University of Botswana

Faculty of Science
Department of Computer Science

ISS112 Introduction to Programming

Course Outline: 2023/24 Semester II
1. Instructors:
Instructor Mr M. Mudongo Mrs T. Taukobong
Office Block 247/277, Tel 355 2964 Block 232/216, Tel 355 2138
Email mudongom@ub.ac.bw mphot@ub.ac.bw
Class Time M,W,F 1-2 PM Block 247/035 M,W,F 8-9 PM Block 232/005
Lab Times Thur 7-9 AM Block 247/295,296
Consultation Hours TUE 14:00-1600 HRS MON, WED 09:00 - 1000 HRS
2. Aim:
To introduce students to the basics of programming in an organizational context, with a focus on
structured programming, in order to lay a solid foundation for later programming courses.
Aims and Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between classes, objects, and methods
▪ Demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles of structured programming allowing for
the design and implementation of simple and well-designed programs.
▪ Effectively use the debugging tools.
▪ Articulate the importance of modules in the development and maintenance of software
Course Synopsis
Introduction to classes, objects and methods; Variables, assignment statements, and built-in data types;
Expressions and statements; Control Statements: if, if-else; while and do while; for; switch, break and
continue; Logical operators; Increment and decrement operators; Arrays; Introduction to algorithms:
pseudo-code; counter-controlled repetition, sentinel-controlled repetition, nested control statements.
Input/ output statements and streams; Introduction to modularity, with emphasis on well-designed
functions / methods to facilitate debugging, maintainability and reuse of code.
3. Course Content
URL to Course materials, announcements, etc: http://www.cs.ub.bw/moodle
Below is a tentative schedule of lecture topics. The instructors reserve the right to adjust this schedule
for any reason, but will make every effort to advise students on any changes well in advance.
(i). Lecture Schedule
Week Details
1 Course Introduction
2 Introduction to algorithms:

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 a. pseudo-code; flow chart (counter-controlled repetition, sentinel-controlled repetition in
flow chart),
b. Nested control statements in flow charts and pseudo-codes.
2 Introduction - A walk through sample Java Program
3-4 Variables, assignment statements, and built-in data types
5 Expressions and statements;
6 Logical operators
7 Increment and decrement operators;
Test 1-TBA
8 MID SEMESTER BREAK
9-10 Input / output statements
10 Arrays.
11-12 Introduction to classes, objects and methods;
13 Test 2-TBA
15 REVISION
(ii). Lab Component
There will be a compulsory & assessed 2-hour lab every week where students will be solving problems.
4. Recommended Readings
(i) Main Textbook
1. Cay Horstmann, Java for Everyone, Wiley ISBN : 987-0-471-79191-1
2. Deitel & Deitel, Java: How to Program, Upper Saddle River: Pearson. [Latest edition]
(ii) NB: No single book will completely satisfy the needs of this course, hence any other book on
Java programming may be relevant for certain topics but not for others.
5. Assessment Criteria
• Exam carries 50% of course marks
• Continuous assessment carries 50%of course marks distributed as follows:
o Tests [20%]
o Labs [15%]
o Lab tests [15%]
Note: Exact Dates and Times for Tests and submissions will be announced on Moodle.
Academic Dishonesty
• The course will be subject to the university’s Academic Dishonesty Policy
• All reports will be subjected to SAFE Assign and other plagiarism tests.
• Reports with similarity rate of more than 10% will be awarded a zero.
NB: Course instructors reserves the right to deviate from course outline as necessary, and such
deviations will be communicated accordingly.

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