Unit rationale, description and aim
In today’s technology-driven world, fundamental knowledge and skills in programming are essential for anyone pursuing a career in IT or any field that leverages digital solutions. This unit introduces students to core programming concepts, providing them with the foundational skills needed to solve real-world problems. Specifically, students will learn how to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable sub-problems and explore solutions using object-oriented design principles. They will transform these designs into structured classes and procedures, gaining experience in writing clear, efficient, and maintainable code. The unit also delves into key syntactical concepts, including the use and behaviour of parameters, variable scope and lifetime, data manipulation, control structures, and input/output handling. Through hands-on labs and coding exercises, students will not only learn how to write functional programs but also how to ensure software quality and usability. This unit will also prepare students for more advanced programming concepts taught in ITEC313. Students will be empowered to address both technical and societal challenges by creating reliable and user-focused applications.
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.
Explain the foundational principles of object-orie...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply problem-solving strategies to break down com...
Learning Outcome 02
Implement structured, modular solutions for small-...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to programming language
- Elementary programming: identifiers, variables, constants, and operators
- Elementary program logic: selections and loops
- Array and basic operations
- ArrayList
- Programming standards and practices
- Developing and implementing test plans.
- Functions and methods
- Definition of classes & objects, constructors and destructors
- Principles OO Design with polymorphism and inheritance
- Array and ArrayList of Objects.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate capabilities consistent with University assessment requirements. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of each learning outcome. To pass this unit, students are required to obtain an overall mark of at least 50%.
The first assessment is a closed-book in-class test conducted using Safe Exam Browser (SEB), designed to reinforce students’ understanding of content from Weeks 1 to 5. The second assessment item is a series of programming-based lab exercises, focusing on environment setup and practical problem-solving tasks. The final assessment is an individual programming project that consists of a small programming project. Students will apply their object-oriented programming knowledge and skills to implement and test a functional software solution. Any use of AI tools must be appropriately acknowledged.
Strategies aligned with transition pedagogies will be utilised to facilitate successful completion of the unit assessment tasks. For each assessment, there will be the incorporation of developmentally staged tasks with a focus on a progressive approach to learning. This will be achieved through activities, including regular feedback, particularly early in the unit of study to support their learning; strategies to develop and understand discipline-specific concepts and terminology; in-class practice tasks with integrated feedback; and greater peer-to-peer collaboration.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: In-class Test In-class test is a p...
Assessment 1: In-class Test
In-class test is a programming challenge covering content from Weeks 1 to 5 during the class. Students will be given 1 hour for individual analysis and problem-solving.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Class Test
Artefact: Written solution and code
Word limit: 1000
20%
Assessment Task 2: Lab Submissions The second a...
Assessment Task 2: Lab Submissions
The second assessment involves ongoing programming exercises conducted during lab sessions. Students are expected to analyse and dissect small programming problems individually that are designed based on weekly contents.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Cumulative assessment
Artefact: Written solution and code
Word limit: 1500
40%
Assessment Task 3: Programming project The fina...
Assessment Task 3: Programming project
The final assessment consists of a small programming project. Students will apply their object-oriented programming knowledge and skills to implement and test a functional software solution, demonstrating independent problem-solving skills and the ability to work autonomously in addressing technical challenges.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Project design and implementation
Artefact: Project documentation and code
Word limit: 1500
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses a collaborative and practice-based learning approach and will be delivered in multi-mode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will have access to all primary learning materials online, along with formative and summative assessments, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
Mode of delivery: This unit is offered mainly in ‘Attendance mode’ with aspects of ‘Multi-mode’ incorporated into the delivery to maximise the learning support offered to students. Students will be required to attend face-to-face workshops in specific physical location/s (including supervised lab practical sessions) and have face-to-face interactions with teaching staff to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is also structured with some required upfront preparation before workshops – learning materials and tasks set via online learning platforms. This will provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise.
ACU Online: This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.
Further to this, to ensure students are ready to transition from the Diploma and articulate into the second year of undergraduate study, transition pedagogies will be incorporated into the unit as the key point of differentiation from the standard unit. This focuses on an active and engaging approach to learning and teaching practices, and a scaffolded approach to the delivery of curriculum to enhance student learning in a supportive environment. This will ensure that students develop foundation level discipline-based knowledge, skills and attributes, and simultaneously the academic competencies required of students to succeed in this unit.