module specification

This is an introductory module intended for students with no programming experience.  The module is designed to develop skills, confidence and interest in programming using an appropriate graphical development environment and a suitable programming language, such as, for example, Visual Basic or C#.

The module aims are to:
1. Provide students with an understanding of the fundamentalprogramming concepts and issues in the software development process.
2. Introduce students to key user interface deign principles, program design and development approaches, and testing strategies.
3. Enable students to use a graphical programming environment competently.
4. Develop students’ skills and confidence in building simple business related applications using appropriate programming language features and supporting technologies.
5. Develop students’ knowledge, transferable skills and confidence in programming leading to further academic progression and future employability in this area.

1. Basic Programming Concepts, Program Development Process& Overview of Software Development Cycle.
2. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Facilities and Tools.
3. Variables,Data Types, Language Elements, Libraries &Controls (Objects).
4. Control Structures.
5. Modular Structures: Methods/Procedures and Arguments.
6. Program Design, Programming Style, User Interface Design Principles.
7. Debugging, Exception Handling&Testing Approaches.
8. Basic Data Structures&File Handling.
9. Database Connectivity and Standard Operations.
10. Object Oriented Programming (OOP):  Classes, Objects, Methods/Properties, Inheritance and Polymorphisms.
 

Students will develop theoretical understanding and practical programming skills based on weekly lectures, tutorials and supervised workshops.  The workshops, in particular, are provided to supportstudents in gaining practical experience in developing applications.

Appropriate blended learningapproaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, in particular, to:
• deliver content;
• encourage active learning;
• provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• enhance student engagement and learning experience.

Students will be expected and encouraged to produce reflective commentaries on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work.
 

On completing the module the student will be able to:
LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental programming concepts, language features, key user interface design principles and issues relating to the software development process.
LO2. Specify, analyse and evaluate simple business programming problems.
LO3. Design, implement, test and document simple business applicationsusing appropriate constructs and programming language features.
LO4. Use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) competently to develop applications.
LO5. Demonstrate understanding and use of appropriate methods and techniques to ensure software correctness, efficiency and robustness.
LO6. Critically evaluate and reflect on their learning, development and achievements within the context of application program development.

The coursework will involve designing, implementing, testing and documenting application programs, and is aimed at developing students’ skills, knowledge, confidence and problem solving strategies
[LO1-LO6].
The workshop materials, activities and feedback opportunities will be used to support student learning and provide the impetus for tackling the coursework.

The examination will be used to assess students’ deeper understanding of the concepts
[LO1, LO2 and LO5].

Students will be encouraged to complete weekly tutorial and workshop exercises as well as periodic formative diagnostic tests to enhance their learning. During tutorial and workshop sessions students will receive ongoing support and feedback on their work to promote engagement and provide the basis for tackling the summative assessments.
 

As this module relates to the use of visual programming tools and environments, independent of any particular programming langue, which are constantly evolving, it is not practical to list key text in such a module specification.  Therefore, depending on the programming language used, an up to date reading list will be provided in the module booklet at the start of the teaching year, along with any related materials and resources made available on the University’s VLE and Web.