FIT1045 is a core unit for the new BCS degree being introduced in 2016, and replaces FIT1040 and FIT1029.

Introduced as part of course architecture programs. Effective Semester 1, 2016. The assessment has been changed to bring it in line with the other first year units.

19/08/2016 - Admin: Update unit name to agreed convention for programming units (UG - "fundamentals", PG - "foundations") as per the ADE email 5/8/16. Effective Semester 1, 2017.

6/09/2016 - Updated requirements for tutorial rooms. This unit uses a blended learning approach and tutorials are best held in spaces that work for group activities.

9/9/2016 - Fixed mistake in previous change.

5/01/2017 - The assessment has been updated according to the new policy - two hours final exam and at least two assessments worth at least 20%. Effective Semester 1, 2017.

30/11/2017 - Updating prohibitions to include the new programming unit.

19/9/2019: Admin - updating exam duration to include additional 10 minutes as per University requirement.

9/12/2019: Adding reason for change on behalf of CE. Consolidating the learning outcomes to better reflect the unit outcomes after partial re-design, and to increase usefulness for students who previously tended to be overwhelmed by the large number of learning outcomes. This is the result of a consultation process between different academics involved with the programming courses, and responds directly to a revision of the progression of these units commissioned by ADLT.

03/02/20: Admin - minor amendment to wording of workload activity. Removing mention of practical, as they are not run under this unit.

16/09/2020 Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

28/05/2021: Admin - adding reasons for change. Due to issues with workshop solutions being posted online, the CE intends to revise the assessment in this unit. The CE believes that the unit would be overall well-served with a shift to 50%/50% in-semester/exam assessment percentages (currently it is 60/40). This way they can reduce the lab percentage to total 12% (i.e., only 1% per weekly worksheet).

This unit is a level 1 core unit in the BCS and is a combination of the current units FIT1040 and FIT1029.

Its purpose is to teach algorithmic problem solving, the design of simple algorithms, understanding of basic data structures, and give an introduction to their implementation in a programming language.

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. translate between problem descriptions and program designs with appropriate input/output representations
2. choose and implement appropriate problem solving strategies
3. analyse the behaviour of programs and data structures
4. decompose problems into simpler problems and reduce unknown to known problems
5. determine the computational cost and limitations of algorithms

020109

This unit introduces programming fundamentals and the Python language to students. The unit provides a foundational understanding of program design and implementation of algorithms to solve simple problems. Fundamental programming control structures, built in and complex datatypes and mechanisms for modularity will be presented in Python.

Topics covered will include basic input and output, program control structures, basic data structures and modular program structure. Problem-solving strategies and techniques for algorithm development, iteration and recursion, algorithm efficiency and the limitations of algorithms will be introduced.

Recommended resources

Recommended Reading list Levitin, A. (2012). Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms. (3rd Edition) Pearson

Perkovic, L. (2012). Introduction to Computing using Python: An Application Development Focus. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Technological requirements

Regularly check Moodle for announcements and Monash emails. (For Clayton Campus ONLY) Please note: This is a bring your own device unit. You will be expected to bring a web-connected device (i.e., laptop or tablet) to class to access specialist software. The applications for your class can be accessed at the website move.monash.edu http://move.monash.edu/

For more information, visit monash.edu/move http://monash.edu/move

On-campus

Active learning Students will participate in activities designed to familiarise them with concepts in programming and or computer science and how to apply them.

Lecture, tutorials and labs classes This teaching and learning approach helps students to initially encounter information at lectures, discuss and explore the information during tutorials, and implement solutions during labs.

Problem-based learning Students will be presented with information and guided on how to best find solutions for a given problem.

Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

Lectures then tutorials then laboratories in any given week.

Tutorials to be located in spaces that encourage group work, that is, not in computer laboratories when possible.