CM1103 Problem Solving with Python - Cardiff School of Computer ...

Problem Solving with Python
This module will provide students with the fundamental programming and problem solving
skills necessary to continue study in Business Information Systems, Computer Science and
Software Engineering. The delivery of the module will be case study based, motivated by a
study of a number of classical and topical real-world problems. Through these, the module
will introduce the mathematical theory necessary to model problems and the programming
skills necessary to implement efficient solutions.
On completion of the Module a student will be able to:
School
COMSC
Module Code
CM1103
External Subject Code I320
Number of Credits 20
Level 1
Module Leader
Dr. Stuart Allen
Module offered on a freestanding
No
basis
Maximum Number on Module 150
Language of Module delivery
English
1. Use Python and common modules to implement simple algorithms expressed in pseudocode
2. Divide programs into subtasks by the appropriate definition of functions and/or modules
3. Develop informal algorithms to solve simple problems
4. Analyse the efficiency of algorithms using O-notation and contrast different searching algorithms
5. Use recursion appropriately to solve problems
6. Understand and apply basic set theory, counting techniques, graph theory, probability and statistics
How the Module will be delivered
Programming and problem solving skills are best developed through practice, hence students should expect to spend 5 hours per week programming
at the computer. As such, the weekly programming labs are an integral part of the learning experience. Students will maintain logbooks of the work
completed in these sessions, and their progress will form a significant part of the assessment for this module.
Overview lecture followed by:
o 5 two-hour in-lab instruction sessions, consisting of lectures covering Python programming supported by exercises.
o 28 lectures on algorithms and discrete mathematical structures with 5 tutorials covering mathematical theory.
o 7 weekly revision lectures and in-lab surgeries.
Skills that will be practised and developed

Programming in Python
Problem Solving
How the Module will be assessed
Assessments are listed below indicating relation to learning outcome. No academic or competence standards limit the availability of adjustments or
alternative assessments for disabled students.
Type of assessment %
Contribution
Title
Learning
Outcomes
Approx. date of
Assessment
Continual assessment 20 “In-lab” Python implementation skills 1, 2, 5 Weeks 5-9
Continual assessment 10 Mathematical skills through lab book 6 Weeks 6-10
Coursework 20 Problem solving exercise 1, 2, 3 Weeks 9-11
Examination (2 hours) 50 Examination 3, 4, 5, 6 Autumn Exam
Weeks
The potential for reassessment in this Module
Reassessment will take the form of an examination during the summer period.
Syllabus content
Fundamental programming concepts in Python
- Representing data: booleans, numbers, strings, lists & tuples, functions & classes, sets
- Defining functions and modules
- Program control – loops and branching
- Input and output
- Useful Python modules
Algorithms, including:
- Searching and sorting: Linear search, Binary search, Selection sort, Regular expressions
- Fisher-Yates shuffle
- Recursion
- Efficiency and Big O notation

Mathematics
- Numerical skills
- Basic set theory
- Basic statistics and probability
- Permutations, combinations and graphs
Indicative Reading and Resource List:
Think Python! http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkpython.html