Fundamentals of Java
This course introduces jobseekers to
programming using the Java language. It
has been specifically developed by Dublin
Institute of Technology for the ICT Ireland
Skillnet. It uses the core content from the
MSc in Applied Software Technology to
explain the concepts of programming
using the Java technology stack and give
participants a practical introduction to the
Java landscape.
This is an intensive course for those
wishing to gain a good basic knowledge of
the Java programming language. Java is
the primary language of software
programming throughout the industry.
Job seekers equipped with this building
block will be very well placed to compete
for a variety of available positions across
the sector.
Target Participants
The Fundamentals of Java course is aimed
at beginners to programming who wish to
learn the Java language. These will be
jobseekers and for the most part will be
graduates of engineering and science
related subjects who are interested in
making the transition to working in the
ICT sector. Candidates will be likely to
have an aptitude for mathematics or
science and an aptitude for and interest in
ICT technologies. They will be interested
in converting to work in the IT sector, be
enthusiastic team players, organised and
self motivated, and be capable of effective
prioritisation. The course will also benefit
unemployed participants wishing to begin
their study towards the Oracle Certified
Java Associate Exam (OCJA), being aimed
at those who wish to begin learning Java
practically and at a steady pace.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course participants should
be able to:
• Understand the Java technology stack
• Understand the Java programming
language
• Understand the Java product lifecycle
• Understand object-oriented concepts
in Java
• Use the Java language and how to
create Java applications
The participant will practice:
• Object-oriented analysis
• Basic programming techniques
• Using classes and methods
• Using variables
• Using operators and loop constructs
• Using encapsulation and constructors
Certification
Satisfactory completion of the course will lead
to the award of a Certificate in Java
Fundamentals by DIT which will recognise a
grade based on a written examination and
continuous assessment. This will be a
Continuing Professional Development Award
at Level 7 of the NFQI and will attract 5 ECTS
credits. Note this is not the Oracle Certified
Java Associate qualification but will help
participants to prepare for that qualification.
College Status
Participants will be fully registered students of
DIT and able to avail of all the College facilities
including use of the Library.
Course Content
Course Introduction
• Administration and Course Materials
• Course Structure and Agenda
• Participant and Trainer Introductions
Session 1: JAVA TECHNOLOGY PRIMER
• Key Concepts of the Java Language
• Java Technology Landscape
• Understanding the Product Lifecycle
• Setup the Java SE Development Kit
Session 2: PACKAGE, COMPILE, INTERPRET
• Understanding Packages
• Understanding Package-Derived
Classes
• Compiling Interpreting Java Code
Session 3: DEVELOPING AND TESTING A JAVA
PROGRAM
• Creating Classes
• Compile and Run Command Line
Programs
• Run Applications using the Main
Method
• Moving from Procedural to Object
Oriented Java
Session 4: PROGRAMMING WITH JAVA
STATEMENTS
• Assignments
• Conditional Statements
• Algorithms and Pseudo-Code
Session 5: JAVA OPERATORS AND STRINGS
• Assignment Operators
• Arithmetic Operators
• Relational Operators
• Logical Operators
• String Objects and Methods
Session 6: UNDERSTANDING METHODS
• Declare and Invoke Methods
• Methods with Return Types
• Overloading Methods
• Overriding Methods
• Method Outputs
Session 7: BASIC CLASSES AND VARIABLES
• Understand Primitives
• Primitive Wrapper Classes
• Understand Enumerations
Session 8: VARIABLE SCOPE AND CLASS
CONSTRUCTION
• Local Variables
• Method Variables
• Instance Variables
Session 9: DECLARE, INITIALIZE AND USE
VARIABLES
• Understand Variable Syntax
• Use Java Primitive Variables
• Declare, Initialise and Utilise Variables
and Constants
• Adhere to Coding Standards
• Use of Java Operators
• Type Casting and Promotion
Session 10: LOOP CONSTRUCTS
• Create and Use While Loops
• Create and Use For Loops Including
For/Each Syntax
• Create and Use Do/While Loops
Session 11: CREATE AND USE OBJECTS
• Declare, Instantiate, and Initialize
Object Variables
• Understanding Java Objects
• Understanding Java Enumerations
• Strong Typing
Session 12: USING ARRAYS
• Building One-Dimensional Arrays
• Setting Array Values and Looping
Through Arrays
• Array Methods and Properties
• Building Two-Dimensional Arrays
• Array Examples
Session 13: CLASSES AND RELATIONSHIPS
• Class Compositions and Association
• Class Relationships
• Multiplicities
• Examples of Classes and
Relationships
Session 14: ENCAPSULATION AND
CONSTRUCTORS
• Data Protection Through Encapsulation
• Access Modifiers
• Object Initialisation with Constructors
Session 15: UML TO REPRESENT OBJECT-
ORIENTED CONCEPTS
• Class, Abstract Class and Interface
Diagrams
• Attributes and Operations
• Create Basic UML Diagrams
• Recognise UML Associations

www.ictirelandskillnet.org

Important Information: The Programme is only open to Irish or EEA nationals who are graduates and are
unemployed, though they need not be in receipt of any social welfare payment. Participation in this
programme is subject to a selection process and based on criteria which are available on request. ICT Ireland
Skillnet has sole discretion and is the final arbiter on who will participate. Making an application is not a
guarantee of selection. Applications are treated in strictest confidence. Applicants accept that no feedback will
be provided to them, or any other party regarding the selection process, nor will applicants be provided with
any reason for their non-selection. DSP Code: SKN-A

This programme is funded by Skillnets Ltd under the Jobseekers Support Programme, with funds from the National Training
Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.