BI1PR17-Programming

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Evangelos Delivopoulos
Email: e.delivopoulos@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Programming is a fundamental skill in all forms of engineering. It is ubiquitously used in modelling, problem solving, designing and data analysis. The aim of this module is to provide students with the needed foundation to analyse, comprehend and produce their own code in C++ and Matlab. There is 1 hour of theoretical lectures and 2 hours of practical sessions per week; the practicals provide an opportunity to work and build upon the material taught during the lectures. There is a test at the end of the autumn term and assessed exercises throughout the year, to provide students with regular feedback on their progress. At week 6 of spring term, students start their final project (worth 50% of the module) on designing and implementing a substantial software kit.

Aims:

This module aims to introduce student to procedural computer programming. The C and C++ family of programming languages will be used for examples and practical work. Programming will be undertaken in the Windows environment with a variety of editors. By the end of the module students should be able to write moderately complex programs in C/C++ and MATLAB.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Recognise and describe programming constructs in C/C++ and MATLAB

Explain and demonstrate how to edit and debug programs

Explain and demonstrate how to compile and run programs within integrated development environments

Predict what a segment of code will produce (tracing)

Distinguish programming approach and constructs best suited to a particular problem

Analyse a problem and design a programmatic solution

Develop a program

Critically evaluate programming solutions

Test programs

Reflect on approach and solutions

Additional outcomes:
Word processing skills; generic programming skills; use of compilers; use of modern integrated programming environment; problem solving; debugging.

Outline content:

1. Computing Concepts and Introduction to Programming; Structured Program Development


2. Program Control; Types and Operators; Functions; Arrays and Pointers; Characters and Strings; Formatted Input/Output; Structures, Unions, and Enumerations; File Processing; Data Structures.


3. Introduction to C/C++; Classes; Inheritance; Operator Overloading; Advanced Topics.


4. Using Windows operating system; Interpreters, Compilers, Linkers, Debuggers and Integrated Development Environments; typical computer organisation


5. Scientific programming (MATLAB), visualisation of data, introduction to matrix manipulation

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures laboratory practicals, and flipped classrooms

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20
Practicals classes and workshops	20	20
Guided independent study:	60	60
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	50
Practical skills assessment	40
Class test administered by School	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework

Lab practicals in autumn and spring terms totalling 40% of the module mark.

Final programming project (software + report) totalling 50% of the module mark.

In-class test

Quiz with multiple choice questions and 1 long answer question totalling 10% of the final mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023