CS1AC: Applications of Computer Science

Module code: CS1AC

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Richard Mitchell, email: r.j.mitchell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CS1MA (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 5 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to broaden students’ knowledge of computer science by introducing some applications in key areas to enhance their understanding to the discipline.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand computing techniques required for analysing systems in artificial intelligence, computer vision and robotics;
2. Select and apply appropriate techniques in given computing problem contexts; and
3. Employ relevant social, legal and ethical aspects in systems of artificial intelligence, computer vision and robotics.

Module content

The module covers the following topics: 

• Artificial Intelligence
  • Classical AI, including problem solving, expert systems 
  • Biological inspired AI, including neural networks, evolutionary computation 
• Computer Vision
  • Key methodologies and applications
  • Biometrics
  • Detection and tracking
  • Deep Learning
  • Behavioural recognition 
• Robotics and Artificial Life
  • Robot Systems
  • Use of feedback for control and learning
  • Relevant calculus
  • Robot Sensors
  • Alife: Game of Life, Daisyworld, Fractals 
• Virtual Reality
  • Graphics, VR, AR
  • Human sensors

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures: 4 hrs per week in first half of semester, 2 hrs per week for rest, as Robotics material will be delivered using the Begin Robotics MOOC on FutureLearn. 

In specific weeks there will be lab sessions for formative assessment.

Study hours

At least 46 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Lab sessions in weeks 3-5 and 8-12 where students will do Blackboard quizzes in similar style to those used in summative assessments. 

Reassessment

Additional costs