PROG1000 Introduction to Programming Emneplan

This course focuses on the development of basic programming techniques, analytical thinking, comprehension of code, and problem-solving skills achieved through a programming-based approach. It aims to develop basic programming skills relevant for professional use within the realm of business and administration. It provides theoretical and practical exposure to different programming technologies and programming concepts such as object-oriented programming, web programming, etc.

To understand some of the concepts presented in this course, a knowledge of mathematics at high school algebra level is a definite advantage but not a requirement.

Language of instruction is English.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• basic understanding of the operation and capabilities of software
• an understanding of what an algorithm is and the ability to use algorithmic problem-solving to address real-life problems in business and administration
• basic knowledge of the methods used to debug software
• basic knowledge of how processes within the realm of business and administration can be automated using software
• insight on how software are written, and an understanding of various types of programming languages and their function in various areas of business and administration.

Skills

The student has acquired an ability to

• format and write basic code
• explain how problem-solving principles are used in programming
• understand how to frame and elicit unstructured business and/or administration problems in order to solve them through programming,
• understand the steps required to make software more efficient

General competence

The student is

• proficient in planning and implementing a project plan for software development for business and administration
• able to identify and remediate bugs
• able to identify specific business and/or administration requirements that can be solved with programming
• able to communicate these requirements in a structured manner
• able to recognize the place that programming has within the domain of business and administration

The course will take a hands-on learning approach in addition to learning the theoretical concepts behind programming. Course participants will work in groups on a project relevant to the field of business and administration.

The following coursework requirement must be approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A set of homework exercises based on course-related topics. To complete these exercises, students must submit (1) a code repository, which contains the programming code used to answer the exercises, and (2) a written project report, which explains the programming code used to answer the exercises (maximum of one page, A4-size paper, single-spaced, 2 cm margins).

The course requirement can be completed individually or in a group of up to four students. To receive approval for the coursework requirement, all questions and exercises must be sufficiently answered. 

The purpose of the coursework requirement is to give students practical experience with the concepts covered in class. It also aims to help students reflect on how the course topics can be applied to different problems and datasets.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline.

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 4 hours. 

No aids are permitted.

Grade scale A-F

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by the two examiners will form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Fenella Carpena