Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module COMP2161: COMPUTER SYSTEMS II

Department: Computer Science

COMP2161: COMPUTER SYSTEMS II

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 2 20 Available in 2006/2007 None. Durham

Pre-requisites

  • Computer Systems (COMP1071) AND EITHER Programming and Data Structures (COMP1082) OR Introduction to Programming (COMP1011).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • To extend students understanding of the principles and major influences of the overall functions and performance of large scale computer systems.

Content

  • Distributed systems.
  • Real-time systems.
  • Advanced databases.
  • Software and system architectures.
  • Networks.
  • Concurrency.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • To obtain an intuitive understanding of the programming principles and applications used to solve typical computing problems such as concurrency and real time application.
  • To gain a detailed understanding of the difficulties encountered with setting up, and technologies used to support large computer networks.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lecturing demonstrates what is required to be learned and the application of the theory to practical examples.
  • Problem classes through practicals provide assessment (both formative and summative) to guide students in the correct development of their knowledge and skills.
  • Tutorials provide active engagement and feedback to the learning process.
  • The end of year examinations assess the knowledge acquired and the ability to use this knowledge to solve problems.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 38 2 per week 1 Hour 38
Tutorials 2 1 hour 2
Practicals 19 1 per week 2 hours 38
Total 200
Preparation and Reading 122

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Coursework 34% coursework 100%
Examination 66% two-hour examination 100%

Formative Assessment

Example exercises given through the course.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.