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Overview

Course Prescription

A practical introduction to computers and computer programming in a high-level language. The course is lab-based and focuses on reading and writing computer programs. The course is intended for students who may wish to advance in Computer Science or in Information Systems and Operations Management.

Course Overview

This course introduces computer programming using the Python programming language. The main focus is on learning to understand the detailed requirements of a programming task, and writing programs that are well structured, correct and easy to read. The course covers simple variables, expressions, input and output, control structures, functions, using standard data structures such as lists and dictionaries, and using standard Python modules.

The course is designed for students who do not have any prior programming experience. For students who wish to continue with Computer Science, this course will prepare them for the core Stage I paper COMPSCI 130.

Key Topics

  • Simple variables
  • Expressions
  • Input and output
  • Control structures
  • Functions
  • Standard data structures
  • Standard Python modules

Course Contacts

Andrew Luxton-Reilly (Course Director) Email a.luxton-reilly@auckland.ac.nz

Ann Cameron (Course Coordinator) Email a.cameron@auckland.ac.nz

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. Students are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course during Semester 1 or 2, or 20 hours per week during Summer School.

For this course, each week during Semester 1 or 2, you can expect:

  • 2 two-hour labs
  • 3 hours of reading, watching short Panopto videos and thinking about the content 
  • 3 hours of work on assignment, labs and/or test preparation


For this course, each week during Summer School, you can expect:

  • 4 two-hour labs
  • 6 hours of reading, watching short Panopto videos and thinking about the content 
  • 6 hours of work on assignment, labs and/or test preparation


Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City
City
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

There are no formal lectures for this course. Lectures have been replaced with short videos which students watch on Panopto before attending their lab.

 Attendance is recommended at scheduled lab sessions.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Textbook:

  • An online COMPSCI 101 coursebook written by the course director, Andrew Luxton-Reilly, is used to supplement the material covered in the course.


Other Resources:

  • Slides and videos are available on Canvas and Panopto Video.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

To avoid OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome, also known as RSI), please take regular breaks from your computer and also try to maintain good posture.  

When in the lab, you are required to use a lab computer, not your laptop.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

Please contact the course coordinator (Ann Cameron) if you have any queries or concerns.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

A firewall is activated during tests and exams for security reasons, to prevent access to other websites.

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

Pass requirements:

To pass the course, a student must obtain at least 50% of the overall mark.

Special Requirements

  1. The 3 tests will be held on CodeRunner in the lab room during the usual lab times and will be invigilated.
  2. For each test, students will have an opportunity to have one resit of the test.
  3. If a student chooses to resit a test, then the mark for the test will be calculated as 20% of their lowest attempt plus 80% of their highest attempt - but will never be lower than the mark for their first attempt.
  4. The exam will be held on CodeRunner in a lab room during the exam period and will be invigilated.
  5. To pass the course, a student must get at least 50% of the overall mark.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123456789

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Delivery mode has been shifted from lectures to lab-based delivery based on feedback from students that practical activities in laboratories was most effective for learning. We welcome feedback on the course. Please contact the course coordinator (Ann Cameron) or course director (Andrew Luxton-Reilly).

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Additional Information on Class Representatives

We welcome feedback from students. If you do have a concern about the course, please contact the course coordinator (Ann Cameron), but if you are not comfortable with doing that you can contact the class rep and they will bring the concern to us.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

The School of Computer Science Tuākana programme provides support for this course. See: https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/34081. For more information and to find contact details for the School of Computer Science Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.