COMP SCI 1010 - Puzzle Based Learning

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

The focus of this course is on getting students to think about framing and solving unstructured problems (those that are not encountered at the end of some textbook chapter). The general objective is to increase the student's mathematical awareness and problem-solving skills by discussing a variety of puzzles. The puzzle-based learning approach has a long tradition as the first mathematical puzzles were found in Sumerian texts that date back to around 2,500 BC The puzzles selected for the course satisfy most of the following criteria: a) Generality: educational puzzles explain some universal mathematical problem-solving principles; b) Simplicity: educational puzzles are easy to state and easy to remember; c) Eureka factor: educational puzzles often frustrate the problem-solver! Eventually a Eureka! moment is reached. The Eureka factor also implies that educational puzzles often have elementary solutions that are not obvious; d) Entertainment factor: educational puzzles are very entertaining! Such educational puzzles are used to illustrate basic concepts of critical thinking, mathematics, and problem-solving. The course presents some problem-solving rules and covers issues of understanding the problem and the role of intuition in problem-solving activities. Further, some mathematical problem-solving principles are discussed and elements of modelling, constraint-processing, optimization, probability, statistics, simulation, pattern recognition, and strategy are introduced.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	COMP SCI 1010
Course	Puzzle Based Learning
Coordinating Unit	Computer Science
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Assumed Knowledge	SACE level 2 Maths Sciences
Assessment	Written exam, assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Gustavo Carneiro

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

Understand the need to undertake lifelong learning.
Be able to think about framing and solving unstructured problems.
Understand problem-solving principles.

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,2,3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2,3
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2,3
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1,2,3
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1,2,3
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	2,3
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1,2,3

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course aims to introduce students to a range of fundamental skills that they will need as professional Engineers. The course will be taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials.

Many examples will be worked on during the tutorials. The tutorial sessions will require students to individually prepare solutions to set questions which can then be worked on and assessed during the session. The purpose of these tutorials is for students to apply the examples and theoretical concepts discussed in lectures.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. In addition to the schedule contact hours, students are expected to spend 4-6 additional hours per week in preparation of assignment work, and reviewing lecture material.

Learning Activities Summary

Week	Date	Topic	Lecturer	Assignment	Tutorial
1	3/3 6/3	Introduction to PBL The problem: what are you after?	GC GC
2	10/3 13/3	Public Holiday Intuition: how good is it?	GC GC	Assignment 1 (due on 17/3)	Tutorial 1
3	17/3 20/3	Intuition: how good is it? Modelling: let’s think about the problem a bit more	GC GC	Assignment 2 (due on 24/3)	Tutorial 2
4	24/3 27/3	Modelling: let’s think about the problem a bit more Some mathematical principles	GC GC	Assignment 3 (due on 31/3)	Tutorial 3
5	31/3 3/4	Some mathematical principles Constraints: How old are my children?	GC GC	Assignment 4 (due on 7/4)	Tutorial 4
6	7/4 10/4	Constraints: How old are my children? Review - Challenging Questions	GC GC	Assignment 5 (due on 14/4)	Tutorial 5
	14/4	Semester break
	21/4	Semester break
7	28/4 28/4	Optimization: what is the best arrangement? Optimization: what is the best arrangement?	GC GC	Assignment 6 (due on 5/5)	Tutorial 6
8	5/5 8/5	Probability: coins, dices, box and bears Probability: coins, dices, box and bears	GC GC	Assignment 7 (due on 12/5)	Tutorial 7
9	12/5 15/5	Statistically speaking Statistically speaking	GC GC	Assignment 8 (due on 19/5)	Tutorial 8
10	19/5 22/5	Let’s simulate Let’s simulate	GC GC	Assignment 9 (due on 26/5)	Tutorial 9
11	26/5 29/5	Pattern recognition: what is next? Pattern recognition: what is next?	GC GC	Assignment 10 (due on 2/6)	Tutorial 10
12	2/6 5/6	Review - Challenging questions Review - Challenging questions	GC GC		Tutorial 11

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The assessment for PBL has 3 components:

Written exam (70%)

Tutorial and class participation (3%)

Assignments (27%)

Assessment Related Requirements

Students must obtain at least 40% in each of the assessment components (exam and practicals), and 50% overall, to pass the course.

Assessment Detail

Written exam: this will be a 2 hour open book exam. Questions will test the students’ understanding of concepts presented throughout the course, and their ability to put them to use to solve problems.

Tutorial and class participation: intended to assess the student’s knowledge in practical application of the concepts taught in lectures, specifically in designing and developing puzzle solutions. The practical examinations are summative assessment..

Assignments: both formative and summative and extend the work done in the tutorial sessions. Assignments are used to help assess whether the required graduate attributes are being developed. Written feedback will be provided for some of the assessment work.

Submission

Practical exercises will be assessed during the tutorial sessions.

Assignments will be submitted online, please refer to each assignment description for details.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

最新糖心Vlog