Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module COMP4042: CONTEMPORARY COMPUTER SCIENCE IV (40 credits)

Department: Computer Science

COMP4042: CONTEMPORARY COMPUTER SCIENCE IV (40 credits)

Type	Open	Level	4	Credits	40	Availability	Available in 2015/16	Module Cap		Location	Durham

Prerequisites

Introduction to Programming (COMP1011) OR Programming Paradigms (COMP2221)

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

Contemporary Computer Science IV (20 credits)

Aims

To introduce students to advanced topics in Computer Science that are finding application in modern technology.
To introduce students to novel topics in Computer Science that have significant potential to impact upon future applications of Computer Science.
To study four topics on contemporary aspects of Computer Science.
To enable students to comprehend and develop research relevant to novel applications of Computer Science.

Content

Topics will be selected that are currently provoking widespread interest as regards applications (current and potential) or research and development. Such topics include:
GPU computing.
Quantum computation.
Algorithmic issues of the World Wide Web.
Bioinformatics.
Data mining.
Multi-agent systems.
Computer Aided Geometric Design.
Photorealistic and physically accurate computer graphics.
Visualising complexity and uncertainty.
Empirical experiment design for computing.
Novel high performance computing architectures and systems.
Security
Network Analysis

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
a critical awareness of how Computer Science impacts on emerging areas in Science and Technology
a comprehensive understanding of different paradigms and techniques from four areas of contemporary Computer Science
a critical appreciation of recent research applications of Computer Science.

Subject-specific Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate: that significant self-study has been undertaken and research reviewed in each of the four topic areas
an ability to independently evaluate research issues related to the four topic areas including current practices, recent developments and further areas of possible exploration
an ability to fully comprehend and have the potential to contribute to recent research advances in the four topic areas
an ability to implement key algorithms within the topic areas, and to propose and create adaptations to these.

Key Skills:

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

Lectures enable the students to learn new material relevant to novel directions in and applications of Computer Science.
Students are assessed by formative and summative assessment and examinations.
There is additional reading associated with the module which is assessed via summative coursework and an exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
lectures	88	4 per week	1 hour	88
problem classes	8	4 each in terms 1 and 2	2 hour	16	■
preparation and reading				296
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 66%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	3 hours	100%
Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 34%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Practical work		100%	No

Formative Assessment:

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

■ 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