Undergraduate Course: Computer Programming for Speech and Language Processing (LASC10079)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course introduces the concept of computer programming and the python programming language. It focuses on how to think about solving problems in ways that can be addressed algorithmically, with with examples relevant to processing human speech and language. |
| Course description |
This course covers basic high-level concepts of computer programming in general and practical training for writing code in the Python language in particular. The goal is for students to learn to think in terms of computational approaches for solving problems, and then to implement those approaches by writing Python code.
We begin with the basics of computation (e.g. what is a computer? what can it do? how can a question be framed in computational terms?), and then move on to studying the tools that Python offers us as programmers for most of the semester (e.g. data structures, flow control, file input and output, object oriented design, regular expressions and other useful modules, etc). Examples and test problems are frequently taken from the context of speech and language processing, and we focus specifically on processing text and speech audio using Python for a week respectively.
The course does not assume prior experience with Python or any other programming language, so is suitable for beginners in that regard. Note, however, it aims to teach students enough Python to write varied and useful programmes by the end, so the pace must be fast to cover all the required topics. It can be challenging for a beginner to build up the necessary knowledge and skill in the space of a single semester. Sustained commitment to several hours of study and practice each and every week is therefore essential.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the basic principles of computer programming
- Be familiar with the basics of Python programming language
- Be able to address problems from a computational perspective
- Write programs to manipulate, reorganise and process speech and text in non-trivial ways
- Review and critique computer code written by others
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Reading List
'Learning Python' by Mark Lutz is the recommended reading.
In addition, pointers to other online resources for further reader are included on the course website.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Python coding and code review skills, with particular emphasis on speech and natural language processing. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Whole class sessions
Block1-week 1; Block2-week2; Block2-week6: ONE x 2hr lecture
Wednesdays 13.10-15.00
Each student will be in one lab group. For each lab group:
Block1-week 1; Block2-week2; Block2-week6: ONE x 2hr lab session
For six other weeks of semester 1: TWO x 2hr lab sessions
(using of 9 of the 11 available weeks of teaching, as is standard)
With the current class size, the class will divide into two lab groups, requiring a total of FOUR x 2hr lab bookings, at the following times:
Mondays 13:10-15:00 (except Block1-week 1; Block2-week2; Block2-week6)
Wednesdays 13.10-15.00 (except Block1-week 1; Block2-week2; Block2-week6)
Thursdays 11:10-13:00 (every week)
Fridays 11:10-13:00 (every week) |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Korin Richmond
Tel: (0131 6)51 1769
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Liam Hedley
Tel: (0131 6)50 9870
Email: |
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