COMP SCI 1101 Introduction to Programming
Course Code: COMP SCI 1101, COMP SCI 1101BR
Year-Level: 1
Credit: 3 units
Assumed Knowledge: SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Studies
Synopsis
This is an introduction to programming and to foundational aspects of Computer Science.
In this course you will learn the fundamentals of procedural programming, and hopefully have some fun while you are doing it.
We will be using the user-friendly Processing language as the programming language in this course, inside a web-based gallery system.
However, much of what you will learn will be applicable to any other programming language that you might want to use in the future.
In particular, we are using a range of applications to motivate you, independent of whether you are a computer science student or not.
We will show how programs can be used to build graphically-based computer science applications that include shapes, lines, animation, and pictures.
You will learn a key set of computer science tools and topics, as well as programming skills; such as how to design and use algorithms, and practical software engineering methods.
In 2016, we are combining on-line and face-to-face learning experiences and, because of that, there are no lectures in the schedule. Students should still plan to attend both the workshop and practical activities.
Some Creative Works by our Former Students
Why should I study Introduction to Programming?
Humans have been preparing programs, in a simple way, for thousands of years. We live in a remarkable age, where general-purpose computers are able to perform, in seconds, calculations that a century ago would have taken a lifetime. You will all be exposed to computer-aided design tools, and computerised equipment. If you want to get the most from this equipment, you need to understand how it works, and how to control it --- how it "thinks". Perhaps you will enjoy the task so much that you will design the next generation of such machines. Even if you never program again after this course, the skills you will learn can be applied in project management and contract-writing, and will help you to think clearly about problems.
What will I learn?
An understanding of the common constructs that make up programming languages
Development of skills in problem solving and efficiently translating solutions into computer programs
Development of skills in programming in the Processing programming language
What should I know before I enrol?
This course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of programming. We assume no previous background in programming.
How will my performance be assessed?
Your performance in the course will be assessed as follows:
Practical/workshop exercise marks will contribute between 15% to your final score.
Practical examinations will contribute 10%.
A group assignment will contribute 20% to your final mark.
A written essay will contribute 5%
The final written exam contributes 40% of the marks.
We do record your attendance and participation in workshops, which is worth up to 10%.
The precise details of assessment vary from year to year, and will be explained at the first lecture.
What do students think of this course?
From time-to-time, we ask students to give their opinion of this course, and allow the lecturers to respond to the evaluation. Recent results, labelled "courseEvaluation", and "courseResponse" are here:
15s1-ip-Evaluation.pdf
What comes next?If you enjoyed this course, the next step in your programming education is the course: Object-oriented Programming (OOP COMP SCI 1102/1102BR) which introduces C++, another programming language.
Course Offerings
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