This module provides an introduction to object-oriented software development. Software pervades many aspects of most professional fields and sciences, and an understanding of the development of software applications is useful as a basis for many disciplines. This module covers the development of simple software systems. Students will gain an understanding of the software development process, and learn to design and implement applications in a popular object-oriented programming language. Fundamentals of classes and objects are introduced and key features of class descriptions: constructors, methods and fields. Method implementation through assignment, selection control structures, iterative control structures and other statements is introduced. Collection objects are also covered and the availability of library classes as building blocks. Throughout the course, the quality of class design and the need for a professional approach to software development is emphasised and forms part of the assessment criteria.
Total contact hours: 44
Private study hours: 106
Total study hours: 150
Main assessment methods
100% Coursework
• Class definition (Programming) (15%) (approximately 16 hours)
• Collections (Programming) (20%) (approximately 16 hours)
• Code quality (Programming) (15%) (approximately 16 hours)
• Class exercises (Weekly) (20%) (approximately 2 hours per week)
• 1.5 hour timed assessment (Programming) (30%)
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
"Objects first with Java – A practical introduction using BlueJ", David J. Barnes and Michael Kölling, Pearson Education, 2016
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Read, understand and modify small programs.
2 Use an object-oriented programming language to write small programs.
3 Write programs with the support of an integrated development environment.
4 Structure data and information as class definitions.
5 Use object-oriented analysis, design and implementation to identify and solve practical programming problems.
6 Test solutions to programming problems.
7 Discuss the quality of solutions through consideration of issues such as
encapsulation, cohesion and coupling.
8 Use effectively a range of software development tools, such as an integrated development environment, text editor and compiler.
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