| Unit name | Introductory Scientific Computing |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SCIF10001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Rigby |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Science Faculty Office |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit is designed for students in the first year of the new “X with Scientific Computing” degrees. It will cover the basics of computer programming for scientists, as well as methods of scientific programming and important background concepts of computer science to give students the knowledge necessary to participate in higher level computing courses.
Teaching will be delivered, as much as possible, through non-lecture-based approaches. Much of the material lends itself to flipped/modular/bite-sized teaching allowing the students to accumulate credits throughout the teaching period. The topics covered are as follows:
It is anticipated that approximately two-thirds of the time will be devoted to the first two items on modern programming methods.
After completing this unit, students should be able to:
The unit is taught through a flipped approach, using a combination of asynchronous online material to introduce the more mathematical or theoretical concepts, with structured asynchronous self-paced activities to allow students to develop understanding and put into practice what they have learnt, supported by synchronous online, and subsequently, if possible, face-to-face group workshops and office hours. We will make use of online forum and collaboration tools such as wikis to foster a collaborative and creative mindset. Feedback will be provided for both coursework and formal assessments.
Formative assessment will be through a set of on-line tutorials and exercises. Summative assessment will be through ten online tests (40%, ILO's 1, 3, 5 and 6) and a set of four programming exercises (60%, ILOs' 1, 2, 4 and 6).
