Module Descriptors
HARDWARE AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
COCS40586
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: David Hodgkiss
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 96
Independent Study Hours: 204
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
  • CLASS TEST weighted at 50%
  • PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Resources
Specialist laboratory facilities with digital logic tutors or equivalent.
Specialist laboratory with UNIX operating system

Module Texts
A book on C, Kelly & Pohl, 4th Edition 1998, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0201183994

The Principles of Computer Hardware, Alan Clements, 4th Ed, 2006, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0199273133

Operating Systems with Linux, John O'Gorman, 2002, Palgrave, ISBN: 978-0333947456

Module Learning Strategies
48 hours of lectures to cover the theoretical aspects of the module together with 48 hours of practical sessions where the students will be able to put the theory into practice.
Formative tests and vivas will be used on an ad hoc basis to assess students' progress.
Module Additional Assessment Details
1) TESTS - A portfolio of 2 phased class tests consisting of multiple choice and short answers weighted at 25% each, assessing learning outcomes 1-3.
2) A portfolio of exercises (weighted at 50%) covering the use of C, scripting, operating systems and virtualisation. This will also assess aspects of academic communication (as the final submission) - assessing learning outcomes 4-7.
Module Indicative Content
This module explicitly focuses on significant elements required for the achievement of STAFFORDSHIRE GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES.

This module will cover aspects of skills associated with the communication of information and understanding.

Use of logic circuitry including adders, memory, processors, I/O, peripherals etc.
Number systems relevant to computer systems (building from basic Number Theory covered within other module).
Computer system structure and components including peripherals, services etc.
Elementary data communications.
Graphical displays including basic buffering and acceleration techniques.
Introduction to virtualisation and cloud computing

Operating systems function and structure with examples principally drawn from Unix/Linux
Introduction to scripting in Unix/Linux (e.g. BASH/TCL)
Absence of an OS and use of schedulers
Servers and choice of server operating system including the use of remote solutions, e.g. the cloud environment and what enhancements they offer to an enterprise network system.

An introduction to the 'C' programming language within a UNIX/Linux environment and how it can be utilised to create and manipulate different data structures.

The module will also cover the various topics that are included within the Hewlett-Packard certification for Servers and Storage
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None.