Course Title: Programming Fundamentals for Scientists

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Programming Fundamentals for Scientists

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC2752	City Campus	Postgraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021
COSC2752	City Campus	Postgraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024, Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Ziqi Xu

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: ziqi.xu@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge:

Capable of using the basic functions of an operating system such as Windows / Mac OS X / Linux / UNIX.

Course Description

Programming is acknowledged as a vital skill that enables problem solving through the use of computers across a range of varied disciplines. This course introduces you to basic concepts, syntax and control structures in programming. You will learn how to program in a step-wise problem solving fashion. You are expected to bring a laptop to the lectorials and practicals of this hands-on course.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts, syntax and control structures in programming.
2. Devise solutions to simple computing problems under specific requirements.
3. Encode the devised solutions into computer programs and test the programs on a computer.
4. Demonstrate understanding of standard coding conventions and ethical considerations in programming. 

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s):  

GD190 - Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics

PLO4: Skills to investigate, analyse and interrogate scientific data to ensure quality control of complex technological systems and to diagnose causes of discrepancies.
PLO5: Skills to identify problems, generate novel solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.

Overview of Learning Activities

Teaching staff inputs: Learning resources will be presented, explained and illustrated with demonstrations, examples and problems during lectorials, tutorials, laboratories, consultation sessions, and online using the Canvas LMS. Problem solving exercises, assignments and laboratory discussions are designed to develop your analytical and communication skills, drawing on knowledge and frameworks covered in lectorials.   Your inputs as learners: Your active and constructive participation in lectorials and tutorial/laboratory discussions is expected in addition to weekly private study, completion of tutorial and laboratory exercises and careful planning and completion of assessment tasks.   While a minimum attendance standard is not compulsory, non-attendance is correlated with lack of success in this course. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.

Overview of Learning Resources

You should make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You should be able to access course information and learning materials through Canvas and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Fortnightly Quizzes
Weight: 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Coding Task
Weight: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Coding Task
Weight: 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 4: End-of-semester Timed and Timetabled Task
Weight: 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.