Course Information
Description
This course is intended for students with no programming experience. Topics include basic object construction, the compiling process, general formatting requirements, primitive types, assignments, expressions, logic constructs with if blocks, loops, methods, primitive arrays, arrays of objects, text input and output, a binary search algorithm, and testing and debugging.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
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Use basic Java syntax and structureAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaExplain the fundamental components of a Java program, including input, processing, and outputUtilize correct Java syntax, including braces {}, semicolons ;, and assignment statements
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Work with data types, variables, and expressionsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaDeclare, initialize, and manipulate variables of different data types (int, double, char, String, boolean)Perform arithmetic and logical operations, including integer division, floating-point operations, and type castingUtilize constants and apply appropriate variable naming conventions
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Implement control flow with branching and loopsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaConstruct and evaluate if, if-else, and switch statements for decision-makingUtilize relational (==, !=, , =) and logical (&&, ||, !) operators effectivelyImplement loops (for, while, and do-while) to handle repetitive tasks and process input dynamically
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Utilize methods for modular programmingAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaDefine and call methods with parameters and return valuesExplain scope of variables in methodsUse built-in Java methods such as those in the Math and String classes
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Work with strings and charactersAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaProcess string input using Scanner methods like next() and nextLine()Apply string manipulation methods (charAt(), substring(), indexOf(), replace(), equals(), compareTo())Use character operations such as isLetter(), isDigit(), and escape sequences
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Perform basic array operationsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaDeclare, initialize, and manipulate one-dimensional and two-dimensional arraysIterate over arrays using loops and the enhanced for-loopPerform array operations such as searching and modifying elements
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Work with object-oriented programming conceptsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaConstruct objects using constructors and the new operatorCall instance methods and explain the distinction between an object and its reference variableRead and interpret Java API documentation to use built-in classes effectively
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Apply debugging and error handling techniquesAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaIdentify and correct syntax, runtime, and logic errorsUse debugging techniques such as print statements and tracing program executionFollow Java style guidelines for writing readable and maintainable code
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Perform file input and output operationsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaRead from and write to text files using Java’s file handling classesImplement error handlingFiles are closed after operations are complete
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Apply fundamental problem-solving skillsAssessment StrategiesSkill demonstration, self-assessment, and/or examCriteriaDevelop algorithms to solve real-world problemsBreak complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks using structured programmingImplement and test solutions using incremental development and debugging strategies