Module manager: Dr James Dyer
Email: j.e.dyer@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| COMP1850 | Programming |
| COMP1860 | Building our Digital World: Computer Systems & Architecture |
| COMP1870 | Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science I |
| COMP2850 | Software Engineering |
| COMP2860 | Beyond the Core: Advanced Hardware, Operating Systems and Pa |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
A computer system is a combination of hardware and software components that work together to process data, perform tasks, and execute programs. This module further explores the foundations and intricacies of computer systems focusing on the role of the operating system, network applications and network protocol. This module forms part of the core of the Computer Science curriculum. This module explores the purpose and role of operating systems and networks allowing students to attribute feature and design decisions to performance and security characteristics. Throughout the module, emphasis is placed on the integration of operating systems and networking concepts, preparing students to navigate the landscape of contemporary IT environments.
By the end of the module, students will be able to understand the foundational principles of computer systems, with a focus on the role of operating systems, network applications, and network protocols. They will demonstrate the ability to analyse feature and design decisions in operating systems and networks, attributing them to performance and security characteristics. Furthermore, students will integrate operating systems and networking concepts, enabling them to navigate contemporary IT environments effectively. Through theoretical exploration and practical application, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of computer systems, preparing them for advanced study and professional practice in the field of Computer Science.
On successful completion of this module a student will have demonstrated the ability to:
1. discuss and analyse the impact and implications of design decisions on the performance and security characteristics of a system using appropriately selected methodical approaches. (C1, M1, C5, M5, C6, M6, C10, M10)
2. select and interpret sources of information to solve complex real-world problems. (C4, M4)
3. apply common architectural design patterns in the implementations of multi-process (potentially distributed) applications considering security and performance concerns. (C5, M5, C6, M6, C10, M10)
4. select and use tools to design, test, analyse and evaluate computer systems and identify limitations (C12, M12, C13, M13)
5. identify and analyse ethical and sustainability concerns when designing and implementing computer systems and make reasoned decisions informed by ethical frameworks and codes of conduct. (C7, M7, C8, M8)
6. communicate effectively complex topics concerning computer systems to technical and non-technical audiences. (C17, M17)
7. reflect on their level of mastery of subject knowledge and skills and plan for personal development. (C18, M18)
Skills Learning Outcomes
a. Technical
b. Communication
c. Teamwork
d. Time management
e. Problem solving
f. Active learning
g. Reflection
h. Critical thinking
i. Academic writing
j. Ethics
- Operating systems
- Purpose & Principles
- Concurrency
- Scheduling
- Security, Resilience & performance evaluations
- Networking
- Network foundations
- Models of communication
- Network architectures
- Network applications
- Network protocol
- Security, reliability and resilience
- Security
- Security foundations
- Cryptography
- Law, ethics and professionalism in cybersecurity
- Secure coding
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- Parallel hardware and architectures
- Communication and memory sharing
- Dependencies and synchronisation
- Parallel algorithm design and evaluation
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | 1 | 36 |
| Practical | 22 | 2 | 44 |
| Practical | 24 | 2 | 48 |
| Private study hours | 272 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 128 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Students will have an opportunity for continuous feedback on all components of the portfolio via tutorials, personal tutorials and via additional support activities. Students will have regular portfolio checkpoints to ensure students are progressing towards the assessment objectives.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team