- An undergraduate course
in
Computing and IT.
Object-oriented Java programming
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | M250 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 5 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
This course teaches the fundamental ideas behind the object-oriented approach to programming through the widely-used Java programming language. Concentrating on aspects of Java that best demonstrate object-oriented principles and good practice, you’ll gain a solid basis for further study of the Java language and object-oriented software development. You’ll need to be confident using a personal computer and have experience of writing small computer programs; the Level 1 course My digital life (TU100) would be ideal preparation. You should also be able to write short explanations of technical ideas in your own words, and be able to communicate with others electronically.
Modules at Level 2 assume that you are suitably prepared for study at this level. If you want to take a single module to satisfy your career development needs or pursue particular interests, you don’t need to start at Level 1 but you do need to have adequately prepared yourself for OU study in some other way. Check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared.
Register for the course
What you will study
In the Object-oriented view of software, programs are considered to be collections of objects that interact by sending messages to one another and reacting to the answers to those messages. These ideas are at the forefront of modern software development.
The course takes an ‘objects first’ approach to teaching: you start seeing and interacting with graphical objects right from the very start. This is achieved by working within innovative and engaging micro worlds that allow you to learn basic object-oriented principles, before you attempt Java syntax or source code.
Throughout the course you will use BlueJ, an integrated development environment (IDE) specifically developed for teaching and learning object-oriented programming. BlueJ is used worldwide and is easy to use. It places special emphasis on visualisation and interaction techniques to provide a highly interactive environment that encourages experimentation and exploration.
In the first part of the course you will interact with micro-worlds of graphical objects to explore basic object-oriented ideas. You will soon start using Java code and syntax to write your own simple object-oriented code using the BlueJ IDE. Basic object-oriented concepts such as attribute, state, protocol, class and subclass are introduced, initially through interaction with the micro world, and then in the context of writing Java code. You will be expected to write short methods (the smallest units of code in Java) to specification.
The course continues the teaching about fundamental object-oriented ideas by investigating:
- inheritance hierarchies
- overriding methods
- abstract classes
- interfaces
- polymorphism
- re-use of code
- static methods and variables.
Along the way, you’ll learn about creating your own classes, about the facilities of Java for selection and iteration, and more about some of the core, provided Java classes. Different kinds of errors are discussed together with techniques for error handling, program design and debugging. After discussion of the need to design code, you will be expected to be able to implement to specification a class along with its methods.
You will then be introduced to a subset of the Java collection classes, and related issues such as ordering and sorting. You are guided to apply the knowledge you gained from the first parts of the course, along with the new classes being introduced, to increasingly complex programming exercises. The skill of appropriately utilising a provided library of classes (searching for a useful class and method, for example) is explicitly developed in this context, and re-use by composition is discussed.
The last part of the course begins by investigating how data is written to and from files in Java and how objects can be made persistent by writing them to file. Both of these techniques are useful in larger scale programs.
Vocational relevance
This course provides you with a basis for further study of Java programming and introduces you to many (but not all) concepts that are tested by Java Certified Programmer and Java Certified Associate exams.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you need to have a good knowledge of the subject area, obtained either through Level 1 study with the OU, or by doing equivalent work at another university.
You are expected to be familiar with:
- basic programming concepts such as assignment to variables, selection and iteration
- the basic components and working of a computer.
The key introductory Level 1 course My digital life (TU100) would be ideal preparation for this course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
BlueJ and the course software use Java and so provide some support for screen-readers. However, there is a large graphical element to the micro worlds used to teach concepts in the early parts of the course, as well as in working with the BlueJ IDE and related software activities and so a sighted helper may be useful if you have a visual impairment.
The course uses some diagrams that are described in text, but will be more difficult to interpret if you have a visual impairment.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
The course uses printed units and supplements together with some supplements that are available in PDF format only. Software is delivered via a CD-ROM. There is a course website including electronic copies of printed materials, other documents, software, programming activities, student forums and a study planner.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on DVD.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007, or an Apple Mac (OS X 10.6 or later) or Linux computer, you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
- A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Throughout your study you will use email and online forums to keep in touch with your tutor and other students in your tutor group. We may also be able to offer face-to-face group tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can view or download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions and 3.7 Computing for further information.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | M250 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 5 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
Get a prospectus
Download ororder
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.