Structured Programming
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 160 pages
- 18 units
This course provides an overview of structured programming principles using the C programming language. It covers fundamental concepts such as programming languages, abstraction, modularity, and program design. Students will learn about data types, operators, control statements, functions, and arrays. The course also explores structures and pointers in C, equipping students with the skills to develop well-structured and efficient programs. Emphasis is placed on practical application and problem-solving.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, problem solving
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CIT301, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CIT301 · UNIT 2: PROGRAM DESIGN
A high-level language is a problem-orientated programming language. The source programs are written in human readable languages like English instead of mere symbols. In other words, a high-level language is a convenient and simple means of describing the information structures and sequences of actions required to perform a particular task.
What you should be able to do
- Define programs and classify programming languages
- Explain the principles of abstraction and modularity
- Describe the elements of structured programming
- Write C programs using operators and control statements
- Implement functions and arrays in C
- Understand and use structures and pointers in C
What it prepares you for
- Software Developer
- Systems Programmer
- Embedded Systems Engineer
- Application Developer
- Data Analyst
- Software Development
- Operating Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Database Systems
- Game Development
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 5: Introduction to C Programming Language
Unit 2: Data Type
Understanding the nuances between different data types and their memory allocation requires careful attention to detail and can be confusing for beginners.
- Module 6: Operators and Control Statements
Unit 1: Operators
The large number of operators and their precedence rules can be difficult to memorize and apply correctly, leading to errors in expressions.
- Module 8: Structure and Pointers In C
Unit 1: Structure and Pointers
Pointers require understanding of memory addresses and dereferencing, which can be challenging for students new to low-level programming concepts.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 47 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Programing Languages
Unit 1: Computer Programming · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Introduction to Computer Programming. Understand the classification of programming languages. Distinguish between low-level and high-level languages.
Unit 2: Characteristics of a Good Program · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Characteristics of a Good Program. Identify key characteristics such as portability, reliability, and efficiency. Analyze phases of program development.
- Week 2Module 1: Programing Languages
Unit 3: Phases of Program Development (Programming) · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Phases of Program Development. Understand the steps involved in problem definition and analysis. Learn about algorithm selection and program design.
- Week 3Module 2: Abstraction and Modularity
Unit 1: Introduction to Abstraction · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Introduction to Abstraction. Understand the concept of abstraction in programming. Explore functions, procedures, and classes.
Unit 2: Modular Programming · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Modular Programming. Define modularity in programming. Understand the advantages of modular programming.
- Week 4Module 2: Abstraction and Modularity
Unit 3: Modular Interface · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Modular Interface. Understand the importance of header files and module implementation. Explore the structure of interface files in C.
- Week 5Module 3: Elements of Structured Programming
Unit 1: Overview of Structured Programming · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Overview of Structured Programming. Understand the concept of structured programming. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of structured programming.
Unit 2: Programming Language Paradigms · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Programming Language Paradigms. Identify various programming paradigms. Describe imperative, functional, logical, and object-oriented paradigms.
- Week 6Module 4: Structured Programming with C
Unit 1: Overview of C · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Overview of C. Understand the history and characteristics of C. Explore the taxonomy of C types.
Unit 2: C Program Design · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: C Program Design. Understand the structure of a C program. Explore files used in a C program.
- Week 7Module 4: Structured Programming with C
Unit 3: Executing a C Program · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Executing a C Program. Understand the compilation and execution process. Explore sample input/output steps.
- Week 8Module 5: Introduction to C Programming Language
Unit 1: Element of C · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Element of C. Understand the character set in C. Apply the character set in constructing variables and identifiers.
Unit 2: Data Type · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Data Type. Understand data types in C. Define constants and state the rules for constructing them.
- Week 9Module 5: Introduction to C Programming Language
Unit 3: Variables, Statements, Expressions · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Variables, Statements, Expressions. Understand variables, statements, and expressions in C. Learn about input/output operations.
- Week 10Module 6: Operators and Control Statements
Unit 1: Operators · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Operators. Understand operators in C. Use operators in expressions.
Unit 2: Overview of Control Statements · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Overview of Control Statements. Understand control statements in C. Explore selection and iterative statements.
- Week 11Module 7: Functions and Arrays in C Programming Language
Unit 1: Overview of Functions in C · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Overview of Functions in C. Understand functions in C. Learn about function declaration and definition.
Unit 2: Arrays · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Arrays. Understand arrays in C. Learn about one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays.
- Week 12Module 7: Functions and Arrays in C Programming Language
Unit 3: Fundamentals of Strings · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Fundamentals of Strings. Understand strings in C. Learn about string manipulation and common string functions.
- Week 13Module 8: Structure and Pointers In C
Unit 1: Structure and Pointers · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Structure and Pointers. Understand structures and pointers in C. Learn how to define and use structures and pointers.
Preparing for the exam
- Review all course materials, focusing on key concepts and examples
- Practice writing C programs to reinforce understanding of syntax and semantics
- Create a study schedule to allocate sufficient time for each module
- Focus on understanding pointers and memory management techniques
- Work through past exam papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types
Questions students ask about this course
What is CIT301 about?
This course provides an overview of structured programming principles using the C programming language. It covers fundamental concepts such as programming languages, abstraction, modularity, and program design. Students will learn about data types, operators, control statements, functions, and arrays. The course also explores structures and pointers in C, equipping students with the skills to develop well-structured and efficient programs. Emphasis is placed on practical application and problem-solving.
How many units does CIT301 have?
CIT301, Structured Programming, has 18 units across 8 modules, over 160 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CIT301?
CIT301 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is CIT301 hard?
CIT301 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and problem solving work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CIT301 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 18 units.
How is CIT301 assessed?
CIT301 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CIT301?
Software Developer, Systems Programmer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Application Developer and Data Analyst.