Proposed Revisions to LSI

Language Semantics and Implementation is a 10-point level 9 course in our third-year undergraduate Computer Science programme. At present students have 20 hours of lectures, 8 one-hour tutorials with exercises, and a written assignment which is assessed with marks and feedback, but does not contribute to final grades.

This proposal is to modify the coursework in the following ways.

• Replace one written assignment with two.
• Have each assignment contribute 10% to the final course grade.
• Integrate this coursework more closely into the tutorial programme, with exercises arranged to reinforce the course material, structure tutorials, and present questions similar to those in the assignment.

The corresponding revisions in the course descriptor would be from this:

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1 - Principles of programming language design and implementation, and of type-checking.
2 - Formal approaches to problems, including mathematical modelling via definitions and proofs by induction.
3 - Ability to read, write and exercise formal specifications of programming languages.
4 - Ability to read and appreciate formal specifications of programming and other formal languages, and, perhaps, formal specification more generally. Improved ability in discrete mathematics.

Assessment Weightings

Written Examination 100
Assessed Assignments 0
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment Information

via Written Examination.

Study Pattern

Lectures 20
Tutorials 8
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 0
Private Study/Other 72
Total 100

...

Assessment Weightings

Written Examination 80 Assessed Assignments 20 Oral Presentations 0

Assessment Information

Two written assignments each contribute 10% to the final course grade, and are particularly directed at learning outcome 3. A written examination contributes the remaining 80%.

Study Pattern

Lectures 20
Tutorials 8
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 24
Private Study/Other 48
Total 100

Colin Stirling
15 August 2012