Computer Science (Summer School) module (SS03009)

An introduction to the fundamental concepts behind computer programming and web development

Module code
SS03009
Semester
Runs during the summer
School
School of Science and Engineering
Discipline
Computing

The course gives you a taster of undergraduate Computing modules using processing and web development technologies.

Learning will be through short tutorials to introduce topics and screencasts of coding examples.

There will also be live “code-along” sessions so that you can see how theory works in practice.

Supervised live sessions to support you while working on your assignments.

You will study topics such as:

Web Development

  • structuring websites with HTML5
  • adding style and presentation to websites with CSS

Coding with Processing

  • writing applications with 2D shapes and colours
  • introducing variables and program flow
  • applying these to add animations and interactivity

What you will learn:

In this module, you will:

  • learn the fundamental concepts behind computer programming in the modern world
  • gain the practical skills to write styled websites and interactive graphical applications

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

  • understand and apply the basics of computer programming and web development
  • demonstrate your potential to cope with university entry-level requirements of undergraduates in the field of Computer Science

Assignments / assessment

  • Website Development (50%) - due end of Week 2
  • 2D Image with Processing (50%) - due end of Week 4

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

  1. Web Development
    This week is used to introduce you to HTML, the main mark-up language that is used to lay out information on websites. You'll gain an understanding of how modern web pages are structured through HTML5
  2. More Web Development
    Week 2 introduces CSS and its role in the development of usable, attractive web pages. We'll be looking at what CSS is, how it works alongside HTML, and strategies for its use
  3. Coding with Processing
    This week introduces some basic coding concepts in the 'Processing' programming language, which is used for creating 2D and 3D images and animations
  4. More Advanced Processing
    This week continues an exploration of additional coding concepts such as methods and program flow, including adding interactivity and animation to static images