Brief description
This module introduces students to the basic concepts of programming in the context of a professional approach to software development. The design of software using hierarchical decomposition and its subsequent implementation using the Java programming language is fundamental to the module. The practical work associated with the module will enable students to learn how to edit, compile, run and test simple programs in Java. The module is intended for students with little, if any, previous programming experience.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the idea of problem solving and algorithm design together with subsequent implementation using the programming language Java. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing between the design of a software product and its implementation. The intention of the supervised practical sessions is to develop the programming skills of participants.

Weekly tutorials provide the pastoral support for the first semester and give a forum for discussing the technical aspects of material presented in this module.

Learning outcomes
The module concentrates on a professional approach to software development. On successful completion of the module, students should:

• have an awareness of the need for professionalism within computing, demonstrated through the quality of their program code;
• be able to demonstrate their understanding of problem abstraction and program design by producing good software designs;
• be able to describe their designs using simple Universal Modelling Language (UML) notation;
• be capable of realising their design in the Java programming language;
• be able to use the workstations to develop their programs to meet the specified requirements;
• have experience of team work within varying environments and have an appreciation of the idea of team roles.

Syllabus
1. Welcome and preview - 1 Lecture
Introduction to the department and the course.

2. Management Issues and Professional Conduct - 1 Lecture
The growing role of computing and software. The need for software engineering and professionalism.

3. Computer system appreciation - 2 Lectures
Introduction to the basic computer organisation. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between hardware, architecture and software, with reference to the computer systems at Aberystwyth. Using the computing facilities at Aberystwyth.

4. Representation of designs - 3 Lectures
Looking at the way in which designs can be illustrated using UML.

5. Programming in the large - An introduction to Java - 33 Lectures
Software crisis, abstraction, algorithms and programs. The design of algorithms, object oriented programming, and an introduction to Java. Programming constructs, expressions, primitive types, classes and objects. Information hiding. Further object oriented design - inheritance.

6. Testing - 2 Lectures
Techniques and aids for error detection.

7. Personal Communications Skills - 1 Weekend
Team roles; Belbin methodology and self assessment. Interpersonal skills - achieved in associated Team Skills weekends.