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COMP4147: CONTEMPORARY COMPUTER SCIENCE IV

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 4
Credits 10
Availability Not available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Computer Science

Prerequisites

  • At least two level 2 Computer Science modules including COMP2221 Programming Paradigms

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations of Modules

Aims

  • To introduce students to advanced topics in Computer Science that are finding application in modern technology.
  • To introduce students to novel topics in Computer Science that have significant potential to impact upon future applications of Computer Science.
  • To study two topics on contemporary aspects of Computer Science.
  • To enable students to comprehend and develop research relevant to novel applications of Computer Science.

Content

  • Topics will be selected that are currently provoking widespread interest as regards applications (current and potential) or research and development. Such topics include:
  • GPU computing.
  • Quantum computation.
  • Algorithmic issues of the World Wide Web.
  • Bioinformatics.
  • Data mining.
  • Multi-agent systems.
  • Computer Aided Geometric Design.
  • Photorealistic and physically accurate computer graphics.
  • Visualising complexity and uncertainty.
  • Empirical experiment design for computing.
  • Novel high performance computing architectures and systems.
  • Security
  • Network analysis

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
  • a critical awareness of how Computer Science impacts on emerging areas in Science and Technology
  • a comprehensive understanding of different paradigms and techniques from two areas of contemporary Computer Science
  • a critical appreciation of recent research applications of Computer Science.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate: that significant self-study has been undertaken and research reviewed in each of the two topic areas
  • an ability to independently and critically evaluate research issues related to two out of four topic areas including current practices, recent developments and further areas of possible exploration
  • an ability to fully comprehend and have the potential to contribute to recent research advances in two out of four topic areas
  • an ability to implement key algorithms within the topic areas, and to propose and create adaptations to these.

Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures enable the students to learn new material relevant to novel directions in and applications of Computer Science.
  • Students are assessed by formative and summative assessment and examinations.
  • There is additional reading associated with the module which is assessed via summative coursework and an exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
lectures202 per week1 hour20 
preparation and reading80 
Total100 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Summative Assignment100No

Formative Assessment

Example formative exercises are given during the course.

More information

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