DM573: Introduction to Computer Science
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Course introduction
One goal of the course is to give a brief introduction to a broad selection of topics within computer science, such that the student early in his/her education gets a feel for the nature of the subject and the characteristics of the education. A second goal is to increase awareness of the importance of understanding when working with course material.
The course partially builds on the knowledge acquired concurrently in the courses DM574 Introduction to Programming and DM549 Discrete Methods for Computer Science and constitute a perspectivizing foundation for the rest of the education in computer science.
In relation to the qualifications profile of the education, the course has explicit focus on the ability to:
- Understand and reflect upon theories, methods, and practice in the realm of computer science.
- Make and justify professional decisions.
Expected learning outcome
To achieve the goal of the course, its expected learning outcome is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Convert numbers from decimal to binary or floating point representation, and back.
- Construct simple logical circuits.
- Program in a simplified machine language.
- Perform simple data modeling and simple queries in a relational database.
- Design and implement simple algorithms and analyze their properties, including correctness and running time.
- Describe the idea of RSA-encryption and perform related calculations.
- Describe and apply some principles from artificial intelligence.
- Solve simple problems concerning finite automata, context-free grammars, and regular expressions.
- Model and solve combinatorial problems with SAT-solvers.
Content
The course contains the following main topics:
- History of computer science
- Computer architecture
- Algorithms
- Databases
- Finite automata, context-free grammars, and regular expressions
- Modeling and solving combinatorial problems with SAT-solvers
- Artificial intelligence
- Cryptology
- 3D graphics
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Tests
Mandatory assingments
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Examination aids
ECTS value
Additional information
Mandatory assignments in the form of multiple choice tests made during the course.
Re-examination in the same period or immediately thereafter.
The re-examination is an oral examination assessed by 7-point grading scale and internal co-examination.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
- Intro phase: 56 hours
- Training phase: 28 hours, of which 28 hours exercise classes and 0 hours lab
- Study phase: 45 hours
- Solve assignments
- Read the assigned literature
- Practice to apply the acquired knowledge