Problem Solving and Programming Foundations

Postgraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
COMP 5002
Course ID icon
Course ID
202522
Campus icon
Campus
Mawson Lakes, Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Computer Science &InfoTech
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Joanne Zucco
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
Discipline group A
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course is designed to empower students with foundational skills in programming and problem-solving that are critical for success in Information Technology at the master's level. Throughout this course, students will delve into essential programming concepts including variables, control statements, loops, and functions, with a strong emphasis on applying these skills to solve real-world problems. By fostering analytical thinking and systematic problem-solving approaches, this course aims to equip students with the tools necessary to tackle complex challenges in their future academic and professional endeavours. Enrolling in this course will provide students with a robust platform to understand and manipulate the building blocks of programming, setting a solid foundation for advanced studies and specialised applications in the field of Information Technology.

Course learning outcomes

  • Apply problem solving strategies to solve problems and express the solution as an algorithm and then a coded solution
  • Implement programs to solve problems and choose appropriate conditional and iteration constructs for a given programming task
  • Apply functions to solve a given programming task
  • Apply debugging and testing methods to ensure software reliability
  • Apply good programming practices, specifically, coding style standards and source code documentation

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Mawson Lakes

Class number
Class number 23242
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 4:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 4:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
Class number
Class number 23241
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP1-06
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP1-06
Class number
Class number 23240
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-17
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-17
Class number
Class number 23239
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-15
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-15
Class number
Class number 25679
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
Class number
Class number 25678
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 11:10am - 1pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 11:10am - 1pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 22475
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
Class number
Class number 22476
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
Class number
Class number 22477
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
Class number
Class number 22478
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Johnson, 111
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Johnson, 111
Class number
Class number 22479
Section
Section PR05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, 2.36
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 220
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, 2.36
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 220
Class number
Class number 24991
Section
Section PR06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
Class number
Class number 25677
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 75
Available
Available 75
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 333
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 333
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
Class number
Class number 25674
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 75
Available
Available 75
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Mawson Lakes

Class number
Class number 53261
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 11:10am - 1pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 11:10am - 1pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
Class number
Class number 53260
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-15
Class number
Class number 53259
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-17
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Mawson Lakes Building F, F1-17
Class number
Class number 53258
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-12
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P1-12
Class number
Class number 54577
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
Class number
Class number 54576
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Mawson Lakes The Mawson Centre, MC1-21
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Mawson Lakes The Mawson Centre, MC1-21
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 1:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 53269
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
Class number
Class number 53268
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 228
Class number
Class number 53267
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 106
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 106
Class number
Class number 53266
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, 2.36
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, 2.36
Class number
Class number 53265
Section
Section PR05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
Class number
Class number 53264
Section
Section PR06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
Class number
Class number 53263
Section
Section PR07
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S126
Class number
Class number 53262
Section
Section PR08
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.15
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.15
Class number
Class number 54581
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 1 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
5 Aug - 2 Sep Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
15 Sep - 22 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
16 Sep - 23 Sep Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
Class number
Class number 54580
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 14 Sep Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East SANTOS, G04
7 Aug - 18 Sep Friday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Brookman, B4-21
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East SANTOS, G04
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Brookman, B4-21
Class number
Class number 54579
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.26
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-08
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.26
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-08
Class number
Class number 54578
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.28
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.28
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216
Class number
Class number 55097
Section
Section WS06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ2-32
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Brookman, B4-20A
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ2-32
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Brookman, B4-20A
Class number
Class number 55096
Section
Section WS07
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 218
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-54
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 218
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-54

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course
Master of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
Master of Research
Master of Information Technology (Applied Artificial Intelligence)
Master of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Master of Data Science
Graduate Certificate in Research Skills
Master of Information Technology (Enterprise Management)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Geophysics
Master of Information Technology (Computing and Innovation)