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Computer programming in a high-level language with special emphasis on numerical computation. This course is required for engineering intermediate and is an alternative to COSC121 as a prerequisite for COSC122 and all 200 level COSC and SENG courses. COSC131 teaches the fundamentals of computer programming using the Python language and can be taken by students who have no previous programming background. Topics include expressions, assignment, selection and iteration, structured data (lists, dictionaries, tuples, arrays), functional decomposition, file processing, numerical computation with numpy, graph plotting with matplotlib, some basic numerical algorithms and an introduction to object-oriented programming.
2022 Covid-19 Update: Please refer to the course page on AKO | Learn for all information about your course, including lectures, labs, tutorials and assessments.
Students will:Understand the fundamental Python data types and their applications.Be able to implement basic algorithms using selection, iteration and function calling.Be able to apply their understanding of the Python language in designing, implementing and testing programs to solve simple problems in science and engineering.Be able to (re)structure code using functions to reduce complexity.Be able to use the numpy numerical library to perform a range of numerical calculations and to use the matplotlib library to plot graphs.Be familiar with several basic numerical algorithms for root finding and numerical integration.Be familiar with simple object oriented programming in Python.Be able to review and assess the quality and maintainability of Python code.
1) MATH101, or2) NCEA 14 Credits (18 strongly recommended) at level 3 Mathematics (including the standards 'Apply differentiation methods in solving problems (91578)' and 'Apply integration methods in solving problems (91579)'), or3) Cambridge: D at A level or an A at AS level in Mathematics, or4) IB: 4 at HL or 5 at SL in Mathematics, or5) approval of the Head of Department based on alternative prior learning.
COSC121
Students must attend one activity from the lecture and computer lab sections; the tutorial however is optional.
Richard Lobb
Paul McKeown
There is no prescribed textbook for the course, as the lecture notes, videos and learning modules should be sufficient for most students. However, those wanting extra reading might wish to consider some of the recommended reading given on the Learn site of the course.
The Computer Science department's grading policy states that in order to pass a course you must meet two requirements:1. You must achieve an average of at least 50% on the combined assessment items.2. You must achieve a mark of at least 45% on the weighted average of the test and exam marks, using the weightings given in the "Assessment" section above.If you satisfy both these criteria, your grade will be determined by the following University- wide scale for converting marks to grades: a total mark of 50% is sufficient for a C- grade, a total mark of 55% earns a C grade, 60% earns a B- grade and so forth. However if you do not satisfy both the passing criteria you will be given either a D or E grade depending on marks. Marks are sometimes scaled to achieve consistency between courses from year to year.
The Computer Science department's grading policy states that in order to pass a course you must meet two requirements:1. You must achieve an average grade of at least 50% over all assessment items.2. You must achieve an average mark of at least 45% on invigilated assessment items.If you satisfy both these criteria, your grade will be determined by the following University-wide scale for converting marks to grades: an average mark of 50% is sufficient for a C- grade, an average mark of 55% earns a C grade, 60% earns a C+ grade and so forth. However if you do not satisfy both the passing criteria you will be given either a D or E grade depending on marks. Marks are sometimes scaled to achieve consistency between courses from year to year.Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control.Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office website within five days of the assessment. Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Department and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required. Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course.Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.
Your usercode on our computer system enables you to access a range of services. Some of these services are not free and you are responsible for ensuring that your account contains sufficient funds to cover any charges you incur. If your account balance becomes negative then you may be unable to use any computer facilities until you have cleared this debt. The Computer Science Department is not involved with the financial details of your account - you should go to the Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS) Department for this.The main chargeable service you are likely to make use of is printing. To use chargeable services you will need to have money loaded on your Canterbury Card.See the Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) Department home page for details of services and charges.
Domestic fee $892.00
International fee $4,563.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Computer Science and Software Engineering .