KV7008 - Programming with Python

The module includes a combination of methods to support your learning. The main concepts and principles underpinning programming will be introduced and discussed in weekly lectures. Lecture material will be reinforced and developed through practical workshop sessions in which you will develop skills in applying appropriate principles in a supported context. You will be provided with guided reading and programming examples that you will be expected to engage with as part of your evolving practice and independent learning to help extend your background knowledge.

Lectures will be recorded and uploaded to the virtual learning environment, Blackboard, along with the resources shared in both lectures and workshop practical sessions. You will also be supported by a variety of resources provided through the e-learning portal such as PowerPoint slides, links to external videos, lecture recordings and programming source code. You will be given an online reading list and will be encouraged to curate your own individual reading resources as well e.g. online programming documentation.
Through independent study and independent learning, you will develop life-long habits identifying and pursuing areas of interest in contemporary programming topics, extending your reading, reflection and research skills.

You will be supported in your learning in a number of ways on this module. Primarily, you will learn through doing, engaging in a hands-on way with a collection of structured problems. Lectures will support you by presenting specific tools and discussing appropriate strategies. This material will be further explored in workshop sessions that will allow you to practice and develop your skills. Tutors will be available for all timetabled sessions, giving you opportunities to ask questions and to receive formative feedback from your tutor in response. This, in combination with your independent learning, personal style and approach, will be developed in hands-on sessions in the fully equipped computing labs.

Teaching material will be available via the University’s e-learning portal, including lecture slides, source code, and practical tasks. A range of computing facilities will be available, including some facilities that will be available outside working hours. Computers dedicated to Computer Science will offer industry-standard development software. Development software is also available for you to install on your own computer.

Where appropriate, students may also be directed to engage with Study Skills +, or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support. In addition, the library is open 24 hours a day and the e-Learning portal houses all your module documents including your timetable. These services can be accessed on a range of devices.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• ML01 - Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of programming using an appropriate programming language.
• ML02 – Identify and know when to apply predefined data structures, programming constructs and algorithmic techniques appropriate to a given context.
• ML03 - Develop knowledge of and, practical approaches for, standard software development practices using contemporary tools.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• ML04 – Design, develop, test and debug good quality programming solutions and software using appropriate tools and industry standards.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• ML05 – Develop independent thinking, including the ability to make and justify programming related decisions and solve problems using a structured approach.

Summative assessment will take the form of programming exercises to gain practical experience applying the concepts covered and to check your understanding; and an independent programming project.

The first assessment comprises a set of programming questions. You will submit your work for this assessment as a single hand-in for informative feedback. This assessment will be worth 30% of your mark.

The second assessment will comprise undertaking a project building a working software application using the Python language. This involves constructing, implementing, debugging and testing a software application to show your understanding of key programming concepts and demonstrate your learning in context. The second assessment will be worth 70% of your overall mark.

Feedback will be provided both from tutors in class as well as using the university’s e-learning portal. Tutors may also ask you questions and hold discussions to evaluate your understanding.

This assessment addresses Module Learning Outcomes: ML01, MLO2, ML03, ML04, MLO5

Programme (Level) Learning Outcomes that this module contributes to:
[Please insert PLO number as listed on the programme specification]

This Level 7 Module addresses the following PLOs as listed in the relevant programme specifications:


K&U: 1
IPSA: 1, 3
PVA: 1, 2

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The module is designed to build from no prior knowledge of programming to give you everything you need to form a solid foundation and basis in the practicalities of software design and implementation using a high-level language such as Python. Through using a modern Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and getting hands-on experience with a range of programming concepts and principles, you will be building the skills, tools and techniques common to all modern programming languages. You will learn to develop your professional practice using contemporary development libraries and engage with industry standard software design principles. Finally, you will consider the quality of your code and produce software that is reliable and maintainable, giving consideration to testing and debugging practices at the same time. In this way, you will develop practical problem-solving skills, breaking down complex processes into smaller tasks to construct software that works.