Introduction to the Module

Dr Ian Cornelius

Hello

Hello (1)

Welcome to Programming and Algorithms 2
Module Team:
- Dr Ian Cornelius, ab6459@coventry.ac.uk

Hello and welcome to 5062CEM - Programming and Algorithms 2. You should already know me from the first year programming module, but if we have any direct entry students; or students who have not met me before - I am Ian; the module leader for this module.

The team for this module will consist of myself and one other body. This could be either Daniel Goldsmith, or it could be another member of staff. However, rest assured, that there will always be two members of staff to assist you on this module.

If you do any questions relating to this module, I would prefer that you direct them towards the module leader; who will be able to better advise you. You can contact me via my e-mail address shown on the screen.

About the Module

About the Module (1)

Introduces some advanced concepts to programming
Covers a wide selection of topics relating to programming
Introduces a new programming language in the second half of the semester

About the Module (2)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, a student should be able to:
1. Understand algorithm efficiency in order to select and implement the most appropriate for a given task
2. Evaluate patterns and paradigms appropriate for specific tasks
3. Develop secure software through the application of standards and secure programming principles
4. Create software that requires multi-threading, inter-process communication, memory management and close interaction with the host operating system
5. Develop software with a variety of user interfaces

So what are the learning outcomes for this module?

The first important aspect is that students should be able to understand algorithm efficiency in order to select and implement the most appropriate for a given task. Essentially with this outcome, you will be able to select an appropriate data structure such as linked lists or a graph and apply it to a given tasks. Being able to provide reasoning and justification as to why you have chosen this particular data structure in terms of efficiency.

The second learning objective is to evaluate patterns and paradigms that are appropriate for specific tasks. If you have studied the first year module, 4061CEM, we would have already covered a particular programming paradigm - object orientation. Therefore, for this objective you will be able to pick a particular programming paradigm and use it for an appropriate task. Do not worry if you are not familiar with other types of programming paradigms, we shall introduce this topic in a later week.

The third learning objective is concerned with looking at the development of secure software through the application of various standards and secure programming principals. <— MORE INFO PLS!

The fourth objective relates to the development of software that requires the use of multi-threading, inter-process communication, memory management and interaction with a host operating system. Simply, you should be able to have an application that can carry out multiple tasks on different threads on the local machine. you should also be able to provide a level of interaction with the host operating system… more on this in a later assignment brief.

Finally, the fifth objective is concerted with the development of software using a variety of different user-interfaces. Up and until now, you have generally created scripts that have been executed via the command-line with a lot of the interaction being done via this too. Here, we are concerned with students being able to create applications with a graphical user interface; and I will introduce a library in week seven on how this can be achieved with Python.

About the Module (3)

Module Schedule i

Lectures

Lectures will be an online video disseminated via Aula
- released on the Friday before the week starts
Each week a new topic will be introduced
- discuss the topic
- provide some code examples

About the Module (4)

Module Schedule ii

Labs

Labs will be held weekly on:
- Monday, 4pm to 6pm in BSB2-14
- Wednesday, 9am to 11am in BSB2-14
Each week a new lab activity will be released
- you will be expected to participate and write code
- support will be provided by lecturers
You are expected to engage with the lecturers and support staff
- be proactive and approach with a problem
- come with an attempted solution, otherwise you may be pushed-back until you have tried something

The lab sessions will introduce a new lab activity based upon the lecture material. You will be expected to attend these sessions and participate in the activities and write code. Lecturers will be available to walk around the room and provide support where necessary.

It will be expected that students will be proactive and engage with their lecturers to solve a problem. Do not approach a lecturer with a problem unless you have attempted to solve it. We shall expect some sort of solution attempted, this could be with either actual programming code, or your process bullet pointed. Do not come with a blank sheet of paper. If you come to us with a blank sheet, we shall turn you back and expect you to attempt something before returning.

About the Module (5)

Lecture Schedule

Week	Topic	Week	Topic
1	Introduction to the Module Recapping Python from Year 1 Recursive Functions	2	Introduction to Computer Vision Image Steganography
3	Advanced Data Structures	4	Programming Paradigms Threading in Python
5	Graph Theory Graph Traversal Algorithms	6	Networking in Python RESTful Interfaces and APIs Graphical User Interfaces in Python
7	Introduction to C++ Variables and Data Types in C++ Operators in C++	8	Advanced Data Types in C++ Conditional and Control Statements
9	Functions in C++ Classes and Objects in C++	10	TBC

About the Module (6)

Delivered via two platforms:
1. Aula
2. GitHub Pages

Aula

5062CEM on Aula
Lectures and assessments
- Content will be released on a weekly basis
Submission links for coursework
No Access?
- Contact: cmd.reg.ees@coventry.ac.uk

GitHub Pages

5062CEM on GitHub Pages
Lectures, assessments and lab activities
- Content will be released on a weekly basis
Mobile friendly
Considered to be the most up-to date version of the module

The content for this module will be delivered via two platforms: Aula and GitHub pages. If you are not aware already, Aula is our community-led learning platform. Within the module space, you will be asked to interact with fellow peers, and module staff by posting your questions in the community section.

Aula will also be used for disseminating lecture videos and slides; along with assignment briefs and submission links. The content on this platform will be released in a weekly manner. If you are unable to access Aula, I would encourage you to contact the Faculty Registry team as soon as possible. However, in the meantime - you can access the module content on GitHub Pages.

Which leads me onto… GitHub Pages. This is where all relating content such as lecture slides, lab activities and assignment briefs will be hosted. It is mobile friendly, therefore you will be able to access content remotely on your mobile devices; and it will also be considered to be the most up-to-date version of this module.

There may be instances where IT Services will perform maintenance across their servers, which in turn may affect GitHub. If this happens, I will make an announcement on Aula; and upload lecture slides and lab activities for that week.

Module Assessment

Module Assessment (1)

There are two components for this module:
1. an individual piece of coursework
2. another individual piece of coursework
Both components will test you on the knowledge learnt during the course of the module

Module Assessment (2)

Coursework 1

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1 and 2
Release Date: Semester 2, Week 1
Submission Date: Semester 2, Week 6
Weighting: 10 credits
Submission via Aula using TurnItIn

Module Assessment (3)

Coursework 2

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 3, 4 and 5
Release Date: Semester 2, Week 6
Submission Date: Semester 2, Week 12
Weighting: 10 credits
Submission via Aula using TurnItIn

Module Assessment (4)

Coursework Submission Guidelines

You are required to submit a link to your Coventry University Git Repository
The repository must be located in the 5062CEM organisation
Provide a copy of the source-code for the finished assessment in either one of the following formats:
- Microsoft Word Document (docx)
- Portable Document Framework (pdf)
A submission example can be found at the following links:

Microsoft Word Submission Example PDF Submission Example

These are important, and you must follow them very carefully.
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a marks being lost as outlined in the marking rubric.

I have spoken about how you will need to submit your solutions via Aula using the TurnItIn platform. However, there are a set of guidelines (or rules for a better word) that you need to follow.

You will be required to use GitHub from the offset when developing your solution; therefore, you will need to create a private repository on the Coventry University GitHub service. Do not worry if you do not know anything about GitHub, or how to use it; I will go into detail on this later.

When you create your repository, one for each piece of coursework, you will need create this in the 4061CEM organisation. If you are not a member of this organisation, then please contact the module leader as soon as possible.

When it comes to submitting the document, it will be a single Microsoft Word document. I have provided an example submission for you to overview. Let’s have a look at it together.

—TALK THROUGH THE DOCUMENT—

It is important that you follow these guidelines carefully, as a portion of the assignment marks have been attributed towards this. More information can be found on the marking rubric/scheme that is attached to the assignment brief.

Support for the Module

Digital Literacy Centre (DLC)

Support sessions provided by the faculty
Covers not just this module, but other modules and programming languages
More information:

DLC GitHub Page

15-Minute Session with Module Leader

Support sessions provided by the module leader
Covers just this module and only Python
Time-limited, first-come-first-served basis
- module leaders time is shared amongst different modules and year groups

Book a Session

If you require support, or there are concepts of programming you are struggling with, the Faculty offers a support centre known as the Digital Literacy Centre, we may often refer to this as the DLC. However, do note that they do not support just this module; they support a variety of other modules and programming languages; so ensure that you come armed with precise questions.

I should also note, that the staff members at the DLC will not assist students with any coursework-based questions. Therefore, do not go to the support centre expecting to get assistance on the coursework. For more information, visit the page/link on the lecture slides.

Alternatively, you may want to book an individual session with myself, for 15 minutes. Here you can bring your concerns and I can do my best to try and support you within the time-limit. If you require a longer session for support, then you can visit me at the DLC during my hours of support. These hours are published on the DLC page.

To book a fifteen-minute session with myself, you can visit the page/link on the lecture slides.

Goodbye

Goodbye (1)

Questions and Support

Questions? Post them in the Community Page on Aula
Additional Support? Visit the Module Support Page
Contact Details:
- Dr Ian Cornelius, ab6459@coventry.ac.uk

That is the introduction to the module. You should now understand a little better about what the module will be teaching, and the assignments that are going to be released in due course. If you have any questions, post them on the Aula community page; or if you have a question that is personal and not appropriate for the community page; feel free to drop the module leader an e-mail.

If you have questions about coursework at this moment in time; I would recommend you hold onto these questions and ask them during the week the assignment brief is released. The module staff will not be answering any questions on coursework until then.

Thanks for watching this video; and see you in the next one.