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School of Computer Science
Level 4
Ingkarni Wardli Building
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Email

Telephone: +61 8 8313 4729
Facsimile: +61 8 8313 4366

You are here: Computer Science > Courses > Level-2 > csc

Computer Science Concepts

Course-code: CompSci 1007 or CompSci 7008
Year-level: 2
Study-units: 3
Admission: Only for approved students
Contact: 48 hrs lectures, and 24 hrs practicals

Current offerings

Not currently offered
Previous offerings...

Why should I study Computer Science Concepts?

You will have a better understanding of how to solve real world problems by using programming languages, such as Java, and get ready for the future courses in level two and level three.

What will I learn?

Programming in Java:

Variables, control structures, methods, classes, input/output;
Object orientation, interfaces, inheritance;
Introduction to graphical user interfaces.

An introduction to computer systems, system software and basic Unix commands.

What am I expected to do?

If you want to get the most out of this course, there are a few things we expect you to do:

Attend the lectures While attendance at lectures is not compulsory, and will not be checked, we strongly recommend that you attend. You will get more from the lectures if you are involved, and try to make sense of the material being presented. You can do this by taking notes, thinking about the content, or asking a question to clarify something.
Prepare for the tutorials The tutorial sessions are designed to give you practice in applying the material from the lectures. You will get more from the tutorial sessions if you attempt the questions before you arrive at your session. By trying to answer the questions, you will discover the limits of your knowledge, and you will know what you need to ask the tutor. Your tutor will want to help you, but you must want to help yourself, too
Do the practical exercises The practical exercises provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate to us (and yourself) that you can apply the concepts you have learned. Remember: it does not matter how many books you read about swimming, you will not become a good swimmer until you get wet.
You should try to solve any problems that you encounter on your own --- the skills you learn will be very valuable in future courses, and throughout your computing career. Of course, if you really are stuck after a diligent effort, seek help. Sometimes the problem is a very small misundestanding that can be cleared up in a few minutes.
Doing the exercises is a very good investment of your time, because you receive ".htI("double-value")." from doing them: ".htEM("once")." when you receive marks for the exercise, and a ".htEM("second time")." during the final examination, when you find that you know and understand the coursework and are able to answer all the quesions.

What am I expected not to do?

Sometimes, when time is running short or you feel you have no idea what is going on, you will be tempted to cheat, by copying work from another student or from the web.

This is a very bad idea!

There are three reasons why it is a bad idea:

You won't learn anything, so you will do badly in the final exam;
You are committing a fraud, by trying to 'con' the lecturers; and
The University has strong rules concerning cheating

Cheating won't solve your problems --- it will make them worse. The lecturers and tutors are here to help you succeed, but we can't read your mind. Instead of cheating, seek help. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will be confident to work on your own. Remember: A high-distinction looks good on your academic record. and it looks good on our teaching record, too.

Every time we catch someone cheating we are required to begin a long, tedious, unpleasant formal process --- we don't want to go there, and neither do you.

We really don't need to define cheating --- you will know in your heart when you are guilty. If you want to be quite clear about what is and is-not acceptable, you should read the University's Plagiarism policy, available here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230 There are similar rules for examinations and related assessments: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1963

A useful guide on how to avoid plagiarism is available from the Centre for Learning and Professional Development: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/students

How will my performance be assessed?

Your performance in the course will be assessed in three ways:

Practical exercise marks will contribute between 20% and 30% to your final score.
The final exam usually contributes the remainder of the marks.
Tutorials are not usually assessed. However, we do record your attendance.

The precise details of assessment vary from year to year, and will be explained at the first lecture.

What comes next?

There are a number of courses that follow on from Computer Systems:

What do students think of this course?

From time-to-time, we ask students to give their opinion of this course, and allow the lecturers to respond to the evaluation. The most recent results, labelled "courseEvaluation", and "courseResponse" are here:

Related information

Here are some links to information that you may find useful:

University course-planner You can find the undergraduate course-planner page for this course here: CompSci 1007, and the post-graduate course-planner here: CompSci 7008
Assessment Policy The precise way in which your performance will be assessed in this course is decided by the lecturers, and may vary from year to year. Despite this variation, the University has an Assessment policy that provides a guidelines that all courses follow. You can read it here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/700
Examinations The University's Examinations policy gives information about examinations, such as when exams will be held, how you are expected to behave during an examination, and how you will be notified of the results of the examination. You can read it here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/465
Arrangements for Examinations Under some circumstances, you may ask that the time, place, or conditions of your examination be changed. If you think you have a very good reason for such a request (for example medical reasons), you should go to this website for more information: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/aea.html
Grade Descriptors Your final exam mark will be accompanied by a grade descriptor (for example F, P, C, D, HD). You can find a guide to the standard of work that you are expected to achieve at each grade-level at this website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/701
Supplementary Examination (Academic) If you do badly in the course, and your final score lies between 45% and 49%, you will automatically be granted a supplementary examination The supplementary examination will be held within the University's official Supplementary Examination period, which is usually less than one month after the original examination. More information is available here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/supps.html
Supplementary Examination (Medical or compassionate) If you believe your performance at the final exam was affected by circumstances beyond your control, such as a medical condition, or disruption at home, you can ask for a supplementary examination on medical or compassionate grounds. More information is available here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/supps.html
Review of academic progress The Faculty will review your academic progress each year, to ensure that you are making good progress. The University's Academic progress review policy can be found here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1803
Leave of absence You are permitted to interrupt your studies, subject to some conditions. You can read more about this in the University's Leave of absence policy, available here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1305
Withdrawing from this course You can withdraw from this course online via Access Adelaide, and an entry recording this fact will be made on your academic record. Be aware that the date on which you withdraw will affect the way the withdrawal is recorded, and may also have financial consequences. You can read about the critical dates and consequences here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/faq/view.pl?qid=175
General administrative matters You can find answers to a broad range of adminstrative matters at this website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/faq/faq.pl?section=student
Language and Learning Service The Academic Language and Learning Service can help you in many ways, including seminars, drop-in sessions and via online resources. You can find more information here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/all
Maths learning service If you are having problems with mathematics, the mathematics learning service can offer help. You can find out more here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/maths/drop_in
Education welfare The University's student services branch contains Educational Welfare Officers , who can give you advice and counselling about your welfare, finances, and personal and academic matters. The service is run professionally and confidentially. You can make an appointment to meet an officer by phone. More information is available here: http://www.union.adelaide.edu.au/student/services/care.html

Disclaimer

The information presented here should apply to most students. It is possible, however, that special conditions may apply to you. You can find out by reading the University Calendar program rules