This introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to write simple computer programs using a modern programming language, capture mathematical problems and algorithms in programming code, and then write structured hierarchical code. Python is used as the exemplar language.

2 lectures and a laboratory per week

None

None

60% Final programming challenge - including Brief Report.

40% Set Exercises - Laboratory Exercises

The aims of this course are to:

■ equip the candidate with the skills and knowledge necessary to write hierarchical, structured programs in a modern programming language;

■ introduce the concepts necessary for the construction of large programs;

■ foster the ability to adhere to specifications when writing modules of large programs.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ write practical functioning Python programming code which makes full use of the following constructs:

■ simple and complex data types and data structures;

■ operators;

■ flow control statements;

■ standard library functions;

■ self written functions and subroutines;

■ describe the syntax of the Python programming language;

■ find and correct errors in student written code, and example code;

■ design, write, compile and run simple programs using an Integrated Development Environment..

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.