SOFTENG 281 : Object-Oriented Programming

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Computer programming using objects as the mechanism for modularity, abstraction, and code reuse. Review of control structures for conditionals and iteration. Instance variables, methods, and encapsulation. Interfaces, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstract classes. Exception handling. Introduction to basic data structures and basic algorithms including sorting and searching.

Course Overview

This one semester course is the first exposure to key software engineering programming principles, going beyond the basics of coding. We will be using the Java programming language to learn object-oriented programming (OOP). Rather than merely "coding", the focus will be on designing (and of course writing) beautiful code!  

SOFTENG 281 is about teaching you the art of software development. We will take an Engineering approach to develop software. While it involves some technicalities surrounding the coding, developing complex software is more about: (i) Modeling a problem, (ii) Designing a solution, and (iii) Building a quality software product to address that problem. 

In addition to learning key OOP concepts, we will be using professional development tools such as an IDE (VS Code), version control (Git with GitHub), build tools (Maven), and teaching frameworks (JUnit). There will be a high emphasis on following code style conventions, as this is essential in establishing good habits. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: COMPSCI 101 or ENGGEN 131 Restriction: COMPSCI 230, COMPSYS 202, MECHENG 270, SOFTENG 251

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and apply version control to manage software development, and will develop the habit to consistently use it. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Understand and apply the core programming concepts, such as methods, data types, arrays, and pointers. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  3. Understand and apply typical OO principles such as inheritance, association, aggregation and encapsulation during the implementation of small scale assignments in Java. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Understand and apply different data structures so as to select the most suitable data structure for a given problem. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  5. Understand and apply describing a program as an algorithm and will understand the concept of comparing the efficiency of algorithms using the notion of it's asymptotic complexity. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Tests 40% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Tests

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

This course will run in a flipped-classroom manner.  You will be expected to dedicate time before each scheduled lecture, to watch a pre-recorded online video presenting the new material. We will then be using the in-class lecture times to engage with hands-on programming exercises to strengthen understanding. There will also be an expectation of spending:

  • Approx 2 hours a week watching pre-recorded flipped videos and revising concepts.
  • Approx 4 hours a week attending lectures, and engaging with in-class exercises.
  • Approx 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Lectures will be available as recordings. 
  • You will be expected to watch some short videos or read some material before the in-person lectures (flipped classroom).
  • The course will not include live online events.
  • Attendance on campus is required for the tests (invigilated and practical programming exercises).
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
  • Drop-in lab clinics are optional, and there to support your learning with experienced TAs.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All required resources will be made available online, for example via Canvas.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Some assessments will be revised, as well as the breakdown of topics. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 15/11/2023 02:35 a.m.