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Computer Science (COMP) 268
Introduction to Computer Programming (Java) (Revision 7)

Delivery mode: Individualized study online.

Credits: 3 - Science.

Prerequisite: COMP 200. Students should have a basic knowledge of computers, programming, and the Internet. They should have completed high school algebra. COMP 200 includes an introduction to programming concepts and also involves setting up and using the Java programming language compiling environment. This is assumed knowledge when starting COMP 268. The following site will provide you information about setting and up and using the Java compiling environment, http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/
cupojava/index.html

Note: Students who are concerned about not meeting the prerequisite for this course are encouraged to contact the course coordinator before registering.

Centre: School of Computing and Information Systems

SCIS Orientation

COMP 268 sample

Course Web site

CCIS Software and Hardware Requirements

Overview

The course is designed to teach students the basics of computer programming in an object-oriented framework. It is a prerequisite for COMP 272, COMP 307, COMP 314, and is suitable as the Object-Oriented Programming prerequisite for COMP 416.

Outline

The course consists of the following:

  • Preface
  • Welcome from your tutors and the course coordinator
  • Introduction on how to use the Study Guide
  • Evaluation
  • Unit 00: Introduction
  • Unit 01: Fundamentals of Programming
  • Unit 02: Introduction to the Java Language
  • Unit 03: Arithmetic Expressions
  • Unit 04: Selection and Encapsulation
  • Unit 05: File Objects and Looping Statements
  • Unit 06: Object-Oriented Design and Implementation
  • Unit 07: Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Scope
  • Unit 08: Event-Driven Input and Output
  • Unit 09: Exceptions and Additional Control Structures
  • Unit 10: One-Dimensional Arrays
  • Unit 11: Array-Based Lists
  • Unit 12: Multidimensional Arrays and Numeric Computations
  • Unit 13: Recursion
  • Unit 14: Applets

Evaluation

To receive credit for COMP 268, you must achieve a composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent), including at least 50 percent of the possible assignment marks, and at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Seven Assignments (6% each) Participation Final Exam Total
42% 8% 50% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Dale, Weems and Headington. Programming and Problem Solving with Java, A Laboratory Course for programming with Java (packaged together) 2003, (1st ed.). Jones & Bartlett. ISBN: 0763725781

Other materials

The rest of the learning materials for Computer Science 268 are distributed in electronic format. These materials include:

  • Computer Science 268 Study Guide.
  • Detailed descriptions of the requirements for the individual tutor-marked exercises.
  • A course evaluation form.
  • Links to a variety of resources on the World Wide Web.

Additional supporting materials of interest to students of Computer Science 268 may occasionally be made available electronically.

Special Course Features

COMP 268 is offered by computer mediated communications (CMC) mode, and can be completed at the student's workplace or home. It is a core course in the BA Information Systems (IS) and the BSc Computer Information Systems (CIS).