FIT9131 Programming foundations in Java
Faculty of Information Technology
FIT9131 Programming foundations in Java is a level 9, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units, leading on to 26 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 45%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FIT9131
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After FIT9131
7 units list FIT9131 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
- FIT5003Software securityNo reviews yet
- FIT5047Fundamentals of artificial intelligenceNo reviews yet
- FIT5136Software engineeringNo reviews yet
- FIT5145Foundations of data scienceNo reviews yet
- FIT5171System validation and verification, quality and standardsNo reviews yet
- FIT5197Statistical data modellingNo reviews yet
- FIT5225Cloud computing and securityNo reviews yet
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit aims to provide you with the basic concepts involved in the development of well structured software using a programming language. It concentrates on the development of problem solving skills applicable to all stages of the development process. You gain experience with the translation of a problem specification into a program design, and the implementation of that design into a programming language. The unit introduces software engineering topics such as maintainability, readability, testing, documentation, modularisation, and reasoning about correctness of programs. You are expected to read and understand existing code as well as develop new code.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly quizzesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Assignment AWrittenThreshold hurdle10%
- Assignment BWrittenThreshold hurdle35%
- Mid Semester TestExaminationThreshold hurdle20%
- Scheduled final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle25%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Design and construct Java programs according to standard object-oriented principles;
- 2
Apply and demonstrate debugging processes to Java applications;
- 3
Develop strategies for efficient and effective program testing;
- 4
Document code according to specific programming standards;
- 5
Identify and apply the "object-oriented" concepts of encapsulation, abstraction and polymorphism;
- 6
Explain and apply software engineering principles of maintainability, readability and modularisation.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Applied sessions36 hours
- Applied sessions24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
This unit has a requirement of 1-2 hours per week of asynchronous learning.
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.
Learning resources
Required resources
Barnes and Kolling. (2016). Objects First with Java . (6th Edition) Prentice Hall.
Technology resources
Java software is freely available to download from the Sun website at http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/
BlueJ is also freely available to download from the BlueJ site at http://www.bluej.org/ You will be given instructions on how to use this in your first tutorial. You are expected to work in the BlueJ development environment.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Judithe Sheard
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FIT9131?
FIT9131 has no prerequisites.
What can I take after FIT9131?
FIT9131 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including FIT5003, FIT5047, FIT5136, FIT5145, FIT5171 and FIT5197. Those lead on to 26 units in all.
When is FIT9131 offered?
In 2026, FIT9131 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is FIT9131?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FIT9131 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 45% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.