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COMP1071: COMPUTER SYSTEMS

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Type	Open
Level	1
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Computer Science

Prerequisites

A-Level Maths (or equivalent) Grade A

Corequisites

COMP1051 Computational Thinking

Excluded Combinations of Modules

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

Digital electronics: Transistors; Logic gates; Combinational and sequential circuits.
Computer architecture: Processor architectures; Memory systems; Input-output mechanisms.
Operating systems.
Databases: Design and query of relational databases, in addition to normalisation techniques and aspects of relational algebra.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

an understanding of a computer system's underlying machine architecture
an understanding of how a computer works
an understanding of the basic theory and design of operating systems
an understanding of the principles of good database construction.

Subject-specific Skills:

an ability to apply core concepts in the design and construction of complex computer systems
an ability to reason about computer systems and their performance
an ability to recognise performance problems in practical systems
an ability to apply core concepts in the design, construction and manipulation of relational databases.

Key Skills:

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	Monitored
lectures	44	2 per week	1 hour	44
practical classes	21	1 per week	2 hours	42	Yes
preparation and reading				114
total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Exmaination		Component Weighting: 66%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	2 hours	100	Yes

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 34%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Practical work		100	Yes

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.

More information

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