CSIQ 1614

Programming and Problem

Solving: Part 1

NQF level: 6

Credits: 16

Computer Science and

Informatics

Compiled by: Mr. T. Lesesa &

Mr. R. Dlamini [2026]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Welcoming.......................................................................................................................5
2. Module Objective ............................................................................................................6
3. Module Outcomes...........................................................................................................6
4. Prerequisites ...................................................................................................................6
5. Credits and Notional Learning Hours ...........................................................................7
6. Module Calendar .............................................................................................................7
7. Study Material .................................................................................................................8
8. Assessment.....................................................................................................................9
8.1 Assessment Breakdown........................................................................................9
8.2 Promotion ...............................................................................................................9
8.3 Practicals and Assignments ...............................................................................10
8.4 Calculation of the Final Mark ..............................................................................10
8.5 Passing the Module .............................................................................................11
9. Updating of Module Information and Resources.......................................................11
10. Departmental Rules ......................................................................................................11
10.1 Computer Laboratories .......................................................................................11
10.2 Copying, Collaboration and Plagiarism .............................................................12
10.3 Level of Offences .................................................................................................12

Table 1: Icon Library ..............................................................................................................2

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Table 1: Icon Library

Icon Description

Welcoming message and lecturer information

Module objective

Module outcomes

Action words, terms and concepts that need to be understood

Activities and resources made available on Blackboard

Prerequisites of the module

Credits and notional hours relevant to the module

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Face-to-face contact sessions

Activities to be completed individually (preparation). You may still ask for

feedback from your tutor or lecturer when you encounter aspects that
you have difficulty with

A quiz – usually made available for self-assessment on Blackboard

Unit-specific content for the module

The resources to be consulted (such as the textbook, additional reading

material, etc.)

The roadmap that contextualises (puts into perspective) the different

pieces of information in the module

An important reminder/caution from your lecturer

Assessment questions and opportunities

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Unit-specific assessment criteria

A learning unit

Learning unit outcomes for a specific unit

Purpose of the learning unit

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 1. WELCOMING

Dear student,

Welcome to CSIQ1614, Programming and Problem solving! I am Mr. T. Lesesa, working

together with Mr. R. Dlamini, together we are responsible for teaching this module. Here is all
the information that you will need to contact us, as well as other relevant staff in the Computer
Science and Informatics.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Head of Department: Dr. MB Mase

Office number: B2015

Email address: MaseMB@[Link]

Phone number: 058 718 5089

Consulting hours: By Appointment

LECTURER

Lecturer: Mr. T Lesesa

Office number: B2014

Email address: lesesat@[Link]

Phone number: 058 718 5235

Consulting hours: Monday 09:00 – 10:00, Wednesday 09:00 – 10:00, Thursday 09:00 – 10:00

FACILITATOR

Facilitator: Mr. R Dlamini

Office number: B2005

Email address: DlaminiSR@[Link]

Consulting hours: Monday 09:00 – 10:00, Wednesday 09:00 – 10:00, Thursday 09:00 –10:00

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 SUPPORT STAFF (e.g. SECRETARY / TEACHING ASSISTANT)

Secretary: Ms. PJ Van der Merwe

Office number: B2016

Email address: vdmerwepj@[Link]

Phone number: 058 718 5121

2. MODULE OBJECTIVE

In this section I will provide you with a short overview of what will be expected from you to be
successful in your learning in this module.

The aim of CSIQ1614 is to enable the learner to be competent in programming, and applying
problem solving skills in an object oriented, visual, high level programming environment.

This module deals with the professional implementation of computerised solutions in an

object-oriented, high-level programming environment. The module provides an introduction to
problem solving, algorithms, classes, objects, properties and methods. Control structures, e.g.
selection and iteration, and input and output are also covered.

3. MODULE OUTCOMES

After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Explain the basic principles of object oriented programming, i.e. classes, objects,
properties and methods;
• Describe basic control structures; and
• Solve problems in an object-oriented, high-level programming environment.

4. PREREQUISITES

• There are no perquisites

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 5. CREDITS AND NOTIONAL LEARNING HOURS

‘Notional learning hours’ indicate the amount of learning time taken by the ‘average’ student
to achieve the specified learning outcomes of the course unit or programme. This includes all
learning relevant to achieving the learning outcomes, e.g., directed study, essential practical
work, group work, private study, preparation and assessment.

This module has 16 credits, requiring 160 notional learning hours from students.

6. MODULE CALENDAR

The module stretches over a 15 week period, during which the following programme will be
followed:
Week Month Dates Description
1 February 09 - 13 2 Lectures + 0 Practical
2 February 16 - 20 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
3 February 23 - 27 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
4 March 02 - 06 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
5 March 09 - 13 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
2 Lectures + 1 Practical
6 March 16 - 20 st
1 Module Test: 26 March
7 March 23 - 27 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
Recess: 30 March – 07 April
8 April 08 - 10 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
9 April 13 - 17 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
10 April 20 - 24 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
2 Lectures + 1 Practical
11 Apr/May 27 - 01 Freedom Day: 27 April
Workers Day: 01 May
12 May 04 - 08 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
13 May 11 - 15 2 Lectures + 1 Practical
2 Lectures + 1 Practical
14 May 18 - 22
2nd Module Test: 14 May
Aegrotat Assessment: 21 May
15 May 25 - 29
Semester Marks: 29 May

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 June 01 - 20 Main mid-year examinations
Exam
June 22 - 27 Additional mid-year examinations

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that he/she receives all the information in
connection with this module provided during the theoretical session and practical session. This
information will be made available on Blackboard, on the notice boards of the Computer
Science and Informatics, and in the faculty yearbook. Attendance of all theoretical and
practical sessions are compulsory. Please note that only registered students will be allowed
to attend the CSIQ1614 contact sessions.

7. STUDY MATERIAL

• The prescribed textbook in this module is: C# Programming, From Problem Analysis to
Program Design, 4th edition.

• The additional text-book is: Fundamentals of Computer Programming with C#.

• Other addition to the textbook, other study material will be used as part of the teaching
and learning in this module. This material and activities will be made available on
Blackboard throughout the semester. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that
he/she obtains and prepares all study material in time.

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 8. ASSESSMENT

8.1 ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Your module mark (predicate) will be calculated as follows:

ASSESSMENT TYPE CONTRIBUTION TO DATE & VANUE

MODULE MARK
Main Test 1 40% Theory + 60% 30% 26 March (14:10 – 17:00 –
Practical B2018 and B2011)
Main Test 2 40% Theory + 60% 30% 14 May (14:10 – 17:00 –
Practical B2018 and B2011)
Aegrotat 40% Theory + 60% 21 May (14:10 – 17:00 –
Assessment Practical B2018)
Practical
Practical 30% Weekly
Tests
Worksheets Practical 10% TBC

The following minimum requirements must be satisfied to be successful in the module,

• You must write BOTH Main Tests, and

• You must submit ALL FOUR practical assignments.

8.2 PROMOTION

This is not a promotion module. All students must write the examination.

Only students with a module mark of 45% or higher will be allowed access to the exam. Your
module mark and exam mark will each contribute 50% to the calculation of your final mark for
the module.

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8.3 PRACTICALS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will receive four (6) compulsory practicals and (4) compulsory assignments in the
theory class and both will also be published on Blackboard. These practicals and assignments
must be submitted on Blackboard, on or before the due date/time. Remember that the due
date/time is the latest date/time by which the assignments should reach the lecturer – students
are welcome to submit any assignment before the due date/time.

Unless an extension has been sought and granted, late assignments will be penalised when
marking. Late assignments will be penalised with -20% per calendar day or part of a day for
each of the first two (2) days after the due date (i.e. a penalty of -40%). The third (3) day there
will be a further penalty of -60% (i.e. maximum mark of 0%). Thus it is in your interest to
complete the assignment at least a day or two earlier than the due date.

All assignments must be done individually and not as a group. Students are not allowed to
submit the same/similar assignment/project as a fellow student(s) OR an assignment/project
that was previously submitted by another student for the same/different course. Therefore,
any assessable material submitted by a student must be his/he own work. Practical
assignments/projects copied by other students will not be accepted at all. All parties involved
will receive zero (0) and will result in CSIQ1614 being indicated as incomplete next to your
student number. NO excuses will be accepted. Make sure that you keep your assignment
safe from other students.

More detailed assignment information will be made available on Blackboard throughout the
semester. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she takes note of all the
information and aligns him/herself with the expectations.

8.4 CALCULATION OF THE FINAL MARK

• In terms of rule NAS8.1 of the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Science, the final mark
of this module is calculated as follows (see example below):

a) 50% of the module mark plus 50% of the examination mark; or

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8.5 PASSING THE MODULE

A student should obtain a final mark of 50% or more in order to pass this module. In addition,
a sub-minimum examination mark of 40% is required.

9. UPDATING OF MODULE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

The module schedule and syllabus (study material), either orally or in writing, can be updated
or modified at any time by the lecturer or the Department of Computer Science & Informatics.
It is the responsibility of students enrolled in this module to stay up to date with the schedule
and syllabus. An announcement of this type can be given in face-to-face class sessions or
communicated on Blackboard. It is recommended that students check Blackboard daily to
keep up to date with the latest developments in CSIQ1614. Any work discussed during contact
sessions can be used for assessment purposes.

10. DEPARTMENTAL RULES

Please familiarise yourself with the following Departmental Rules.

10.1 COMPUTER LABORATORIES

• The computer laboratories are under 24-hour video surveillance.

• Usage is restricted to:

o students who are registered for modules offered by the Department of Computer
Science and Informatics (CSI);

o CSI students who agreed to and signed this disciplinary code.

• The laboratories are for academic use only. No games or other non-academic software
may be downloaded, installed or used.

• Eating and drinking in the laboratories is strictly prohibited.

• The labs are to be kept clean at all times.

• Noise in the laboratories will not be tolerated.

• Staff members and laboratory assistants on duty must be obeyed at all times.

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10.2 COPYING, COLLABORATION AND PLAGIARISM
• Copying implies that programming code, text, images, etc. submitted as being the work
of the submitting student is partially or wholly that of another person. The action of
changing of identifiers does not nullify the copying.

• Collaboration implies that the student received assistance from one or more persons
(including students in the class, people outside the class, the lecturer, other CSI staff
members, the student assistants, an Internet chat room, etc.) in completing an
assignment. In all cases the assignment specifications will serve as a guideline on
which type of assistance (if any) is allowed.

• Collaboration with other people is typically only allowed when the assignment
specifications clearly indicate that it is a team or group assignment. In such cases the
names of all group members must be listed in all submitted copies of the assignment.

• Plagiarism can be defined as the deliberate copying, writing or presenting as one's

own the information, ideas or phrasing of another person without proper
acknowledgment of the true source. Additionally, neglecting to paraphrase the original
source will also be construed as plagiarism regardless of whether proper
acknowledgement is given.

• Should the work of two or more individual students (for an individual assignment) or
groups of students (for a group assignment) be identical or very similar, the possibility
of copying and/or collaboration will be investigated.

10.3 LEVEL OF OFFENCES

The following is a non-exhaustive list of offences and the Department of Computer Science
and Informatics reserves the right to amend or add to the list of offences at the discretion of
the departmental management. Moreover, offences which arise and are not explicitly listed
here will be subject to the same disciplinary code of conduct as other offences.

The following offences are regarded as Level 1 (minor) offences:

• Allowing non-CSI students or students who have been banned into the laboratories.

• Logging on for non-CSI students.

• Eating and drinking in the laboratories.

• Littering

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 • Making or causing unnecessary noise in the building. The academic nature of the
environment should be respected at all times.

• Failing to change your Blackboard or UFS password to something other than your
student number or failing to keep your passwords secret.

The following offences are regarded as Level 2 (serious) offences:

• Logging on for students who have been banned from using the laboratories.

• Copying of module evaluations, written assignments, practical assignments or

evaluations from another student.

• Allowing other students to copy your work or sharing your work with other students or
assisting other students to complete their assignments.

• Collaboration on individual assignments (both written and practical).

• Plagiarism as defined above.

• Downloading, installing or use of non-departmental software on the laboratory

computers, e.g. games, music, torrents, etc.

The following offences are regarded as Level 3 (very serious) offences:

• Identity theft, e.g. logging into Blackboard using the credentials of another student.

• Watching pornography.

• Copying during examination sessions or final assessments.

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