Module Details

Module Code: SOFT6017
Title: Modular Programming
Long Title: Modular Programming
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2023/24 ( January 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4814 - Computer Software
Module Delivered in: 7 programme(s)
Module Description: This module aims to develop the student's programming knowledge. The student will learn how to separate a program into independent modules such that each module contains everything necessary to execute only one aspect of the desired functionality. Composite datatypes and classes will be employed to process data with multiple fields. The student will be introduced to the concept of version control when working on projects.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply modular programming to defined programming problems.
LO2 Design and develop programs that use one-dimensional arrays.
LO3 Design and develop programs that use composite data types.
LO4 Employ basic version control techniques to keep track of code revisions.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
12700 SOFT6018 Programming Fundamentals
19081 SOFT6017 Modular Programming
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Modular decomposition
Using modular decomposition, large problems will be broken into smaller problems. Each smaller problem may be solved using reusable pieces of code. Students will learn about arguments, parameters, return values, parameter passing mechanisms and the scope of variables in functions.
Arrays
Introduction to arrays which will include, but is not limited to, creating arrays, populating arrays, processing arrays and using arrays in methods.
Composite data types and Classes
Introduction to composite data types (records) for data storage, moving on to add functions to the records thus creating classes.
Version Control
Students will be introduced to the benefits of version control and encouraged to use it to track changes to their code, in particular while coding their projects.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
This exam tests the student's knowledge of the theory of modular programming, arrays, records, classes and version control, as well as his/her ability to understand code and his/her ability to fix code.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1
Assessment Description
An open book in-lab exam in which the student can use his/her knowledge, programs and notes to code a solution to a defined problem. A example exam would require the student to develop a programme in which the user would provide a length in metres and convert it to a length in another unit from a menu of choices e.g. feet, inches or cm.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
The project aims to evaluate the student's programming ability by solving a defined problem. It is expected that the student be able to show the development of the code through version control. An example of a project would be a banking application. Customers could view their account details and account balances, deposit money and withdraw money (subject to specified criteria). Administrators could create accounts, delete accounts and view statistics e.g. highest deposit, smallest deposit, average deposit.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
An open book in-lab exam in which the student can use his/her knowledge, programs and notes to code a solution to a defined problem. An example exam would ask the users to create an application to keep track of a user's contacts - the user could view his/her contacts, find a particular contact, add a contact, delete a contact and edit a contact's details e.g. first name, surname, and phone number.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes. Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Lab to support learning outcomes. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes. Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Lab to support learning outcomes. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Tony Gaddis. (2014), Starting out with Python, 3. Pearson Education Ltd., [ISBN: 9781292065502].
  • Tony Gaddis. (2015), Start out with Java: From Control Structures to Objects, 6. Pearson Education Ltd., [ISBN: 9781292110653].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KSDEV_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development 2 Mandatory
CR_KDNET_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Systems 2 Mandatory
CR_KITMN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management and Cybersecurity 2 Mandatory
CR_KWEBD_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Web Development 2 Mandatory
CR_KITSP_7 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity 2 Mandatory
CR_KCOMP_7 Bachelor of Science in Software Development 2 Mandatory
CR_KCOME_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Software Development 2 Mandatory