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GCO4805 Software systems design and development , Unit Information Guide (Semester 1, 2006)
Chief Examiner
Mr.Templar Hankinson
Lecturers
Gippsland :
Mr.Templar Hankinson
Outline
Systems analysis and program design principles, data entry and validation, screen and output design, modular and event driven programming, object-oriented programming, error-handlers, use of a visual program development environment; files and databases, menu-task systems, object libraries, program documentation, software evaluation.
Objectives
Students will learn to develop the software design and programming abilities needed to construct practical and efficient applications for use in a business environment and to provide an appreciation of the factors that contribute to software quality.
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
display skills and creativity in problem-solving and algorithmic design
understand the nature of computer programs and programming languages
understand the basic principles and processes of object oriented software design
understand the basic principles and processes of structured software design
design structured solutions to simple programming problems design and develop correct, well structured and well documented simple computer programs that solve users' needs
produce simple well-designed screens and user interfaces
apply sound testing and debugging techniques
use appropriate techniques to communicate program data between modules
use appropriate techniques to pass messages and information between objects
perform event-handling in a graphical user interface
manipulate and search for data in one dimensional, parallel and multi dimensional arrays
manipulate data in files and produce control break reports
understand the basic function of databases and their importance to business
write programs to query and manipulate databases
understand the process for evaluating and selecting software packages.
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed [
GCO9801, BUS9520 or equivalent, or programming experience
] , or equivalent. You should have knowledge of [
Introductory programming studies or programming experience in the workplace.
]
Unit relationships
GCO4805 is a [core/elective] unit in the [enter the name(s) of the major(s)] of the [enter the names of the degrees]. It is a [prerequisite/corequisite] for Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed [
GCO9801, BUS9520 or equivalent, or programming experience
] , or equivalent. You should have knowledge of [
Introductory programming studies or programming experience in the workplace.
]. You may not study this unit and [enter the unit codes of the prohibited units] in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Prescribed Text
Deitel, Deitel and Nieto, 1999. Visual Basic 6, How to Program ,Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-456955-5
Ekedahl, M and Newman, W. Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, An Object Oriented Approach, Course Technology, 1999. ISBN 0-7600-1076-5
Ekedahl, M. Developing Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic, Advanced Topics, Course Technology, 1999. ISBN 0-7600-5852-0.
Juliff, P. Program Design, 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1986.
Kerman, C & Brown, R L, 2000, Computer Programming Fundamentals with applications in Visual Basic 6.0, Addison-Wesley. ISBN0-201-61268-2
McMonnies, A, 2001, Visual Basic, An Object Oriented Approach,Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-46863-6
Robertson, L. A, 2003, Simple Program design, 4th Edition, Nelson Thomson Learning.
Tsay, J J, 2000, Visual Basic 6 Programming, Business Applications with a Design Perspective, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-026199-8
Zac, D, 1999, Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, Course Technology. ISBN 0-7600-1071-4
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements:
Microsoft Visual Basic 6 'Working Model' Edition, as supplied with the prescribed text.
Hardware requirements:
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Prescribed Text
Deitel, Deitel and Nieto, 1999. Visual Basic 6, How to Program ,Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-456955-5
Ekedahl, M and Newman, W. Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, An Object Oriented Approach, Course Technology, 1999. ISBN 0-7600-1076-5
Ekedahl, M. Developing Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic, Advanced Topics, Course Technology, 1999. ISBN 0-7600-5852-0.
Juliff, P. Program Design, 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1986.
Kerman, C & Brown, R L, 2000, Computer Programming Fundamentals with applications in Visual Basic 6.0, Addison-Wesley. ISBN0-201-61268-2
McMonnies, A, 2001, Visual Basic, An Object Oriented Approach,Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-46863-6
Robertson, L. A, 2003, Simple Program design, 4th Edition, Nelson Thomson Learning.
Tsay, J J, 2000, Visual Basic 6 Programming, Business Applications with a Design Perspective, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-026199-8
Zac, D, 1999, Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, Course Technology. ISBN 0-7600-1071-4
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for GCO4805 are:
The majority of materials are distributed through the GCO4805 web site (www.gscit.monash.edu.au/units). They are:
An electronic version of the Unit Book containing 11 Study Guides
This Unit Information outlining the administrative information for the unit
Weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementaryreading materials.
Newsgroups/discussion groups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage or the Monash Portal
The GSIT CD-ROM will include essential software, such as a web browser, an email client, a file compression program such as Winzip needed for assignment submission, etc
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
Study Guide
Key Dates
1
Introduction to Visual Basic Programming
1
2
Sub-procedures and functions
3
3
Arrays and Graphics
3
4
Graphical User Interfaces
4
5
Error Handling
5
6
File Processing
6
7
Review
19/04/06 Aa1 Due
Non-teaching
8
Object Oriented Programming: Classes and Objects
7
9
Database Programming
8
10
Database Programming
9
11
Software Evaluation
10
12
OLE and ActiveX: Communicating with Programs
11
23/05/06 Aa2 Due
13
Exam Review
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assignments weighting: 60%
Exam weighting: 40%
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
To pass this unit you must:
attempt both assignments and the examination
score at least 50% of the possible marks for the unit
achieve no less than 40% of the total available marks for the assignments overall, and the examination
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Assuming you satisfy the above criteria your final percentage will be calculated using the formula:
Result = A*0.6+E*0.4
where A = overall assignment percentage E = examination percentage
Otherwise you will receive the lower of A and E, or if you have no mark for the assignments or the exam the lower of A+10 and E+10.
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Aa1
19.04.06
20 %
Aa2
24.05.06
40 %
Examination 2 hour(s), closed book
Exam period starts 5th June.
40 %
Assignment specifications will be made available Unit Webpage. Information about assignments will be published on the Unit's Notices Newsgroup.
Assignment Submission Methods
All assignments will be submitted by electronic submission to wfsubmit.its.monash.edu.au. Do not email submissions. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received/the date by which the the submission is to be posted.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day.
Assignments received later than the cutoff date (usually one week after the due date) will not be accepted by the submission system.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass -
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory -
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within three weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication with the Unit Lecturer of GCO4805 will usually be in the form of email, newgroup postings or telephone.
If your enquiries are of a personal nature, such as a request for assignment extension, special consideration requests, or the need to discuss your personal progress, you are encourage to send an email directly to the Unit Lecturer.
All communication related to the subject content must be conducted via the newsgroups. If you do send me an email that relates to the content of the unit it will not be answered. You are certainly not asked to put anything of a personal nature into your newsgroup postings.
The easiest way to find the discussion and assignment newsgroups is via the Monash Portal or GCO4805 Unit Website.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
