Students
COMP1000 – Introduction to Computer Programming
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Roberts
Gaurav Gupta
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is an introductory computer science unit, providing a practical introduction to basic computing and programming concepts. Students gain an understanding of, and practical experience in, computer programming; practical experience in implementing informal prose descriptions of problem solutions using an imperative language; an understanding of, and practical experience in, designing, coding, testing and debugging simple algorithms; and an understanding of the principle of incremental development. Other topics include: the concept of program correctness; the differences between high-level languages, assembly languages and machine languages; the role played by compilers; and the execution of programs by computer hardware. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: apply problem solving skills to develop algorithms that solve small to medium-sized computational problems
- ULO2: design and write code to implement a program description in an imperative programming language
- ULO3: use standard software engineering practices to document, debug and test their programs
- ULO4: understand and apply appropriately the concepts of variables, loops, functions, conditionals and compound data in the implementation of programmed systems
- ULO5: identify and describe ethical issues in an academic environment and demonstrate active engagement in the learning process
General Assessment Information
Late Submission No extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example, 25 hours late in submission for an assignment worth 10 marks – 20% penalty or 2 marks deducted from the total. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Creative Work | 40% | No | Week 6, Week 12, Week 13 |
| Module Exams | 60% | Yes | Various |
Major Creative Work
Assessment Type 1: Programming Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 6, Week 12, Week 13
Weighting: 40%
A semester-long programming task where students put all their skills to work creating a game or demo.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply problem solving skills to develop algorithms that solve small to medium-sized computational problems
- design and write code to implement a program description in an imperative programming language
- use standard software engineering practices to document, debug and test their programs
- understand and apply appropriately the concepts of variables, loops, functions, conditionals and compound data in the implementation of programmed systems
- identify and describe ethical issues in an academic environment and demonstrate active engagement in the learning process
Module Exams
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: Various
Weighting: 60%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
A number of exams spread through the semester. Students will have the opportunity to repeat any exam to improve their mark.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply problem solving skills to develop algorithms that solve small to medium-sized computational problems
- design and write code to implement a program description in an imperative programming language
- use standard software engineering practices to document, debug and test their programs
- understand and apply appropriately the concepts of variables, loops, functions, conditionals and compound data in the implementation of programmed systems
- identify and describe ethical issues in an academic environment and demonstrate active engagement in the learning process
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
CLASSES
Each week of COMP115 has up to two hours of online lectures and a two-hour practical class. For details of days, times and rooms, consult the University timetables webpage (http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au). Practical classes commence in Week 1 and are held in the 4RPD Computer Laboratories computer laboratories for on-campus classes and in zoom rooms for online classes (links published in iLearn).
Students choosing online practicals are expected to have camera, microphone, and screen sharing capabilities for all classes. If you don't have access to those, please choose an on-campus class.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
- Software Technology (http://softwaretechnology.mattr.net.au/)
- Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction, Daniel Shiffman, Morgan Kaufmann, 2nd edition, 2015
We cover a large proportion of the material in these books and it will be extremely difficult to successfully complete this unit without reading the relevant chapters. Software Technology is the primary source of examinable material in this unit. Furthermore, you will find the lecture material much easier to understand if you read the textbooks in advance of the lectures. The lecture schedule below lists the relevant sections of the textbooks.
The website at http://www.learningprocessing.com/ provides supplementary material that you may find useful, including tutorials on Processing, the complete code for the examples in the book, and related downloads. The Macquarie University library has a number of copies of the textbook, including some in the reserve collection. The library also has many other books on programming that you may find useful if the concepts are not adequately explained by the textbook or class material.
UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
Web Home Page
COMP1000 will make extensive use of the iLearn course management system, including for delivery of class materials, discussion boards, online self-tests, submission of work and access to marks and feedback. Students should check the iLearn site (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au) regularly for unit updates.
Questions and general queries regarding the content of this unit, its lectures or practical classes, or its assessments should be posted to the discussion boards on the COMP1000 iLearn site. In particular, any questions which are of interest to all students in this unit should be posted to one of these discussion boards, so that everyone can benefit from the answers. Questions of a private nature should be directed to the unit teaching staff.
echo360
Any audio and screen video recordings of the lectures will be made available online at iLearn via the echo360 system.
Technology Used and Required
The practical work in this unit involves programming in the Processing language (http://processing.org) which will give students experience with features that are used in many modern programming languages. The Processing software can be downloaded free of charge for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X computers from the Processing web site. It is also installed in the 4RPD Computer Laboratories.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
none
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook