This module aims to give a broad introduction to the rapidly-developing field of artificial intelligence, and to cover the mathematical techniques used by this module and by other artificial intelligence modules in the computer science programme.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
A1. The principal achievements and shortcomings of AI.
A2. The difficulty of distinguishing AI from advanced computer science in general.
A3. The main techniques that have been used in AI, and their range of applicability.
A4. Likely future developments in AI.
A5. Basic differential and integral calculus.
Intellectual Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. Assess the claims of AI practitioners as they relate to `intelligence'.
B2. Assess the validity of approaches to model intelligent processing.
B3. Assess the applicability of AI techniques in novel domains.
Subject Specific Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. Select appropriately from a range of techniques when implementing intelligent systems.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | - | 50% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 50% |
Referral Method: By examination
The aims of this module are two-fold: to teach the theory and practice of distributed systems, and to provide a solid grounding in the fundamentals of all major aspects of computer network technology.
The networking aspect of the module will expose students to the principles of layered communication protocols, the architecture of the Internet, and the principles of how the components of the TCP/IP layered model are designed and operate. The distributed systems aspect will expose students to the principles and practice of distributed systems, from distributed system models and distributed algorithms to different programming paradigms for distributed systems to distributed transactions.
Students should gain a clear understanding of the technologies covered in terms of the underlying fundamental principles.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
The topics to be covered will include:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Standard lecture slots. | 36 |
| Tutorial | Optional tutorial slot, for (for example) further examples, assisting students with their self-study exercises or module assessments. | 12 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | - | 10% |
| Exercise 2 | - | 10% |
| Coursework | - | 30% |
| Exam | 1.5 hours | 50% |
Referral Method: By examination
The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in the principles and protocols behind modern data networks, grounding the theory in its application to organisational networks, most specifically a campus enterprise.
The module material will be underpinned by consideration of data communication technologies, but also include aspects related to network management and operation, and the principles surrounding distributed and cloud computing that are likely to be most important to organisations such as typical enterprise/campus networks.
The more theoretical aspects of the module will expose students to the principles of layered communication protocols, the architecture of the Internet, and the principles of how the components of the TCP/IP layered model, including the link, network and transport layers, are designed and operate.
The more practical aspects will cover network design and operation, including network security and network management and monitoring, as well as models for delivering an IT support service (such as ITIL).
A campus enterprise network will be used as a case study and a focus for operational discussions in the module. Outsourcing considerations and principles surrounding distributed systems and commercial cloud services will be included.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
The topics include:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Lectures to cover the subject matter material | 24 |
| Computer Lab | Analysis of Networks | 36 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| A series of laboratories to practice the practical aspects of networks and security | - | 20% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 80% |
Referral Method: By examination
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
|
Topic |
|
Development of practical skills in web site and database design & implementation: |
|
How to design and implement a website with supporting database in preparation for the second semester project integrating. |
|
Programming in OO-PHP |
|
Programming in the large. |
|
Modelling: Model View Controller, in an OO environment |
|
Looking after the code: Using an Integrated Development Environment, debugging, testing, and making the application accessible, using bug trackers, using a code repository, looking after dependencies, and making it open. |
|
Packaging the code. |
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | The lectures components provide an introduction to the relevant theory to underpin oo-php development, and the problems that practitioners will encounter in developing large programmes. | 33 |
| Specialist Lab | A variety of case studies is used to support the formally presented theory and may be used for the background to the practical workshops. Practical workshop components involve the consideration of practical problems and the development of actual solutions. | 30 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| laboratories | - | 25% |
| Coursework | - | % |
| - | 25% | |
| Exam | 1.5 hours | 50% |
Referral Method: By examination
To introduce the student to the concepts of programming using the C programming language, with an emphasis on programming for embedded systems.
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
A1. Know how to write and debug programs using an IDE.
A2. Understand the principles of designing structured programs.
A3. Know when to use the appropriate statements available in the C language.
A4. Know how to download and debug programs on an embedded target.
A5. Understand the differences between compiled and interpreted languages.
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. Analyse existing programs.
B2. Design new structured programs.
B3. Debug and test programs.
Subject Specific Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. Write programs to execute on an AVR microcontroller.
C2. Communicate with an AVR microcontroller using simple serial protocols.
C3. Interact with the physical world using an AVR microcontroller.
C4. Use a number of compilation tools.
C5. Use a scripting language for numerical and graphical tasks.
Employability/Transferable/Key Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
D1. Program.
D2. Manage your time in a laboratory.
D3. Record and report laboratory work.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 24 | |
| Demonstration or Examples Session | Weekly feedback sessions on the laboratory sessions | 12 |
| Specialist Lab | 40.5 |
These technical labs consider C programming and embedded C programming, addressing the above-listed learning outcomes. They are conducted under the umbrella of ELEC1029 but the marks contribute towards this module.
The design exercise considers circuits and programming, addressing the above-listed learning outcomes, as well as those of ELEC1200. It is conducted under the umbrella of ELEC1029 but the marks contribute towards this module and ELEC1200.
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Labs: C Programming | - | 20% |
| Technical Labs: Embedded C Programming | - | 25% |
| Design Exercise | - | 15% |
| In-class test: Hosted C | - | 20% |
| In-class test: Embedded C | - | 20% |
Referral Method: By examination, with the original coursework mark being carried forward
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|
Referral Method: By examination
To introduce participants to the key issues associated with experimental and observational studies in the domain of computer science and cognate areas. To develop the basic skills and knowledge needed to plan, analyse, and interpret such studies. In particular, to develop the basic skills and knowledge needed to statistically analyse data and interpret the results. To attain these aims through conceptual understanding and minimal (but not negligible) formal mathematical treatment.
Explain basic concepts in statistical analysis Explain basic concepts in research design and data collection Explain the principles underpinning statistical data analysis Critically evaluate research designs and their data analysis Select and apply appropriate statistical techniques Interpret the results of the basic statistical techniques (F, t, r, chi) Plan observational and experimental research studies Calculate required sample sizes Use SPSS to apply statistical techniques
Basic concepts of research design (the philosophy of the nature of data, theory, evidence, science, and proof; observational and experimental studies; independent and dependent variables; differences between samples versus correlations between measures; control and matching in experimental design; blind and double-blind studies; experimental and observational bias) Basic concepts of statistical data analysis (measures of central tendency and variability, populations, samples, sampling distributions, effect of sample size and population variance on sampling error, central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, types of error, test power, effect magnitude, determining appropriate sample sizes, non-parametric techniques) Basic concepts of psychometrics (the construction of questionnaires and other data gathering instruments; instrument reliability and validity) Basic concepts of correlational and observational designs (causality and correlation; scatter plots; correlation matrix; simple linear regression) Basic concepts of experimental designs and principles of the analysis of variance (multiple independent variables, interactions, main effects, Latin squares; repeated measures / split plot designs and more sensitive tests of effects; adjusting for violation of assumptions) Single (uni-) variate analysis of variance; analysis of covariance; analysis of factorial designs; the general linear model (Student’s t-test as the test of a difference relative to sampling error; F test as the test of the variability of sample means relative to sampling error; degrees of freedom, MS, and SS; post-hoc tests; error rates and Type I error control; main and interaction effects and the structure of their tests; the interpretation of interaction effects; simple main and simple interaction effects; profile graphs)
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 | |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly problem sets | - | 100% |
Referral Method: There is no referral opportunity for this syllabus in same academic year
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge of optical materials as a fundamental tool for understanding optical fibres, optical communications, sensing and nonlinear optics, in general. The course will give a detailed and mathematical introduction to glasses and crystals, optical fibres, fiberized devices and sensors, detectors, nonlinear phenomena and their applications
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
A1. Understand the fundamentals of photonic materials and recognise the importance of photonic materials in device applications.
A2. Design, fabricate and characterise photonic materials (single crystals, amorphous and glassy materials) and evaluate their interaction with light.
A3. Perform quantitative calculations on the properties of optical materials (loss, dispersion, nonlinearity)
A4. Comprehend the basics of light propagation in waveguides and optical fibres, the fundamentals of optical fibre devices and sensors and a qualitative understanding of waveguide properties (singlemode vs multimode, dispersion, nonlinearity, active vs passive)
A5. Design basic fiberised components and sensors
A6. Understand the basics of nonlinear optics.
A7. Evaluate nonlinear properties of specific devices
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. Appreciate the influence of materials upon the performance of optical devices and sensors.
B2. Understand the underlying physical principles that determine the way in which optical devices and sensors are designed
Subject Specific Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. Formulate and propose an appropriate material or combination of materials for device development.
C2. Design optical fibre devices/sensors and understand the tools required to fabricate them.
C3. Conceive nonlinear devices and their response.
Employability/Transferable/Key Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
D1. Produce a scientific report on specific topics.
D2. Design a device and predict its performance.
Materials in Photonics
- Introduction
- Single crystals, amorphous and glassy materials
- Crystallography
- Novel glasses and transparent glass-ceramics
Materials Fabrication and Characterisation
- Crystal growth and thin-film deposition
- Structural characterisation
- Thermal and Optical characterisation
Light – Matter – Structure Interaction
- Light–Matter interaction
- Waveguide structures: planar waveguides, fibres and optical microresonators
- Fibre loss mechanisms: Structure-property correlations
Optical fibres
- Guiding conditions
- Optical properties
- Specialty fibres and photonic crystal fibres
- Fabrication
Fibre gratings
- Bragg gratings
- Long period gratings
- FBG and LPG applications
Fibre devices
- Fused devices
- Optical Fibre Sensors
Detectors
- Silicon
- III/V detectors
Introduction to Nonlinear Optics
- Nonlinear susceptibility
- Wave Equation
- Nonlinear interactions (SHG and phase matching)
Nonlinear Fibre Optics
- Short pulse propagation (NLSE)
- Dispersion and nonlinearity (pulse solutions)
- Gain
Novel Fibres and Waveguide Devices (semiconductors and soft glass)
- Material considerations
- Engineering dispersion and nonlinearity
- Applications
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 30 | |
| Tutorial | 6 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework Assignment | - | 30% |
| Exam | 2.5 hours | 70% |
Referral Method: By examination
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge of solid state and ultrafast lasers as fundamental tools of contemporary science and technology. The operating principles of a wide variety of lasers in these two areas will be covered, as well as practical implementations and uses. Solid state and Ultrafast lasers are used in many branches of science and technology, and are an important sub-field within the field of photonics, because they drive technologies in related disciplines.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
• Part 1: Solid state lasers
• Part 2 – Ultrafast lasers and attosecond technologies
• ultrafast oscillators
• ultrafast pulse measurement: autocorrelation, FROG, SPIDER
• dispersion and ultrafast pulse propagation.
• Chirped pulse amplification: Ti-sapphire, fibre
• basics of HHG
• QM modelling of attosecond electron dynamics
• phase matching in extreme NLO
• attosecond pulse production & measurement
• attophysics examples
Combination of lectures, lab visits and problem classes.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Problem Sheets | - | 30% |
| Exam | 2.5 hours | 70% |
Referral Method: By examination
This module aims to give students an understanding of the fundamentals of computer hardware and of the principles of operation of computers and peripheral devices. In addition, the module aims to give an overview of the main families of microprocessors and their differences. Some digital electronics is also covered - with hands-on experience in the lab with a small arm-based linux board.
Intellectual Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. Describe the main components of a computer and understand their function.
B2. Understand differences between the main architectural families and modules
B3. Understand the basic features and functions of microcontrollers.
Subject Specific Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. Write simple programs in a low-level programming language (assembly)
Combination of lectures, labs and self-driven reading and learning.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | |
| Computer Lab | 6 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Work | - | 25% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 75% |
Referral Method: By examination