BSc (Hons) Computer Science, Lecture notes of Computer Science

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BSc (Hons) Computer Science

CARDIFF SCHOOL OF

TECHNOLOGIES

Induction & Enrolment Information

Academic Year 2021/

C O N T E N T S

1. Welcome from your Teaching Team

2. Pre-Entry Summer Tasks

3. Enrolment / Student MetCard Collection

4. Induction Week

5. Draft Timetable / Typical Attendance

6. Changes to the Course due to COVID-

7. Useful links

Welcome from your Programme Director

A very big welcome to Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met) and the Cardiff School of Technologies (CST). We are so pleased that you have chosen to spend the next few years studying with us and we are confident that you will have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

The whole teaching team is on hand to help you get the most out of your time at Cardiff Met. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns in the coming weeks, as you settle into your new life at the University. We would also like to emphasize that everyone at CST and Cardiff Met is taking every possible precaution to ensure that you enter a COVID-19 safe learning environment. We are customizing all our teaching, and learning methods, resources, and lab spaces to ensure that you can carry out your studies, projects, and learning activities without any hindrances.

As a new student at Cardiff Met, you will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will provide support throughout your time here. In addition, your Program Director (or “PD”) will not only be an additional point of contact for support but will also be responsible for the academic and administrative coordination of the course.

This welcome pack has been written to help you get off the starting blocks and to let you know a little bit about your first week at the University. We have also put together a summer project with few activities which you can engage in and attempt at your own pace. We hope that this will give you an insight into the course, as well as inspire and motivate your enthusiasm to succeed in the field of Computer Science.

During the induction week, you will have the opportunity to meet your lecturers, fellow students and learn more about Cardiff Met and the city. We hope you find the week fulfilling and enjoyable.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Yours Sincerely,

Thanuja Mallikarachchi

Dr. Thanuja Mallikarachchi, Ph.D. Lecturer in Data Science and Informatics Program Director for BSc (Hons) Computer Science Cardiff School of Technologies Cardiff Metropolitan University O2.55b, Llandaff Campus Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB

[email protected] | www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/CST

2. Pre-Entry Summer Tasks

The set of activities listed below are prepared to inspire your enthusiasm, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities; skills which are pivotal to succeed in the field of Computer Science. The attempting order of these activities, composition of activities, programming languages to be used, and progression towards the completion is entirely up to you. You may engage with these activities at your own pace, and you may refer to any additional resources if required. Activity 1: Learn basic programming skills.

Computer programming is an essential element in this course, and you will be learning to use several programming languages such as C/C++, Java and MATLAB etc. These will be used throughout the course either for high level application development, data analytics, and scientific computing etc. In this case, following books and freely available online courses will provide step-by-step guidance for you to learn basic programming skills using C, Python, Java and basic web technologies.

• C Programming - Absolute Beginners Guide
• Codecademy: Python 2
• Codecademy: Basic Java
• Codecademy: C++
• Learn HTML and other web technologies

Activity 2: Explore Linux.

Linux is one of the most popular operating systems used in the industry today and most of the Internet services we use are powered by Linux machines. Therefore, as computer science graduates it is very important that you get familiar with the operating system, its features and using terminal/command line. The following links give you 3 options (you may pick one) to install Ubuntu on your personal laptops.

Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS in virtual box Windows 10

Install Ubuntu using WSL in Windows 10

Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS alongside Windows 10 – Dual boot

Once installed, try to explore these Linux commands in the terminal and observe their outcomes.

Activity 3: Binary arithmetic and Boolean logic

As computer science students, you will deal with binary numbers, and Boolean logic within numerous modules. Following online tutorials and interactive web pages are a good place to start exploring binary arithmetic and Boolean logic.

• Binary arithmetic
• Boolean logic

Activity 4: Basic machine learning Machine learning is an important aspect in your curriculum. You will encounter modules related to AI and computational thinking in your 2 nd^ and 3 rd^ year, respectively. In addition, it is a widely popular topic and a subject area as most of the recruiters and technology companies are looking for individuals with both practical and theoretical experience in machine learning and AI.

3. Enrolment / Student MetCard Collection

Enrolment is an important process which confirms your status as a Student. You can complete the online self-enrolment process from any computer through our Self Service system. Please note that in order to self-enrol; your status must be Unconditional Firm (UF).

You will receive an email notifying you when you are eligible to enrol online. The email will direct you to a password reset facility in order to request a password to be able to login and complete the enrolment process. For information and guidance on this process please make sure you visit our enrolment page – www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/enrolment.

This process is essential in that it will allow you access to your student loan (if applied for), payment of fees, Cardiff Met’s IT systems and importantly enable you to obtain your Student MetCard.

You will also receive your Programme Handbook during your Induction Week. The Programme Handbook is a vital manual through the Programme and should be retained for usage throughout your course of study. Each academic year, additional information relating to that level will be provided. The Handbook offers guidance on Rules, Regulations and Procedures; and guidance on learning for practice with information on all modules to be undertaken and reading lists.

Enrolment for International Students If you are an international student you will be required to submit some documentation before receiving approval to enrol online. For more information about international student enrolment and a list of documents you will need to submit, please access the international student pages or contact the Immigration Compliance Team at [email protected].

Library & Information Services You will have access to Cardiff Met’s Library & Information Services soon after completing your online enrolment. A confirmation email will be sent to you with your Cardiff Met login details. To see the facilities and services available, please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/library.

Your Student MetCard Your MetCard gives you access to all main campus buildings and doors. You can also add money to your MetCard to be able to access and pay at the self-service printers, copiers and Print Studio services. For further benefits of MetCard please click here.

Fees Tuition fees for Home students for full-time undergraduate degrees, and full-time Masters programmes for September 2021 entry have been set at £9,000 per year. For further information on tuition fees, please refer to our Fee Tables. If your programme has any additional costs attached to it, they will be listed on www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/additionalcosts. Please make sure you check these to make sure you are aware of any additional costs associated with your course.

Details about fees for international students can be found here. You should already be aware of these costs.

4. Induction Week

Induction for all students within the School of Technologies will commence on Monday 20 th September 2021. Your first term as a new student starts with Induction Week, where you will settle into your accommodation, course and student life. Your Induction Week timetable is a schedule of events designed to familiarise you with Cardiff Met, its facilities and your fellow students. You will be given the chance to attend a range of events covering your programme, library services, IT, student services and Students Union. You will also meet, and have a number of sessions, with your personal tutor to make your academic transition as smooth as possible.

In line with the programme delivery information below, the Induction week will include activities that are both synchronous (delivered at a scheduled time and led by a member of staff) and asynchronous (activities designed and set by a member of staff but completed in your own time). These activities will largely happen in online/ virtual environment spread throughout the induction week; however, we are also planning activities to run on-campus where government restrictions allow.

Your events and confirmed timetable are currently being finalised and will be uploaded as a separate document on our New Students pages for you.

For those in Halls of Residence, don’t forget to check out the programme offered through the Residence Life Team.

6. Changes to the Course due to COVID-

Any updates to your course following the effects of COVID-19, can be found on the following webpage. Please make sure you check this page regularly for any further updates or changes, prior to starting your course;

https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/study/newstudents/Pages/Programme-Updates.aspx

Some of your induction is likely to be delivered online, sometimes using Microsoft Teams. We recommend that you download the app to your phone, or visit the website in a browser to familiarize yourself with how to use this platform.

If you do not have the facility at home to access this type of platform, or would have any difficulty in doing so, please let us know.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

7. Useful links

Timetable This link will give you access to your confirmed timetable. You need to have enrolled before you can access this link, and you will be contacted when the information is available.

Global Engagement Advice and support for international students on making your visa application, living in the UK, making accommodation arrangements and taking advantage of the Airport Welcome Service. Global Engagement will provide welfare support and learning advice throughout your course. Please also refer to our frequently asked questions - https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international/study/Pages/default.aspx

Additional Course Costs Additional costs are the mandatory or optional expenses, additional to tuition fees that need to be paid for by students to fully participate and complete their studies. This covers such things as equipment, trips, placements and DBS checks. Each programme has different additional costs.

Accommodation Student residential contracts will start on 20 th^ September 2021. However, due to social distancing and to ensure the health and safety of you and our staff, arrivals for halls will be spread over a number of days the week before. Once you have received and accepted your offer of accommodation please watch out for an e mail letting you know when you will be able to move in. Please note that internet access in halls will only be available for those who have completed the enrolment process successfully. There will be a variety of events held throughout the Induction period and throughout the 1 st^ term, information of which will be sent to you by Accommodation when confirmed

Student Services For help during your time with us in relation to your health, welfare, lifestyle and future career. The aim is to provide you with all the support you need to ensure your studies are as enjoyable and successful as possible. Services also include counselling, disability and chaplaincy.

Student Finance For information on Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans, non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships that may be available.

Cardiff Met Sport & Facilities

Cardiff Met SU including SU Societies, SU Sports Clubs and the ability to access independent advice and support

Term Dates

Campus Maps and Bike Shelters

COVID-19 Vaccinations

We’re encouraging all of our students to have the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible. It’s one of the things we can all do to help prevent the spread of the disease, keep each other safe and help us all return to our normal lives.

If you are a Cardiff resident and have yet to receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, we recommend you visit the Bayside Mass Vaccination Centre which is situated in the old Toys R Us Building. The centre is operating as a walk-in service, offering first doses of the Covid-19 vaccination every weekend between 8am and 4pm for anyone over 18 who lives, studies or works in Cardiff.

If you are moving to Cardiff to study with us for the new academic year and have yet to receive your first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, we suggest you check with your local GP about getting the first dose before you move. If it is unavailable to you, you should attend the Bayside Mass Vaccination Centre as soon as you arrive in Cardiff.

We also advise all our students living in Cardiff to register with a GP. Once you’ve moved, you can register using our Cardiff GP Registration form.

More Information:

Public Health Wales

NHS England

Northern Ireland

Scotland