Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student knows the basics of C programming language and can write short programs using the C language.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 03.06.2019 - 31.08.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Jukka Manner, Pasi Sarolahti

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Pasi Sarolahti

Contact information for the course (valid 29.05.2019-21.12.2112):

The course personnel can be reached by email at elec-a7100@aalto.fi.

We will use Slack as the main communication channel during the course. If you have aalto.fi email address, you can join Slack here. Communication happens on #summer2019 channel. If you do not have aalto email, send email to above address, and we will invite you.

We will also use MyCourses for course announcements.

Available communication languages on the course are English and Finnish. Course material is available in English and Finnish.


CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Basic concepts of systems-level programming. Basics of the C programming language. Dynamic memory management and its application in common data structures. Basic use of programming and debugging tools for C. Small programming exercises in C.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course is divided into 10 modules that will take place from early June to early August. There will be weekly deadlines. In addition, there will be a small programming project and exam in August. The exam will be done using computer that has programming tools available.

    The ten modules are:

    1. Basics
    2. Input and Output
    3. Pointers and Arrays
    4. Strings
    5. Dynamic memory
    6. Structured data types
    7. Multidimensional arrays
    8. Binary operations
    9. I/O streams
    10. Advanced features

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Exercises and programming test.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The course grade will be a weighed average from the following:

    • Exercises (40%): max. 1000 points out of the ten modules (max. 100 points each), min. 500 points, at least seven modules must have 50 points or more
    • Programming project (30%): Graded on a scale from 0 to 10. At least 5 points required.
    • Exam (30%): max: 16 points, at least 8 points needed for accepted result.

    All three of the above components need to be passed at acceptable level. When computing the grade, a normalised sub grade between 0 and 5.5 will be calculated from each of the above three categories. The final grade will be weighed average of the three sub grades, rounded to nearest integer. The exact equation for calculating the grade is

    ((PointsE - 500) / 500 * 0,4 + (PointsP - 5) / 5 * 0,3 + (PointsT - 8) / 8 * 0,3) * 5 + 0,5

    where PointsE is exercise score, PointsP is the project score and PointsT is the result from programming test. The final grade is the above result rounded to nearest integer.


Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    4 h lectures

    assisted programming exercises with voluntary participation. There will be about 10 h of weekly exercise hours that can be taken as needed.

    120 h individual study

  • Applies in this implementation:

    There will be two 2-hour lectures.

    Each exercise round is estimated to require about 10 hours of work, based on online material and exercises.

    Programming project is estimated to require about 10 - 15 hours of work.

    Exam takes 3 hours + preparation. If you have done exercises actively, not much additional preparation is needed.


DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Study materials and exercises are available in the web. Study materials and exercises are available also in Finnish.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course materials and exercises are available in TIM system. Materials are available in English and Finnish.

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    ELEC-A1100, AS-0.101/AS-0.1101/AS-0.1103

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Basics in proramming (for example CS-A1111).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Modules and deadlines

    1. Basics, deadline 14.6.2019
    2. Input and Output, deadline 14.6.2019
    3. Pointers and Arrays, deadline 28.6.2019
    4. Strings, deadline 28.6.2019
    5. Dynamic memory, 5.7.2019
    6. Structured data types, 12.7.2019
    7. Multidimensional arrays, 19.7.2019
    8. Binary operations, 26.7.2019
    9. I/O streams, 2.8.2019
    10. Advanced features, 9.8.2019

    There will be no activity during the midsummer week (17.6. - 21.6.)

    Deadline for programming project: 23.8.2019

    Exams are on 27.8.2019