COMP SCI 1101 - Introduction to Programming

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

This course is designed for students with no prior programming experience. The course introduces the fundamental concepts of procedural programming. Topics include algorithms and problem solving, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. The course also offers an introduction to the historical and social context of computing.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMP SCI 1101
    Course Introduction to Programming
    Coordinating Unit Computer Science
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible COMP SCI 1008, COMP SCI 1201, COMP SCI 2202, COMP SCI 2202A, ENG 1002, ENG 1003, MECH ENG 1100, MECH ENG 1101, MECH ENG 1102, MECH ENG 1103, MECH ENG 1104, MECH ENG 1105
    Course Description This course is designed for students with no prior programming experience. The course introduces the fundamental concepts of procedural programming. Topics include algorithms and problem solving, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. The course also offers an introduction to the historical and social context of computing.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Ian Knight

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Design algorithms to solve simple problems,
    2. Use those algorithms in the Processing programming environment,
    3. Demonstrate the ability to correct, test and debug Processing programs, and
    4. Explain how algorithms and Processing programs work.

    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.2 3.3 3.6
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Text book: There is no text book for this course but the following books and links may be useful.

    • Video tutorials from the Processing website.
    • The Processing reference
    • Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers, Second Edition Casey Reas and Ben Fry, 2014, The MIT Press.
    • (The first edition is also fine)
    There is no requirement to purchase a book. The on-line resources are excellent.
    Online Learning
    In this course, we use an online discussion forum and learning environment available through the course MyUni Canvas page. Through Canvas you will be able to view videos, take online quizzes, submit your assessments and access all course content.

    This course makes extensive use of on-line learning and it will be very challenging to fully participate or perform at your best unless you regularly access the materials available in the online form. It is your responsibility to regularly check this forum for notices, and to participate in online activities.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    In this course, you will receive a workshop and a practical session every week.

    Workshops are two-hour activities that involve whole class and small group collaborative work and demonstrations. In these sessions, students will work with academic staff through the practical application of concepts discussed in on-line materials to aid understanding. Activities will include mini-lectures, guided discussions, tutorial-style questions and a lot of collaborative activity.

    Practical sessions are two-hour activities that involve the evaluation and assessment of student understanding. In practical sessions, students will be asked to complete a series of practical problems, which will then be assessed during the session. Some of these practical sessions will be held under examination conditions.

    Computer Science Learning Centre: the learning centre, Level 1, Engineering Maths, provides one on one support for first year Computer Science courses, and a space for first year students to study. If you are having trouble with your courses, please attend the Learning Centre for assistance, or contact your lecturers.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are expected to spend 10-12 hours per three unit course. This includes approximately 4 hours of contact time per week, 2 hours of on-line activity, and approximately 6 hours of independent study time.
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course consists of the following key topics:
    Topic Description
    Course Introduction The workshop for this course introduces you to the course requirements and to the laboratory environment that you will be using throughout the course.
    Topic 1: Intro Introduction to Processing and the on-line environment
    Topic 2: Introductory programming In this topic you will learn the fundamentals of programming, including key concepts such as variables, constants, data types, iteration, selection, functions, problem solving skills and algorithm development. You will learn how to create and modify images to demonstrate your programming skills.
    Topic 3: Intermediate Programming In this final topic, you will learn more advanced programming concepts, such as the use of more complex data structures, testing and software development strategies, and gain experience in the design and development of more complex algorithms. We will explore a more complex interactive animation project that you will undertake as a group.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    This course is assessed with a combination of examination and continuous assessment work.
    Task Weighting
    Practical Assignments 15%
    Practical Examinations 10%
    Group Assignment 20%
    Weekly Quizzes 5%
    Workshops 10%
    Final written examination 40%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    You are required to achieve at least the minimum standard for the examination for this course, at least 40% of the available marks for the final written examination, as well as a grade of 50% overall to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Practical Assignments: from Week 2, you are required to attend weekly practical sessions, during which you will be assessed on the satisfactory completion of a series of practical questions. You must prepare answers to these questions before you attend the practical session. The assessment of this work will include design, functional implementation, testing and your ability to explain and analyse your work. Your marks for the practical sessions will be based on what you demonstrate in the session and will be recorded in the School's web submission system. Where you are producing code you will be expected to submit a PDE file on Canvas.

    Practical Examinations: two of the weekly Practical Sessions will be devoted to Practical Examinations. During this examination session, you will be required to complete a series of practical questions under examination conditions.

    Group Assignment: during the second half of semester you will be required to complete a group programming assignment, involving the creation of your own project. Sample topics will be provided to you, however, you are will be able to select your own topic based on approval by your lecturers. This assignment will be assessed on your design, documentation, testing, functional implementation and presentation.

    The assignment will be assessed through a combination of in-workshop assessment and assessment of the final submitted entity.

    Workshops: the weekly workshop sessions require you to complete a series of collaborative, group-based activities. During these workshop sessions, you will be assessed on your participation and contribution to your group.

    Quizzes: Starting from the latter half of week 1 there will be quizzes on the MyUni system that you take to revise the videos and content for that week.

    Final Examination: your final examination is your main assessment component, combining assessment of practical skills (development of algorithms, code development, testing and analysis, etc) and theoretical skills (understanding of concepts, analysis of concepts, the ability to compare and contrast, etc). Frequent revision of the course content, participation in the course activities, and successful completion of the assessment activities throughout the semester will be a crucial step towards the successful completion of this examination.
    Submission
    Practical work, the practical examinations and workshop participation will be assessed during your scheduled course activities.

    Quizzes will be automatically marked in Canvas.

    The group assignment will be assessed through a combination of in-workshop assessment and assessment of the final submitted entity, details of this final submission will be detailed on the MyUni Canvas page.

    Practical Assignment Marking
    Practical assignments are marked in the timetabled practical sessions. You must attend your scheduled session to be marked. If you are unable to attend please provide documentation (such as a medical certificate) for your absence to the course coordinator, you will then either be marked in the next available session or off-line. Failure to get marked in your practical session or provide documentation for your absence will result in your available mark being capped at 50%.

    Late Penalties
    Failure to submit an assessment item on time or by the agreed extension deadline will result in penalties. For each day or part-day that a programming assignment is late, the maximum mark that can be awarded is reduced by 25%. 

    Extensions
    Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assessment item should be made well before the due date to the Course Coordinator. Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date. Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and evidence, such as a medical certificate, must be provided.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.