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Overview

Course Prescription

Introduction to problem solving in engineering through the use of the software package MATLAB and the programming language C.

Course Overview

Many of the engineering computations you will meet over the course of your degree can be done much more efficiently with the aid of a computer program. Developing a basic level of computer programming competence is important regardless of which engineering specialisation you pursue and it is extremely useful to be able to develop your own software.

This course is divided into two halves. The first half will introduce you to programming using the software package MATLAB. The second half will introduce you to the high level programming language C.  Both halves focus on teaching you core programming and software development concepts, within the context of solving engineering problems.  

Being exposed to two different programming languages that are used in industry will allow you to develop a basic level of competency in both languages as well as providing an opportunity to see how programming languages can differ and why you might prefer one over the other. Learning two languages also emphasises how core programming concepts are transferable from one programming languages to another. MATLAB and C are also used in a range of other engineering courses.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course, and students are expected to spend an average of 10 hours per week on each 15-point course they are enrolled in.

For this course, during teaching weeks, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 1 to 2 hours of labs and 5 hours of work on programming, which includes thinking and reading about the content, finishing lab tasks, doing assignments, projects and/or test preparation.

There are two large projects (one for MATLAB and one for C). Unless you manage your time really well, it is likely you will need to spend a significant number of hours on these projects just before each is due.  

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including lectures and labs, as this provides the best learning experience.

Lectures will be live-streamed and available as recordings.  If you can't attend in person, it is recommended that you attend via the live stream option, as this will help you keep pace with the course.

Assignments and Projects are submitted online.

Lab tasks can be submitted online but the lab programme is designed with the expectation that you will attend labs in person, so that you can access help from the teaching assistants.  

Attendance on campus is required for the two tests and final exam.

Teaching and Learning Methods

This course consists of three lectures per week, during which concepts and techniques are presented. Typically, teachers work through concepts in class and demonstrate how to write code. Wednesday lectures often provide an opportunity for students to work through problems, with feedback provided by the lecturer. In addition, every student enrols in a weekly lab session. You are expected to practice the skills taught in lectures by attempting practice problems from the course book and completing the lab material. Your weekly lab session provides an opportunity to work through this material with teaching assistants on hand to assist. Outside your enrolled lab time, you can get assistance at the drop-in labs, from the part 1 assistance centre or the course discussion forum.

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

There are two course books (pdf versions are available for free from Canvas).

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

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

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.

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.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

Late labs, assignments and projects are not accepted unless an extension request is lodged using the extension request form, along with a valid reason, AND that request is approved.

This course uses Exam mode C - In-person invigilated exam on paper.

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

A student's final mark for the course may not exceed their exam mark by more than 10 percentage points.   

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345678910

Summer Semester

Yes

Assessment Summary (Summer)

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment Type To Learning Outcomes Map (Summer)

Assessment Type12345678910

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.

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.

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.

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.