COMPSCI 111 : An Introduction to Practical Computing

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A practical introduction to computing. Topics include: web design, an overview of computer hardware and operating systems, effective use of common applications, using the internet as a communication medium, applying programming concepts, and social implications of technology.

Course Overview

This course has no prerequisites and does not require any special skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to navigate successfully in a Computer Science environment.

Although the paper is not a core Computer Science paper, it is a recommended paper for all students as it equips students with a broad range of skills that will be useful in their future studies and careers. Topics include website design, hardware, software, Internet, programming, word processing, spreadsheets, LaTeX typesetting, AI and Digital Game Design as well as many other Computer Science related topics, many of which are not covered in our other courses. The contents of the course (particularly the labs) help to boost the number of skills that students are able to list on their CVs. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Use personal computers with confidence (Capability 3)
  2. Write simple computer programs (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Create an artifact in some common applications, e.g. spreadsheets, word processing, databases (Capability 3, 5 and 6)
  4. Understand the structure of the Internet and its social issues, as well as other types of networks (Capability 1, 3 and 6)
  5. Design and create a simple web page (Capability 5)
  6. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the origins and design of computing hardware and software (Capability 1 and 3)
  7. Demonstrate a basic understanding of selected set of current research topics in Computer Science (e.g. AI and game design) (Capability 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Test 20% Individual Test
Laboratories 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Final Exam
Test
Laboratories

To pass the course, as well as obtaining at least 50% overall, students must pass the theory (test + exam) component and practical (labs) component separately.

Key Topics

  • Introduction to Hardware
  • Electronic Communication and Publishing Online
  • WWW
  • Word Processing and RefWorks
  • Spreadsheets
  • LaTeX Typesetting
  • Bits, Bytes and Digital Information
  • History of Computing
  • Software Licences and Conventions
  • Python Programming
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Digital Games
  • Web Design (using HTML5 and CSS)

Special Requirements

  •     Lab attendance is expected. For each lab, 10% of the mark is for attendance.
  •     When in the computer lab, students are required to use a lab computer, not their own laptop.
  •     There will be an Inspera test halfway through the semester. This test will be held in the evening.

Tuākana

The School of Computer Science Tuākana programme provides support for this course. See: https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/34081. For more information and to find contact details for the School of Computer Science Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, in most weeks you can expect:

  • 3 hours of lectures
  • 1 three-hour compulsory lab
  • 1.5 hours of reading and thinking about the content 
  • 2.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is required at labs.
  • Lectures will be available as recordings. 
  • The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
  • The test and exam will both be  on Inspera.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Course Material:

  •     An online course reference manual is available via Canvas.
  •     The course reference manual contains chapters that can be referenced when doing the lab assignments.
  •     A number of additional optional readings from the internet will be recommended.

Health & Safety

  • To avoid OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome, also known as RSI), please take regular breaks from your computer, and also maintain good posture.
  • Please use the lab computers when in the lab, not your laptop.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

We value your feedback. Rather than just providing feedback at the end of the semester, each lab assignment will include a question at the end asking you for your thoughts so you have an opportunity to give feedback throughout the course.

Other Information

  • Lab assignments are completed in the lab. Tutors will be on hand in the lab if students need help with anything.
  • Please contact the course coordinator (Ann Cameron) if you have any queries. 
  • You can find the teaching staff's contact details on the course's Canvas home page.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

If you have any complaints or queries about the course please contact the course coordinator, but if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you can bring it up with the class representative who can pass it on to the course coordinator.  

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 06/11/2024 09:04 a.m.