Aims and Summary

This module introduces the fundamental concepts of programming that will underpin the technical and theoretical content of all courses. Students taking the module will develop core skills in programming by learning syntax and basic strategies for solving problems. At the same time, professional practices associated with the industry will be covered, in particular how they relate to the development of software. This includes key concepts such as testing strategies, secure development, functional decomposition and interacting with non-technical colleagues and clients, but also encourages students to examine how their course will assist them in their career and how to make the most of their time at university.

Intended Module Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

1. Reason about simple algorithms, selecting or creating algorithms to solve specific and generalised problems, and expressing them in a suitable manner
2. Demonstrate an ability to use basic control flow syntax to produce working solutions to problems
3. Evaluate their work and other academic activity in a useful manner, from reflective practices to testing strategies for code
4. Actively begin preparing for interacting with industry through the adoption of professional practices and starting to plan for their career
5. Begin to articulate academic and professional objectives, Show some ability to present and critique his / her own work
6. Describe, and begin to practice, the key study skills involved in degree-level study.

Indicative Content

• Programming theory: Writing instructions, logic, Turing machines and Turing completeness/equivalency, single-instruction computers, programming paradigms
• Programming practice: functional decomposition, iteration, selection, recursion, data types, data structures
• Problem solving: Methods of analysing a problem, functional decomposition, recursive Algorithms
• Professional practice: reflective practice; critical evaluation of the work of others and oneself; portfolio production; working within an organisation (including University processes, procedures and requirements, including plagiarism, marking and turnaround, feedback, and attendance); professional bodies, such as the BCS; quality (in the form of design, testing, documentation and maintenance)
• Industry jobs available to graduates, requirements of industry, skills development at University, Study skills Regular attendance; note-taking; asking questions; awareness of assessment procedures and processes; marking and feedback; Canvas access; checking University email regularly; critical self-awareness, On-line searching. Academic writing. CU Harvard referencing. Plagiarism.
• University regulations Plagiarism, Professional awareness, Membership of professional bodies and ethical conduct.

Teaching and Learning

Student activity and time spent on each activity comprises:

Method of Assessment

Essential Reading

• Padmanabhan T. R. Programming with Python Springer Singapore 2016

• Mark Lutz (2013) Learning Python, O'Reilly Media, Inc, USA. (ISBN 9781449355739)
• Mike McGrath (2011) C++ programming in easy steps, Southam. (ISBN 9781840784329)