COMP4010 – Principles of Computer Programming

Portfolio Based Assessment

You are to produce a portfolio of work that demonstrates your understanding of the
programming concepts covered in this module. Your work should include example
programs (in any language you feel appropriate) and explanations of important
principles.

It is always difficult to judge how much effort to put into a portfolio and it can easily be
misjudged. To try and help in this area I would expect you to put around 30 hours of
effort into the portfolio itself but you may have to spend a similar amount of time
researching and working through examples before you tackle the various
worksheets.

The portfolio is to be separated into 3 distinct elements, one for each of the
worksheets listed below. You can cross reference parts of your portfolio to avoid
having to duplicate work.

The overall mark for the portfolio will be made up as follows:

• Worksheet 1 will contribute 25%
• Worksheet 2 will contribute 35%
• Worksheet 3 will contribute 40%

The whole portfolio contributes 65% to the module grade, the remaining 35%
will be contributed by the examination at the end of Semester 2.

Learning Outcomes:-

• analyse a given problem and develop a logical, generalised solution to the

problem
• code and test computer programs that meet a given specification

Grading Criteria
Each worksheet has three bands within a mark will be awarded. Failure to meet the
Bare requirements will result in a grade of <40% for that particular worksheet.

• Bare Requirements, which would get you a mark in the range of 40-50%
Typically work of this standard will meet the basic requirements of the
assignment or task but may have the occasional error or omission of detail.
• Good Work which would get you a mark in the range 50-70%
Typically, work of this grade will demonstrate a solid understanding of the
requirements of the assignment or task with no errors or omission of detail.
• Excellent work which would get you a mark of 70% or more.
Typically, work of this grade will demonstrate a deeper level of understanding.
e.g. evidence of being aware of alternatives and reflection/justification
regarding the choices made.

The guide for each worksheet (at the end of this document) tells you what you need
to do to achieve each grade band. It should be assumed that to achieve Good Work
you have to satisfy the requirements for Bare Requirements first. Similarly to get a
grade of Excellent Work you must satisfy Bare Requirements and Good Work
Requirements.
As a guide I would expect you to submit only one or two programs and a brief
explanation of the issues to achieve the Bare requirements. To achieve a grade of
Good Work I would expect you to be submitting 3-5 different programs, perhaps in
different languages, along with your discussion of the issues. To achieve Excellent
Work you do not necessarily have to submit more programs, just demonstrate a
deeper level of understanding. If you are unsure as to how much work to produce,
come and see me for advice and guidance.

Marks will be awarded based on the learning outcomes listed above, in the following
manner.

To obtain 40% (3rd Class):-

- Total marks across the worksheets that produce a weighted average mark
of 40% - 49.9%

To obtain 50% (Lower 2nd Class):-

- Total marks across the worksheets that produce a weighted average mark
of 50% - 59.9%

To obtain 60% (Upper 2nd Class):-

- Total marks across the worksheets that produce a weighted average mark
of 60% - 69.9%

To obtain 70% (1st Class):-

- Total marks across the worksheets that produce a weighted average mark
of 70% or greater

Please Note:
Any worksheet not handed in on or before the specified submission date will be
subject to the standard University late submission penalties for that portion of the
assignment marks.

Feedback, including an indication of the mark to be awarded, will be given on each of

the worksheet submissions to enable students to address problem areas and achieve
the best possible grade for their ability. There is no option to re-submit a worksheet –
the feedback is intended to improve your subsequent work.

Release Dates: Worksheet 1 Week of 19th October 2009

Worksheet 2 Week of 23rd November 2009
Worksheet 3 Week of 15th February 2010

Hand in Dates: Worksheet 1 Week of 23rd November 2009

Worksheet 2 Week of 15th February 2010
Worksheet 3 Week of 19th April 2010
Presentation of assignment work
Except where specifically stated in the assignment brief, assignment work submissions must be
word-processed with a footer comprising: your name; registration number; module code; date;
page number; and submitted in a single A4 plastic folder. The assessed work form should NOT be
stapled to the coursework.

The department cannot accept responsibility for lost assignments, so you must ensure that
you keep a complete copy of the work you hand in.

Submission of assignment work

The assignment work (including a completed Assessed Work Form which acts as your receipt)
must be placed in the Assignment Box outside the School Office in Bowscale, by the stated
deadline. Your submission will be recorded by administrative staff before collection by the module
tutor.

Late work
Work that is handed in after the designated deadline must also be submitted directly to the tutor.

Penalties for late submission

Except where an extension of the hand-in deadline date has been approved (using extenuating
circumstances forms), lateness penalties will be applied in accordance with University policy as
follows:

(Working) Days Late Penalty

1 - 10 maximum mark that can be achieved: 40%
more than 10 0% given

Extenuating circumstances
If you believe that there are circumstances that justify an extension of the hand-in deadline for
assignment work, you are required to use the Extenuating Circumstances forms (available from
Department Office). Extensions (to a maximum of 10 working days) are granted when there are
serious and exceptional factors outside your control. Everyday occurrences such as colds and hay
fever do not normally qualify for extensions. Where possible, requests for extensions should be
made before the hand-in date.

The department considers extenuating circumstances to be conditions that significantly impact on

your work. Typically these will cover more than one module. Requests for consideration of
extenuating circumstances in respect of assignment work submission, should be made using the
extenuating circumstances envelope. You are advised to speak to your Course Leader/pastoral
tutors prior to completing these envelopes. Whilst extenuating circumstances are being
considered, you are advised to inform relevant staff members, and continue with the
assignment.

You must submit your documented extenuating circumstances, in the official extenuating
circumstances envelope to the School Office as soon as possible. Extensions of up to 10 working
days can be granted in order that you can submit the current piece of assessed work. If the
circumstances are too serious to be resolved by such an extension, alternative arrangements
involving a different piece of work may be made.

Feedback
Feedback (which may be generic or oral) will be given to the class within 15 working days of the
assignment hand-in date. This may be done in the first 15 minutes of a lecture. This will be
followed by individual written feedback tying to the Learning Outcomes listed in the assignment
brief, together with any additional helpful feedback such as areas of strength and areas for
improvement.

Plagiarism
During the induction and via your student handbook, you were informed of the serious
consequences of using or attempting to use unfair means to enhance performance. This includes
plagiarism. The assignment submission sheet used for each assignment requires you to sign to
confirm that the work submitted is your own work and that any information and material used has
been properly identified and acknowledged.

The University operates an electronic plagiarism detection service where your work may be
uploaded, stored and cross-referenced against other material. The software searches the World
Wide Web and extensive databases of reference material to identify duplication.

For detailed information on the procedures relating to plagiarism, please see the current version of
the University Academic Regulations.

Reassessment and Revision

Reassessment in written examinations and coursework is at the discretion of the Course
Assessment Board and is dealt with strictly in accordance with University policy and procedures.
Revision classes for referrals will take place during ‘reassessment revision, appeals and guidance
week’ as marked on the academic calendar.

The mark for the reassessed module is subject to a maximum of 40%.

The Worksheets

Worksheet 1 – Programming Principles

• Bare Requirements
◦ ability to define, assign and work with variables of different data types
◦ demonstrate usage of selection statements such as if..then..else
• Good Work :- as above plus
• evidence of using different programming languages or variations on a language and a
discussion of the different ways that variables are handled
• use of nested if..then..else or use of select and a discussion of reasons
• Excellent work :- as above plus
◦ exploration of issues with variables
◦ limits of their storage capacity
◦ data type conversion problems
◦ use of selection statements in different languages or complicated logical constructions

Worksheet 2 – Loops, Functions and Procedures

• Bare Requirements
◦ use of loops to control program operation
◦ use of functions or procedures
• Good Work :- as above plus
◦ use of nested loops
◦ use of functions / procedures with parameter passing
• Excellent Work :- as above plus
◦ comparison of loops in different languages
◦ exploration of issues when passing complex data types between functions

Worksheet 3 – Using Data Sources with Structures or Objects

• Bare Requirements
◦ definition and use of UDT or Object
◦ reading stored data from a file
• Good Work :- as above plus
◦ comparison of benefits over simpler programming methods
◦ writing data back to files after it has been manipulated
• Excellent Work :- as above plus
◦ use of different programming languages
◦ either using several data files or linking to a database management system