphics, presentation managers), other products (eg. Expert
System Shells, Executive Information Systems (EIS), etc.); study
of one product and/or case study from each of the above classes;
aims and purposes of EIS, design framework and methodology,
case studies of actual systems.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Electronic
commerce [2910323]
This course is designed to familiarise students with current
and emerging electronic commerce, technologies using the internet.
Subject areas will include ‘Internet Technology for Business
Advantage’, ‘Web-based Tools for Electronic Commerce’, ‘Electronic
Payment Systems’, ‘Strategies for Marketing’, ‘Sales and Promotion’,
‘Internet Security’, ‘International, Legal, Ethical and Tax
Issues’.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Data compression
[2910325]
Minimum redundancy coding; data compression and information
theory; adaptive Huffman coding; arithmetic coding; statistical
modelling; dictionary-based compression; sliding window compression;
LZ278 compression; speech compression; graphics compression;
fractual image compression.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Computer security
[2910326]
Passwords; access controls; symmetric and asymmetric encryption;
confidentiality; authentication; integrity; nonrepudiation;
availability; hash functions. Security for electronic mail,
IP, Web, databases, distributed systems. Standards.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Advanced
creative computing 1 [2910342]
Sound synthesis and manipulation; computer systems
and models
in music; multimedia and music information retrieval; computer
music creativity (machine-led, human-led and machine/human
interaction).
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Advanced
creative computing 2 [2910343]
Discretisation and painting style; aesthetic principles
in computing;
motion understanding in perception; motion rendering (e.g. in
animation), sculpting and 3D layouts; visual, modelling, animation
and interaction aspects of game design and implementation.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and coursework.
Project
Project
[2910320]
Each student registered on or after 1September 2003 is required
to undertake an individual project. Project work can be expected
to take up at least 300 hours of a student’s time. Additional
software requirements: Internet access is required to widen
the scope of information sources. This will also aid in obtaining
some free- and share-ware.
Assessment: One 2¼-hour
unseen written paper and a report.
