Unit Outline

This unit introduces programming with an emphasis on building both foundational understanding and practical skills. It is designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of disciplines, while also providing a strong basis for further study. The unit develops computational thinking and the ability to express solutions clearly and effectively in code.

Students learn core programming concepts including variables, control flow, data structures, functions, and basic file handling. By the midpoint of the unit, they are able to design, implement, and debug small programs that work with structured data.

The unit then extends these skills through practical applications such as data analysis and visualisation, accessing external data sources, building simple automation tools, and exploring an application area connected to students’ interests. Throughout the unit, emphasis is placed on good programming practice, debugging, documentation, and the use of modern development tools.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply code reading and debugging techniques to explain the purpose and behaviour of program code, and identify and correct errors in syntax, logic, and style.
2	Design and implement well-structured programs using structured programming, functional decomposition, and modular design.
3	Select and use appropriate data structures, including lists and simple user-defined types, to solve computational problems.
4	Develop practical programs for simple real-world or applied problems, using sound coding style, basic testing, and clear documentation.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	JEE101 XPD124

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit has been significantly redesigned. The mainchange is to allow students to select a stream in the second half of the unit that is relevant to their course.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assignment 1	Week 8	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assigment 2	Week 13	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Tutorial work	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assignment 1

Task Description:

In this assignment, students design, implement, test, and explain a small program that applies the foundational programming concepts developed in the first part of the unit. The task requires students to develop a structured solution to a defined problem, demonstrate their understanding of program design and implementation decisions, and communicate how their program works through a short viva and recorded presentation.

Task Length:

Program 300 LOC Design Document 500 words Presentation (recorded) 3 mins

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Applies structured programming, functional decomposition, and modular design to produce a clear solution design.	LO2
2	Implements a functioning program that uses appropriate programming constructs and data structures to address the set problem.	LO2, LO3
3	Develops and applies appropriate test cases, and identifies and corrects errors in program behaviour.	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assigment 2

Task Description:

In this mini-project, students design, implement, test, and evaluate a small applied programming related to their chosen theme. The task requires students to integrate core programming skills with data handling, external data use, automation, or another applied focus, and to document and explain their design, implementation, and testing decisions through a report, presentation, and viva.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Designs a clear and appropriate solution using structured programming, functional decomposition, and modular design.	LO2
2	Implements a functioning program that uses appropriate programming constructs, data structures, and relevant external data, automation, or application features to address the task.	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Develops and applies appropriate testing processes, and identifies and corrects errors in program behaviour.	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial work

Task Description:

Complete a series of guided programming tasks in weeks 2-11 that reinforce weekly unit content. These tasks provide practice in reading, writing, testing, and debugging code, and support the progressive development of core programming knowledge and skills.

Task Length:

10x 30mins

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explains or interprets program behaviour, logic, or output accurately where required.	LO1
2	Applies relevant programming constructs, techniques, and data structures appropriately to the task.	LO2, LO3
3	Produces solutions that are functionally correct, logically structured, and expressed with clear coding style.	LO2, LO4
4	Identifies, corrects, and/or tests for errors in code using appropriate debugging and checking processes.	LO1, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.