Aims and Relevance of CIS091-1 Fundamentals of Computer Science Studies
This unit has two elements, the first is aimed at your professional
development and the second introduces you to the practices of the
computer science industries and related emerging technologies.
Firstly, this unit will equip you with the skills needed to cope with the
demands of your course (which are also important to employers) and
to help you to become more ‘self-aware’ learners. It will also teach
you to develop an awareness of the expectations and professional
requirements of your chosen industry within Computer Science.
The second element of the unit will lead you to develop your
fundamental skills of computer science, and the ability to use them in
practise. Furthermore, by exposing students to state-of-the-art
applicable emerging technologies, this section will equip every
student with a solid and forward vision of Computer Science.
Learning outcomes of CIS091-1 Fundamentals of Computer Science Studies
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding
- Describe and identify the core concepts of computer science in a range of contexts applicable to the course of study
Demonstrate the following skills and abilities
- Apply the practical and professional skills needed to cope with the demands of your course (which are also important to employers) and demonstrate an ability to reflect on your development
Approach to learning
This unit will be delivered using formal lectures, lab-based practical exercises, and tutorial sessions to help students to understand the fundamentals of computer studies and develop their problem-solving and professional skills. The following specific elements are included:
- Lectures introduce the practices of the computer science industries in relation to business environments and their operations, and the professional processes of computing technologies
- Lab-based practical sessions and tutorials provide students with opportunities of consolidating the concepts and techniques introduced in the lectures with the aim of applying them to develop solutions to problems based on real-world scenarios.
- Guided and self-directed review of published literature, e.g. books, research papers, web- based resources including tutorials on the tools and techniques, and products used for computer science applications. The use of electronic and paper based resources is expected and encouraged.
Assessment 1
You will submit an individual written report of 1000 words relating to computing concepts such as artificial intelligence, operating systems and computer law.
Assessment 2
You will prepare a 10 minute video log (vlog) or podcast on a topic relating to the fundamental concepts of computing.
Threshold expectations
In order to pass Assessment 1 you will need to:
• Identify at least three relevant sources of information for your report.
• Use these sources to present a coherent summary of the topic.
• Express, through awritten argument, a justification of your position on a particular topic.
In order to pass Assessment 2 you will need to:
- Exhibit appropriate knowledge about computer hardware, operating systems or an emerging technology within Computer Science.
- Explain different approaches, frameworks and architectures in computer science.
- Explain the processes of design and analysis of computing systems logically.