Module Catalogue 2024/25

CSC1031 : Fundamentals of Computing

CSC1031 : Fundamentals of Computing

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jason Steggles
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr Abolfazl Lavaei
  • Teaching Assistant: Mr Behrad Samari, Mr Haowei Xu
  • Owning School: Computing
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

GCSE Maths Grade B

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Code Title
CSC1034Programming Portfolio 1
CSC1035Programming Portfolio 2
Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To develop confidence in the use of fundamental techniques in Computer Science.
To provide a knowledge of the formal concepts essential for study and professional practice in Computing Science and Software Engineering.
To practice the basic techniques for modelling and solving computing problems.
To prepare students for the more advanced topics they will encounter on their degree.
To develop an awareness of the role of formal techniques in Computing Science.

Outline Of Syllabus

Set Theory
Numbers and their Representation
Real Valued Functions
Vector and Matrices
Combinatorics
Relations and Functions
Proof Techniques
Graph Theory
Propositional Logic
Predicate Logic

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students will have gained comprehension and experienced application of key scientific, logical and formal concepts in the field of computer science, including:

• Application of set theory to data structures in programming languages.
• Representation of numbers in computer hardware and programming languages, and ability to convert between
representations.
• Analysis of complexity of algorithms, through application of functions, in particular polynomials,
logarithms, and exponents.
• Application of derivative and stationary points of a function, in optimal decision making and to simulating
motion in computer games.
• Application of matrices and vectors to data structures in programming languages, computer graphics, and other
computational problems.
• Utilise combinatorics for efficient computing and security
• Defining and applying functions, including concepts such as recursion and composition.
• Use formal techniques to model and analyse computing systems.
• Formulate and reason about logical statements.
• Translation of natural language descriptions and reasoning processes to and from logical equivalents in the
propositional and predicate logic

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in this module:

• To choose appropriate formal techniques to aid problem solving.
• To employ formal structures to model design problems.
• To prove formal properties of developed models.
• To apply learnt techniques to solve a range of computational problems.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion221:0022:00Lecture follow-up
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion601:0060:00Revision for end of semester assessment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion21:303:00End of semester assessment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture221:0022:00Lectures (PIP)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching221:0022:00Tutorial support session (PiP).
Guided Independent StudySkills practice201:0020:00Online tutorial exercises supported by sample solutions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study211:0021:00background reading
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study201:3030:00Online Study Videos
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures (PiP) and online study videos will be used to introduce the key module material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning.

Tutorial exercises will be provided online and integrated into the study materials. These allow students to gain practical skills and understanding in the theory and techniques developed during lectures. A weekly tutorial support session (PiP) will be provided to allow students to access individual help with the module material and to do further examples exercises via an online quiz.

Further practical application related to this material will be developed in the co-requisite modules Portfolio 1 and Portfolio 2.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination901A50Digital Exam
Digital Examination902A50Digital Exam
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1Mweekly Tutorial exercises supported by worked sample answers and demonstrators (sem 1 and 2)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The computer assessments given at the end of each semester ensures students get the vital opportunity to go back over the material covered (this is important given the type of technical topics considered) and is very well suited to formally assessing the type of material covered.

A range of small formative assessments are provided weekly. They are used to support student’s self-study during the module and gauge their understanding as the course progresses.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.