Faculty of Information Technology
FIT1045 Software development 1: Programming foundations is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, Malaysia and Indonesia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 34 units, leading on to 143 units in all. Students rate it 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews and call it moderate.
This is a very fun unit and I believe the concepts taught are presented and explained well in the FIT1045 Field Guide. I achieved a Distinction, but it took me a lot of work weekly, so given the portfolio basis of grading I can only imagine how much work an HD would take.
A really good first programming unit. The weekly labs build on each other, so if you keep up it never feels overwhelming. Start the assignments early and use the consultation hours, the tutors are happy to walk through your code.
No prerequisites or corequisites.
34 units list FIT1045 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Programming is not just about writing code; it is about learning how to turn ideas and problems into clear, reliable instructions that a computer can execute. This unit introduces programming through computational thinking, algorithm design, and structured program development, helping you build the foundations needed to design, explain, implement and improve small programs.
You will learn core programming concepts including data representation, variables, control flow, arrays, functions, modularity, built-in and custom types, and the use of basic libraries. Through hands-on programming activities, you will practise designing program structures, communicating algorithms, testing and debugging code, and understanding how programs execute within computing environments. The unit emphasises good programming practice, readable code, structured problem solving, and the development of confidence through creation, exploration and reflection.
You will also learn to engage responsibly with AI-enabled learning and coding tools as part of modern programming practice. This includes using AI tools to support learning and development while checking their outputs, acknowledging their contributions, and continuing to build your own independent programming capability.
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| Monash Indonesia semester 1 | Indonesia | Blended |
| Monash Indonesia semester 2 | Indonesia | Blended |
| October intake teaching period, Malaysia campus | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
Use systems thinking to design and explain how a program is structured and functions, including the organisation of data, functionality, control flow, program state, scope, data relationships and execution;
Implement programs using sequence, selection and iteration, arrays, functions, object-based or custom types, libraries, development environments and command-line compilers, and explain how the resulting code works;
Demonstrate hand execution of code to explain how the computer evaluates instructions, follows control flow, uses memory, and changes program state during execution;
Apply disciplined coding practices to develop, test, debug, document and improve readable, maintainable and well-structured programs;
Plan, monitor and reflect on your learning with focus, care and attention to detail, using AI-enabled learning tools responsibly to support understanding, check explanations, strengthen terminology, and build independent programming capability.
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 teaching activities.
Programmer's Field Guide: https://programmers.guide
Additional Python language support:
The Python Tutorial: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html
Foundations of Python Programming: https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/fopp/index.html
FIT1045 is part of 6 areas of study in the 2027 handbook.
FIT1045 has no prerequisites.
FIT1045 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 34 units, including ECE2191, FIT1061, FIT1066, FIT2002, FIT2086 and FIT2094. Those lead on to 143 units in all.
In 2027, FIT1045 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Students who took it rate it moderate to do well in and heavy on workload (2 ratings). The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester.
No. FIT1045 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.
FIT1045 is part of Business analytics, Computer science, Mobile apps development, Software development and Web development.
It is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews, and 2 students of 2 gave it 4 or 5 stars. Read the reviews above or add your own.