Faculty of Information Technology
FIT1008 Introduction to computer science is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units, leading on to 3 units in all. Students rate it 4.0 out of 5 from 1 review and call it hard.
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
Solid introduction to data structures and complexity. The content is genuinely useful for interviews later on. Assignment specs were a bit long and some marking felt strict on edge cases, so read the rubric carefully and write your own tests.
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
2 units list FIT1008 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Prerequisites: ((One of FIT1040, ECE2071, FIT1002) and FIT1029) or FIT1045 or FIT1053
Students beginning FIT1008 are assumed to be able to: Identify the main components of an algorithm (variables, operators, expressions, etc), and write the algorithm associated to the specification of a simple problem. Be able to translate a simple algorithm into a program containing variable declarations, selection, repetition, and lists and/or arrays.
Prohibitions: FIT1015, FIT1054, FIT2085
This unit introduces students to core problem-solving, analytical skills, and methodologies useful for developing flexible, robust, and maintainable software. In doing this it covers a range of conceptual levels, from high-level algorithms and data-structures, down to the machine models and simple assembly language programming. Topics include data types; data structures; algorithms; algorithmic complexity; recursion; and translation to assembly language.
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| October 12 week teaching period | Clayton | On campus |
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
Translate simple problem statements into algorithms, implement them in a high level programming language and test them;
Summarise and compare the properties of basic abstract data types such as stacks, queues, lists, trees, priority queues, heaps and hash tables;
Evaluate different algorithms and implementations of basic abstract data types;
Analyse algorithms by determining their best case and worst case big O time complexity;
Deconstruct simple high-level code into assembly code such as MIPS R20
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.
1. MIPS Assembly Language Programming, Author: Britton
2. Problem-Solving with algorithms and data structures using Python, Authors: Miller & Ranum
[also freely available online under CC license: https://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/pythonds/index.html]
3. Data Structures & Algorithms in Python, Authors: Goodrich, Tamassia & Goldwasser
Python 3: This will be our programming language. Please make sure you get at least version 3.3 - https://www.python.org/downloads/
PyCharm : A good Python IDE. http://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
MARS (MIPS Assembler and Runtime Simulator): An IDE for MIPS Assembly Language Programming. http://courses.missouristate.edu/kenvollmar/mars/
FIT1008 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2021 handbook.
FIT1008 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
FIT1008 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including FIT2102 and FIT4042. Those lead on to 3 units in all.
In 2021, FIT1008 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.
Students who took it rate it hard to do well in and heavy on workload (1 rating). The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester.
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
FIT1008 is part of Computational science and Computer science.
It is rated 4.0 out of 5 from 1 review. Read the reviews above or add your own.