Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ICS1251

 
TITLE Programming In Python: A Practical Introduction

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Artificial Intelligence

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will provide a gentle introduction to programming concepts using Python. It is intended for students with little or no prior experience in programming. The study-unit will focus on the particular syntax and semantics of the Python programming language, the following topics being covered: conditionals, loops, defining functions, strings, lists, list comprehensions, recursion, tuples and dictionaries.

The study-unit will also include material on the fundamentals of object orientation, classes and inheritance. Information on common Python mistakes will be provided, and to help students with the more general design issues, the planning and organizing of programs will be presented.

The study-unit embodies the principle that programming knowledge must be supported by actual practice, and this is reflected in the actual structure of the unit by mixing the more theoretical lectures with practical sessions in the lab.

Study-unit Aims:

To provide a practical introduction to computer programming concepts making use of the Python language.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- by using basic programming constructs and building blocks, solve a set of problems by implementing a number of algorithms in Python whilst at the same time acquiring debugging and problem solving skills;
- complete a programming project using imperative and object oriented programming as well as various data types.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- write Python programs;
- develop Python programs;
- debug Python programs using Python;
- make use of third party libraries.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Peter Wentworth, Jeffrey Elkner, Allen B. Downey, and Chris Meyers (2012). How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python 3. Available online as an open source book: http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english3e/

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lectures, Practical and Tutorials

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Matthew Montebello (Co-ord.)
Marc Tanti

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit