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MATH1587: Programming I

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 1
Credits 10
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Mathematical Sciences

Prerequisites

  • Normally grade A in A-Level Mathematics (orequivalent).

Corequisites

  • Calculus I (Maths Hons) (MATH1081) and Linear Algebra I (Maths Hons) (MATH1091) OR Calculus I (MATH 1061) and Linear Algebra I (MATH 1071) .

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • Maths for Engineers and Scientists (MATH1551), SingleMathematics A (MATH1561), Single Mathematics B (MATH1571), Computational Thinking (COMP1051)

Aims

  • Basic principles and basic competence in computer programming.

Content

  • Programming: basic types (numerics), operators, variables and assignment.
  • Control structures: conditionals, loops and functions.
  • Floating-point arithmetic.
  • Lists, strings and introduction to objects.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • The ability to: precisely formulate mathematical problems,
  • develop algorithms to solve them,
  • implement the algorithm as a Python program.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • students will have basic mathematical skills in the followingareas: Modelling and computer programming.

Key Skills:

  • students will have an understanding of the principle of computational algorithms, and basic programming skills for mathematical applications.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures introduce the basic concepts.
  • Practical sessions develop and practice programming skills, and provide active engagement and feedback to the learning process.
  • Weekly homework problems provide formative assessment to guide students in the correct development of their knowledge and skills. They are also an aid in developing students' awareness of standardsrequired.
  • A computer-based examination partially assesses overall achievement.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures101 per week1 Hour10 
Practicals10One per week in Michaelmas Term 2 Hours20Yes
Preparation and Reading70 
Total100 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous assessment for programmingComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Computer project coursework 67Extended set of further problems
Weekly programming assessments 33Extended set of further problems

Formative Assessment

In the computer practicals examples will be given and direct oral feedback will be given on students' work.

More information

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