Foundations of Computer Science A

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
COMP 5041
Course ID icon
Course ID
203312
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Adelaide University
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Course level
5
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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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.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course will develop your coding and problem-solving skills with a focus on data and data science. You will learn fundamental programming concepts such as data, selection, iteration, functional decomposition, data organisation as well as how to apply these programming fundamental knowledge to practical problems. You will build fundamental software development skills including the use of the Python programming language and tools, debugging, object-oriented design, basic data structures, and fundamentals of good programming practice, style and design.

Course learning outcomes

  • Interpret and decompose problems in computational domains.
  • Justify and demonstrate an understanding of programming fundamentals.
  • Apply programming fundamental knowledge to practical problems.
  • Use the Python programming language to construct programs to solve real-world problems.
  • Independently find and interpret discipline-related documentation.
  • Explain the benefits of object-oriented design and understand when it is an appropriate methodology to use.
  • Design object-oriented solutions for small systems involving multiple objects.
  • Translate real-world data to computer representation using different data structures.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed COMP5080 Foundations of Computer Science OR must not have completed COMPSCI7210 Foundations of Computer Science A at the University of Adelaide

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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