CSC-10035 - Module Specification
School of Computing and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module will provide students with an overview of the core concepts of natural computation, which in this treatment will revolve around three main themes: (1) how selected computational approaches have been inspired by nature; (2) the simulation and emulation of some natural phenomena (e.g. predator-prey relationships) using computational techniques; and (3) novel computing using natural phenomena and materials such as DNA.

To enable students to take ideas from the natural sciences and use them as inspiration for new computational techniques, and to understand how computational techniques can enhance our understanding of some naturally occurring phenomena.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and describe selected phenomena from the natural world from the point of view of those phenomena being computational systems: 1
identify, describe and explain how some computational problem solving approaches have been inspired by natural phenomena and systems: 1
identify, describe and explain how some naturally occurring phenomena and systems can be emulated using computer models: 1
identify, describe and explain how natural materials and phenomena might be used to deliver novel computational systems: 1
identify and describe some of the important research questions that are addressed in relevant reading matter that is provided as part of the course: 1
distinguish between some features of selected natural phenomena that are important for computational problem solving and those that are merely a fact of their realisation in the natural world: 1

Study hours

Lectures: 22 hours
Practical lab classes: 10 hours
2 hours class test
Unsupervised self study: 116 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment