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CMPC1M01 - COMPUTING SYSTEMS 1

Module Code:
CMPC1M01
Department:
Computing Sciences
Credit Value:
20
Level:
1
Organiser:
Dr. Dan Smith
The module is designed to introduce students to some of the principal technologies of contemporary computing systems and to software development in a web context.

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

Module texts:

  • Hall M. and Brown M., Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages Prentice-Hall

The Library has an extensive collection of programming, networking, computer architecture and systems development texts to support this module, as well as a number of copies of the course texts. Its journal collection and electronic subscriptions provide good coverage of the web-related topics.


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:
The objectives of this module are to:

  • Provide an appreciation of contemporary information systems development processes
  • Provide experience of simple programming and of website construction
  • Introduce a range of software development ideas and technologies which will be explored in greater depth later in the course, including databases, systems analysis, systems design, testing, evaluation
  • Introduce the principal elements of contemporary computer systems, including networks, systems architectures
  • Introduce some of the problems and approaches fundamental to computer science (data representation, engineering tradeoffs in hardware, scalability)

Transferable skills:
Students will gain experience of:

  • Systems design, development, testing and debugging
  • Research and analysis of technical information
  • Working and participating in small groups
  • Experience of working in pairs
  • Improved analysis and problem-solving
  • Improved oral and written presentation skills

Subject specific
On completion of this module students will have:

  • An understanding of simple programming concepts (e.g. loops, conditionals, variables, arrays)
  • The ability to construct simple web applications using current web technologies
  • An appreciation of some aspects of the impact and potential of the internet on society
  • A simple understanding of the main features of architectures, design issues and development models for contemporary applications development

Total hours: 47

Lectures: 27 hours 

  1. Web technologies
    An overview of the development and future of the Web; Experience of creating simple applications using current web technologies (HTML, CSS, servlets); using these technologies as a means of designing and implementing information systems
  2. Systems design and development
    Designing web applications; Requirements analysis, intended audience, expectations; Navigation and transaction design ; Application architectures; Page layout, design for different devices and environments; Standards and design for accessibility, privacy and usability
  3. Data representation and organisation
    Database concepts (ER diagram, relational model, SQL, transactions); Search engines; XML
  4. JAVA servlet programming
    The focus will be on writing simple Java programs, the development (within a suitable framework) of simple servlets and JDBC connections to write web applications.

Workshops: 0 hours

Laboratory work: 20 hours (with provisional weekly schedule)

  1. HTML basics
  2. HTML CSS
  3. SQL
  4. Servlets introduction
  5. HTML form data
  6. JDBC and servlets
  7. Regular expression
  8. Code review
  9. Project help
  10. Coursework demos

Assessment is comprised of a mixture of lectures, and laboratory classes and self-study. The emphasis is on participation and active learning. 

Timed essay (35%)

Students work individually to do the research and prepare the topic. The timed essay is written under closed assessment conditions. A single sheet of paper for bibliography and notes is allowed in the assessment.

Website design (65%)

Working in pairs. Emphasis in the assessment is on standards, usability, and accessibility. A demonstration of the system's functionality and design, and associated questions is the summative assessment. The oral is designed to elicit whether the students have a clear idea and understanding of their work. Students will assess their partner's contribution and marks will be adjusted if there is a substantial disparity in the contribution of members of the team.