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#.
Assessment: Coursework 1 (30%) + Coursework 2 (30%) + Unseen exam (40%) [Pass on aggregate]

The module aims are to:

1. Provide students with an understanding of the fundamental programming concepts and issues in the software development process.
2. Introduce students to key user interface design 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.

Basic Programming Concepts, Program Development Process & Overview of Software Development Cycle. LO1, LO2, LO6
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Facilities and Tools. LO4
Variables, Data Types, Language Elements, Libraries &Controls (Objects). LO1, LO5
Control Structures.  LO1, LO3
Modular Structures: Methods/Procedures and Arguments. LO1, LO6
Program Design, Programming Style, User Interface Design Principles. LO2, LO4, LO6
Debugging, Exception Handling & Testing Approaches. LO3
Basic Data Structures & File Handling. LO1, LO5
Database Connectivity and Standard Operations. LO1, LO5
Object Oriented Programming (OOP):  Classes, Objects, Methods/Properties, Inheritance and Polymorphisms. LO1, LO5
 

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

Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning 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 and an action plan for personal development on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work, e.g. in the form of an assessed section of their coursework report.

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 applications using 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.

Consistent with University policy, formative and summative feedback will be provided at various points throughout the teaching year.

Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module.  Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks.  Reading Lists will be updated annually.

Textbooks:

Core Text:
• Gaddis, T., Starting Out with Visual C#, 4th edition, 2017. Pearson

Other Texts:
• Doyle, B., C# programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design, 6th edition, 2018. Course Technology
• Sharp, J., Microsoft Visual C# Step by Step, 9th edition, 2018, Microsoft Press.
• Deitel, H. and Deitel, P., Visual C# How to Program, 2018. Pearson

Journals:
• Microsoft Developer Network’s MSDN Magazine:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/msdn-magazine-issues.aspx
• The Computer Journal of the British Computer Society, ISSN 1460-2067 (Electronic); Publisher: Oxford: Oxford Journals, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Websites:
• Learn C# for Beginners – Microsoft Virtual Academy at: https://mva.microsoft.com/en-us/training-courses/c-fundamentals-for-absolute-beginners-16169
• Safari Books Online
Electronic Databases (available from the University Library)
• ACM Digital Library
• IEEE Xplore/IET Digital Library
Other
• Lynda.com