Module: Programming Fundamentals III

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Programming Fundamentals III
Module Code	CSC1035 (ITS: CA278)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This is a continuing course on computer programming. Students will consolidate their knowledge of fundamental data structures and algorithms: how and when to use them in computational problem solving. Students will also learn to use the technique of recursion. They will also be introduced to the concepts of object-oriented programming (classes, objects, methods and attributes, etc.), and will learn how to design and write object-oriented programs.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of fundamental algorithms and data structures
2. Solve computational problems using the technique of recursion
3. Implement fundamental algorithms and data structures in a computer programming language
4. Design algorithms requiring the use of fundamental algorithms and data structures
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming
6. Solve computational problems using object-oriented programming techniques

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Twice weekly lecture
Laboratory	24	2 hour lab once a week
Assignment Completion	30	Project work
Independent Study	47	This reflects the work carried out by students outside the lecture (reading background material, finishing lab assignments)
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20157	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sahraoui Dhelim	Module Teacher	Manoj Kesavulu

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Weekly Lab Worksheets - During the laboratory sessions, the students will work through a series of practical programming problems	10%	Every Week
Group project	Students will be tasked to design and implement a program on a problem of their choosing	20%	Once per semester
Practical/skills evaluation	Lab Exam - Students will take a lab exam at the midpoint of the semester	20%	Once per semester
Formal Examination	End-of-semester Final Exam	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Data structures
How to use basic data structures in a program, and how to choose the appropriate data structure

Recursion
How to write functions which call themselves

Object-oriented Programming
Introductory object-oriented programming. How to write classes, how to create objects of a particular class, how to invoke methods on objects

Indicative Reading List

Books:

John M. Zelle: 2004, Python Programming, Franklin, Beedle & Associates, Inc., 517, 9781887902991

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Website, Python 3 Tutorial,