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Unit outline_

INFO1910: Introduction to Programming (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The focus of this unit will cover the ground up programming components necessary for study in the computer science discipline. Students will engage with procedural programming using two related programming languages. Students will further their understanding of internal operations as well as reasoning about processing, memory model and conventional programming practices. As an advanced offering, all the course contents of INFO1110 will be covered and there will be additional teaching materials and assessments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
INFO1110 OR INFO1103 OR INFO1903 OR INFO1105 OR INFO1905 OR ENGG1810
Assumed knowledge
? 

ATAR sufficient to enter Dalyell program, or passing an online programming knowledge test, which will be administered during the O-week prior to the commencement of the semester

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Maryam Khanian Najafabadi, maryam.khaniannajafabadi@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Maryam Khanian Najafabadi, maryam.khaniannajafabadi@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Alan Robertson, alan.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final examination
2 hours written exam.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Small continuous assessment Tutorial Quiz
Solve programming problems. Weeks 3, 5, 6, 9, 11
10% Multiple weeks As directed by instructor.
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1
Small continuous assessment Online problem
Solve programming problem. Weeks: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10
10% Multiple weeks 7 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1
Write a computer program from problem description
10% Week 07
Due date: 16 Apr 2023 at 23:59
21 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Online task Mid Semester Quiz
Pen and paper mid semester quiz. In your regular tutorial.
10% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2023 at 14:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Assignment 2
Write a complete program from problem description.
20% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
21 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Online problem: 

Weeks 2, 4, 7, 8, 10. Solve a programming problem and submit online. The best 4 of 5 are considered for the final grade. The best 4 of 5 are considered for the final grade.

In class quiz:

Weeks 3, 5, 6, 9, 11. Solve a programming problem and submit within the class as directed by the instructor. The best 4 of 5 are considered for the final grade.

Mid Semseter Quiz:

Week 8 in your regular Tutorial. The mid semester quiz covers all aspects of the course up to and including week 7. Demonstrate knowledge in procedural programming. Reading and tracing through short programs. Writing short programs. Writing test cases and debugging with existing test cases.

Assignment 1 and 2:
Write a computer program from problem description. To be completed individually throughout the semester.  Both assignments may require submission of code, tests, reports, oral presentations. Format and submission details of assignments to be provided on release.

Final examination:
The final exam covers all aspects of the course. Demonstrate knowledge in procedural programming. Reading and tracing through short programs. Writing short programs. Writing test cases and debugging with existing test cases. The final exam consists of a 2 hour written examination.

Special consideration

Assignments - Approved special consideration will be granted an extension to the assignments and may be additionally be examined in an oral quiz, based on the assignment contents, that will contribute to the grade for that assignment.

Final examination – a replacement examination will be arranged, however the format may vary and further development may be required.

Conditions for pass in this course:

- At least 40% in the assessment grade

- At least 40% in the final examination

- At least 50% total

For this course, students may be asked for further development of their assessments if they fail to attend at least 80% of their tutorials.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.



.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Online problem - No late submission permitted. Tutorial quiz - No late submission permitted. Mid Semester Quiz - No late submission Permitted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to the unit; 2. Fundamental concepts; 3. Introduction to terminal and Linux Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO11 LO12
1. Introduction to the unit; 2. Fundamental concepts; 3. Introduction to terminal and Linux Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO11 LO12
Week 02 1. Data types; 2. Variables, operators and expressions; 3. Branching Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Data types; 2. Variables, operators and expressions; 3. Branching Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 03 1. Array concept of addressable memory; 2. Lists and loops; 3. Further flow control; 4. Pointers and addressable memory Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Array concept of addressable memory; 2. Lists and loops; 3. Further flow control; 4. Pointers and addressable memory Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 04 1. Addressable memory; 2. Arrays, collections, testing; 3. More pointers; 4. Testing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Addressable memory; 2. Arrays, collections, testing; 3. More pointers; 4. Testing Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 05 1. Basis of program design process; 2. Documentation and style ; 3. Make and Preprocessor Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Basis of program design process; 2. Documentation and style ; 3. Make and Preprocessor Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 06 1. Functions; 2. Testing; 3. Files Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Functions; 2. Testing; 3. Files Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 07 1. Files and basic input/output; 2. Exception handling; 3. Defining and using types Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 08 1. More list and for loop; 2. Programming idioms ; 3. Reference semantics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. More list and for loop; 2. Programming idioms ; 3. Reference semantics Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 09 1. Testing; 2. Software design process; 3. Dictionaries; 4. Tuples Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Testing; 2. Software design process; 3. Dictionaries; 4. Tuples Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 10 1. Modular programming; 2. Defining datatypes using aggregate structures; 3. Inheritance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Modular programming; 2. Defining datatypes using aggregate structures; 3. Inheritance Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 11 1. Recursion Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Reading, writing and tracing recursive code. Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 12 1. Multidimensional arrays Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Problems with 2D structures Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 13 1. Course review; 2. Final Examination overview; Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
1. Revision Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13

Attendance and class requirements

Canvas and Ed are both used in this course for separate purposes. Students are encouraged to engage with the discussions and support on Ed for their learning.
Students are expected to regularly visit these websites to learn of announcements and information concerning format and schedule of assessment. Canvas is a website that will be used to disseminate the lecture recordings and for publishing of results.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Robert Sedgewick, Kevin Wayne, Robert Donder – Introduction to Programming in Python: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Pearson Higher Ed USA, 2015. 9780134076430
  • Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie – The C Programming Language. Prentice Hall. 1988. 0-13-110362-8
  • The C Programming Language (The White Book, K&R) (1978)
  • The Unix Programming Environment (1984)
  • Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools (1986) (The Dragon Book)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. employ programming style conventions for writing consistently readable code
  • LO2. design and construct new functionality to existing procedural program or function
  • LO3. compose a structured algorithmic design to solve the descriptive problem specification
  • LO4. compose an entire procedural program from descriptive problem specification
  • LO5. translate general programming problems between two distinctly differing procedural programming languages
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of programming principles, data types, variables and operators, control-flow: simple statement, sequence, if-then-else, while, functions: stack, input/output, reference memory model
  • LO7. compose, analyse and trace procedural code, scoping/variable lifetime, memory of the stack, references and globals, data types, operations on data types
  • LO8. construct code cliches for input and manipulating arrays, including maximum, minimum, search or traverse, with actions on each element for counting or summation
  • LO9. construct and assess code for recursively-defined numerical functions, and for recursively described array manipulations
  • LO10. apply testing methods and assess programs through debugging, write a set of tests for a small program or function
  • LO11. explain compilation process and debugging mechanism
  • LO12. use standard library functions
  • LO13. explain processing, memory and internal operations of procedural programming

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students have more time around the mid semester test

Every week students should:

  • Read the required sections of literature
  • Watch and take notes for the Online lecture (via Canvas website)
  • Watch and take notes for the Advanced Online lecture (via Canvas website)
  • Complete the Assignments (as required)
  • Prepare for the Lab by reviewing reading, lecture and lab questions 
  • Attend and participate in weekly Lab with tutor (as timetabled)

Additionally:

  • Students should ask questions on edstem.org
  • Students are encouraged to engage with their teacher in the tutorial

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.