NDAA09026U Topics in Programming Languages

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc programme in Computer Science
Content
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to state-of-the-art research and applications within an area of programming languages involving theory, design, implementation and/or application of programming languages. It acquaints students with performing independent research and its communication in seminar and project form.

The course consists of a particular set of topics reflecting state-of-the-art research and applications within theory, design, implementation and/or application of programming languages. This may include the construction, analysis or manipulation of programs with predictable properties and/or for a certain purpose.  The particular topic(s) change from year to year.
Learning Outcome
Competences

Develop a given project proposal into a project plan and execute it. Write an academic report and give a short individual oral presentation that conveys key results and insights contained in final report

Skills

Discuss properties such as correctness, performance and define what they mean precisely in the given area of studies. 
Read, assess and commmunicate research papers.
Apply central results  in the given area of studies.
Prepare and give seminar talk.

Knowledge


The dual nature of programs as software (to be executed) and as data (to be analyzed, transformed) discuss the role of a precise (mathematical) semantics for a programming language in connection with manipulating programs discuss principles of programming language design and how they are applied (or not) in connection with the topics under study specify ideas and concepts as rigorous definitions and make falsifiable (or provable) statements about them.
Research articles and excerpts from books, distributed electronically. See Absalon when the course is set up.
The course is part of the Programming Languages and Systems (PLS) profile within the Copenhagen Master of Excellence (COME) in Computer Science program.

Students following the PLS courses satisfy the topical and formal prerequisites.

Students wishing to take the course as an elective are asked to check the topical prerequisites on the course home page for the particular topics covered and contact the course responsible teacher if they have questions.
The course progresses from teaching (lecture) to seminar and finally project form:

Lecture phase: lectures and exercises, formation of seminar/project groups
Seminar phase: student seminar presentations
Project phase: project work
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 6
  • Lectures
  • 18
  • Practical exercises
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 12
  • Project work
  • 145
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 45 min under invigilation
Written report based on group project, with individual oral presentation of report followed by individual examination, graded on Danish ECTS-compliant 7-step scale with internal review. Note that the examination covers the whole scope of the course (see topics and learning objectives), though with special emphasis on the subject of the written report the student has co-authored.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
Individual examination based on originally submitted report.
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome.