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

Undergraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module COMP1071: COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Department: Computer Science

COMP1071: COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	1	20	Available in 2012/2013	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

This module aims to give students an appreciation and understanding of the way in which modern computer systems (comprising both hardware and software) can effectively represent, transport and manipulate data.

Content

Operating systems.
Digital electronics.
Computer architecture.
Memory systems.
Processor architectures.
Input-output mechanisms.
Networks

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an understanding of the basic theory and design of operating systems
an understanding of a computer system's underlying machine architecture
an understanding of how a computer works.

Subject-specific Skills

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to apply core concepts in the design, construction and maintenance of complex computer systems
an ability to reason about computer systems and their performance
an ability to recognise performance problems in practical systems.

Key Skills

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to communicate technical information in a scientific fashion
an ability to confidently use general IT tools (such as editors, file management tools, printing tools and so on).

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

Lectures provide the students with a mechanism by which to learn the theory behind the core topics within the module.
Practical classes support the lectures by enabling the application and appreciation of the theory.
Summative assignments encourage and guide further independent study and assess practical aspects of computer systems.
Summative examinations test the knowledge acquired and the students' ability to use this knowledge to solve new problems.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
lectures	44	2 per week	1 hour	44
practical classes	22	1 per week	2 hours	44
preparation and reading				112
total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Exmaination	66%	Examination	2 hours	100%
Coursework	34%	Practical work		100%

Formative Assessment

Example formative exercises are given during the course. Additional revison lectures may be arranged in the module's lecture slots in the 3rd term.

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.