Course Title: Apply introductory programming techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: COSC7398C

Course Title: Apply introductory programming techniques

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to the course start date to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance.

The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in course requirements. It is advisable for students to keep in contact with their teachers regarding in-person course attendance.

School: 520T Future Technologies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4410 - Certificate IV in Information Technology

Course Contact: Meray Abba

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4612

Course Contact Email: meray.abba@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Course Teacher: Kussay Al-Zubaidi

Course Teacher Email:kussay.alzubaidi@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to create simple applications through introductory programming techniques.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTPRG302 Apply introductory programming techniques

Element:

1. Establish application task

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Clarify task with required personnel 1.2 Identify design specifications, programming standards and guidelines according to task requirements

Element:

2. Apply language syntax and layout

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Apply basic language syntax rules 2.2 Create code using language data types, operators and expressions 2.3 Apply variables and variable scope 2.4 Use program library functions 2.5 Clarify meaning of code using commenting techniques

Element:

3. Apply control structures

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Apply language syntax in sequence, selection and iteration constructs 3.2 Create expressions in selection and iteration constructs using logical operators

Element:

4. Code using standard programming algorithms

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Develop algorithms using sequence, selection and iteration constructs 4.2 Create and use data structures 4.3 Code standard sequential access algorithms used in reading and writing text files 4.4 Apply string manipulation

Element:

5. Test code

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Examine variable contents and use debugging techniques to detect and correct errors 5.2 Create and conduct simple tests and confirm code meets design specification 5.3 Document actions carried out and results of tests performed

Element:

6. Create a simple application and seek feedback

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Design an algorithm in response to basic program specifications 6.2 Develop application to meet program specification 6.3 Confirm application meets initial specifications 6.4 Present application to required personnel 6.5 Obtain feedback and sign off from required personnel


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course the candidate will demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit


Details of Learning Activities

This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:  

  • Class exercises
  • Challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Project work 

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next.


Teaching Schedule

The proposed teaching schedule for ICTPGR302 is detailed below: 

Week

  

Date

  

Topics/Discussions

  

Assessments

  

1

  

10th Feb - 14th Feb

  

 

Introduction to the Course

Algorithms

Pre-Course Assessment

 

Assessment 1 (Practical Assessment) overview

2

  

17th Feb - 21st Feb

  

 

Introduction to C

Compiling in C

Commenting

C Syntax

Placeholders

Number Variables 

  

 

 

  

3

  

24th Feb - 28th Feb

  

Char Variables

Inputs/Outputs

 

  

4

  

3rd Mar - 7th Mar

  

 

Operators and Expressions

IF Statements

Case Statements

  

 

5

  

10th Mar - 14th Mar

  

 

While Loops

Reading from a file

Outputting to a file

  

 

  

6

  

17th Mar - 21st Mar

  

Do While loops

For Loops

  

 

7

  

24th Mar - 28th Mar

  

Testing

  

Assessment 1 submission

8

  

31st Mar - 4th Apr

  

Assessment Meetings

 

Mandatory class attendance

Testing workshop and demonstrations

Assessment 1 submitted to Canvas

  

9

  

7th Apr- 11th Apr

  

Assessment Meetings  

 

Mandatory class attendance

Testing workshop and demonstrations

Assessment 1 submitted to Canvas

 

  

10

  

14th Apr - 17th Apr

  

SDLC Designs

  

Assessment 2 (Project Assessment)

Overview 

Mid Semester Break - 18th Apr - 25th Apr

  

11

  

28th Apr - 2nd May

  

Parallel Arrays  

 

12

  

5th May - 9th May

  

String Manipulation

  

13

  

12th May - 16th May

  

Constructing Technical Reports

 

  

14

  

19th May - 23rd May

  

Debugging

Testing  

 

  

15

  

26th May - 30th May

  

Revision

  

 

16

  

2nd June - 6th June

  

Submission of Assessments 

Assessment 2 submission

Mandatory class attendance

Testing workshop and project demonstrations

Assessment 2 submitted to Canvas end of week 15

  

17

  

9th June - 13th June

  

Feedback & Re-submission of Assessments (If applicable)

  

 

  

18

  

16th June - 20th June

  

Feedback & Re-submission of Assessments (If applicable)

  

 

  

 

*Please note that this timeline is subject to change based on semester requirements. We recommend checking your Canvas course shell regularly to stay updated with the latest schedule. 

 

Student directed hours involve completing activities such as reading online resources, assignments, individual student/teacher course-related consultation. Students are required to self-study the learning materials and complete the assigned out of class activities for the scheduled non-teaching hours. 

    

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will need laptop with charger for each class

  • Windows laptops we do recommend an i5 or better machine with a minimum 4 GB of RAM.
  • Macs you will need 8 GB of RAM to run a virtual machine

You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas such as

  • USB or external hard drive for backup
  • Text editor such as Visual Studio Code


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, and various assessment tasks.

Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

 

Students must pass each of the following assessments to demonstrate competency:

  • Assessment 1 (Practical Assessment ): contains practical component 
  • Assessment 2 (Project Assessment): contains knowledge questions and practical components

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: 

CA: Competency Achieved 
NYC: Not Yet Competent 
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment 


Assessment Matrix

Element

 

 

 

 

Assessment

Task 1: Practical Assessment

Assessment

Task 2: Project

1. Establish application task

1.1 Clarify task with required personnel

 

 

Task 1a, b

1.2 Identify design specifications, programming standards and guidelines according to task requirements

 

 

Task 1b

2. Apply language syntax and layout

2.1 Apply basic language syntax rules

Task 2a

 

2.2 Create code using language data types, operators and expressions

Task 2c

 

2.3 Apply variables and variable scope

Task 2d

 

2.4 Use program library functions

Task 2e

 

2.5 Clarify meaning of code using commenting techniques

Task 2h

 

3. Apply control structures

 

3.1 Apply language syntax in sequence, selection and iteration constructs

 

Task 2a,b,d

 

3.2 Create expressions in selection and iteration constructs using logical operators

 

 

Task 2a

4. Code using standard programming algorithms

4.1 Develop algorithms using sequence, selection and iteration constructs

 

 

Task 2a,b

4.2 Create and use data structures

 

 

Task 2d

4.3 Code standard sequential access algorithms used in reading and writing text files

 

Task 2f,g

 

4.4 Apply string manipulation

 

 

Task 2c

5. Test code

5.1 Examine variable contents and use debugging techniques to detect and correct errors

 

 

Task 3b

5.2 Create and conduct simple tests and confirm code meets design specification

 

 

Task 3a,b,c

5.3 Document actions carried out and results of tests performed

 

 

Task 3b

6. Create a simple application and seek feedback

6.1 Design an algorithm in response to basic program specifications

 

Task 1b

 

6.2 Develop application to meet program specification

 

Task 1a

 

6.3 Confirm application meets initial specifications

 

 

Task 3c

6.4 Present application to required personnel

 

Task 3

 

6.5 Obtain feedback and sign off from required personnel

 

Task 3

 

 

 

Other Information

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): 

 You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience, that is:   

• Relevant 
• Current 
• Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course   

To find more information about credit transfer and RPL, please refer to the following link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/enrolment/apply-for-credit 

 Study and Learning Support:   

RMIT University Library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. 
 
Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you. Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are:   

• Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice 
• Math and science developmental support and advice 
• English language development 

To find more information about Study and Learning Support, please refer to the following link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support   

Equitable Learning Services (ELS):   

The Equitable Learning Services team (ELS team) supports and creates equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition. We also support primary carers.    

ELS works in partnership with students to create an Equitable Learning Plan. Your plan is tailored to you, supports your needs and establishes how RMIT can provide ongoing assistance so you can access and participate in your studies. The ELS team can assist you to manage your Equitable Learning Plan.   

To find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS), please refer to the following link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning 

  

Extensions and Special Consideration    

Extensions:   

• Extensions are available for unforeseen circumstances of a short-term nature.   

• Applications must be submitted to the school at least one working day before the due date of the assessment.   

• Extensions can be approved for up to 7 days past the due date for an assessment. (Where students need an extension exceeding 7 days, they must instead apply for special consideration.)   

 

Special Consideration:   

• An application for special consideration is made in advance of an assessment wherever possible, but will normally be accepted within five working days after the assessment date. For more information, see the Special Consideration page of the RMIT website. 

Plagiarism: 

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. 

Please Refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism. 

Other Information: 

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview