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Unit information: Programming Languages and Computation in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Programming Languages and Computation
Unit code COMS20007
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Steven Ramsay
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

COMS10016 Imperative and Functional Programming

COMS10014 Mathematics for Computer Science A

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department School of Computer Science
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

This unit is an introduction to mathematical models of computation in general and the design and implementation of programming languages in particular.

Your learning on this unit

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and reason about computations precisely.
  2. Argue about the limitations of certain models of computation.
  3. Understand the interplay between the design and implementation of programming languages.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

How you will be assessed

Exam (January, 100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMS20007).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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