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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Postgraduate Course: Introduction to Java Programming (INFR09050)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
Summary*This course is for distance learning students within the School of Informatics and students on the Data Science, Technology & Innovation Programme*.

This module 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.

This distance-based course is aligned with the on-campus Introduction to Java Programming course (INFR09021) which uses a flipped classroom delivery approach. Distance students will cover the same materials, engage in the same classroom activities (but using Collaborate) and undertake the same assessment as the on-campus students.
Course description Learning to program requires practice, and students on this course typically have very diverse programming backgrounds. Locating and working with online materials is also an essential skill for developing real applications. For these reasons, the course has no regular lectures on the content - it is facilitated by structured assignments, a recommended textbook, online materials, well-supported lab sessions (or online tutorials for distance learning students), and an online forum. This provides a flexible learning environment, and students should be prepared to manage their own schedule and to take advantage of the resources in a way which is most appropriate to their own experience.

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.

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Programming Fundamentals.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Introduction to Java Programming (INFR09021) OR Informatics 1 - Object-Oriented Programming (INFR08014)
Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Course Start Date 16/09/2019
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 78 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam: 0%
Coursework: 100%
Practical Exam: 0%

Additional Information (Coursework);

Assessment is through two major practical programming exercises. Students will carry out some of the work on the programming exercises during the assigned online laboratory sessions.

Students should expect to spend approximately 40 hours on the coursework for this course.
Feedback Students will receive extensive formative feedback through interaction with other students and the demonstrators during lab sessions, eg. via Skype or Collaborate, and the Piazza online discussion forum.

Each student will also receive oral feedback during the coursework demonstrations.

Summative feedback will occur through automated and human marking of the 2 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 (including the use of Javadoc).
  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 Kolling, (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.
Special Arrangements This course is open to distance-based PG students.

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.
KeywordsDistance Learning,Informatics,Java Programming
Contacts
Course organiserMr Paul Anderson
Tel: (0131 6)51 3241
Email:
Course secretaryMrs Sam Stewart
Tel: (0131 6)51 3266
Email:
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