Late Submission

For any assessment, extensions will only be granted if your askMQ application for Special Consideration is approved.

Weekly submissions

Late submissions are NOT accepted for weekly submissions unless you have special considerations approval.

Assignments

There will be a deduction of 20% (of the total marks) made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example,

• an assignment that is late by anywhere between one second and 24 hours will get a 20% penalty. Thus, if your raw mark is 68, it will become 48.
• an assignment that is late by anywhere between 24 hours 1 second and 48 hours will get a 40% penalty. Thus, if your raw mark is 68, it will become 28.
• and so on...

Submissions for assignments will NOT be accepted after the solutions have been posted.

CLASSES

Each week you should attend

• two hours of lectures (delivered online, details to be announced via iLearn),
• two hour practical class

For details of days, times and rooms, consult the timetables webpage.

Note that Lectures and Practical classes commence in week 1.

You should have selected a practical class during enrolment. You should attend the practical class in which you are enrolled. You won't always get the class of your choice. Check availabilities via eStudent regularly. If ALL practical classes are full, only then, contact the convenor.

Please note that you are required to submit work regularly. You will get the help that you need by attending your practical class. Failure to submit work may result in you failing the unit (see the precise requirements in the "Grading Standards" section) or being excluded from the final examination.

TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

Lecture notes: https://rebrand.ly/COMP1010LectureNotes

Practical classes: https://rebrand.ly/COMP1010practicals

Video tutorials: https://rebrand.ly/COMP1010VideoTutorials

Recommended Textbooks: 

1. T. Gaddis, Starting out with Java: From control structures through objects (Pearson), Global edition (6th). ISBN 9781292110653
   • Online edition of this book is available through MQ Library. There can be up to 5 simultaneous accesses. Click on "Full text available at: 2018 eTextbooks" and login with OneID and password.
2. Kathy Siera, Bert Bates, Head First Java, 2nd edition. ISBN 9780596009205

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Audio and Video Lecture

Digital recordings of lectures are available from within iLearn via Active Learning Platform.

Technology

• Java SE - download the latest Java SE to be compatible with the labs.
• Eclipse (preferred, troubleshooting provided) or Visual Studio Code (if you are proficient, independent) - the IDEs we shall be using during the session.
• Learning Management System iLearn.
• https://code2flow.com/ for better understanding of control flow.
• http://codingbat.com/ for programming exercises.

Discussion Boards

The unit makes use of forums hosted within iLearn. Please post questions there, they are monitored by the unit staff.

Note that three important themes will pervade the entire unit:

1. Problem-solving. A crucial skill for all of the weekly topics will be to write appropriate code to meet a given problem specification. This theme relates to the first two learning outcomes for this unit.
2. Software development. The use of JUnit testing framework is an important development practice that will be taught from the beginning and used throughout the unit. This theme relates to the third learning outcome of this unit.
3. Comparing different solution methods. Very often different algorithms are available for the same problem. Another important skill to develop throughout this unit is the ability to compare different algorithms in terms of efficiency and other criteria. This theme relates to the fourth learning outcome of this unit.

NOTE: This is a tentative schedule and subject to minor changes.

The number of assignments has been reduced from 4 to 3, weights have been adjusted.

The number of quizzes has been reduced from 4 to 3, weights have been adjusted.

The unit will be graded according to the following general descriptions of the letter grades as specified by Macquarie University.  In the course of the unit, these grade descriptions will be discussed with respect to example projects.

High Distinction (HD, 85-100): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline.

In the context of this unit, the project has a good design, and has used some data that is interesting or non-obvious, or has required some effort to obtain or use.  It involves a good analysis of the data, and fairly extensively draws on the techniques and tools presented in the unit and possibly on others discovered independently by the student.  The project is described in a report and a presentation that are well-structured and essentially free from errors; these would be of a standard that could be presented at a conference with little or no polishing.

Distinction (D, 75-84): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

In the context of this unit, the project has a good design, and has used some data that is interesting or non-obvious, or has required some effort to obtain or use.  It involves a good analysis of the data, and fairly extensively draws on the techniques and tools presented in the unit.  The project is described in a report and a presentation that are well-structured and mostly free from errors; these would be of a standard that could be presented at a conference with some polishing.

Credit (Cr, 65-74): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

In the context of this unit, the project has a sound design, and demonstrates some thought in the choice of data.  It involves a good analysis of the data, and uses a reasonable number of the techniques and tools presented in the unit.  The project is described in a report and a presentation that are well-structured and mostly free from errors.

Pass (P, 50-64): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

In the context of this unit, the project has a satisfactory design and uses some easily accessible data.  It involves a successful, or nearly successful, analysis of data, and shows some familiarity with tools or techniques presented in the unit.  The project is described in a satisfactory report and presentation.

Fail (F, 0-49): does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.