An Introduction to Practical Computing: COMPSCI 111/111G Semester 1, 2014

A practical introduction to computing that will build confidence and familiarity with computers. Topics include: web site design, an overview of computer hardware and operating systems, effective use of common applications, using the Internet as a communication medium, applying programming concepts, and social implications of technology.

As part of their practical work, students will create web pages, and use a variety of home and office applications including word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and databases.

This course is designed for students who want a general introduction to computing. Experience with a wide range of practical applications will provide transferable skills that will be equally useful in academic and industry environments. No prior experience with computers is required, and help is always readily available from the teaching staff.

There are three one-hour lectures per week, and students will be required to attend one three-hour laboratory per week.

A copy of the course information sheet which contains contact information for staff, staff office hours, assessment summary, lecture schedule, lab schedule, and other course information is available here.

• The final exam is worth 60% of your final mark.
• Material to be examined: Lectures 1 - 29 (inclusive) and Labs 1 - 9 (inclusive)
• Time and Date: 9:15am, Saturday 14th June, 2014
• It is a 2 hour exam. Please check Student Services Online for a confirmation of the date and time.
• Examination room lists will be posted online and on Campus noticeboards by 5.00pm the day before your examination.
• The exam is closed book, and calculators are not permitted.
• Past years' exams can be found on the tests and exams page
• Please bring your Student Id card, a pencil and an eraser
• Section A of the exam is Multi-Choice and you will be answering these questions on a teleform sheet. Please read the following instructions on filling out a Teleform sheet before you go to the exam:
• How to fill out a Teleform sheet

• The Compsci111/111G course reference book and lab manual can be purchased from the University Book Shop (UBS) in the Kate Edger Building.
• Please ensure you have the Semester One, 2014 version of the lab manual. It has a purple cover.
• You are expected to read the relevant chapter(s) from your course reference book before attending your lab session each week, and to bring it to all of your lab sessions along with your lab manual.

• FTL (First Floor Teaching Laboratory) Room 303S-175 on the first floor of the the Computer Science Extension to the Maths & Physics Building (Building 303S).
• Please note that labs start in the second week of the semester, but please visit the lab during the first week and check that your login and password work on our computers.
• Lab assignments must be handed in before the start of your next laboratory session.
• If you have any problems or queries regarding the labs, please see the lab supervisor, Ann Cameron.
  

• Marks can be checked via the Cecil system.
  Please check your marks each week and contact Ann Cameron if there are any problems.

StudySieve is designed for revision. You must complete one set of test revision exercises before 8pm, Friday 4th April in preparation for the mid-semester test, and one set of exam revision exercises before 4pm, Friday 6th June in preparation for the final exam. See Page 71 and Page 127 in your lab manual for more information. The StudySieve web site is located at: http://studysieve.cs.auckland.ac.nz and you can find documentation here.

• 2014 S1 Sample Test Solutions

• Morning Stream:
  • Tuesday: 11am in Lib-B15 (Room 109-B15 in the basement of the General Library)
  • Wednesday: 11am in MLT1 (Room 303-G23 on the Ground Floor of the Maths & Physics Building)
  • Thursday: 11am in Lib-B15 (Room 109-B15 in the basement of the General Library)
• Afternoon Stream:
  • Tuesday: 3pm in HSB1 (Room 201N-346 in North side of the Human Sciences Building)
  • Wednesday: 3pm in HSB1 (Room 201N-346 in North side of the Human Sciences Building)
  • Thursday: 3pm in HSB1 (Room 201N-346 in North side of the Human Sciences Building)

• All course notes, overheads, past years' tests and exams, etc. can be found on this web site. Lab related files will be found in the course related folder on the laboratory computers.

A student who successfully completes this course should:

• have confidence with and a general knowledge of personal computers
• be able to write and debug simple computer programs
• be able to use some common applications, e.g. spreadsheets, word processing, databases
• have knowledge of the Internet and its social issues, as well as other types of networks
• be able to design and write a simple web page
• have a basic understanding of the origins and design of computing hardware and software

Detailed learning outcomes for this course are available. These are intended to be used as a study aid.

• Detailed Learning Outcomes