Course Catalogue

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The aim of the CS1F course is to give students an understanding of human-computer interaction (styles of interaction, requirements for an interactive system in relation to the nature of the tasks being supported, issues in the design of interactive systems, critical assessment of designs); the ways in which databases contribute to the management of large amounts of data, the professional and ethical issues raised by the existence of databases and networks.

Lectures taught at 2 per week, and one-hour weekly laboratory session.

A Grade B or above in Higher Mathematics, or a Grade C in Higher Mathematics AND a Grade B or above in Higher Computing/Information Systems, or a suitable equivalent.

None

On Normal route: CS1P & CS1S

On Alternate route: it is expected that students are following the second year curriculum

On Faster route: it is expected that students are following the second year curriculum, plus CS1S

(In general, students must complete CS1F and CS1S before the end of second year).

Examination 80%, Coursework 20%.

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

The aim of the CS1F course is to give students an understanding of:

■ Human-computer interaction: styles of interaction, requirements for an interactive system in relation to the nature of the tasks being supported, issues in the design of interactive systems, critical assessment of designs;

■ The ways in which databases contribute to the management of large amounts of data;

■ The professional and ethical issues raised by the existence of databases and networks;

■ Mathematics to support the previous items and to provide a foundation for level 2.

On completion of the CS1F course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain how applications are built using programs clustered around databases and other large collections of data;

2. Diagram the architecture of a database management system (DBMS) in general terms; the processes it has to perform and the operational tasks;

3. Given an outline design; carry out all the operational tasks of setting up and using a relational database using a typical DBMS product and a standard SQL;

4.   Identify the main forms of human computer interaction and appreciate the issues involved in delivering successful interaction via these forms;

5. Critically assess usability of interactive systems using informal means; and know when to perform such assessments and how to use the outcomes;

6. Demonstrate and understanding of the nature of human computer activities as tasks; and be able to analyse their structure; assess the conditions under which they are performed; and use such task analysis in the software engineering process;

7. Discuss the legal and ethical obligations of computing professionals.