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Overview

Course Prescription

A practical introduction to computing. Topics include: web design, an overview of computer hardware and operating systems, effective use of common applications, using the internet as a communication medium, applying programming concepts, and social implications of technology.

Course Overview

This course has no prerequisites and does not require any special skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to navigate successfully in a Computer Science environment.
Although the paper is not a core Computer Science paper, it is a recommended paper for all students as it equips students with a broad range of skills that will be useful in their future studies and careers. Topics include website design, hardware, software, Internet, programming, word processing, spreadsheets, LaTeX typesetting, AI and Digital Game Design as well as many other Computer Science related topics, many of which are not covered in our other courses. The contents of the course (particularly the labs) help to boost the number of skills that students are able to list on their CVs. 

Key Topics

  • Introduction to Hardware
  • Electronic Communication and Publishing Online
  • WWW
  • Word Processing and RefWorks
  • Spreadsheets
  • LaTeX Typesetting
  • Bits, Bytes and Digital Information
  • History of Computing
  • Software Licences and Conventions
  • Python Programming
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Digital Games
  • Web Design (using HTML5 and CSS)

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, in most weeks you can expect:

  • 3 hours of lectures
  • 1 three-hour compulsory lab
  • 1.5 hours of reading and thinking about the content 
  • 2.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is required at labs.
  • Lectures will be available as recordings. 
  • The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
  • The test and exam will both be  on Inspera.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Course Material:

  •     An online course reference manual is available via Canvas.
  •     The course reference manual contains chapters that can be referenced when doing the lab assignments.
  •     A number of additional optional readings from the internet will be recommended.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

  • To avoid OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome, also known as RSI), please take regular breaks from your computer, and also maintain good posture.
  • Please use the lab computers when in the lab, not your laptop.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

  • Lab assignments are completed in the lab. Tutors will be on hand in the lab if students need help with anything.
  • Please contact the course coordinator (Ann Cameron) if you have any queries. 
  • You can find the teaching staff's contact details on the course's Canvas home page.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

To pass the course, as well as obtaining at least 50% overall, students must pass the theory (test + exam) component and practical (labs) component separately.

Special Requirements

  •     Lab attendance is expected. For each lab, 10% of the mark is for attendance.
  •     When in the computer lab, students are required to use a lab computer, not their own laptop.
  •     There will be an Inspera test halfway through the semester. This test will be held in the evening.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

We value your feedback. Rather than just providing feedback at the end of the semester, each lab assignment will include a question at the end asking you for your thoughts so you have an opportunity to give feedback throughout the course.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Additional Information on Class Representatives

If you have any complaints or queries about the course please contact the course coordinator, but if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you can bring it up with the class representative who can pass it on to the course coordinator.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

The School of Computer Science Tuākana programme provides support for this course. See: https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/34081. For more information and to find contact details for the School of Computer Science Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.