Introduction to Computer Programming

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Introduction to Computer Programming

This course is part of Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

Instructors: Dr Edward Anstead

95,042 already enrolled

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Prepare for a degree

Learn more

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Prepare for a degree

Learn more

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

This MOOC provides you with the foundational skill set required to write computer programs. If you are interested in learning how to write interactive, graphical programs from an introductory level in a real programming language, this is the course for you. You will begin by learning the basics of editing and running programs. Then you will learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates. Finally, you will learn how to create interactive graphics that you can control with the mouse. You will even solve a set of interactive puzzles using your coding skills in the Sleuth game which has been created especially for this course. The course uses the Javascript language and the p5.js library.

In this topic, you will be introduced to three key concepts: the toolkit used for developing programs, how to draw using simple shapes and 2D coordinates, and the process of writing and experiencing code. These foundational skills will support your learning as you begin creating your own programs.

What's included

9 videos7 readings2 assignments1 programming assignment4 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 52 minutes

Course introduction2 minutes
About you: Growth mindset3 minutes
What is programming? What is p5.js?4 minutes
Running your first program with Brackets7 minutes
Running your first program with Visual Studio Code10 minutes
Learn by hacking4 minutes
2D coordinate system8 minutes
Code philosophy: what it feels like to code3 minutes
Introduction to Sleuth12 minutes

7 readingsTotal 160 minutes

Course structure and navigation5 minutes
Some information before you begin…10 minutes
Code editor - Important information5 minutes
P5.js resources10 minutes
Programming exercise 1: Hack the robot30 minutes
Programming exercise 2: Code it from scratch: De Stijl90 minutes
Introduction to Sleuth10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Getting started with P5.js30 minutes
2D coordinate system30 minutes

1 programming assignmentTotal 180 minutes

Sleuth assessment180 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 80 minutes

Running your first program20 minutes
Hacked robot discussion20 minutes
De Stijl: share your modern masterpiece20 minutes
Code philosophy20 minutes

In this week’s topic, you will explore three essential concepts that will expand your creative and technical skills in programming with p5.js. You’ll learn how to use a set of 2D drawing functions to create shapes and visual elements, how colours are represented and styled within your programs, and how to effectively debug your code using the console. These skills will help you bring your sketches to life while developing greater confidence in identifying and solving coding issues.

What's included

9 videos5 readings4 assignments3 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 53 minutes

RGB (red, green and blue) colours9 minutes
Fill, stroke, noFill8 minutes
Setup, draw and programme flow3 minutes
Ellipse, rect, line, triangle and point6 minutes
How to access and use the console to view errors3 minutes
Debugging syntax errors8 minutes
Code philosophy: asking for help5 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 2015 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 2026 minutes

5 readingsTotal 160 minutes

Programming exercise 3. Hack it: Robot parade30 minutes
Programming exercise 4. Code it from scratch: Kandinsky60 minutes
Teach it to yourself10 minutes
Programing exercise 5: Debug challenge30 minutes
Programming exercise 5: Debug challenge30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 93 minutes

RGB colours3 minutes
Setup, draw and programme flow30 minutes
Ellipse, rect, line, triangle and point30 minutes
Using the console and debugging syntax errors 30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

Hack it: Robot parade20 minutes
Kandinsky: Share your abstract master20 minutes
Post examples of good and bad questions20 minutes

This week, you'll be introduced to three fundamental programming concepts. You'll learn how to use variables to store and manage data, explore simple forms of user interaction to make your programs more dynamic, and discover techniques for organising your code to make it clearer and easier to maintain. These skills are key to building more interactive and well-structured programs.

What's included

13 videos4 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts

13 videosTotal 76 minutes

Built-in variables: mouseX, mouseY5 minutes
Built-in events: mousePressed, keyPressed4 minutes
Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning11 minutes
12 top tips for naming variables2 minutes
Objects8 minutes
Working with operators11 minutes
Mathematical functions: random, min, max12 minutes
Inspecting variables in the console4 minutes
Code philosophy: the elegant coder3 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 3017 minutes
Sleuth: case by case 3025 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 3035 minutes
MOOC summary1 minute

4 readingsTotal 140 minutes

Programming exercise 6. Code it from scratch: Drawing app60 minutes
Programming exercise 7. Hack it: Sunrise30 minutes
Teach it to yourself20 minutes
Programming exercise 8: Debug challenge30 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 115 minutes

Built-in variables: mouseX, mouseY and events30 minutes
Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning15 minutes
Working with operators25 minutes
Inspecting variables in the console15 minutes
Summative quiz30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

Code it from scratch: Drawing app20 minutes
Hack it: Sunrise20 minutes
Code philosophy: the elegant coder20 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Prepare for a degree

Taking this course by University of London may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.

Instructors

Dr Edward Anstead

University of London

2 Courses100,510 learners

Offered by

University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

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