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Comp3302

Module Outline: COMP3302 Nature of Computing 2016-17

Contents PageThings you need to know at the beginning 1Assessment Items 3, 7, 10, 13Assessment grading matrix 5, 9, 12, 15If you have problems with assessments 17Module Content 18

Things you need to know at the beginningOccurrence A Friday 13:15 – 16.15 Room: CH1001Occurrence B Wednesday 13.15 – 16.15 Room: CH1001

Teaching team Dr. Colin Price, [email protected], Room CHLG020, Phone 542024

MA in Natural Sciences (Cambridge), PhD Electronic Engineering (University of Leuven – Belgium), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, National Teaching Fellow. Over 60 research publications.

How this module fits into your course

This module builds on your experiences on the course so far. Starting from these experiences it also introduces some new theoretical approaches (“ways of thinking”) such as the true nature of the computer, and what’s in your mind during programming as well as new content such as data analysis.

How this module engages with the external environment

No trips or visits are planned for this module

How this module will enhance your employability

This module will enable you to develop and enhance the following and evidence them on your CV: You will develop your critical thinking skills helping analyse particular problems You will develop abstract thinking helping you to “step out of a problem” to understand it You will develop numerical skills, especially in data analysis You will develop inter-personal skills through working in informal groups

What you need to know before you start this module

Learning will be centred around set tasks where students carry out a number of activities, following input from the Tutor. Tasks will involve the use of simulation and professional software. Tutor input will consist of working together with the class to explore concepts; there will be no powerpoint presentations, but notes made during the sessions and voice recordings of the sessions will be placed on the module web pages.

Feedback from the previous year shows that most students liked the assessment structure split over four position papers. They suggested this helped them focus on the topics more easily. Students also enjoyed the subject matter and the way it was taught, involving the whole class in “lectures”. The module has been improved by shifting it to a more reasonable hour, and by making individual assignment requirements clearer.

Higher education requires a lot of reading; this means you need to get used to using the library resources (available from the Library website and add the link (www.worc.ac.uk/library) and in

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http://www.worc.ac.uk/library

mailto:[email protected]

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particular the Talis Aspire Resource List (https://worc.rl.talis.com/index.html) which is a list of all the things you need to read for each module.

If you have further questions please contact Stephanie Allen the Academic Liaison Librarian for the Business School [email protected] or go to Business LibGuide www.worc.ac.uk/library/business or ComputingLibGuide www.worc.ac.uk/library/computing

Your responsibility

You must do all the required reading – or you will struggle with the classes and ultimately the assessments.

You must attend all sessions and undertake any and all of the required pre-reading, since failure to do so will affect your performance. If you cannot attend for any reason you must notify the module leader as soon as possible.

It is your responsibility to actively engage positively with sessions for example contributing to group discussions, asking questions and taking responsibility for your learning. This way you’ll get the most out of the lessons.

If there is anything which is unclear or you do not understand you must ask a member of the module team.

What help is there if you have a disability or a particular learning need?

The University of Worcester is committed to ensuring diversity and equality within its teaching practice. If you have a registered disability or particular learning need and you wish this to be taken into account please speak to your Personal Academic Tutor or let the module leader know. You will find additional useful information on the Disability and Dyslexia webpages at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/student-services/disability-and-dyslexia.htmhttp://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/StudentFeedbackCharter.pdf

Assessment(s) There is formally a single item of assessment, however this is split into four “position papers” each carrying equal weight. The final grade is based on the best 3 of the papers you submit. The first three position papers will be submitted on paper in module sessions, the dates are indicated below. The final paper will be submitted electronically via SOLE. The first three papers will be marked within one week of hand-in providing you with detailed feedback. You may opt to hand in all four position papers together electronically via SOLE.

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http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/StudentFeedbackCharter.pdf

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/student-services/disability-and-dyslexia.htm

http://www.worc.ac.uk/library/computing

http://www.worc.ac.uk/library/business


https://worc.rl.talis.com/index.html

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Position Paper 1Word Limit or equivalent (e.g. time) You may achieve the maximum grade for 750 words, however there is no

word limitWeighting 33 1/3 %Learning Outcomes Assessed LO4 Critically analyse important contemporary applications of computing

and future promises.Submission date w/c 17th October. Paper submission during the session.Feedback date w/c 24th OctoberModule Leader Colin PriceVerified by Pete Moody

If anything about this assignment is not clear to you, please contact the module leader.

You are expected to plan your time and work to manage your overall assessment workload.

What you need to do

You should critically assess the use of a “Story-Writing-Coding” engine to produce stories with associated animations.

How you should present your work

A cover sheet will be provided.

Your position paper should contain the following components. All will be assessed.1(a) Your complete story written on the template provided,1(b) Your computer code.

Place both of these in an appendix

1(c) Mapping of your story clauses onto lines of code showing which lines of code correspond to each clause in your story.

2 A critical assessment of the process you used in coding a story. Detailed guidance will be discussed on class and uploaded to the module web-pages.

You do not have to cite references to journals to support this position paper

How we’ll give you guidance

Information about this position paper will be given in class at the start of the sessions associated with the paper.

How and when to hand the assessment in

Work must be word-processed/typed and should clearly show your student number. You are required to keep a copy of work handed in. You should submit your work during the session during w/c 17th October

How the assessment will be marked

Specific criteria is in the Grading Matrix for this assignment, which can be found on page 6

How you will You will receive feedback on this paper one week following submission3

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get feedback

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Grading Matrix This matrix captures the assessment criteria for this part of the coursework.

Student Number: Academic Year and Semester: 2016-17 S1

Module Code:COMP3302

Assignment No:1

Occurrence:A/B

Learning Outcomes: ILO 4 “Critically analyse important contemporary applications of computing and future promises”

Module Title:Nature of Computing

Assignment Weighting:33 1/3%

Assignment Description:Position Paper 1

Assessment CriteriaGRADE Criteria

A Sophisticated story with valid mapping onto computer code and a detailed critical assessment of the process of coding a story. The story will contain a range of clause types and evidence of a range of clause-complexes.

B Story with valid mapping onto computer code and a critical assessment of the process of coding a story. The story will contain several types of both clause and clause-complex.

C Story with valid mapping onto computer code. Attempt at critical assessment of the process of coding a story. The story will contain several types of both clause and clause-complex.

D Short story with an attempt at mapping onto computer code, though there may be errors. No attempt at critical assessment of the process of coding a story. The story is limited in its use of clause and clause-complex types.

Fail (E-G) No evidence of mapping a story onto computer code, or a totally incorrect mapping.

General Comment:What you can do better in future assignments:How successful completion of this assignment helps your employability: Application of knowledge, Critical analysis, Logical and Abstract Thinking.Assignment Grade: Marker: Colin Price Moderator*: Pete Moody

* This person is responsible for moderating a sample of student work for this module. Your work may, or may not, have been included in this sample

RESULTS ARE PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGREED BY THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS

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word limitWeighting 33 1/3 %Learning Outcomes Assessed LO3 Reflect critically on the nature of abstraction, as applied to networks,

computer programs, data and hardwareSubmission date w/c 14th November 2016Feedback date w/c 21st November 2016Module Leader Colin PriceVerified by Pete Moody



What you need to do

You should reflect critically on the nature of abstraction either (i) in relation to networks, (ii) in relation to data. There are two choices for this paper detailed below:


Report Template


Your position paper should be written in the style of an “essay”, and you may add figures and tables in the body of your text.

Your position paper should contain a discussion of Either 1 or 2 below:

Either 1: This is based on our abstract discussion of Networks. You should discuss one or more abstractions of networks (random, scale-free, small-world) and how these are useful in helping us understand the behaviour of real computer networks (Internet, WWW).

Or 2: This is based on our data analysis discussions, especially distribution laws. Using examples of data sets seen in the sessions, discuss how distribution law fit is a useful abstract technique which can provide us with understanding of data sets.





Work must be word-processed/typed and should clearly show your student number. You are required to keep a copy of work handed in. You should submit your work during the session during w/c 14th November 2016

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How you will get feedback

You will receive feedback on this paper one week following submission

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Grading Matrix TemplateThis matrix captures the assessment criteria for this part of the coursework.



Assignment No:1

Occurrence:A/B

ILO 3 Reflect critically on the nature of abstraction, as applied to networks, computer programs, data and hardware.




Assessment CriteriaGRADE Criteria Option 1 Criteria Option 2

ADemonstration of a critical understanding of both the random and the scale-free networks and their application to real computer networks using data collected in the session.

Thorough demonstration of an understanding of distribution fit algorithms with an attempt to discuss the underlying mathematics. Application to data sets provided with a thorough interpretation of the results.

BDemonstration of an understanding of both the random and the scale-free networks and their application to real computer networks using data collected in the session.

Demonstration of a good understanding of distribution-fit algorithms without any reference to mathematical approaches. Application to data sets provided with a reasonable interpretation of the results.

CDemonstration of an understanding of either the random or the scale-free network and its application to real computer networks using data collected in the session.

Demonstration of a basic understanding of distribution-fit algorithms without any reference to mathematical approaches. Application to one data set provided and an attempt to analyse the results.

DDemonstration of a partial understanding of either, the random or scale-free network and an attempt to apply this to real computer networks. No use of data collected in the session

Attempt to demonstrate understanding of data-fit algorithms without any reference to mathematical approaches. Attempt to apply to a data set provided with an attempt to analyse results.

Fail (E-G)

Little or no understanding of random and scale-free networks. Little or no attempt to apply this to real computer networks.

Little or no understanding of clustering or data-fit algorithms and weak or no attempt to apply to the data set provided.

General Comment:What you can do better in future assignments:How successful completion of this assignment helps your employability: Application of knowledge, Critical analysis, Logical and Abstract Thinking.Assignment Grade: Marker: Moderator*:



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word limitWeighting 33 1/3 %Learning Outcomes Assessed LO1 Critically reflect on the historical development of the notion of

computing, culminating in an abstract “computing machine” leading to contemporary hardware and software technologies

Submission date w/c 5th December 2016Feedback date w/c 12th December 2016Module Leader Colin PriceVerified by Pete Moody



What you need to do

You should reflect critically on historical development of the “notion of computing”, i.e. where the programmable digital electronic computer has come from.



Your position paper should be written in the style of an “essay”.

Your position paper should contain the following discussion.

There are two approaches to writing this paper; both refer to specific “founding fathers” of computing, people like Boole, Shannon, Turing and others.

Approach 1: You could focus on the contribution of a single founding father and discuss their specific contribution to the development of the notion of computing in detail.

Approach 2: You could discuss how the contributions of several founding fathers came together to develop the notion of computing.

You are required to cite references to journal articles (not “web-sources”) in this paper, and this will be assessed. You may choose to make use of material covered in class and/or the results of individual research.




Work must be word-processed/typed and should clearly show your student number. You are required to keep a copy of work handed in. You should submit your work during the session during w/c 5th December 2016

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You will receive feedback on this paper one week following submission

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Assignment No:1

Occurrence:A/B

ILO 1 Critically reflect on the historical development of the notion of computing, culminating in an abstract “computing machine” leading to contemporary hardware and software technologies




GRADE Assessment Criteria

A Coherent and critical discussion of the development of computing. References to journal articles woven into your discussion which clearly support it.

B Critical discussion of the development of computing with citation of journal articles supporting your discussion.

C Discussion of the development of computing with citation of journal articles.

D Attempt to discuss the development of computing, though the discussion is too descriptive. Journal articles cited but may have limited relevance to the discussion.

Fail (E-G) Little or no evidence of discussion of relevant material. Journal articles cited have no relevance to the discussion, or there are no citations.




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word limitWeighting 33 1/3 %Learning Outcomes Assessed LO2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of programming

paradigms and languages, and appreciate the nature and limitations of computer programs

Submission date Electronic Submission via SOLE: 15:00 16th January 2017Feedback date 23rd January 2017Module Leader Colin PriceVerified by Pete Moody



What you need to do

You are required to consider two programming paradigms from a “psychology of programming” perspective.



Your position paper should be written in the style of an “essay”.

You should discuss two programming paradigms and the associated mental models and or “notional machine”. The first paradigm is procedural programming (assembler). You may choose the second paradigm from the list of (i) object-oriented programming, (ii) functional programming, (iii) programming for the web. You must develop your own mental model and/or “notional machine” for the second paradigm of your choice.





Work must be word-processed/typed and should clearly show your student number. You are required to keep a copy of work handed in. You should submit your electronically via SOLE by 15:00 16th January 2017

See the University’s guide to uploading and submitting assessment items at the University of Worcester via SOLE in under 60 seconds on You Tube http://youtu.be/yAEnTkVchMg .

If you have issues uploading your assessment to sole you will need to contact [email protected], if you have issues with Blackboard, Turnitin or PebblePad you will need to contact [email protected]

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http://youtu.be/yAEnTkVchMg

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You will receive feedback on this paper January 23rd 2017

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Assignment No:1

Occurrence:A/B

ILO 2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of programming paradigms and languages, and appreciate the nature and limitations of computer programs




GRADE Assessment Criteria

A Full discussion of the imperative paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”. Full discussion of your chosen second paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”. In addition you should provide a critical comparison between the mental models and/or “notional machines”

B Full discussion of the imperative paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”. Full discussion of your chosen second paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”.

C Full discussion of the imperative paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”. Partial discussion of your chosen second paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”.

D Attempt at a discussion of the imperative paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”. No or little attempt at a discussion of your chosen second paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”.

Fail (E-G) Little or no evidence of any relevant discussion of a paradigm and associated mental model and/or “notional machine”.




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If you have problems submitting work or submitting work on time:

Firstly, contact someone, your Module Leader or personal Academic Tutor.I t is essential that you submit your work, in order to be able to pass the module . Work which is submitted late will be subject to grade penalties as below.

Students who submit course work late but within 5 days of the due date will have work marked, but the grade will be capped at the minimum pass grade unless an application for mitigating circumstances is accepted.

Students who submit work later than 5 days but within 14 days of the due date will not have work marked unless they have submitted a valid claim of mitigating circumstances.

For full details of submission regulations see Undergraduate Regulatory Framework at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/UndergraduateRegulatoryFramework2007entry.pdf

If you are ill or have personal problems

The University has a system for applying for mitigating circumstances where things happen, beyond your control, which affect your assessments. Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to your Module Leader, your Personal Academic Tutor or a Programme Advisor.Full details of Procedures for Dealing with Exceptional Mitigating Circumstances are available at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/679.htm

If you engage in academic misconduct (cheating)

Do not use material from sources without acknowledging them using a recognised referencing system. Do not copy another student’s work. If you do you will be referred to the School’s Academic Integrity Tutor and may face further penalties. Details in your Course Handbook accessible via SOLE and at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Proceduresforinvestigationofallegedcheating.pdf

If you don’t pass at the first attempt

DON’T PANIC. In the event you are required to take reassessment you will receive formal notification of this via a letter from Registry Services posted on the SOLE page after the meeting of the Board of Examiners. The letter will normally include a copy of the reassessment task(s). Deadlines for re-assessment can be found in the University Calendar at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/655.htm

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http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/655.htm

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Proceduresforinvestigationofallegedcheating.pdf

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Proceduresforinvestigationofallegedcheating.pdf

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/679.htm

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/UndergraduateRegulatoryFramework2007entry.pdf

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/UndergraduateRegulatoryFramework2007entry.pdf

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Module Content

W/C

Prep

Topi

c

LO Wor

k

Sub

26 Sept 1 Introduction to the “Story-Writing-Coding” engine 4 13 Oct 2 Read SFG handout Introduction to Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) 4 110 Oct 3 Read Story Structure Handout Workshop 4 117 Oct 4 Review computer networks Abstract Networks 3 2 124 Oct 5 Read maths handout Curve Fitting 3 231 Oct Future Week7 Nov 6 Curve Fitting 3 214 Nov 7 Revise Logic Gates Logic In Languages 1 3 221 Nov 8 Turing Machines 1 328 Nov 9 From Turing Machines to Computer Programs 1 35 Dec 10 Read suggested articles Programming Paradigms, Psychology of Programming 2 4 312 Dec Christmas19 Dec Christmas26 Dec Christmas2 Jan 11 Read about Lisp/Scheme Functional Programming Workshop 2 49 Jan 12 Roundup Workshop 2 416 Jan Assessment Week 4

Notes:1. The rightmost columns refer to the position papers: “Work” refers to the session where we shall work on the papers and “Sub” refers to the week where submission of each paper is due. “LO” indicates the module learning outcome addressed in each session.

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