ENCE260-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Computer Systems

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

This is an introductory course to computer systems and is a mixture of computer programming in C, computer architecture, and embedded systems.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:
• LO1: Write structured programs in the C Programming language. (WA1, WA5)
• LO2: Identify and analyse basic core hardware components, and how these execute software. (WA1)
• LO3: Understanding the use of an embedded microcomputer and interfacing with common peripheral devices. (WA1, WA5)
• LO4: Design a basic program on an embedded microcontroller system. (WA2, WA3, WA5)
• LO5: Work collaboratively with a colleague on an embedded software project. (WA9, WA10)

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 E8 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 E9 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 E8 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 E9 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 09:00 - 10:00 E8 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Friday 09:00 - 10:00 E9 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 12:00 134
Jack Erskine 133
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Thursday 14:00 - 16:00 134
Jack Erskine 133
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
03 Friday 11:00 - 13:00 134
Jack Erskine 133
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
04 Friday 16:00 - 18:00 134
Jack Erskine 133
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
05 Thursday 08:00 - 10:00 134
Jack Erskine 133
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 15:00 - 16:00 Rehua 102
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Tuesday 17:00 - 18:00 Rehua 009
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 131 Lab 1
7 Sep - 13 Sep
02 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 133 Lab 2
7 Sep - 13 Sep
03 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 134 Lab 3
7 Sep - 13 Sep
04 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 136 Lab 4
7 Sep - 13 Sep
05 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Rata 216 CAD Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep
06 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Rata 342 CAD Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep
07 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep
08 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep
09 Monday 18:30 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 248 Computer Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep

Course Coordinator

Lui Holder Pearson

Lecturers

Andrew Bainbridge-Smith and Sam Spekreijse

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Assignment 1 5%
Test 25%
Assignment 2 10%
Quizzes 10%
Final Examination 50%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

K. N. King; C programming: a modern approach ; 2nd Edition;

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Artificial Intelligence Tools
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for each of the assessments in ENCE260 is summarised below. No AI use is allowed in the test and exam because these are closed-book invigilated assessments. Students are always responsible for the accuracy of the submitted works, regardless of which tools are used.

Assessment Item and Permitted use of AI

Quizzes (Learning Modules): Generative AI tools are not restricted for this assessment.
Assignment 1: Generative AI tools are not restricted for this assessment.
Assignment 2: Generative AI tools are not restricted for this assessment.
Test: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.
Exam: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.

Assessment and grading system

The examiners will award a failing grade to students who score less than 45% of the maximum for the Test and Final Examination combined.

More formally, (TestPercent * 0.25 + FinalExamPercent * 0.5) / 0.75 must be greater than or equal to 45 for a pass mark to be awarded. This requirement ensures that each student has adequately shown they have gained some mastery of the topic.

Per the UC general credit regulations, you are required to attempt all assessment items to receive credit.


Scaling of marks:
In order to maintain consistency across courses and fairness for students, scaling of raw marks occurs. In the Faculty of Engineering, target course GPAs are calculated based on the performance of the cohort of students taking the course in the previous year. Scaling of the raw total course marks is normally performed so that when converted to grades (using UC Grade Scale) the outgoing GPA is in line with the target GPA for a course. Scaling up or down can occur.

The Grading Scale for the University:
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/study-support-info/study-related-topics/grading-scale

Mahi ā-Ākonga | Workload (expected distribution of student hours, note 15 points = 150 hours):

Contact Hours

Lectures: 24 hours
Tutorials: 12 hours
Workshops: 0 hours
Laboratories: 24 hours

Independent study

Review of lectures: 24 hours
Test and exam preparation: 18 hours
Assignments: 30 hours
Tutorial Preparation: 6
Quizzes/Learning Modules: 12

Total 150 hours

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,190.00

International fee $6,488.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 600

For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .

All ENCE260 Occurrences

  • ENCE260-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026