Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Describe the key hardware components of a computer system and their functions.
• 1.2 Explain how data is processed and transferred within a computer.
• 1.3 Explain how different components interact to improve system performance.
• 1.4 Evaluate the benefits and impact of parallel processing on computing performance.
• 2.1 Describe the Von Neumann computing paradigm.
• 2.2 Compare the different forms of memory that computers use and their roles (primary, cache, and secondary).
• 2.3 Analyse the impact of processor-memory separation on computing performance.
• 2.4 Evaluate the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory in different computing contexts.
• 3.1 Describe the principles of state machines and their role in computer systems.
• 3.2 Design state diagrams for a range of processing scenarios.
• 3.3 Implement basic state machines using programming languages and/or logic design tools.
• 3.4 Critically evaluate the performance of state machines and propose improvements.
• 4.1 Describe the representation of information in binary in computer systems.
• 4.2 Explain the common types of logic operation and corresponding logic gates.
• 4.3 Explain how logical operations are implemented using transistors in electronic circuits.
• 4.4 Explain how complex arithmetic operations can be built up from basic logic.
• 4.5 Implement basic arithmetic operations using logic gates.
• 5.1 Describe the role of assembly language in performing low-level computer operations.
• 5.2 Explain the different assembly languages that exist and evaluate their differences.
• 5.3 Analyse how higher-level programming languages are abstracted from lower-level languages and the benefits of doing so.
• 5.4 Implement basic routines in ARM assembly language.

Activity

Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Further resources

• Writing Guide, 13.1: Libraries and databases · PDF · OpenStax Writing Guide with Handbook (2021), 13.1 on using libraries, reference works and databases, pp. 426–428 · for registered students
• Writing Guide, 13.5: Making Notes and Keeping a Research Log · PDF · OpenStax Writing Guide with Handbook (2021), 13.5: research logs and recording sources as you read, pp. 440–444 · for registered students
• How to read a paper · Open-access article · Keshav (2007), ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review. The 'three-pass' method for reading academic papers. · for registered students