Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)
Module COMP3687: Data Compression
Department: Computer Science
COMP3687: Data Compression
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 10 | Availability | Available in 2023/24 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- (COMP1021 Mathematics for Computer Science OR MATH1561 Single Mathematics A OR MATH1071 Linear Algebra I) AND COMP1051 Computational Thinking
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To understand:
- the main techniques for lossless and lossy date compression;
- the efficiency criteria for data compression.
Content
- Huffman coding
- Arithmetic coding
- Lempel-Ziv and application to ZIP or PNG
- Context-based compression
- Transform domain compression with application to JPEG
- Wavelet-based compression with application to JPEG2000
- Video compression and MPEG
- Audio compression and MP3
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the key features of popular lossless compression techniques for text;
- an understanding of the key features of popular lossy compression techniques for images, video, and audio;
- an understanding of the performance criteria for lossless and lossy compression.
Subject-specific Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to assess and design compression techniques for diverse kinds of data;
- an ability to implement the key tools used in data compression.
Key Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to design encoding and decoding algorithms for diverse kinds of data;
- an ability to identify and assess the quality of heuristics for different algorithms.
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.
- The examination assesses the knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 2 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Preparation and reading | 80 | ||||
| Total | 100 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Examination | 2 hours | 100% | No |
Formative Assessment:
Example formative exercises are given during the course.
■ 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