06-11337Introduction to Computer Science A

Professor Uday Reddy U.Reddy@cs.bham.ac.uk

1/10/2002 IntroCS, 2002-03 - © Uday Reddy Course intro - 2

Intro to Computer Science

2-Semester Linked Module (A and B)The second semester will be taught by Dr.

Martin Escardo.Combined final exam for both the

semesters.

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Assessment

Continuous Assessment 20%

(classwork & homework)Midterm exams 10%

(“class tests”)Final exam 70%

1/10/2002 IntroCS, 2002-03 - © Uday Reddy Course intro - 4

Format

2 Lectures each week Monday: Avon RoomTuesday: Physics, Large Lecture Theatre

1 Exercise class in smaller groups (Fri)classwork exercise to be completed.Group assignments will be posted next week(Demonstrators available to answer questions)

1 Homework exercise (Tue Tue)

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Format

8 pairs of exercises per semester (estimated)

of which 7 best will be counted2 midterm exams in semester 11 midterm exam in semester 2Final exam in May covers both semesters

(roughly 40% for semester 1, and 60% for semester 2)

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What is expected of you

Attend lectures: pay attention, take notes.Study at home: 2-3 hours per every hour of

lecture. Review the lecture material Work on exercises Make a note of difficult points

Come prepared for the exercise class.Submit homework on time.Have fun while learning!!!

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Course material

Course home pagehttp://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~udr/Intro/

(linked from Modules page & my home page)Lecture handouts in every lectureRecommended text:

Computing Science - An Overview, by G. Brookshear. Any edition.

Copies in CS library. Bookstore.

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What this course is aboutFundamental concepts of computer science.Algorithms (Precise descriptions of problem-

solving methods).Internal structure of computers.How algorithms & programs are based on this

structure.Algorithm performance.Algorithm design techniques.

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Announcement

The lecture next Monday, 7/10/2002, is cancelled.

Please pick up a copy of the Exponents and Logarithms handout from the CS library.

Study it and think about the exercises.The next lecture will be on Tuesday,

8/10/2002.

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Batcher’s Merge