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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Postgraduate Course: Introduction to Practical Programming with Objects (INFR11189)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course is intended for students who have some previous programming experience, but would like to develop their ability to write complete, practical applications. Students with no programming experience should be able to complete the course, although this will almost certainly be challenging and will require additional time. The course uses an object-oriented approach, based around the Java language, but no previous experience of specific languages or technologies is assumed.
Course description This course provides a flexible learning environment to cater for students with diverse programming backgrounds. To this end, it follows a range of online materials and a recommended textbook that students explore at their own pace. Making the most of these resources requires students to manage their own schedule and locate materials appropriate to their level of experience. This is also an essential skill for developing real applications. An online discussion board is used for asynchronous, guided learning and peer support. The only timetabled events are weekly live sessions, which are used flexibly for lectures, Q&A sessions and feedback. Assessment is 100% coursework and is based on two assignments.

The course content includes the following topics:
- Object-oriented design - classes, objects, inheritance, coupling, cohesion, responsibility.
- The basics of the Java programming language.
- The use of external libraries - collections, graphical interfaces, networking.
- Development tools.
- Code readability and documentation.
- Graphical user interfaces
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Informatics 1 - Object-Oriented Programming (INFR08014)
Students MUST NOT also be taking Introduction to Practical Programming with Objects (INFD11001)
Other requirements This course is open to Informatics PG students. For external students where this course is not listed in your DPT, please seek special permission from the course organiser (lecturer).

Students are expected to have some previous programming experience (not necessarily with an object-oriented language). It is possible to take the course without any previous experience, but this will almost certainly be challenging, and require additional time.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 7, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 22, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 65 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Assessment is through two major practical programming exercises, which are expected to take 40 hours in total.
Feedback Students will receive formative feedback through interaction with other students and staff via the Piazza online discussion forum. Summative feedback will occur through automated and human marking of the assignments.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Design and implement a complete, realistic Java application to a given specification.
  2. Utilise an object-oriented approach to produce a well-structured, modular and maintainable design which is evaluated and justified by comparison with plausible alternatives.
  3. Produce code which is clear, readable and adequately documented.
  4. Locate and utilise supporting resources, including 3rd party library code, documentation, and online materials to support development and debugging.
  5. Utilise appropriate development tools to support development, debugging and documentation.
Reading List
* Objects First with Java - A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ by David J. Barnes & Michael Kölling, (Prentice Hall / Pearson Education, 2016 ISBN 9780132835541)
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Problem solving, Analytical thinking, Handling complexity and ambiguity, Independent learning and development, Change management, Planning, organising and time management, Creativity and inventive thinking.
KeywordsIPPO,Informatics,Java Programming
Contacts
Course organiserDr Bjoern Franke
Tel: (0131 6)51 7175
Email: b.franke@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Lindsay Seal
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701
Email: lindsay.seal@ed.ac.uk
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