Students will have to write a report choosing ONE out of five possible topics. The report should be no longer than 6,000 words (approximately around 12 pages with font being Times New Roman and 12 of size). You are to choose one (1) question.

Please be sure to indicate clearly the name of the lecturer whose question pertains to on the front page. Furthermore, please do not forget to include a plagiarism declaration form in your assignment (which is to be placed right after the front page of your assignment).

Question 1 - Dr Ing. Edward Gatt (2011/12)

Briefly outline how microelectronics has evolved starting from the transistor to nowadays system-on-chip and how Moore’s Law has helped predict the growth of microelectronics and its impact on society. However the rapid development of microelectronics in the last decade has led some experts to point out that Moore’s Law is no longer a truly valid predictor. Discuss.

Question 2 - Mr Tony Spiteri Staines (2011/12)

Information Systems have evolved from previous data processing. You are to discuss and consider clearly how the evolution of Information Processing has come about and clearly indicate how this has come about over the past three decades. Different aspects of data processing should be investigated and the concept of information systems in relation to data processing needs to be presented. It is important to come up with your own conclusions. This work needs to be properly formulated and structured.

Question 3 - Mr Kristian Guillaumier (2011/12)

Machine Learning algorithms are sometimes classified as Inductive or Deductive learning algorithms. Elaborate on this statement. In your answer make sure to present and discuss examples of such types of algorithms.

Question 4 - Dr Ernest Cachia (2011/12)

Research the roots of Java and C++ as two of the most modern and prominent Object-Oriented programming languages. What events, milestones and intermediate languages were involved? You should also interleave any social and technical factors that influenced the evolution of Java and C++. Your work should compare the evolution tracks of both languages. End you work with a personal conclusion.

Question 5 - Prof. Ing. Paul J. Micallef (2011/12)

You are given a historic paper, and its background, from the Proceedings IEEE, regarding the use of computer hardware and a computer system more than 40 years ago.

Within the constraints, (number of pages etc.) that are used for this study unit, you are asked to read carefully the paper to be able to -

• understand the design of the original architecture and its operation;

• compare this to a current (modern) processor design and operation;

• giving, with reasons, what has remained from the original computer architecture in today's processors.

The Historic Paper is available through Prof. Ing. Paul Micallef's Teaching Webpage.