CSC1032 : Computer Systems Design and Architectures
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Miss Laura Heels
- Lecturer: Dr Sadegh Soudjani, Dr Nick Cook
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
On completion of this module students will, from a high level perspective, be able to
• describe the purpose of, and the interaction between, the functional hardware and software components of a variety of computer systems
• identify the principal hardware components and software services which provide infrastructure for the Internet from the global scale down to the desktop
• describe the components of operating systems and how they are combined with applications to provide services and share resources.
Outline Of Syllabus
• An overview of current computer systems architecture.
• Introduction to Operating Systems: what they are and what they do, management of resources.
• Processes, scheduling. Interprocess communication (IPC).
• Memory, virtual memory and memory management. Files, file systems.
• An introduction to Linux and system administration and systems programming.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 36 | 1:00 | 36:00 | Lectures recorded– not 2 hour blocks but shorter pieces- learn online. PiP contact time avail |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | Lecture follow-up. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | examinations |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Revision for examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Formative exercises |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 24 | 2:00 | 48:00 | Practical activities in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 18 | 0:30 | 9:00 | Online Q&A session/drop-in with module staff. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 32:30 | 32:30 | Background reading and independent study. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Techniques and theory are presented in lectures which are recorded in advance. Practical sessions provide experience of designing and building database applications and can be carried out online.
This is a very practical subject, and it is important that the learning materials are supported by hands-on opportunities provided by practical classes, and on the related Programming Portfolio modules.
The new online drop-in/clinic sessions give students additional support and chances to talk to staff members.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 50 | Software implementation |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC Examination | 1 | M | Mock Test prior to exam to consolidate student knowledge ahead of the summative exam. |
| Lab exercise | 2 | M | Exercises and quizzes to support learning and summative assessments |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Alternative assessment plan: 24 hour exam which can be taken from home.
Semester 1 will be assessed with a PC examination allowing the students to apply the theory taught in lectures. A mock test will take place in Semester 1 to enable the students to prepare for the examination.
The PC examination will assess the fundamental knowledge and understanding of taught material.
Semester 2 is assessed through practical lab report on software implementation and test learning outcomes.
Formative assessment allows students to gauge progress in preparation for for the summative assessments.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC1032's Timetable