This is an entry level programming module requiring no prior programming experience aimed at providing students with fundamental programming knowledge and sparking their interest in C# with a view of developing in Unity for games development in future modules.
The module will introduce object oriented programming (OOP) in C# emphasising computational thinking and problem solving to provide a foundation for software development and games development required by students for their programmes of study. Many practical programming exercises will be used either in the laboratory or remotely to develop experience in using an Integrated Development Environment (MS Visual Studio 19/22) to develop programming skills.
The module introduces the 4 pillars of OOP: encapsulation, abstraction, polymorphism and inheritance. Essential basic programming concepts which are the building blocks wil also be covered including: variables, logical and arithmetic operators, control flow, classes including data members and member functions, parameter passing, scope, static and dynamic data structures. The module will also discuss designing and implementation of simple graphical user interfaces. The more advanced concepts of inheritance and polymorphism are introduced but will be covered in more depth in the follow up module - Software Development for Games.
The module will be student centred by providing remote demonstrations combined with on campus support. Class sessions will be hybrid and flexible - recorded, in a written format, directly posted on to the VLE (AULA) and live Teams/Zoom and Discord meetings depending on what students demand. Assessment will be an authentic implementation of a game inventory.
- This module embeds the key “I am UWS” graduate attributes and in particular: Work Ready(Digitally Literate, Problem-solver, Creative, Imaginary, Resilient), Successful(Autonomous, Innovative)
- The module will be student cantered and delivered in a number of formats: online, remotely, optional on-campus and live code demonstrations will be provided with support included to bolster student knowledge with authentic programming exercises.
- The module will be simple and coherent as it will be a rudimentary pre-requisite for a number of modules building on the fundamentals presented including Software Development for Games and Game Engine 1 and 2. This will also be beneficial for other modules including Programming in AI and Games Console Development.
- In terms of inclusivity the module will recognize the diverse cohort that the Programmes attract i.e. students that are more interested and have an innate interest in programming and students that are more interested in design. Additional complex programming examples will be provided to students who wish to explore programming to greater depth.
- Sustainability will be integrated into the module by highlighting the transferrable skills relevant between programming languages i.e. there will be an emphasis on the principles of programming as well as the semantics and syntactics.
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