Please note that the first assessment item, which involves group work, is a hurdle task.  This means that you cannot complete COMP1050 satisfactorily without completing the hurdle task satisfactorily.  You will need to conscientiously attend practical classes and engage with the work with your tutor and fellow students.  (Sometimes people forget this, and it is very sad to see people who have obtained enough marks to pass a course end up failing the course because they neglected to work conscientiously on a hurdle requirement.)  For the hurdle requirement you will be assessed individually on your group participation and results.

As with all group work, you need to actively take part, and be present and engaged at every opportunity.  We expect you to be involved every week, but we know, of course, that you might be ill or something once or twice.  You need to be present and actively engaged in at least eight of the twelve sessions to be eligible to meet the hurdle, and if illness or anything else leads you to miss more than four sessions you should speak to the convenor and withdraw from COMP1050.  (Seek advice and possible exemption from this requirement if you are seriously affected by coronavirus quarantine by contacting the convenor as early as possible including full evidence of your circumstances.)

The "0 hours" estimated time required for that task arises because the task is completed during your scheduled practical class (and class hours are recorded separately). 

Late Submissions

As with all software engineering, timely submission is essential.  Late submissions will not be accepted. If you are seriously affected by unavoidable and unforeseeable circumstances, you should email the unit convenor as early as possible, and certainly before the due date of the piece of work.  In any case, be sure to submit by the due date whatever work you have available for submission.  (If after application for for Special Consideration as a result of  unavoidable disruption to studies the university deems you to be eligible to complete further work on the assessment item you may be given an opportunity to add to your submission or you may be given a substitute task.)

Written submissions

Software engineering frequently requires written reports, and such reports need to be, as far as possible, of professional quality.  Students need to strive to present work which is written clearly, with good grammar, correct word usage, correct punctuation and correct spelling.  Wherever required, all written work must be properly referenced and conform to standard stylistic conventions.

Practicals

Note that the practical classes in COMP1050 include assessable work.  They provide an opportunity for you to learn and develop your skills and you should also be aware that you will be being assessed each week.

Tutorials

Tutorial classes are intended to help you in your individual learning and involve no direct assessment.

Final Examination

Despite what it says above, the final examination will not be modularised in 2020 due to the disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus.  The examination will be held during the university's formal examination period after the semester's teaching has been completed.  We have no control over when, during that period, the examination is scheduled, so students must hold themselves ready for examination and not schedule conflicting activities (such as travel) until the date of the examination is published, or they should arrange for such activities to begin only after the entire formal examination period has ended.

Lectures take place every Monday from 11am  to 1pm AND Friday from 1pm to 2pm in 4 Western Road room 320.

For practical and tutorial classes, please check your individual timetable.  You are expected to attend three hours of lectures and one two hour practical every week (with the practicals starting in week 2), and you may choose to attend up to one one tutorial hour per week.

Class participation in lectures and practicals is compulsory (although this year exceptions may be made for students affected by quarantine requirements related to the novel coronavirus -- if you are affected, please be sure to inform the course convenor (by email) about your situation).  Tutorial classes are an opportunity to get further help and to develop your understanding with the aid of others.

There is no textbook or other special resource required for this unit -- the unit is fully self-contained.  Your participation in all activities is essential.

This is the first offering of COMP1050.