COSC131-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

Introduction to Programming for Engineers

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

Computer programming in a high-level language with special emphasis on numerical computation. This course is required for engineering intermediate and is an alternative to COSC121 as a prerequisite for COSC122 and all 200 level COSC and SENG courses. COSC131 teaches the fundamentals of computer programming using the Python language and can be taken by students who have no previous programming background. Topics include expressions, assignment, selection and iteration, structured data (lists, dictionaries, tuples, arrays), functional decomposition, file processing, numerical computation with numpy, graph plotting with matplotlib and an introduction to object-oriented programming.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use Python data structures and flow control constructs and their applications [WA1]
2. Apply the Python language to design, implement and test programs that solve simple problems in science and engineering [WA1]
3. Reduce complexity through the (re)structuring of code [WA1]
4. Use the NumPy numerical library to perform a range of numerical calculations and to use the Matplotlib library to plot graphs [WA1]
5. Apply Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python at a basic level [WA1]

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Prerequisites

1) EMTH117 or MATH101, or
2) NCEA 14 Credits (18 strongly recommended) at level 3 Mathematics (including the standards 'Apply differentiation methods in solving problems (91578)' and 'Apply integration methods in solving problems (91579)'), or
3) Cambridge: D at A level or an A at AS level in Mathematics, or
4) IB: 4 at HL or 5 at SL in Mathematics, or
5) approval of the Head of Department based on alternative prior learning. (01 Jan 2024 - present)

Restrictions

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 15:00 - 16:00 E8 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 23 Feb
02 Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 E8 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 23 Feb
04 Monday 08:00 - 09:00 C1 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 23 Feb
Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 10:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (17/2-31/3, 28/4-26/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (17/2-31/3, 28/4-26/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
02 Tuesday 12:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (18/2-1/4, 29/4-27/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (18/2-1/4, 29/4-27/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
03 Thursday 11:00 - 13:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
04 Friday 10:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (21/2-4/4, 2/5-30/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (21/2-4/4, 2/5-30/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
05 Friday 14:00 - 16:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (21/2-4/4, 2/5-30/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (21/2-4/4, 2/5-30/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
06 Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (18/2-1/4, 29/4-27/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (18/2-1/4, 29/4-27/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
07 Thursday 13:00 - 15:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
08 Thursday 09:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (20/2-3/4, 1/5-29/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
09 Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
10 Wednesday 16:00 - 18:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
11 Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab (19/2-2/4, 30/4-28/5)
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
12 Monday 15:00 - 17:00 Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
13 Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 133 Lab 2
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Pals S
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 15:00 - 17:00 Link 309 Lecture Theatre
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
02 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Ernest Rutherford 141
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
03 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 Psychology - Sociology 213
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
05 Tuesday 15:00 - 17:00 Psychology - Sociology 413
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Quiz A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 19:00 - 20:00 Online Delivery
17 Mar - 23 Mar
Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
02 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 248 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
03 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Rata 216 CAD Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
04 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Rata 342 CAD Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
05 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 131 Lab 1
31 Mar - 6 Apr
06 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 133 Lab 2
31 Mar - 6 Apr
07 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 134 Lab 3
31 Mar - 6 Apr
08 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 136 Lab 4
31 Mar - 6 Apr
09 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
10 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 001 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
11 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 248 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
12 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Rata 216 CAD Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
13 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Rata 342 CAD Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
14 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 131 Lab 1
31 Mar - 6 Apr
15 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 133 Lab 2
31 Mar - 6 Apr
16 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 134 Lab 3
31 Mar - 6 Apr
17 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 136 Lab 4
31 Mar - 6 Apr
18 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Jack Erskine 010 Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
19 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Civil - Mech E212 Civil Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
20 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Civil - Mech E212 Civil Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
21 Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30 Civil - Mech E201 Mech Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr
22 Thursday 19:00 - 20:30 Civil - Mech E201 Mech Computer Lab
31 Mar - 6 Apr

Course Coordinator

Richard Lobb

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Learning Modules 11% Weekly
Programming Assignments 10% Two Assignments
Self-Assessment Quiz 4%
Test 20%
Final Exam 55%

Textbooks / Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for the course, as the lecture notes, videos and learning modules should be sufficient for most students. However, those wanting extra reading might wish to consider some of the recommended reading given on the course's Learn site.

The software used in the course is free and is available on all course laboratory computers. It can be installed on nearly all reasonably modern home computers except Chromebooks.

Additional Course Outline Information

Grade moderation

The Computer Science department's grading policy states that in order to pass a course you must meet two requirements:
1. You must achieve an average grade of at least 50% over all assessment items.
2. You must achieve an average mark of at least 45% on invigilated assessment items.

If you satisfy both these criteria, your grade will be determined by the following University-wide scale for converting marks to grades: an average mark of 50% is sufficient for a C- grade, an average mark of 55% earns a C grade, 60% earns a C+ grade and so forth. However if you do not satisfy both the passing criteria you will be given either a D or E grade depending on marks. Marks are sometimes scaled to achieve consistency between courses from year to year.

Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control.

Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Special Considerations website within five days of the assessment.

Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Department and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required.

Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course.

Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.

Special Consideration Applications for the Final Exam

Please click HERE for the CSSE Department's policy for the academic remedy of applications for a special consideration for final exams.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $998.00

International fee $5,188.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Computer Science and Software Engineering .

All COSC131 Occurrences