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CMPC1F05 - THE COMPUTING REVOLUTION

Module Code:
CMPC1F05
Department:
Computing Sciences
Credit Value:
20
Level:
1
Organiser:
Prof John Glauert
The module is designed to provide students with an overview of the history of computing, and an insight to likely developments. Report writing and team skills are developed.

Lecture notes, handouts and other materials will be made available via Blackboard during the course of the module.


Submission:

Written coursework should be submitted by following the standard CMP practice. Students are advised to refer to the Guidelines and Hints on Written Work in CMP.

Deadlines:

If coursework is handed in after the deadline day or an agreed extension:
 

 

Work submitted Marks deducted
After 15:00 on the due date and before 15:00 on the day following the due date 10 marks
After 15:00 on the second day after the due date and before 15:00 on the third day after the due date 20 marks
After 15:00 on the third day after the due date and before 15:00 on the 20th day after the due date.  All the marks the work merits if submitted on time (ie no marks awarded) 
After 20 working days Work will not be marked and a mark of zero will be entered


Saturdays and Sundays will NOT be taken into account for the purposes of calculation of marks deducted.

All extension requests will be managed through the LTS Hub. A request for an extension to a deadline for the submission of work for assessment should be submitted by the student to the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Hub, prior to the deadline, on a University Extension Request Form accompanied by appropriate evidence. Extension requests will be considered by the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Manager in those instances where (a) acceptable extenuating circumstances exist and (b) the request is submitted before the deadline. All other cases will be considered by a Coursework Coordinator in CMP.

For more details, including how to apply for an extension due to extenuating circumstances download Submission for Work Assessment (PDF, 39KB)
 

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the copying or close paraphrasing of published or unpublished work, including    the work of another student; without due acknowledgement. Plagiarism is regarded a serious offence by the University, and all cases will be investigated. Possible consequences of plagiarism include deduction of marks and disciplinary action, as detailed by UEA's Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion.


 


Module specific:

  • To provide a broad overview of the history of computing.
  • To research in depth some topic in the history of computing.
  • To study the impact of the development of computers and computing techniques on the social, scientific, technological and business environments.
  • To consider ethical, social, security, and safety issues raised by the use of computing technology. 
  • To study current and likely future trends in the development of computing, both hardware, software and applications.
  • To consider the likely future impact of the development of computers and computing techniques and to identify and consider likely ethical issues.

Transferable skills:

  • Researching primary and secondary sources using library and web based material.
  • Collating and assessing information.
  • Precis and report writing.
  • Team working.


 


Subject specific:

  • The ability to demonstrate a broad factual knowledge of the history of computing.
  • The ability to collate, present and analyse historical information.
  • An insight into current research issues and the likely future of computing.
  • The ability to develop simple control programs for a robot, working as a team.

Transferable skills:

  • An ability to use library, internet and archival sources effectively. The ability to discriminate between good and bad sources, and primary and secondary sources.
  • An ability to precis and review and to write reports.
  • Team working skills.
  • An ability to write multitasking realtime software.

 

The module is taught by means of lectures on selected topics in the history and development of computing, state-of-the-art computing science research, and insights into future developments. Students research specific questions in depth for discussion at fortnightly research workshops.

An online resource on the history of computing is developed as a group project, backed up by fortnightly workshops with a group mentor.

Laboratory work is undertaken for a number of weeks, based on development in pairs of realtime robot control programs.

Total hours: 48

Lectures: 24 hours

The selection of topics is revised to reflect new developments, especially through the use of guest lecturers. A typical programme is:

  • Precis and Report Writing
  • Computing Prehistory
  • Early British Computers: Manchester
  • Early British Computers: Cambridge
  • Past and Future of Mainframe Computing
  • Telecommunications
  • Origins of the PC
  • Algorithms and Complexity
  • Is Everything Computable?
  • Low and High Level Programming
  • Programming for AI
  • Computer Graphics : Mark 1 to GPUs
  • Graphics, Gaming, Haptics
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality
  • Processing Signals and Speech
  • Biology and Computing
  • Ambient Intelligence
  • A Glimpse of the Future


Workshops: 10 hours

Alternating Research Workshops and Wiki Workshops.

Laboratory work: 14 hours

 


The module is assessed by: 

  • Formative written assignment
  • Robot programming assignment:50%
  • Wiki Project: 50%