School of Computer Science BCS accreditation 2021 - 2026

Software Engineering wIE MEng (Hons) - 2.1.3 Problem solving strategies

COMP10120 First Year Team Project

Design of a web-based application to a specification created by the group.

Assesement : Presentation, Lab work

COMP11120 Mathematical Techniques for Computer Science

The students practice problem solving by addressing exercises. Some of the exercises and the examples on this course particularly address the application of mathematical concepts and principles to problems from computer science.

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework

COMP11212 Fundamentals of Computation

The course notes include a comprehensive set of exercises designed to develop students' abilities to work with the formalisms taught. Examples classes give face to face feedback on performance.

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework

COMP12111 Fundamentals of Computer Engineering

This is addressed in laboratory work, supported by lectures.

Assesement : Lab work

COMP13212 Data Science

The specific problems concern the use of data to address questions. A number of techniques are investigated. When their use is appropriate is part is the most important concept for the student to learn.

Assesement : Examination, Lab work

COMP15111 Fundamentals of Computer Architecture

Wide variety of exercises covered in the lectures and hands-on in both labs and example classes.

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework

COMP15212 Operating Systems

The course emphasises an operating system as a series of problems that need to be solved, with solutions considering the trade-offs (typically between speed and size) of various solutions.

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework

COMP16321 Introduction to Programming 1

We introduce problem solving through timetabled workshops and these principles are also used in coursework 02

Assesement : Individual coursework, Lab work

COMP16412 Introduction to Programming 2

We teach how the use of data structures including Lists, ArrayLists, Sets, Stacks, Queues, Maps, HashMaps, HashSets and Binary trees can be used to solve computational problems. At the weekly workshops we give problems to be solved using whiteboard and marker to encourage the development of computational thinking strategies while not being distracted by the computer or code editor.

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework, Lab work, Workshops

COMP23111 Database Systems

The must use their problem solving skills to interpret the requirements of the "client" and then form a model ready for implementation

Assesement : Individual coursework, Lab work

COMP23311 Software Engineering 1

Students use design patterns to refactor software

Assesement : Examination, Group coursework

COMP23412 Software Engineering 2

The problem solving strategies involve (i) learning how to use the documentation of existing Web frameworks to address the requirements; (ii) double checking with the customers whether the course of action is sensible; (iii) splitting the requirements into smaller chunks that have to be distributed among the team members; (iv) come up with an strategy to merge all the chunks and merge them.

Assesement : Examination, Group coursework

COMP26020 Programming Languages & Paradigms

The unit makes use of problems where the solutions require problem-solving skills to apply different programming principles

Assesement : Examination, Individual coursework, Lab work

COMP26120 Algorithms and Data Structures

Material is placed within the context of real-world scenarios to demonstrate application to real-word problems. The course involves lab work that involves analysing a problem to develop an appropriate solution. Exam questions often involve an element of analysing a scenario to identify the most appropriate algorithmic solution.

Assesement : Examination, Lab work

COMP28112 Distributed Systems

Discussed in class and tested as summative assessment.

Assesement : Individual coursework, Lab work

COMP30040 Third Year Project Laboratory

The project may involve students developing a solution to a specific problem suggested by a supervisor or the student

Assesement : Individual coursework