Module Title:Computer Applications
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In No Programmes
Teaching & Learning Strategies: A combination of lectures using powerpoints, demonstrations, practical assignments, and a programming project will be used.
Module Aim: To give students an understanding of the concepts of programming, problem solving and programming logic, as well as the design techniques of an event-driven language.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of the program development cycle and the fundamental building blocks of programming languages: Data types, decisions, sequence, selection and repetition
LO2 Load, run and debug a project in the Visual Basic Integrated Development Environment
LO3 Code a Windows application by creating event driven and general procedures
LO4 Create graphics and animations within a form
LO5 Given a brief, design and code the forms to create an application that runs under Windows
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to Visual Basic
Understand general computer terminology and operate the college network. Navigate The Windows Operating system and Visual Basic Environment. Describe the process of visual program design and development. Explain the term event-driven programming. Explain the concepts of objects, properties, and methods. List and describe the three steps for writing a Visual Basic project. Describe the various files that make up a Visual Basic project. Identify the elements in the Visual Basic environment. Define design time, run time, and break time. Write, run, save, print, and modify your first Visual Basic project. Identify compile errors, run-time errors, and logic errors. Look up Visual Basic topics in Help
Controls
Use text boxes, frames, check boxes, option buttons, images, shapes, and lines effectively. Set the Appearance property to make controls appear flat or three-dimensional. Select multiple controls and move them, align them, and set common properties. Make your projects easy for the user to understand and operate by defining access keys, setting a default and a cancel button, controlling the tab sequence, resetting the focus during program execution, and causing ToolTips to appear. Clear the contents of text boxes and labels. Change font attributes, such as bold, italic, underline, size, and colour, during program execution. Code multiple statements for one control using the With and End With statements. Concatenate (join) strings of text. Make a control visible or invisible by setting its Visible property
Variables, Constants and Calculations
Distinguish between variables, constants, and controls. Differentiate among the various data types. Apply naming conventions incorporating standards and indicating scope and data type. Declare variables using the Dim statement. Select the appropriate scope for a variable. Convert text input to numeric values using the Val function. Perform calculations using variables and constants. Format values for output using the formatting functions. Accumulate sums and generate counts. Format data for output. Modify the environment to require Option Explicit.
Decisions and Conditions
Use block Ifs to control the flow of logic. Understand and use nested Ifs. Read and create flowcharts indicating the logic in a selection process. Evaluate conditions using the relational operators. Combine conditions using And and Or. Test the Value property of option buttons and check boxes. Perform validation on numeric fields. Call event procedures from other procedures. Create message boxes to display error conditions. Apply the message box constants. Debug projects using breakpoints, stepping program execution, and displaying intermediate results.
Menus, Sub Procedures and Sub Functions
Create menus and submenus for program control Display and use the Windows common dialog boxes. Write reusable code in sub procedures and function procedures and call the procedures from other locations. Create an executable file that can be run from the Windows environment
Graphics
Understand the graphics coordinate system. Create graphics using graphics methods to create lines, rectangles, circles and segments. Use of the Timer control to create simple animations.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment60.00%
Practical40.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Other Students will sit a final practical examination at the end of the module. 1,2,3,4,5 60.00 n/a
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation The student will complete a number of practical assignments during the module . 1,2,3,4,5 40.00 Sem 1 End
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Independent Learning Every Week 1.00
Practicals Every Week 1.00
Total Hours 2.00