TRAM500 Introduction to Computational Thinking for Translators
Key information
- Start date:
- 23 September 2024
- Attendance dates:
- 23 September 2024 to 24 January 2025
- Venue:
- Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
- Contact details:
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
Overview
The purpose of this module is to develop problem-solving skills, enabling students to acquire basic and intermediate concepts of computer science and programming, and to learn how to apply them to problems related to translation-related tasks such as glossary creation, error analysis, automatic substitution. Topics to be covered include computational thinking, basic programming concepts such as fundamental data types, control structures, as well as practical examples how this knowledge can be applied for extracting statistics from corpora, cleaning translation memories and preparing data for experiments and analyse the results. Students will be taught different prompting techniques which allows them to interact with Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to solve problems.
Students will learn how to analyse a problem, design solutions and implement them in a chosen programming language with the help of LMMs. The programming language to be used in this module is Python. Students will learn not only how to implement solutions in Python, but they will also gain the skills to analyse the responses from LLMs existing pieces of code and understand how to adapt them for their needs. Practical sessions will give participants hands-on experience in LLM prompting and writing Python programs individually and in teams. The practical sessions will greatly enhance students’ problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
The module is intended for students who have no programming experience, but students with programming background interested in learning Python and how it can be used in the area of translation technology will also benefit from it.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to:
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of the basic and intermediate concepts from computer science and programming
- Develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied to everyday tasks
- Demonstrate ability to analyse and implement computational solutions for problems from the field of translation
- Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of Python
- Demonstrate ability to communicate solutions in writing using the required conventions of the field of computer science
Course content
- Key notions of computer science and programming, how to analyse problems and design appropriate solutions
- Basic python notions (data structures, syntax, functions, etc)
- Key notions about Large Language Models and prompting techniques for interacting with them
- Automatic processing of multilingual texts
- Automatic extraction of statistics from corpora
- Regular expressions
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide students with problem-solving skills and a good understanding of computer science and programming with emphasis on how they can be used to tackle problems from translation. By the end of the module, students will feel confident of their ability to write small programs that allow them to accomplish useful goals related to translation technology.
Learning and teaching includes:
- Seminars and workshops interspersed with opportunities for group and whole class discussions
- Captured content addressing module content
- Guided learning – such as signposted hands-on exercises and guidelines relevant to advanced practice in the field
- Problem-based practical exercises
- Discussion and group work (in-class)
- Practice-based learning – application of knowledge acquired throughout the module in realistic or academically simulated contexts
Assessment
Portfolio of Solutions to the Exercise and Reflective Comments on the Solutions (60%)
Students will be given practical homework every two weeks and will be asked to prepare a portfolio with their answers to the homework. In some cases, students will be asked to write "small essays" (200 - 250 words) explaining how they used some tools, whilst in other cases they will need to provide documented code. The portfolios can be seen as a diary of the practical activities covered in this module. The solutions are expected to indicate any problems that the students encountered and how they solved them. In order to pass, the students will have to submit all the homework. For the homework given in the first eight weeks, the solutions will be discussed in class and the students will have the chance to update their portfolios with reflective analysis of their initial solutions. All the pieces of homework given during the semester will have to be included in the final portfolio and the marking will focus on both how the solution was achieved and on the reflective analysis. The portfolios will be due at the end of the semester.
Open Book Practical Task to Take Place in Class (40%)
Students will have to solve a number of practical unseen exercises by having access to all lecture notes.
Course leader
![Constantin Orasan profile image](/sites/default/files/styles/image_150x150_scale_and_crop/public/2020-03/constantin-orasan.jpg?itok=bSdZ22gq)
Professor Constantin Orasan
Professor of Language and Translation Technologies
Reading list
Entry requirements
- You need to be fluent in English as you will be required to process texts and discuss practice and/or concepts in detail (IELTS 6.5 overall, or equivalent)
- You should have a first degree
Fees and funding
Price per person:
£800
A 25% discount is available for CTS graduates or for applicants who have previously done a CTS CPD course.
How to apply
Apply online below where you will be asked to upload your CV, academic and language qualifications and respond to a few brief questions about yourself.
Terms and conditions
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Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH