History of Computing

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences in both written and oral form
• Lead group discussions effectively
• Locate and analyse appropriate sources of information in order to develop and support a small research project

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The commercial, political and social contexts that have shaped the development of the computer
• Major technological developments in computing and information technology
• The impact of computing on society

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Define and develop a research topic on the history of computing

• Early calculation tools
• Mechanical computing from Pascal to Zuse
• Analogue computing from Kelvin to MONIAC
• Theoretical foundations: G?del, Turing and Church
• The development of the electronic computer
• The evolution of computer networking
• The evolution of desktop computing
• Information management from Dewey to the Web
• Computers and commerce
• Computers in aeronautics and defence
• Computers and education
• Computer culture
• Artificial intelligence
• The gendering of computing

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, the module website, directed reading and pre-recorded materials.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study and preparation for timetabled activities, along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments.

Summative

This is how we¡¯ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.