Module Information
Module Identifier
CS02320
Module Title
Foundation Programming
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Completion of Semester 1 modules of the CS Foundation Year.
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Practical Assignment | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Practical Assignment | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written Exam | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Understand the internal operation of a modern computer.
Write simple programs in a high-level language.
Brief description
The module will provide an introduction to programming to ensure students are well prepared to enter our normal Year 1. The module aims to provide an overview of computer science, including knowledge of the main components of a computer, programming environments and programming constructs. The practical work associated with the module will involve learning the basics of a high level programming language such as Scratch, Java or Python.
Aims
1. To familiarise students with the internal operation of a modern computer.
2. To introduce students to the basics of programming in a high level language.
2. To introduce students to the basics of programming in a high level language.
Content
Unit = approx. 2 weeks.
Unit -1 Introduction: Computers and how they work.
Unit-2 Programming Paradigm: Programming languages, elements, concepts and types.
Unit-3 Programming language overview and the basic language elements; Language structure, conventions, variables, constants, data types, operators, expressions, statements, blocks.
Unit-4 Conditionals and loops: if-else, switch, break, continue, for, while, do-while, arrays.
Unit-5 Program design and computational thinking. How to decompose a problem and design a solution from reusable components.
Unit -1 Introduction: Computers and how they work.
Unit-2 Programming Paradigm: Programming languages, elements, concepts and types.
Unit-3 Programming language overview and the basic language elements; Language structure, conventions, variables, constants, data types, operators, expressions, statements, blocks.
Unit-4 Conditionals and loops: if-else, switch, break, continue, for, while, do-while, arrays.
Unit-5 Program design and computational thinking. How to decompose a problem and design a solution from reusable components.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Yes, programming problems will often involve calculations and formulae. |
| Communication | Yes, in written report. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Yes, via repetition and feedback from available tools. |
| Information Technology | Yes, technology is core to the module. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | No |
| Problem solving | Yes, problem solving is a core part of programming. |
| Research skills | Use of online sources of information to work around programming problems. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Yes, programming |
| Team work | No, in the module the students will work independently. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 3