Program Overview

Course Specification

The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web.

CSC1401 Foundation Programming

Overview

Programming is relevant to both computing professionals and individuals who wish to be more than end-users. The topics in the course will allow students to learn programming in Python, but should also develop skills transferrable to other languages, paradigms, and contexts. The course is appropriate for students wishing to have only a single exposure to programming, but is also sufficient for students intending to complete further programming instruction.

Staffing

• Course Coordinator: Tianning Li

Course Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the programming language knowledge by comprehending code in existing programs;
2. Apply programming language knowledge to generate programs;
3. Comprehend programming strategies, including working in teams, by analysing programs which demonstrate such strategies;
4. Create solutions to programming problems, within a team, by generating programs which apply programming strategies;
5. Demonstrate problem-solving in the context of programming through designing, debugging, implementing, and testing programs;
6. Demonstrate academic and professional literacy by applying computer and mathematical skills to analyse algorithms and data structures.

Topics

1. | Programming Process, Sequence, Ethics | 10.00
2. | Values, Objects, Lists, Operations, Roles of variables | 10.00
3. | Expressions, Using Functions, User I/O and Libraries | 10.00
4. | String Handling | 10.00
5. | Testing, Debugging, Programming Style | 10.00
6. | Selection, Iteration, Recursion | 20.00
7. | Programming Strategies and Problem Solving (Pseudocode, Teamwork Strategies) | 10.00
8. | Writing Functions | 20.00

Text and Materials Required

• Downey, A 2015, Think Python , 2nd edn, O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Student Workload Expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment Details

Approach | Type | Description | Group
Assessment | Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes
---|---|---|---|---|---
Assignments | Written | Quiz | No | 10 | 1
Assignments | Practical | Tech and/or scientific artefact 1 | No | 20 | 1,2,5,6
Assignments | Practical | Tech and/or scientific artefact 2 | Yes | 20 | 1,2,3,5,6
Examinations | Non-invigilated | Time limited online examination | No | 50 | 1,2,5,6

Course Details

• Units: 1
• School or Department: School of Mathematics, Physics & Computing
• Grading basis: Graded
• Course fee schedule: Not specified
• Semester: Semester 1, 2023
• Location: Springfield On-campus