Object-Oriented Design and Development Course Descriptor

Course Summary

The course introduces and explores the concepts that underpin object-oriented (OO) design and development. It considers the ways in which OO principles bring functional and systematic approaches to computational thinking. This course explores the concepts that inform the use of classes, objects and methods in software design and development. It also explores the use of the core OO principles for system design and testing, such as encapsulation, inheritance, abstraction, coupling, cohesion, polymorphism, unit testing, and Unified Modeling Language (UML).

Course Aims

• To introduce the principles and conceptual frameworks that underpin object-oriented design and development.
• To enable learners to structure data according to object-oriented design principles.
• To train learners to practically implement object-oriented design for real life applications using Python.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
• On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide students with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Assessment will be in two forms:

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.  

Feedback is provided on summative assessed assignments and through generic internal examiners’ reports, both of which are posted on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Guide or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books 

• Booch, G., Maksimchuk, R.A., Engle, M.W., Young, B.J., Conallen, J., Houston, K.A. (2007), Object-Oriented Analysis and Design With Applications, Third Edition: Addison Wesley Professional.
• Weisfeld, M. (2019), Object-Oriented Thought Process, 5th Edition: Addison Wesley Professional.

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on Object- Oriented Design and Development as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on Object-Oriented Design and Development.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Object-Oriented Design Principles and Methodologies
• Object-Oriented Development
• Classes, Objects and Methods