Unit rationale, description and aim

Computer programs are widely used to drive business applications, and as a result, demand for individuals with strong programming skills continues to grow. Programmers are often required to maintain legacy code, develop new applications to enhance business competitiveness, and improve software security. This unit introduces students to the key concepts of computer program design and development using appropriate data structures, control structures, and functions. Students will also learn object-oriented programming, along with basic testing and debugging techniques. By acquiring these skills, students will be empowered to develop applications that not only meet business needs but also help improve working conditions by offloading laborious or repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus on more creative and fulfilling activities. The aim of this unit is to help students grasp the essentials of Java—a globally accepted, modern, and practical programming language—while fostering critical thinking and the ability to build software applications involving objects and functional components.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

ITEC618 - Programming Concepts

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Demonstrate knowledge of programming concepts, st...

Learning Outcome 01

Demonstrate knowledge of programming concepts, structures, tools, terminology and format through consistent problem solving and program implementation
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC10

Experiment basic to advanced programming concepts...

Learning Outcome 02

Experiment basic to advanced programming concepts including program structures, control structures, data structures and software structures through reflective and analytical program implementation
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC10

Design real-life applications and programs using o...

Learning Outcome 03

Design real-life applications and programs using object-oriented concepts and appropriate programming structures and tools
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC8

Develop efficient object-oriented programming solu...

Learning Outcome 04

Develop efficient object-oriented programming solutions for real-life practical systems to meet stakeholder needs and the responsibility to the common good
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC6, GC7

Content

Topics will include:

  • Introduction to computers, programs and Java
  • Programming terminology and concepts
  • Elementary programming: identifiers, variables, constants, and operators
  • Elementary program logic: selections and loops
  • Elementary data types: numbers, strings and arrays
  • System and Text I/O
  • Functions and methods
  • Objects and classes
  • Object-oriented thinking
  • Inheritance and polymorphism
  • Abstract classes and interfaces
  • Exception handling and testing
  • Programming solutions to stakeholder needs and the common good that offload laborious or repetitive work

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The assessment strategy is designed to progressively build students’ programming competence and confidence, culminating in the application of skills to a real-world context.

The first assessment is a practical task focused on setting up the programming environment and applying consistent problem-solving techniques, laying the technical foundation for the unit. The second assessment is a programming assignment comprising multiple tasks that require students to demonstrate their understanding of basic to advanced programming concepts. The final assessment is a comprehensive case study in which students design, build, and report on a larger object-oriented software application. This task not only consolidates the knowledge and skills gained throughout the unit but also emphasizes the relevance and potential impact of programming solutions for the common good.

The assessments for this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of each learning outcome and support the transfer of learning to real-world scenarios.

To pass this unit, students are required to obtain an overall mark of at least 50%.

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Programming practical The first as...

Assessment 1: Programming practical

The first assessment item is a bi-weekly programming exercise which consists of programming environment setup and problem solving. This task requires students to consistently demonstrate their digital literacy skills and apply their programming knowledge and technical understanding gained in the unit.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Practical assessment

Artefact: Documented Code

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC10

Assessment 2: Programming assignment The second ...

Assessment 2: Programming assignment

The second assessment item is a programming assignment containing multiple programming tasks to solve which requires the understanding of basic to advanced programming concepts. This task requires students to demonstrate their critical thinking skills and apply their practical programming skills gained in the unit.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Programming code submission

Artefact: Documented Code

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC10

Assessment 3: Programming case study  The final ...

Assessment 3: Programming case study 

The final assessment will consist of one or several small to medium programming case studies to design and implement with focus on solving real-world programming problems with potential impact to the common good. Specifically, students will need to apply their object-oriented programming knowledge in designing and building larger application programs.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Programming and problem solving

Artefact: Case study documentation and code

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC10

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit is offered in multiple modes to support diverse learning needs and promote access for isolated or marginalised groups.

Multi-Mode

Students attend face-to-face workshops in scheduled blocks, with online preparatory work required beforehand. The unit combines in-person interaction with lecturers and access to digital resources, enabling active participation and revision. Students are expected to undertake 150 hours of study, including class time, readings, online discussions, and assessment preparation.

ACU Online

This fully online mode uses an active learning approach, offering flexibility and variety. Students engage in weekly asynchronous discussions and interactive tasks that apply theory to real-world contexts. Activities encourage personal input and peer collaboration. Regular feedback supports learning and tracks progress.

Both delivery modes aim to build professional knowledge, practical skills, and engagement through accessible, flexible learning environments.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Liang DY, 2025. Introduction to Java Programming and Data Structures, Comprehensive Version, 13th Edition, Pearson Education.

Farrell J, 2023, Java Programming, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning.

Horstmann Cay S., 2025, Core Java Volume I -- Fundamentals, 13th Edition.

Prentice Hall. Schildt H, 2021, Java: The Complete Reference, 12th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.

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