This course teaches introductory programming within a problem solving framework applicable to the sciences. The course emphasises technical programming, the simulation of scientific systems and the processing of scientific data. There is an emphasis on designing and writing correct code. Testing and debugging are seen as integral to the programming enterprise. Both top-down and object oriented design are taught. There will be an introduction to widely-used computer science algorithms and to machine architecture. The course will be taught using one or more programming languages which are widely applicable to scientific work.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Students who succeed in all aspects of this course will be able to:
- Design, write and debug small programs to solve practical problems of a scientific nature.
- Have a practical understanding of the processing of scientific data.
- Be able to describe and design small computer programs using both procedural and object-oriented methodologies.
- Have an awareness of good program organisation.
- Have an understanding of some widely-used algorithms.
- Have an understanding of practical aspects of machine architecture including finite precision and rounding errors.
Other Information
http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP1730/Indicative Assessment
Practical programming assessments (55%), written exams (45%).
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
4-5 hours scheduled time each week (2-3 lectures and one 2-hour lab).
Students are expected to spend an average of 5-6 hours per week practicing programming (including work on assignments) outside of scheduled labs.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts.
We recommend one of:
- "Think Python: How to think like a computer
scientist" (2nd Edition) by Allan Downey.
Available from http://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python-2e/, or in paperback (O'Reilly, 2015; ISBN-13: 978-1491939369; ISBN-10: 1491939362). - "The Practice of Computing using Python" (2nd Edition) by William Punch and Richard Enbody (Addison-Wesley, 2012. ISBN-10: 0-13-280557-X ISBN-13: 978-0-13-280557-X).
Assumed Knowledge
Students are assumed to have achieved a level of knowledge of mathematics comparable to at least ACT Mathematics Methods or NSW Mathematics or equivalent. No programming, Computer Science or IT experience or skills are required
Areas of Interest
- Medical Science
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Bioinformatics
- Photonics
- Physics
- Science
- Engineering
- Genetics
- Mechatronics
- Electronics
- Communications
- Materials
- Mechanical
- Advanced Computing
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical Science
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4554 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7502 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | N/A |