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Solving problems in a computational environment. Choosing the right techniques, verifying performance, understanding and satisfying client requirements. Working individually and in teams to provide effective solutions.
This paper develops and extends the analytical and creative skills required in programming. A series of etudes - some individual, some in pairs and some in groups - require solutions that challenge your abilities as programmers. As well as finding solutions, there is an emphasis on testing and verifying them and communicating the outcome to the "client" (who, in this case, is the instructor).
| Paper title | Computational Problem Solving |
|---|---|
| Paper code | COSC326 |
| Subject | Computer Science |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Summer School
(On campus)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,110.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- COSC 201 or COSC 202 or COSC 242
- Recommended Preparation
- COSC 201 and COSC 202
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Contact
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Professor Brendan McCane
Lecturers:
Summer School: Professor Brendan McCane
First semester: Dr Stefanie Zollmann- Paper Structure
This paper aims to improve and develop programming skills by setting a series of exercises that require an analytical and creative approach to problem solving. Most, but not all, of these exercises will involve programming tasks. Some will not use computers at all; some will use them only for ancillary tasks. Each solution will be assessed against the requirements, and students will be expected to go back and rework each problem until it is completed satisfactorily. Students will be required to fully test and debug their programs as well as learn to identify inefficiencies.
Assessment: This paper is 100% internally assessed and is pass/fail. To pass the paper students must complete a series of etudes (exercises).- Teaching Arrangements
This paper has no lectures. Students take part in 'town hall meetings' and 2-hour labs as indicated in the timetable below.
- Textbooks
No textbooks are required for this paper.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research,
Self-motivation, Teamwork
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes - Learning Outcomes
The central learning outcomes from COSC 326 relate to the strategies and mechanics of problem solving in the context of programming. Specifically:
- Understanding a problem (simplification, clarification, generalisation and specification)
- Learning different problem-solving strategies (eg creative approaches, top down, choice of tools, etc)
- Specific computer-related techniques in problem solving (eg limitations of programs, recursion, testing, efficiency)
- Working with people (eg group management and dynamics, collaboration, record keeping and reporting)
