Module Descriptors
HARDWARE AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
COCS40681
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: James Mccarren
Email: James.McCarren@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 104
Independent Study Hours: 196
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- CLASS TEST weighted at 50%
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None.
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
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 Resources
Specialist laboratory facilities with digital logic tutors or equivalent.
Specialist laboratory with UNIX operating system
Specialist laboratory with UNIX operating system
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.
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, computer networks including aspects of network security.
Graphical displays including basic buffering and acceleration techniques.
Introduction to virtualisation and cloud computing. The potential social impact and ethical and legal implications of cloud technologies.
Environmental impact considerations of computer technology.
As part of the preparation for practical work, you will be introduced to necessary health and safety aspects of working with the specialist computing hardware equipment and perform personal risk assessment.
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
OS security issues
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
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, computer networks including aspects of network security.
Graphical displays including basic buffering and acceleration techniques.
Introduction to virtualisation and cloud computing. The potential social impact and ethical and legal implications of cloud technologies.
Environmental impact considerations of computer technology.
As part of the preparation for practical work, you will be introduced to necessary health and safety aspects of working with the specialist computing hardware equipment and perform personal risk assessment.
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
OS security issues
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 Learning Strategies
52 hours of lectures to cover the theoretical aspects of the module together with 52 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.