Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title DESIGNING SYSTEMS FOR THE DIGITAL SOCIETY
Code COMP107
Coordinator Dr F Grasso
Computer Science
Floriana@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To provide the students with a wide-ranging understanding of the discipline of computing, and to introduce students to concepts of professional ethics as well as social and legal aspects of computing.
To equip the students with the communication, time and project management, and employability skills required for a computing professional.
To allow the students to gain an understanding of the importance of appropriate and efficient system design strategies, at the conceptual and logical levels, and how to communicate them effectively to stakeholders.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Identify and appraise professional, ethical, legal and social issues related to the work of a professional within the IT industry with particular regard to the BCS Codes of Conduct and Practice.

(LO2) Recognise employability and entrepreneurship skills that prepare students to undertake paid work experience during the course of their degree or independently

(LO3) Identify, describe and discuss economic, historical, organisational, research, ethical, and social aspects of computing as a discipline and computing in practice;

(LO4) Understand the importance of requirement analysis, and demonstrate the ability to extract, analyse and organise end-user requirements;

(LO5) Identity and apply principles of system design, including database conceptual design, using ER and UML design methodologies;

(LO6) Recognise database logical design principles, and issues related to database physical design;

(S1) Effectively communicate in writing and orally in a variety of styles, including the presentation of coherent and persuasive intellectual accounts/arguments

(S2) Develop the ability to work effectively in group to design a project from conception to deployment

(S3) Develop the ability to manage time effectively and to organise own skills

(S4) Reflect on their own learning and professional development by producing a professional portfolio recording the skills developed in the course, which they can enhance in subsequent modules


Syllabus

 

Overview of Computer Science as a discipline and computing in practice: Economic, historical, organisational, research, and social aspects. Building a professional identity.

Fundamentals of system analysis, roles of the system analyst, project management, time management and teamwork. Understanding the contexts in which the system will operate. Appreciating, evaluating and articulating ethical issues related to digital solutions, cyber-ethics principles. Writing and appraising a system proposal: literature search, evaluation of sources.

Designing applications to user's requirements. Requirement acquisition and analysis. Information gathering, interactive and unobtrusive methods. Appreciating and preventing potential biases. Communicating effectively with stakeholders. Pitching.

Conceptualisation of requirements, the importance of formal specifications. Application to database conceptual modelling: Entity Relationships and Enhanced Entity Relationships models, UML, capturing the needs of different users by modelling user views.

Producing effective and usable systems. Application to databases: the relational model and database logical design. Appreciating robustness and scalability in database models: the benefits and drawbacks of normalization.

Professional development: understanding and articulating skills that define a Computer Science graduate, CV and somal media profiles.

Legal framework, Ethical, Social and Professional issues, including data protection and standards.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Face to face lectures presenting the main topics.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: small class tutorials presenting case studies on system analysis and design techniques.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Seminar
Description: Career oriented sessions to build employability skills.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Due to Covid-19, in 2020/21, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions.
(a) Hybrid delivery, with social distancing on Campus
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: On-line asynchronous lectures
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial / Seminar
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions

(b) Fully online delivery and assessment
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: On-line asynchronous lectures
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial / Seminar
Description: On-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions

(c) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing.
As our planning has already gone too far, even if the campus opens up, we will offer hybrid teaching
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: On-line asynchronous lectures
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial / Seminar
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 30

5

5

      40
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(107.2) Presentation and Peer evaluation There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1st se  10 minute presentati    25       
(107.3) e-portfolio - various activity There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :1st semester  5 hours expected    25       
(107.1) Group production of the Database ER model There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When  10 hours expected    25       
(107) Group essay - maximum 2000 words There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1st seme  10 hours    25       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.