![[Diagram:pic/cse150.gif]](pic/cse150.gif)
John Shepherd
(Postgrad Coursework Academic Advisor)
Overview
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What's Computing at CSE All About?
Technology ...
What's Computing at CSE All About?
Technology ... Problem-solving ...
What's Computing at CSE All About?
Technology ... Problem-solving ... Creativity ...
What's Computing at CSE All About?
Technology ... Problem-solving ... Creativity ...Ultimately, the goal is ...
- building useful computer-based tools for people
- changing the way people live and work
For example ...
A Computer Scientist who made a difference
A Computer Scientist who made a difference
Ever surfed the Web?
... A Computer Scientist who made a difference
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Tim Berners-Lee
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Tim Berners-Lee's original "Web" design
Terminology and Jargon
Information Technology- overall term covering theory, practice and application of information processing via digital computers
- application of IT to businesses/organisations
(how to apply packages)
- foundations and technological underpinnings of IT
(how to build and apply packages)
... Terminology and Jargon
Training- being taught specific skill-set for current packages
- knowledge that dates quickly as technology changes
- the kind of thing they do at TAFE and industry training-courses
- being taught foundations on which packages are based
- knowledge that dates far less rapidly (foundations change slowly)
- the kind of thing we do here at UNSW
- afterwards, we expect that you can train yourself
Some UNSW Terminology
Course- a single-semester (14-week) unit of study (subject)
- typically involves assessment via assignments and exam
- the academic staff member responsible for a course
- LICs have total control over running of course
- typically, a PhD student who handles course administration
- usually the first point of contact for course problems
COMP Courses
Foundations (Group A)- programming, data structures, hardware, discrete maths
- software engineering, analysis of algorithms
- operating systems, microprocessors, compiling techniques
- databases, networks, graphics, artificial intelligence, HCI
- typically, extensions/specialisations of the Core
What are COMP courses really about?
Most COMP courses have a number of goals:- for you to learn about some aspect of computer technology
- for you to understand the principles behind the technology
- for you to develop skills in using this technology
- for you to further develop general problem-solving skills
- for you to learn how to learn about new technologies
The last of these is one of the most important things that you'll get from CSE.
What are our degrees really about?
Our overall goal is for ...- all of you to have a deep understanding of IT
- all of you to be technically competent IT professionals
- all of you to be capable of being IT innovators
- some of you to create the next generation of IT
Cast of Characters
Students
- should be at University because they are interested and want to learn
- required to perform in exams and assignments to demonstrate learning
Academic Staff
- should be at University because they are interested and want to learn
- required to do research, teaching, administration
... Cast of Characters
General Staff
- provide invaluable support for academics and students (under pressure)
- School Office, Computer Support Group, Admin Staff, Technicians, ...
- some advice: you can never be too nice to General Staff ...
University Administration
- see comments for General Staff ...
Important Postgrad People in CSE
John Shepherd- structure of programs, academic advice (not enrolment)
- overall responsibility for student enrolment in programs
- PG admin, responsibile for making enrolments happen (subject to approval by Cassandra or John)
... Important Postgrad People in CSE
But the most important "person" in CSE is ...
... Important Postgrad People in CSE
But the most important "person" in CSE is ...
A mail alias which is the starting point for all enquiries.
What should you get from a COMP course?
Skills ... maybe useful for a year or two
Concepts ... useful for your entire career
How to learn ... useful for your entire life
Learning Environments
| Place | Stude:Staff Ratio |
Hours/Week/Course |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 200 : 1 | 3 |
| Assignments | 1 : 0+ | 4 (in bursts) |
| Self Study | 1 : 0+ | 4+ |
and does not mix well with part-time work;
consider a 3/4 load if working >10 hours/week
Note also that you won't do well if your only efforts toward each course are to attend lectures and do the assignments; you must do some self study as well.
... Learning Environments
Lectures- we present the "theory" via examples and case-studies
(watch, listen, learn)
- "write a program to do XYZ"
(you take home and solve in your own time on a computer)
Assignments
Aims: sharpen/display skills on large(ish) example problemsFrom your perspective:
- a chance to "put together" what you learnt in lectures/study
- a chance to be creative, to build something, ...
- a check that you have developed the relevant skills
(so if you don't develop it during the assignments you are doubly-penalised)
... Assignments
Whatever you do ...
Don't Copy Assignments! 
We get very annoyed and ...
- can give you a total mark of 0 for the course
- may get you excluded from the University
- you wasted a useful learning opportunity
- you committed the academic crime of plagiarism
Exams
Aim: to check that you've understood theory and gained skillsTypical format:
- 2-3 hours, 5-10 questions on a range of topics
- some multiple-choice, some discussion, some programming
Exams and Supplementary Assessment
Exams at UNSW are "one-chance" variety.You are not automatically entitled to a 2nd chance if you fail.
Supplementary Exams are granted only in exceptional circumstances and when
If you attend the original exam, you will generally not be
granted a Supplemntary Exam.
... Exams and Supplementary Assessment
Mere submission of a Special Consideration request does not guarantee that you will be granted any consideration- reasons must be well-documented
- must clearly show that ability to study was affected
- arrange with your supervisor to be given study time
- supervisor must provide written documentation if they insist on making you work during exams
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lecture
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lectureDon't leave assignments until the last minute
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lectureDon't leave assignments until the last minute
The first four weeks are deceptively easy ...
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lectureDon't leave assignments until the last minute
The first four weeks are deceptively easy ...
then assignments start
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lectureDon't leave assignments until the last minute
The first four weeks are deceptively easy ...
then assignments start
Read the Yellow Form (applies to all courses).
Some Tips
Don't buy the text book until after the first lectureDon't leave assignments until the last minute
The first four weeks are deceptively easy ...
then assignments start
Read the Yellow Form (applies to all courses).
Read the Course Introduction for each course.
The Yellow Form
This document gives "terms and conditions" for study in CSE.You agree to these terms when you activate your account.
Make sure you read them, as well as agreeing ...
- default rules for Supplementary Exams (LIC can override)
- description of what constitutes plagiarism (and penalties)
- how courses are allowed to be changed during semester
- etc. etc. etc.
Course Introductions
Each LIC will provide a Course Introduction in week 1.This states the course "terms and conditions", including:
- the aims and objectives of the course
- a list of topics to be covered (syllabus)
- the assessment criteria/formulae
- a (tentative) course schedule
How do you know you've succeeded?
When you understand all the sample exam questions ...
How do you know you've succeeded?
When you understand all the sample exam questions ...without doing any revision (:-)
How do you know you've succeeded?
When you understand all the sample exam questions ...without doing any revision (:-)
Note that a "bare pass" is not an example of success.
Yes ... it gets you credit, and will get you a degree ...
- it won't help you succeed with later courses
- it will not impress potential employers
How to succeed in CSE Courses
How to succeed in CSE Courses
How well you can do things
Not just on how much you can remember.
So ...
... How to succeed in CSE Courses
Practice, practice, practice
Explore, think, create
... How to succeed in CSE Courses
Practice, practice, practice
Explore, think, create
... and install Linux on your PC ...
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
- Hack into our or other people's computer systems
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
- Hack into our or other people's computer systems
- Download 100's of megabytes of GIFs and then print them
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
- Hack into our or other people's computer systems
- Download 100's of megabytes of GIFs and then print them
- Talk (or leave your mobile phone turned on) in lectures
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
- Hack into our or other people's computer systems
- Download 100's of megabytes of GIFs and then print them
- Talk (or leave your mobile phone turned on) in lectures
- Tell people that you think Bill Gates is a great innovator :-)
Things not to do
- Copy other people's work and submit it as your own
- Hack into our or other people's computer systems
- Download 100's of megabytes of GIFs and then print them
- Talk (or leave your mobile phone turned on) in lectures
- Tell people that you think Bill Gates is a great innovator :-)
- Don't seek help when you have problems ...
Getting Help
Where to go for help depends on the kind of problem ...
| Don't understand lecture material | Ask the lecturer in their consultation (see course web page) |
| Problems with Unix account | Ask at the Help Desk (Undercroft, Mech Eng) |
| Problems with lab/tute enrolment, assignment submission, ... | Ask the Course Administrator (see course web page) |
| Problems with academic program | Come to my consultations (see my web page for times) |
... Getting Help
| Straightforward enrolment changes | Do online via NSS (www.student.unsw.edu.au) |
| General enrolment problems | Send email to postgrad@cse |
| Want to vary/change program | Send email to postgrad@cse |
| Need a form of some kind | Ask at the School Office (Ground Floor, K-17) or check the CSE web site |
Consulting School or Course web pages will usually help you find out who to ask.
On-line resources
CSE website (http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/)- School news, timetables, staff contacts, forms, ...
- course outline, lecture notes, assignment specs, ...
- on-line enrolment, official handbook, course changes, ...
You will have two email addresses
- a UNSW one e.g. z3012345@student.unsw.edu.au
- a CSE one e.g. abcd123@cse.unsw.edu.au
- regularly read email at both these addresses, or
- forward them to your own email address (make sure it's reliable!)
Changing Courses
Deadlines for changes:- must add courses before end of week 2 (March 15)
- must drop courses before end of week 4 (March 28)
Withdrawal after week 8 means a grade of DF.
If some completely unforeseen event forces to you withdraw late, you may be awarded an NF grade.
... Changing Courses
Simple course changes can be handled on-line via NSS.If you want to make any change that varies from the standard program you will need to get approval from Cassandra Nock.
We allow some small variation from standard programs.
If you try to make radical changes, they will not be approved.
Serious Illness During Semester
If you are affected by serious illness, you should contact the LICs in your courses to ask them for advice.Each LIC decides how they will handle such cases depending on the assessment regime in their own course.
E.g. they may give you an extension to an assignment
Conclusion
CSE courses are demanding
Conclusion
CSE courses are demanding
but, we believe, ultimately rewarding.
Conclusion
CSE courses are demanding
but, we believe, ultimately rewarding.
Enjoy your computing studies at UNSW !
Produced: 19 Feb 2004