Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module COMP3381: SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS III

Department: Computer Science

COMP3381: SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS III

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • COMP2231 Software Methodologies and COMP2211 Networks and Systems

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To enable students to critically evaluate the development of software solutions across existing and emerging technology areas.
  • To enable students to understand and evaluate topic themes across relevant application areas, focusing on relevant case studies.
  • To understand and apply fundamental principles of applied system solutions to a range of real world problems.

Content

  • Themes will be chosen from areas including the following:
  • Deep Learning: covering aspects of the area of machine learning that uses neural networks to extract higher level features from raw data; investigating various architectures and techniques.
  • Advanced Databases: covering the advanced design and query of databases across both structured and semi-structured data (XML), in addition to aspects of transaction and concurrency control.
  • Web Technologies: covering Web architectures, Web-based media processing and transmission, in addition to aspects of personalisation, summarisation and internationalisation.
  • Computer Vision: covering aspects of feature extraction and processing that feed directly into a number of featured automatic object detection, classification and recognition approaches.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the four sub-topics presented, how these are applicable to relevant industrial problems and have future potential for emerging needs in research and industry.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
  • an ability to critically analyse how the four sub-topic areas benefit software deployment ("in-the-wild") and how they aid the production of software applications
  • an ability to independently evaluate research issues including current practices, recent developments and emerging trends
  • an ability to appreciate the overlap between the sub-topics taught and on how they are mutually beneficial in software systems and applications development.
Key Skills:
  • On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
  • an ability to understand and effectively communicate technical information
  • an ability to use research and industry standard material within both existing and new system scenarios.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures enable students to learn core material in the different subject areas.
  • Problem classes enable students to apply the material learned in lectures and enhance their understanding.
  • Formative and summative assignments encourage and guide independent study, and test the knowledge acquired and the students' ability to use this knowledge to solve problems.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
lectures 44 2 per week 1 hour 44
problem classes 4 2 in term 1, 2 in term 2 2 hours 8
preparation and reading 148
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 66%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100% No
Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 34%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Example formative exercises given during the course. Additional revison lectures may be arranged in the modules lecture slots in the 3rd term


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University