CS119 - Problem Solving
| TIMETABLE | TEACHING MATERIAL |
| Credits | 10 |
| Level | 1 |
| Semester | Term 1 |
| Availability | Available to participants taking UG Graduate and Degree Apprenticeship programmes, e.g. BSc Hons IT: Software Development, BSc Hons IT: Management for Business and BSc Hons Digital and Technology Solutions. |
| Prerequisites | N/A |
| Learning Activities Breakdown | 12 tutorials, online study, two assignments, quizzes. |
| Items of Assessment | 2 |
| Assessment | Two individual assignments worth 50% each (coursework hand-ins). |
| Lecturer | Stuart Gale |
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the class is to provide participants with an understanding of how to decompose a problem into its component parts and abstract these parts to provide a solution. This skill is vital for computer programming.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this class participants will be able to:
- decompose a software engineering problem into its component parts.
- abstract or generalise the constituent parts of a problem using pseudo-code/structured English and flowcharts.
- demonstrate their understanding of algorithms.
- create, test and communicate algorithms to solve problems.
- demonstrate an understanding of the relative merits of top down and bottom up approaches to software design.
- Understand and optimise simple Boolean expressions using Boolean Algebra concepts.
Syllabus
- Algorithms and Problems: What are problems? What properties do algorithms have to have?
- Categorise computer programs in terms of their inputs, outputs and process.
- Break down problems using stepwise refinement. Learn how to communicate algorithms using pseudo code.
- Design of algorithms to solve problems: Creation of test cases; Think like a computer; Flowcharts/pseudo code.
- Boolean logic: Understand and optimise simple Boolean expressions using Boolean Algebra, an essential part of computer programming.
Recommended Reading
This list is indicative only – the class lecturer may recommend alternative reading material. Please do not purchase any of the reading material listed below until you have confirmed with the class lecturer that it will be used for this class.
The class lecturer will make recommended reading available via Myplace, the University VLE.
Transferable skills
During and after completing this class participants will:
- Develop their general problem-solving skills.
Last updated: 2024-08-05 11:18:52