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2022/2023

Fundamentals of Computing

Code: 106555 ECTS Credits: 3
Degree Type Year Semester
2504392 Artificial Intelligence OB 1 2

Contact

Name:
Antonio Espinosa Morales
Email:
antoniomiguel.espinosa@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
english (eng)
Some groups entirely in English:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
No
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

External teachers

Antonio González

Prerequisites

Subject has no prerequisits

Objectives and Contextualisation

The course is introductory. It covers basic concepts of computer organization and design, and basic concepts of operating systems. The main objectives are:

  • Understand basic concepts such as: computer hardware, software, operating systems, computer organization, algorithm, program, programing language, compiler, etc.
  • Understand the computer functional units.
  • Understand the way computers work (low level vision).
  • Understand machine langauge and assembly language.
  • Get familiar with the Linux Operating system and common system tools.
  • Understand the main components of a modern operating system.

Competences

  • Design, implement, analyse and validate efficient and robust algorithmic solutions to computational problems derived from the design of intelligent systems.
  • Work cooperatively to achieve common objectives, assuming own responsibility and respecting the role of the different members of the team.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand and be able to use operating systems from a user perspective.
  2. Understand the basic principles of computer structure and computers.
  3. Work cooperatively to achieve common objectives, assuming own responsibility and respecting the role of the different members of the team.

Content

Main subject content:

1-Introduction

Functional structure of a computer, conceptual levels of a computer, basic elements of a program

2-Information representation

Introduction to data representation: numeric, real numbers, text

3-Introduction to computer architecture

Processor, functional units, execution flow, memory, I/O subsystem, execution flow

4-Intro to Operating Systems

Main components of a modern operating system. User view of the system. Linux system tools

5-Programmer's view of Operating System: processes, memory, I/O

Methodology

Methodology

There are 2 hours of class scheduled for each week. Timetable is available at the web site of the engineering school: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/estudis/graus/horaris-1345737392845.html

Classes will cover theoretical introductory lessons and then some practical examples and exercises to be solved by students and provided as an assessment.

Content and scheduling of the sessions will be available at the virtual campus. Subject web space will be the default communication channel between students and teachers. All planned assignments and assestments will be available there.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Theoretical sessions 15 0.6 2, 1
Type: Supervised      
Practical sessions 10 0.4 2, 1, 3
Type: Autonomous      
Autonomous work 45 1.8 2, 1

Assessment

Assessment of theory is done by two partial exams with a total weight of 60% of the subject. There will be a final exam that will allow students to be reevaluated. They must take this final exam for those partial exams that have a grade lower than 5.

There will be a list of exercises to solve as assignments that will have a total weight of 20% of the subject.

There will be two labs to do during the semester. Its weight will be of the 20% of the subject.

There is no reevaluation of exercice and lab assignments.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exercices 20 1 0.04 2, 1
Labs 20 3 0.12 2, 1, 3
Partial exams 60 1 0.04 2, 1

Bibliography

“Computer Systems Design and Architecture” Vicent P. Heuring / Harry F. Jordan. Ed. Addison-Wesley

"Computer organization and architecture: principles of structure and function". William Stallings.

Software

The subject will use the lastest versions of Visual Studio and Ubuntu Linux for the development of the class