Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Object Orientated Programming
Module Code	CA591
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Ray Walshe Semester 2: Ray Walshe Autumn: Ray Walshe
Module Teacher	Heather Ruskin
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The module aims to give the students a foundation in Object-Oriented Programming and Java basics and to extend to further concepts in file-handling and inheritance. The course is divided into three basic stages of difficulty in the initial 8 weeks, with assessment at the end of the two interim stages and an extended project for the last, which also incorporates more advanced elements from the final section of the course. In brief: the course covers Introductory topics, Introduction to the Java development environment and problem solving techniques, Control structures, Basic features of Java, Modularity and Object-oriented techniques. It continues with further depth on class features, encapsulation, object referencing and class-instance distinctions. Inheritance is discussed and demonstrated with respect to key class types and methods. Use of command line arguments, numerical manipulation and file handling are summarised, with a more advanced look at some earlier concepts to enable coding using further features, including input /output streaming, string classes and similarly.

Learning Outcomes

1. * Analyse a problem and write its solution in structured English
2. * Read, modify and design Java programming code
3. * Use variables to store data in Java programmes
4. * Write programmes using programming standard programming structures
5. * Use arrays for storing and manipulating data in a programme
6. *Use Java methods to break a programme into modules
7. *Design and write classes and extended classes for implementation of object-oriented programmes
8. * Understand encapsulation and object creation, methods, referencing and cooperation. Know when to use public/private modifiers
9. * Understand the key concept of Inheritance and be able to write programmes, which incorporate this
10. * Understand and use additional String classes
11. *Use further file-handling features and realise best practice in data manipulation/housekeeping features, such as numerical calculations, reporting and command line arguments etc.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	36	Full class notes are provided in booklet form in advance of lectures and material is divided by lecture and topics covered. Course content, including supplementary material on key topics and a short interactive tutorial are available online.
Laboratory	24	Practical exercises are attempted by students in the laboratory. Stages 1 and 2 assessments involve laboratory-based exams. on these exercises. Revision lab. may be requested.
Lecturer-supervised learning (contact)	36	Comprises Lectures and Tutorial guidelines. No formal tutorials are provided for P/T mature students, from whom more independent learning time is expected and who typically access similar material off-site and online, in order to accommodate other commitments.
Laboratory	33	As for F/T students. Extended laboratory period is provided.
Tutorial	12	Exercises from notes and previewed laboratory exercises are worked through. Weeks 2 to 12 and optional review class.
Independent learning time	118	As for F/T students. Off-site, online access of materials expected. Time allocated for reading, reviewing given and other exercises, group interaction on project, project-time and write-up, and revision. Remote support also provided within this.
Independent learning time	115	This comprises time for reading, reviewing given and other exercises, group interaction on project and write-up, revision.
Total Workload: 374

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introductory topics.
Introduction to the computer. Introduction to Java Programming. Java development environment. Java Program structure. Problem solving techniques:Problem analysis and problem solving. Algorithm design. Control structures - sequencing, selection and iteration. Introduction to the Basic features of Java: Integer and floating point variables. Boolean variables. Arithmetic calculations. Operator precedence. Mathematical functions. Control structures - If and if/else; Switch; While loops; For loops; Arrays: Declaring initialising and storing data in arrays. Strings: Using strings. Operations on strings Modularity: Use of methods. Passing information between methods. Object-Oriented Techniques: Defining classes. Class scope. Using objects. Controlling access to members. Extending classes. Overview of inheritance.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Laboratory	Stage 1: Lab. Exam./Test. Students should be able to design an algorithm and write a programme, using Sequence, Selection and Iteration. They should also be familiar with reading and understanding simple Java code.	10%	Week 5
Project	This joint project tests all 3 basic stages of the first two-thirds of the course and the additional features introduced in subsequent weeks. It comprises the programming elements of design, planning, implementation, testing, file-handling and inheritance. Working code is expected.	25%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Ira Pohl and Charlie McDowell: 2006, Essential Java by Dissection, 2nd Ed., Lulu, 141165238X
John Lewis, William Loftus: 1998, Java software solutions, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 0201571641
H. M. Deitel, P. J. Deitel: 1999, Java, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 0130125075

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

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