Academic English for Computer Science: Academic English

Title:

Academic English for Computer Science

Authors:

Noni Rizopoulou

© 2022 Disigma Publications

For the English language throughout the world ISBN: 978-618-5242-64-0

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any format by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Publisher.

www.disigma.gr / e-mail: info@disigma.gr

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E-Book formatting: eCult Hub

Contents

1 Introduction to Computer Science

Themes: Computer science, programmable devices, programmability, mechanical computer, electronic computer, modern computer, vacuum tubes, transistors, silicon, processing power, global communication systems

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Common academic terms; pairs of synonyms and antonyms; academic adjectives

Academic Note-taking Skills: Visual representation of lecture notes

Academic Writing Skills: The purpose of academic writing, The structure of academic writing genres

Academic Communication: The language of caution

2 Operations on Bits

Themes: Boolean operations, truth table, logic gates, bit stream, byte, input/output devices, storage devices, nonstorage devices, magnetic disk, magnetic tape, compact disk (CD), DVD, bit map technique, vector technique, video, optical storage devices

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Abbreviations and acronyms

Academic Note-taking Skills: Finding key points, Effective note-taking

Academic Writing Skills: Developing a critical approach, The basic structure of abstracts

Academic Communication: Working in groups

Critical thinking skills: Evaluating Internet sources

3 Computer Architecture

Themes: von Neumann model, stored-program concept, machine language, machine instruction, CPU, arithmetic/logic unit, control unit, registers, system buses, address bus, data bus, control bus, main memory, integrated circuits, the ‘chip’, RAM, ROM, cache memory, principle of locality, the machine cycle, RISC, CISC, pipelining, latency, throughput

Academic Vocabulary Skills: How synonyms work

Academic Note-taking Skills: Finding research papers

Academic Writing Skills: Paragraph structure, Topic sentences

Academic Communication: Conciseness: How to sound like an expert, Reporting verbs

4 Operating Systems

Themes: Virtual environment, batch processing, multiprogramming, time sharing, interrupt, single-user operating system, multi-user operating system, distributed systems, real-time systems, embedded systems, memory manager, process manager, device manager, file manager, partitioning, paging, virtual memory, overlaying, state diagram, deadlock, starvation, user interface

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Recognizing common expressions

Academic Note-taking Skills: Note-taking from academic readings – The linear model

Academic Writing Skills: Paraphrasing

Academic Communication: Using examples to clarify a point

5 Networks

Themes: OSI model, ISO, physical layer, data-link layer, network layer, transport layer, session layer, presentation layer, application layer, LAN, MAN, WAN, ring topology, bus topology, CSMA/CD, star topology, hub, switch, repeater, bridge, router, gateway, ISP, TCP/IP, electronic mail, SMTP, FTP, TELNET, www, hypertext, hyperlinks, HTTP

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Time words

Academic Note-taking Skills: Adding information to sources

Academic Writing Skills: The effective summary

Academic Communication: Brainstorming

6 Algorithms

Themes: Calculation, data processing, automated reasoning, intractable problems, nonterminating processes, level of detail, level of understanding, problem-solving, systems analyst, systems designer, heuristics, intuitive judgment, constructs, sequence, decision, repetition, flowchart, pseudocode, verification process, formal logic, specifications, problem domain

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Talking numbers

Academic Note-taking Skills: Double-entry responses

Academic Writing Skills: Cause and effect

Academic Communication: Visual representation of data

7 Programming Languages

Themes: Machine language, assembly languages, high-level languages, text editor, source file, compiler, preprocessor, commands, translator, subroutines, linker, loader, procedural paradigm, declarative paradigm, deduction, functional paradigm, object-oriented paradigm, objects, associated operations, classes, instances, local variables, global variables

Academic Vocabulary Skills: Verbs of reference

Academic Reading Skills: Introductions

Academic Writing Skills: Cohesion

Academic note-taking skills: Triple-entry response

8 Software Engineering

Themes: Software lifecycle, development phase, analysis, user needs, requirements, specifications, design phase, modules, user interface, implementation phase, bottom- up approach, top-down approach, validation testing, defect testing, glass-box testing, black-box testing, documentation, waterfall model, incremental model, prototyping, open-source, extreme programming, modularity, cohesion, coupling

Academic Note-taking Skills: Argument mapping

Academic Writing Skills: Definitions, Citations and references

Academic Communication: Response questions

9 Data Organization

Themes: Abstract tools, array, data values, indexing, subscripts, one-dimensional arrays, multi- dimensional arrays, matrices, list, stack, LIFO, queue, FIFO, tree structure, node, depth, ancestor, descendant, parent, siblings, data integration, schema, subschema, application layer, database management layer, DBMS, RDBMS, relations, tuple, attribute, instances, base relations, derived relations, domain

Academic Note-taking Skills: Thinking about titles, Venn diagram

Academic Writing Skills: Making comparisons, Types of endings

Academic Communication: Sentence starter feedback, Metaphors and analogies in computer science

10 Machine Learning

Themes: Hidden structures, training data, pattern recognition, inference, models, hypothesis, feature extraction, feature selection, supervised learning, classification, regression, dependent variable, predictors, semi-supervised learning, unsupervised learning, problem space, reinforcement learning, trial and error, rewards, punishments, cluster analysis, knowledge discovery, deep learning, neural networks, knowledge-based engines, inference engines

Academic Note-taking Skills: Asking for feedback

Academic Writing Skills: Argument and discussion

Academic Communication: Oral presentation skills

Glossary

Supplements

Bibliography

Preface

Your obligation is that of active participation. You should not act as knowledge-absorbing sponges, but as whetstones on which we can all sharpen our wits. Edsger W. Dijkstra

Welcome to Computer Science! You are about to enter a fascinating, wonderful world of ideas and practices. You will be able to realize the challenges and the possibilities of a very promising scientific field. In fact, you will be empowered to visualize the future and to invent the means for reaching it.

Academic English for Computer Science is a versatile course book, designed to facilitate the induction of undergraduate students to the fields of computational technology and communication. The book comprises 10 units which provide a solid foundation in crucial areas of the discipline. The first part of each unit presents a new topic and an introduction to the related issues. The second part of each unit introduces significant academic skills. It is true that content knowledge along with academic mastery will prove a powerful combination. After all, the real essence of computer science needs to be transmitted in the best possible way, if it is to make a difference to the world.

Discussion

Before immersing into basic theory in the field, students have the opportunity to think for themselves. Through the use of carefully chosen prompts, freshers are encouraged to practice critical thinking and to contribute their own perspective, which could prove valuable in the long run.

Reading

The reading passages attempt to present the essential themes of the subject. Students can build a significant body of core terminology, and to receive a soft induction to the basic concepts and related theories of the field. In the course of their studies, they will have the chance to greatly expand on that primary body of knowledge.

Reading Comprehension

After each reading passage, a number of exercises aim to develop the students’ skills in the relevant terminology. Academic vocabulary and content-specific terminology are combined and practiced. The close examination and studying of these areas will fill students with confidence to handle the challenges of more complex issues in their science.

Note-taking skills

Note-taking skills play a major role in academic practice. In this book, students are introduced to a variety of note-taking methods, so that they can choose what is suitable for them, or adapt their style according to the subject of study. Drawing material from content-related sources, students can sharpen their ability to make the most of lectures and, ultimately, improve the standards of their own study and academic work.

Writing skills

Before reaching the more advanced level of technical writing for computer science, students are taught how to cope with essential academic writing skills, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, organizing paragraphs, making valid arguments and discussions, providing evidence for their proposals, using examples to clarify their points, and illustrating the causes and the effects of methodologies and systems.

Academic communication

In the age of global-scale communication, young researchers need to be prepared to express their views in a way that promotes their best interest. Communication that is ill-practiced will greatly compromise individuals and their work. However, researchers need not rely on rhetoric means in order to convince; researchers use the best communicative means in order to promote the most advanced and most ethical practices. Computer scientists look to appeal by influencing, not by exerting authority.

Listening skills

Practice makes perfect, and the more students practice their listening skills, the better they will become. The goal is to be able to follow inspiring lectures and speeches, and to understand all these ideas that are explicitly and implicitly passed on to people by distinguished speakers. When students can absorb information, and at the same time conceive the underlying message intended by the speaker, the true essence of communication has been accomplished.

Presentation skills

You want people to think of you, academically and professionally, in a certain way. Therefore, presenting yourself in a certain way is crucial. You have the ability to get forward in life by getting your ideas across, seeking consent, and practicing ethical leadership.

I wish you all the best in your future career and your life.

Noni Rizopoulou

EAP/ESP Tutor in English for Computer Science

Acknowledgements

My sincere thanks go to Giannis Tzitzikas, Associate Professor of Information Systems in the Computer Science Department of the University of Crete (Greece) and Affiliated Researcher of the Information Systems Laboratory at FORTH-ICS (Greece), for the feedback and guidance he provided concerning sensitive areas in computer science study. If I managed to avoid some domain-specific pitfalls, I owe it to him and to his most constructive skepticism.

Special thanks to Marios Pittikakis, PhD Laboratory Teaching Staff, Computer Science Department, University of Crete, for being a poignant commentator of my work. He took the time to discuss with me some subtle, as much as crucial, details that needed to be attended to.

Grigorios Tsagkatakis, PhD associate researcher at FORTH-ICS (Greece), has been an insightful consultant and sharp thinker in areas of computational research and exploration. I appreciate the advice and comments he made at a critical point for the progress of this book.

I am deeply and forever grateful to my students at the Computer Science Department, University of Crete (Greece). Not only have they piloted the present material, but, throughout the years, they have been my constant source of inspiration. They have never been intimidated by the high standards of an extremely demanding science. On the contrary, they are the visionaries, the humble actuators of a constantly shifting future.

To Yannis and Dimitris

UNIT 1

Themes:

Computer science, programmable devices, programmability, mechanical computer, electronic computer, modern computer, vacuum tubes, transistors, silicon, processing power, global communication systems

Academic Vocabulary Skills:

Common academic terms; pairs of synonyms and antonyms; academic adjectives

Academic Note-taking Skills:

Visual representation of lecture notes

Academic Writing Skills:

The purpose of academic writing

The structure of academic writing genres

Academic Communication:

The language of caution

Academic Communication:

The language of caution

Discussion

In the context of academic communication, it is extremely important to be careful and to avoid the expression of absolute statements. The goal is to be accurate and to only make claims for which there is confirmed evidence. By using tentative language, you avoid being challenged by peers in the relevant field of study, and you leave room for other possible perspectives.

Task 1 Consider the areas of academic study where a cautious style might be necessary

• Making a hypothesis

• Discussing the results of a study

• Commenting on the work of others

• Making predictions

Task 2 Consult the table below which includes various ways of using the language of caution. Then rewrite the following statements in a more cautious way. Choose at least one example of tentative language from each column: [Download]

a. Uneducated people think of education as the learning of a lot of facts.

……

b. Logic is enormously difficult.

……

c. Being transported into another world is impossible.

……

d. The laws of science lie hidden in the subconscious of man.

……

e. As the number of people working on a project increases, the overall productivity suffers.

……

f. Communication is the transfer of knowledge.

……

g. Computers are intelligent.

……

h. Technology creates new needs.

……

i. Human activity is automated.

……

j. Data mining is used to discriminate.

……

Reading

The History of Computing

Although computer science was established as a science only in the 1940s, interest in computing and computation has a very long history. Early Babylonians invented the abacus, a simple counting device in order to keep a record of their goods. It consisted of a counting table, which was a specially marked flat surface where small stones could serve as markers. Alternatively, it comprised beads strung on rods that were in turn mounted in a rectangular frame. The positions of the beads represented stored values and the output could then be read off. In the early 17th century, Napier’s bones was a mechanism created to simplify the operations of multiplication and division by reducing them to simple tasks of addition and subtraction. A series of numbers were written on narrow strips of bone.

Figure 1.1 The abacus

The need for a computing device that would serve commercial purposes precipitated the development of one of the first mechanical calculators. In the early 17th century, the Pascaline was invented by Blaise Pascal in France and it was a hand-powered adding machine which could calculate by using up to eight figures. The machine was designed to add and subtract two numbers directly and to perform multiplication and division through repeated addition and subtraction. It utilized gears and cogs to transfer the results from one wheel to another.

Figure 1.2 Leibniz’ drawing showing 365 multiplied by 124 (Source)

After Pascal’s death, Gottfried Leibniz, a German philosopher in the history of mathematics and the history of philosophy, started working on his own mechanical calculator. Failing to improve the functionality of the Pascaline, he devised his own competing design. The step reckoner was meant to perform additions, subtractions and multiplications automatically, and division by operator control. Leibniz struggled for forty years to perfect his design.

In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard created a special type of weaving machine, which operated on a set of cards with holes in them. Instead of using traditional hand-weaving techniques, Jacquard’s Loom could produce fabrics with complex and sophisticated patterns more quickly and more efficiently. The loom gave birth to the concept of punched cards. Multiple rows of holes were punched on each card, representing the rows of the fabric design. Sequences of any length could be built, without being limited by the