CE151-4-QA-:
Introduction to Programming

The details
2025/26
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Autumn - Partner
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
30 August 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

CE225, CE246

Key module for

BSC I400BH Artificial Intelligence

Module description

This module will provide an introduction to the basic principles and concepts that underpin procedural programming. It will make use of a high level programming language (i.e. Python) supporting control, data and procedural abstraction. Students will also learn to analyse simple programs, incorporate standard control structures, write functions, arrays structures and I/O, as well as debugging simple programmes.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of computer programming, exemplified using Python from the command line and IDEs.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and concepts that underlie the procedural programming model.

  2. Explain and make use of high-level programming language features that support control, data and procedural abstraction.

  3. Analyse and explain the behaviour of simple programs that incorporate standard control structures, parameterised functions, arrays, structures and I/O.

  4. Implement, test and debug simple programs that use the features listed above.

Module information

Outline Syllabus



  • Underlying principles of procedural programming

  • The imperative programming model; state, sequentiality and destructive assignment.

  • Abstraction: separating internal and external views; control, data and procedural abstraction.

  • A model of memory: variables; static and dynamic memory; the execution stack Programming in a high-level procedural language Identifiers and keywords

  • Expressions and types: well-typed expressions; operator precedence and expression evaluation Statements and control flow: simple, compound and control statements; the assignment statement; selection and repetition

  • Functions: definition, and call; local variables, scope and existence; parameters, formal and actual parameters, parameter passing

  • Lists and dictionaries: declaration and initialisation; accessing elements

  • Input and output: console and file I/O

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures.
  • Laboratories.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   CE151 Coursework    100% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Partnership 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Partnership 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
30% 70%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
30% 70%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Inas Al-Taie, email: iyyalt@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Inas Al-Taie, Dr Michael Sanderson
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information

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