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Module COMPUTER SCIENCE 1 CERT

Module code: CS001
Credits: 5
Semester: 1
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
International: No
Overview Overview
 

Module Objective: To introduce students to the study of Computer Science.

Module Content:
CS001 covers two topics to give a flavour of the breadth of computer science: computer programming and operating systems. The first part introduces the basic components of a high-level imperative programming language (variable assignment, types, sequential composition, branching, loops, input, and output) to allow students to understand, modify, and experiment with pre-written example small programs. Algorithm development and coding will involve understanding the problem, stepwise refinement, modular programming, code reuse, developing tests, and debugging. Students will write a program that reuses a predefined module for a high-level data structure such as a set, dictionary, list, or tree. The fundamental limits of computer programming will be explained.
The second part provides foundation material and practical experience in the area of operating systems. It begins with the motivations for an operating system, including background explanations of the von Neumann architecture, and which computer hardware does and does not need an operating system to function. The basic services provided by a modern monolithic kernel will be explained briefly. The higher-level concepts that complete a modern operating system will be introduced such a command line shell, graphical shell, system utilities, user-level applications, and virtualisation (processors, disks, and memory). The textbook material will be reinforced by explaining the relevance of topical news items related to operating systems in the popular media and installing multiple operating systems on the same computer to run either independently or concurrently.

Open Learning Outcomes
 
Open Teaching & Learning methods
 
Open Assessment
 
Open Autumn Supplementals/Resits
 
Open Timetable
 
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