Object Oriented Programming

Specialisation Syllabus
Document version 1.0

Specialisation description
There are several programming paradigms in computer science. One of the most
important, especially when creating large software projects, is object-oriented
programming, or OOP. OOP allows the integration of data and processes on that data
into discrete software modules. Learning about OOP will allow you to develop more
modularised, more complex software designs. It will also let you understand better how
many existing software libraries and systems have been designed.

There are also several programming languages such as Javascript, Python, Java and so
on. Many languages support OOP. In this specialisation we have chosen the C++
language as our object-oriented language. C++ is a popular language which enables the
development of a range of software, from low level operating system components through
to high performance graphical programs. With C++, you can build any program you want
and it will run fast!

This specialisation consists of five courses aiming to help you to become confident
working in the object-oriented paradigm in the C++ language. During the five courses,
you will work with the instructor on a single project: a crypto-currency exchange platform.
Whilst building the project, you will learn about a range of programming techniques from
basic control flow and input/output through to file parsing, object-oriented techniques and
user interaction in the console.

Specialisation learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Specialisation, you will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the key principles of object-oriented programming

2. Choose appropriate basic data types to represent different data
3. Write classes with data and functions that model discrete elements of programs
4. Describe the components of an integrated development environment (IDE) and
use an IDE to write, build and run programs in the C++ language
5. Use control flow, classes and input/output to construct interactive programs and
algorithms of moderate complexity
Specialisation outline
The Specialisation consists of 5 courses, each of which spans two weeks.

Key concepts:

Course 1 • C++ edit, compile and run cycle

• Text I/O
• Functions
In this first course, you will get
started with C++ by writing, Learning outcomes:
building and running your first
program. You will then learn about • Write, compile and run a C++ program
text input/output, if statements and that prints messages to the console
loops by building an interactive • Use the standard library to do text I/O in
menu system for the crypto-
the console
currency exchange platform.
• Use a while loop to repeatedly receive
and respond to user input
• Write and call simple functions

Key concepts:

Course 2- This course • Basic data types: numbers and string

• Classes and data
• Classes and functions
Using classes and variables to
model data: the OrderBookEntry Learning outcomes:
class, part 1
• Select appropriate data types to
represent a dataset in a C++ program
• Describe how a class can be used to
combine multiple pieces of data into one
unit
• Write a class with functions

Key concepts:

Course 3 • Translating pseudocode to C++

• Exception handling
• File I/O
File I/O, exception handling and Learning outcomes:
algorithms: the CSVReader class,
part 1 • Convert pseudocode algorithms involving
iteration, logic and string processing into
working C++ code
• Use exception handling to gracefully
recover when processing unreliable data
Read text data from a file using the getline
function

Key concepts:

Course 4 • Iterating over vectors

• Exception handling

Writing and testing an algorithm:

taking orders and the order Learning outcomes:
matching engine, part 1
• Write functions that calculate basic
statistics by iterating over vectors of
objects
• Use test data to evaluate the correctness
of an algorithm
• Use exception handling to write robust
user input processing code

Key concepts:

Course 5 • Object interactions

• Modelling real world items with classes
• Static and non-static functions
Object interactions: the wallet class
Learning outcomes:

• Use object interactions to achieve

complex functionality through a simple
command sequence
• Explain how to model a familiar real-world
entity as a class with data and functions
Decide when it is appropriate to use static or
non-static functions
Activities in the specialisation

The course is comprised of the following elements:

• Lecture videos. In each course, you will find a sequence of videos in which the
example programs for the course are coded up. Further videos review the key
programming techniques seen in the coding videos.
• Readings. Each course may include several suggested readings. These are a
core part of your learning, and, together with the videos, will cover all of the
concepts you need for this module.
• Practice Quizzes. Each course will include practice quizzes, intended for you to
assess your understanding of the topics. You will be allowed unlimited attempts
at each practice quiz. There is no time limit on how long you take to complete
each attempt at the quiz. These quizzes do not contribute toward your final score
in the class.
• Programming Activities. Each course includes programming activity worksheets.
These take you through the steps you have seen in the videos, and provide code
excerpts. They also contain challenges activities which challenge you develop
the program beyond the functionality seen in the lecture videos.
• Code. Each course includes the C++ code written in the videos. You can use this
in combination with the worksheets to ensure you have the correct code.
• Discussion Prompts. Each course includes discussion prompts. You will see the
discussion prompt alongside other items in the lesson. Each prompt provides a
space for you to respond. After responding, you can see and comment on your
peers' responses. All prompts and responses are also accessible from the
general discussion forum and the module discussion forum.
• Assessed coursework. There are two assessed activities for each course, at the
end of week 1 and at the end of the course. They consist of a peer review
assignment and a final summative quiz
How to pass this speciailisation
Each course has two major assessments each worth 50% of your grade:

• Peer review. This consists of a programming task that you need to submit for
other peers to evaluate. You will also need to provide feedback for other 3 peers.
• End of course summative quiz. This consists of a summative quiz.

Activity Required Deadlin Estimated % of final

? e week time per grade
course

Peer review Yes End of 2 hours 50%

week 1

End of course Yes End of 1 hours 50%

summative week 2
quiz

Specialisation Readings

There are no specific textbooks for this Specialisation that you need to read to
successfully obtain your certification. Instead, there are reading activities written by the
course author, some of which involve coding exercises.
The specific URL links for the reading activities will be given in the platform, and there is
no need to read beyond to recommended pages.

There will also be discussion prompts asking you to do some independent research
using online sources.