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FOSJ1030 – Introduction to Python Programming

2026 – NMJI Term 2 (Mar), In person-scheduled-weekday, China

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Frances Louise
frances.louise@mq.edu.au
Greg Teuss
gregory.teuss@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Computer literacy has become a core skill across many disciplines. In this unit, students will learn coding in Python, enabling them to solve problems relevant to their discipline. They will leverage Python's foundational elements, including variables, operators, control structures, functions, and data structures, to develop effective programs. Students will adopt best practices in coding, such as a good code style and debugging capabilities, in an interactive practice-based environment.  They will be introduced to the key Python libraries used for contemporary programming. The unit equips students to approach discipline-specific challenges with confidence, using Python as a versatile tool for problem-solving. 

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 Python programming for effective problem-solving in and across disciplines.
  • ULO2: Utilize Python's fundamental elements (variables, operators, control structures, functions, and lists) for effective program development.
  • ULO3: Apply coding conventions to improve code readability and maintainability
  • ULO4: Employ debugging techniques to identify and fix common programming errors and issues.
  • ULO5: Utilize Python libraries and standard modules to accomplish diverse programming tasks.

General Assessment Information

Requirement to Pass this unit

  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%

Release

  • Foundational skills assessment
    • The assessment information will be released no later than 3rd April 2026
    • The sample assessment will be released no later than 10th April 2026
  • Programming assignment
    • The specifications will be released no later than 1st May 2026
  • Final Exam
    • The assessment information will be released no later than 15th May 2026
    • The practice final exam will be released no later than 22nd May 2026

 

Foundational skills assessment

You will have to attend a live coding exercise demonstrating basic programming skills. You will be asked to write, test, and debug a basic program. This in-person assessment will take place during the SGTA class in week 8.

Students will be given an optional second chance to improve their grades. For both assessments, the second chance grade will be capped at a maximum of 84%.

 

Programming assignment

You will have the chance to work on a chosen data set. You will need to write a program that will load the chosen data set, then clean, analyse, and provide useful outputs from the chosen data set. As an extension, you will also need to explore beyond the scope of the teaching material and showcase your understanding and implementation.

 

Final Exam

This assessment will assess your understanding and application of the programming concepts covered in the unit. This invigilated test will take place in the SGTA class.

Students will be given an optional second chance to improve their grades. For both assessments, the second chance grade will be capped at a maximum of 84%.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Foundational skills assessment 30% No Week 8 Individual No Observed
Programming assignment 30% No 05/06/2026 Individual Yes Open
Final Exam. 40% No Week 13 Individual No Observed

Foundational skills assessment

Assessment Type 1: Experiential task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Students will be assessed on the foundational programming skills taught in the first half of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Python programming for effective problem-solving in and across disciplines.
  • Utilize Python's fundamental elements (variables, operators, control structures, functions, and lists) for effective program development.

Programming assignment

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students will use the Python programming skills gained during SGTAs to solve an authentic, discipline-related problem.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Python programming for effective problem-solving in and across disciplines.
  • Utilize Python's fundamental elements (variables, operators, control structures, functions, and lists) for effective program development.
  • Apply coding conventions to improve code readability and maintainability
  • Employ debugging techniques to identify and fix common programming errors and issues.
  • Utilize Python libraries and standard modules to accomplish diverse programming tasks.

Final Exam.

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Students will be examined on content that was taught throughout the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Python programming for effective problem-solving in and across disciplines.
  • Utilize Python's fundamental elements (variables, operators, control structures, functions, and lists) for effective program development.
  • Apply coding conventions to improve code readability and maintainability
  • Employ debugging techniques to identify and fix common programming errors and issues.
  • Utilize Python libraries and standard modules to accomplish diverse programming tasks.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Starting from week 1, each week you should attend

  • two-hour lecture
  • two-hour SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activity) class

Texts and other materials

  • Learning materials are available on the Learning Management System (LMS).

Technology used

Unit Schedule

Schedule is subject to change

Week

Topic

Assessment Activity

1

Introduction and set up

 

2

Variables and operators

 

3

Conditions

 

4

Loops

  

5

Functions

  

6

Lists

  

7

 Inbuilt Libraries  

8

 NumPy  Summative Assessment: Foundational Skills Assessment

9

 Plotting and Matplotlib (part 1)

 

10

Matplotlib (part 2) and Pandas (part 1)

  

11

Pandas (part 2)

  

12

Case Study (End-to-end example)

 

13

Revision

Summative assessment: Final Exam

Summative assessment: Programming assignment

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:

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook