NCHNAL475 Intensive Foundations of Computer Science and Programming II Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course covers more advanced topics in computing and programming principles. Students will explore advanced Python programming and design principles. Students will engage in an extensive programming task which will result in the creation of a test suite.  Students will explore pair programming and public code review techniques, as found in industry today. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of computer systems and programming using industry-standard cloud-based technology e.g. using ServiceNow training.

Course Aims

• Train students in more advanced computing and programming principles.
• Train students to design a test plan when given a set of criteria, business standards, and expected outcomes.
• Allow students to explore when a programmatic solution can be applied to a business need.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

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

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• On-line learning
• On-line discussion groups
• On-line assessment

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

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students 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:

● Learning and teaching (6 days x 8 hours) = 48 hours 

● Independent study = 102 hours 

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 150 hours 

Assignments (see below) will be completed as part of private study.

Assessment

Formative

Students 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

The summative assessment will be assessed in accordance with the assessment aims set out in the programme specification.

Feedback

Students will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Students will also attend a formal meeting with their Mentor. These reviews will monitor and evaluate the student’s progress.  

Indicative Reading

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

Books

Summerfield, M. (2009), Programming in Python 3: A Complete Introduction to the Python Language, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison-Wesley

Lutz, M. (2011), Programming Python, Beijing; Farnham: O’Reilly

Allen, B. (2015), Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist. Farnham: O’Reilly

Journals

Students are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on Computer Systems and Programming as directed by their Course Leader. 

Electronic Resources

Students are encouraged to consult relevant websites on Computer Systems and Programming.

Indicative Topics

• Variables and primitive data types
• Sequential and binary search algorithms
• Stacks and Queues