- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


LP10383: Introduction to programming

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Computer Science (administered by the Learning Partnerships Office)
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2 at City of Bath College
Semester 2 at Weston College
Semester 2 at Wiltshire College
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 60%, EX 40%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To enable the learner to:
* gain an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer programming;
* appreciate the importance of planning and designing programs before coding them;
* acquire analytical skills that are transferable and language independent.

Learning Outcomes:
The learner should be able to:
* design and develop code using structured programming methods and recognised design methodologies;
* subdivide a large program into smaller modules;
* produce appropriate user and program documentation;
* devise suitable test data, suitable test schedules and record the results in test logs.

Skills:
Practical skills:
* Program design skills, coding skills (taught and assessed).
Personal skills
* Time management, personal organisation, problem solving (facilitated and assessed).
Communication skills
* Demonstrations, working in a team (facilitated and assessed).

Content:
Data storage
* Files, variables, constants, literals, pre-defined and user defined data types, program elements
Software constructs
* Sequence, selection, iteration
Comparison of procedural and object-oriented languages
* Similarities and differences between a variety of programming languages e.g C and C++.
Program design tools
* For example: pseudo code, step-wise refinement, structure diagrams, decision trees, decision tables
Program Structure
* Modularisation - divide and conquer, use and re-use of modules
* Pre-defined and user defined functions
* Use and scope of variables, parameter passing
* Good programming practise - the attributes of a `good¿ program
Program documentation
* The importance of documentation
* Documentation requirements. Internal (e.g. variable names, comments) and external documentation (e.g. user guide)
Program testing
* Types of error: logic, syntax and runtime
* Test plans, test data, test log
* Testing methodologies e.g. white/black box, dry running, structured walkthrough
* Use of testing tools
Design of front ends
* Consideration of different user groups in organisations, design and implementation of different front ends.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

LP10383 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Programmes administered by the Learning Partnerships Office
  • USCM-DFF23 : FdSc Applied Computing (Full-time at City of Bath College) - Year 1
  • USCM-DPF23 : FdSc Applied Computing (Part-time at City of Bath College) - Year 1
  • USCM-LFF22 : FdSc Applied Computing (Full-time at Weston College) - Year 1
  • USCM-LPF22 : FdSc Applied Computing (Part-time at Weston College) - Year 1
  • USCM-WFF23 : FdSc Applied Computing (Full-time at Wiltshire College) - Year 1
  • USCM-WPF23 : FdSc Applied Computing (Part-time at Wiltshire College) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.