Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Essentials of Computing

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC3045

City Campus

Undergraduate

175H Computing Technologies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Daniel Beck

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: daniel.beck@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: City Campus


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses

Successful completion of the following course/s:

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage.

 

If you have completed prior studies at RMIT or another institution that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible to apply for credit transfer.

Alternatively, if you have prior relevant work experience that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Please follow the link for further information on how to apply for credit for prior study or experience.


Course Description

Essentials of Computing introduces you to foundational concepts and techniques in Computer Science. You will learn and apply fundamental theories of computation and how these are realised and related to different programming paradigms. Topics include the study of various models of computation (e.g., finite state automata, grammars, regular expressions, Turing Machines, lambda calculus), computational complexity (e.g., P vs NP), limits of computation, and realisation of computation via programming paradigms (e.g., imperative vs declarative programming).


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course will contribute to following program learning outcomes for the following programs:

BP094 Bachelor of Computer Science
BP347 Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional)

PLO1: Knowledge - Apply a broad and coherent set of knowledge and skills for developing user-centric computing solutions for contemporary societal challenges.

PLO2: Problem Solving - Apply systematic problem solving and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement computing solutions to real world problems, demonstrating the ability to work independently to self-manage processes and projects.

PLO3: Cognitive and Technical Skill - Critically analyse and evaluate user requirements and design systems employing software development tools, techniques, and emerging technologies.

PLO4: Communication - Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods in interactions to both computing and non-computing personnel.


Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the core concepts and notions of fundamental theories of computing and their relation to programming.
  2. Discriminate between core ideas of computation and programming and computing technology.
  3. Analyse and compare the characteristics of different types of computational models, problems, and programming paradigms.
  4. Design and implement solutions to a wide range of problems,
  5. Communicate clearly and effectively using the technical language of the field correctly. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Teacher-guided learning will include lectures to present main concepts, small-class tutorials to reinforce those concepts, and supervised computer laboratory sessions to support programming practice under guidance from an instructor.

Learner-directed hours include time spent reading and studying lecture notes and prescribed text in order to better understand the concepts; working through examples that illustrate those concepts; and performing exercises and assignments designed by the teachers to reinforce concepts and develop practical skills across a variety of problem types.


Overview of Learning Resources

You are encouraged to bring your laptops and use the freely available software to conduct the laboratories.

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through Canvas and the RMIT Student website, and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. 

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning:

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT Student website.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Component 1:  Take-home Assignments
Weighting:40%
This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 and CLO5

Assessment Component 2: Quizzes
Weighting: 10%
This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2 and CLO3

Assessment Component 3: Exam
Weighting: 50%
This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 and CLO5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.