CSC8501 : Advanced Programming for Games
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Graham Morgan
- Other Staff: Dr Gary Ushaw
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To equip students with an understanding of the main aspects of programming allowing students to write and maintain program code.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will cover:
• Memory.
• Data structures.
• Loops and conditions.
• Functions.
• Concurrency.
• Error handling.
• Debugging.
• Algorithm analysis.
• Methodology of program development.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Online delivery of course materials. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lecture materials follow-up – allowing students to reflect on their participation in the module. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | Exercises and practical work – achieved using provided literature and online resources. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Practicals (in person) programming practical with Q&A. |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 80 | 1:00 | 80:00 | Coursework - carrying out significant coursework that account for all the module assessment. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Online discussions (Q&A) – providing a forum to answer technical questions. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 34 | 1:00 | 34:00 | Background reading – allowing students to deepen and broaden their understanding. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Lectures (in person) short discussion with Q&A. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Structured guided learning will be used to introduce the learning materials and for demonstrating key concepts by example. Students are expected to align their independent studies in a timeframe reflective of their progression through the guided learning material.
To help students there will be online discussions moderated by the module leader. This will provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and receive answers on the topics covered in the module and seek help with their coursework.
Students aiming for distinction marks are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of the provisioned learning material through additional background reading.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 100 | Programming coursework. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | Workbook for feedback. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Since programming is a practical subject, development skills need to be assessed by coursework. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the issues associated with the practicalities of programming and be able to demonstrate the application of this understanding in solving a programming problem and evaluating their solutions.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8501's Timetable