Important Note:

The assessment for this module is in the form of this series of lab write ups.

You should download the document and use it to guide you through the labs. As you work your way through the labs you will complete the exercises that are contained in the lab book. It is your responsibility to keep backups.

Once the lab book is complete then it can be uploaded for assessment. The assessment deadline will be provided once the module has started.

This is an individual assessment. You can work with colleagues and discuss ideas together but the work you submit must be your own.

Your attention is drawn to the code of student conduct and in particular the rules on plagiarism. 'The deliberate and substantial unacknowledged incorporation in your submission of material derived from work (published or unpublished) of another is prohibited. In such cases the work submitted is classified as illegal and will result in further action being taken by the University which may include recording a failure.'

The structure of the labs for this module is based around training materials which are provided by Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy (the developers of robot C). These resources and exercises are used throughout the practical exercises and are mixed with more open ended exercises where we are getting you to apply the concepts that have just been covered to see how well you have understood them and if you need to go back and revise any elements.

There are 6 topics. Within these topics are several different activities. Some of them are simply exercises to develop your understanding and skills and others include elements which are to be written up in a lab book which you complete and submit for the assessment of this module.

The key point about these activities is that learning to program is a practical skill that you develop by doing it. The online content and videos will expand on topics and set the programming into the wider context of software development and computer systems, but the core of the module is the practical activities.

If you have read part of the sheet and are unsure about something, please ask about it. Learning communication skills is also part of the process that you are undertaking. Asking questions is NOT an indication of failure or lack of ability – it is an indication of an inquiring mind! Also, we might just have got something wrong or need to clarify something better so we need you to tell us, so we can update the information.

These activities are designed to build on each other and require you to work through them systematically. Please work through all the exercises in order and if you still have to complete a previous activity then it is important that this is done first.

If you feel that you are falling behind or would simply like more practice and you are working on campus then the labs are also available at other times particularly Wednesdays. Simply go to the technicians in M326a and ask to sign out a robot for lab use. You will need to hand over your student card.

If you are working online with the Robot Virtual World, then you can use this environment at any time to practice.

As always, if you have any problems or need clarification of anything, please ask.