Students
COMP1010 – Fundamentals of Computer Science
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, Lecturer
Gaurav Gupta
Contact via Contact via Dialogue Utility on iLearn
To be advised via iLearn
Lecturer, Tutor
Daniel Sutantyo
Contact via Contact via Dialogue Utility on iLearn
To be advised via iLearn
Tutor
Naila Mukhtar
Tutor
Thomas Yap
Tutor
Leon Alexander Tantri
Tutor
Nataly Falero
Daniel Sutantyo
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(COMP1000 or COMP115) or admission to (BActStud or BActStudBSc or BAppFinBActStud or BActStudBProfPrac)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit studies programming as a systematic discipline and introduces more formal software design methods. Programming skills are extended to include elementary data structures and abstract data types. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving and algorithms, including aspects of correctness, complexity and computability.
|
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 enhanced problem solving skills to develop algorithms
- ULO2: implement programs from algorithms, showing an understanding of the underlying architecture of the computer
- ULO3: adhere to standard software engineering practices, including documentation, unit testing and debugging
- ULO4: compare different methods available for the same problem in terms of efficiency and other criteria
- ULO5: demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process
General Assessment Information
Late Submission
For any assessment, no extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration.
Weekly submissions
Late submissions are NOT accepted for weekly submissions.
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 20% | No | Weeks 7, 9, 11, 13 |
| End-of-semester exam | 30% | No | Final Exam Period |
| Weekly submissions | 20% | Yes | Weeks 3 to 12 |
| Assignments | 30% | No | Weeks 3, 6, 10, 13 |
Quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: Weeks 7, 9, 11, 13
Weighting: 20%
Online quizzes to assess the understanding of the several topics taught throughout the unit. Students get only one attempt for each quiz.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply enhanced problem solving skills to develop algorithms
- implement programs from algorithms, showing an understanding of the underlying architecture of the computer
- adhere to standard software engineering practices, including documentation, unit testing and debugging
- compare different methods available for the same problem in terms of efficiency and other criteria
- demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process
End-of-semester exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Final Exam Period
Weighting: 30%
End of semester exam to assess achievement of learning outcomes from the entire session.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply enhanced problem solving skills to develop algorithms
- implement programs from algorithms, showing an understanding of the underlying architecture of the computer
- adhere to standard software engineering practices, including documentation, unit testing and debugging
- compare different methods available for the same problem in terms of efficiency and other criteria
- demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process
Weekly submissions
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 3 to 12
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Weekly submissions from the practice package provided. To clear the hurdle, students must submit at least 8 out of 10 submissions that satisfy the minimum requirements, which may be different for each week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply enhanced problem solving skills to develop algorithms
- implement programs from algorithms, showing an understanding of the underlying architecture of the computer
- adhere to standard software engineering practices, including documentation, unit testing and debugging
- compare different methods available for the same problem in terms of efficiency and other criteria
- demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process
Assignments
Assessment Type 1: Programming Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 39 hours
Due: Weeks 3, 6, 10, 13
Weighting: 30%
Take-home assignments during the semester to assess problem-solving skills in the domain of the unit topics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply enhanced problem solving skills to develop algorithms
- implement programs from algorithms, showing an understanding of the underlying architecture of the computer
- adhere to standard software engineering practices, including documentation, unit testing and debugging
- compare different methods available for the same problem in terms of efficiency and other criteria
- demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their 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 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
Video tutorials: https://rebrand.ly/COMP1010VideoTutorials
Recommended Textbooks:
- 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.
- 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 and Visual Studio Code - 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.
Unit Schedule
Note that three important themes will pervade the entire unit:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
| Week | Topic | Assessments | Weekly Submission |
| 1 | Programming environment (language, IDEs) | Diagnostic test (does not contribute towards final mark) | No |
| 2 | Problem-solving, JUnit testing | No | |
| 3 | Classes and Objects - 1 | Assignment 1 Due | Yes |
| 4 | Classes and Objects - 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | Recursion - 1 | Yes | |
| 6 | Recursion - 2 | Assignment 2 Due | Yes |
| 7 | List Interface, ArrayList class | Online Quiz 1 | Yes |
| 8 | Iterators | Yes | |
| 9 | Custom-built ArrayList | Online Quiz 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Self-referencing classes (Node class) | Assignment 3 Due | Yes |
| 11 | Custom-built LinkedList | Online Quiz 3 | Yes |
| 12 | Advanced topics | Yes | |
| 13 | Revision | Online quiz 4, Assignment 4 | No |
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
Due to COVID-restrictions, the assessment structure has significantly changed. Please see the section on Assessments Tasks for further details.
Weekly submissions are the only hurdle assessment.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook