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COMP20080

Academic Year 2026/2027

Computer Science for Engineers II (COMP20080)

Subject:
Computer Science
College:
Science
School:
Computer Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Changhong Jin
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The overarching goal of this module is to equip students to program in C++ and to develop/modify medium-sized C++ software. The module will alternate between lectures and practicals. During the lectures, the students will learn C++ constructs, and during the practicals, they will be asked to incrementally modify a software project.

Students are permitted to use generative AI tools for part of the assignments, as indicated in the assignment specification.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1. Solve simple problems with object-oriented programming using C++
2. Incrementally modify/refactor software to implement new functionalities using C++ constructs
3. Automatically generate, understand, and modify code that uses unknown and contemporary C++ constructs
4. Implement basic user interfaces
5. Work with basic usage of version control (GIT)

Indicative Module Content:

The topics covered will be (subject to change):

- C++ basics;
- Pointers and References;
- Object-Oriented Programming using C++;
- I/O Stream;
- Static and Friend classes;
- Inheritance and polymorphism;
- Standard Library;
- Templates;
- GUI development in C++;
- UML and Software Design.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Lectures

24
Practical

24
Total

118

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course will consist of lectures and practicals. During the lectures, the students will learn programming concepts and constructs. During the practicals, the students will work to incrementally modify software provided by the lecturer, so that they can apply the constructs and concepts learned during the lectures. During the first weeks, modifications will be more constrained, while later students will have the freedom to implement more features to produce a complete working software. Students will be assessed on the software produced and on individual contributions. Constructive feedback will be provided by the demonstrators during the practicals.

AI is not recommended, but it may be used for more advanced code modifications.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

All Stage 1 and 2 Computer Science programming modules.

Learning Recommendations:

Students should have knowledge of basic C programming. They should have already taken an introductory computer programming course, such as COMP10060, or equivalent.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
COMP10010 - Introduction to Programming I, COMP10020 - Introduction to Programming II, COMP10110 - Computer Programming I, COMP10120 - Computer Programming II, MIS10080 - Programming for Bus Analytics, MIS20050 - Prog for Bus Analytics II, MIS20080 - Introduction to Programming, MIS30110 - Computation Modelling for Bus


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): In-person written test. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
45
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In-class, in-person written test. Week 4, Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
55
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Cormac Murray Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 9 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
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