Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module COMP40215: INFORMATION SEARCH ON THE WWW

Department: Computer Science

COMP40215: INFORMATION SEARCH ON THE WWW

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap
Tied to G5K209 and G5K109

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The purpose of this module is to study how search engines use the content and structure of the web to rank pages and how they combat attempts to manipulate their rankings

Content

  • Information retrieval
  • web searching
  • web-page algorithms
  • search engines
  • the PageRank technique, hubs and authorities

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To have specialist knowledge of the algorithmic issues underlying web search
  • To have specialist knowledge of the differences between classical information retrieval and information retrieval on the WWW
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To successfully evaluate different strategies relating to search, indexing and retrieval
Key Skills:
  • gain a deeper understanding of the World Wide Web
  • further experience of problem solving techniques

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

  • Lecturing provides specialist subject information and the application of the theory to practical examples. Tutorials provide active engagement and feedback to the learning process.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 4 1 hour 4 ■
Lectures 6 Over first 2 weeks 2 hours 12 ■
Preparation and Reading 134
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

A formative assignment will be given in the second week of the module (500-1000 words).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University