Computer Science

It is difficult to conceive of any area of science, industry and business that has not been impacted upon by computers and the technologies and techniques developed by computer scientists. This module will expose the student to many diverse areas of applied computing, with lectures delivered by academics from across the university in the sciences, social sciences and the humanities, alongside speakers from business. These lectures will discuss how computers are important in the presenter’s particular field, and what computer science problems needed confronting to solve particular important problems they have faced.

The applied computing module should be of interest to students who are intrigued by the broad application of modern computing, and the range scientific and business fields that a computer science background can lead to. As such it is suitable for students in non-specialist streams, although an enthusiasm for the broad topic area is assumed.

Pre-requisite module ECM1413

To expose students to the wide range of applications of computing across scientific disciplines, and within industry, and to reflect upon the range of computing applications and technologies that require people with the computer science skill-set to support them.

This module will heavily draw on the research and industrial application of computers, and technologies and techniques from to Computer Science, students on the module will also be able to consider at an early stage in their degree what areas they may wish to pursue further, and the range of employment opportunities these areas align to.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Explain at a high level scientific and industrial problems, and their resolution with computer science techniques;
2 appreciate the diverse range of problems confronted by computer scientists;
3 compare and contrast different potential solutions to a computer science problem;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 systematically break down a problem into its components;
5 recognise how different problem domains may use the same techniques and solutions;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 work in a team;
7 present and synthesize complex ideas orally;
8 present and synthesize complex ideas in a written form.
 

The module will be presented primarily by computer users from outside the Computer Science department. An indicative list of contributors includes:

• from CEMPS: water systems, systems biology, climate science, astrophysics;
• from elsewhere in the university: the medical school, geography, biosciences, IT services;
• from outside the university: Met Office (mass storage), NATS, IBM, the learning project, ATAS, NHS.

Since the module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will be by assignment. There will be a single assignment for reassessment.

Basic reading: Varies, will depend on the academic and business lecturers and their topic areas from year to year.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web based and Electronic Resources: Varies, will depend on the academic and business lecturers and their topic areas from year to year.

Other Resources: Varies, will depend on the academic and business lecturers and their topic areas from year to year.

Reading list for this module: