Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of the subject students should understand the significant events in the evolution of computing in their historical context; understand the nature of and the implications of the common types of computer crime and computer abuse; understand the need for computer users to operate within an appropriate ethical code; be aware of the ergonometric and health considerations associated with the use of computers; have an overview of the area of artificial intelligence - its foundations, methods, current and potential applications.
Synopsis An historical overview of computing and computing machinery: the intellectual foundations of modern computing; the invention of programming; Turing machine; stored programs - Von Neumann; the development of programming languages; the development of relevant electronic technologies. Computers in society: privacy; computer crime; computer security; ergonometrics and health; human-computer interaction. Professional ethics. Artificial intelligence: philosophical foundations; an overview of the methods and techniques; expert systems.
Assessment Practical exercises (3500 words): 35% + Examination: 65%