IB2D4-15 Programming for Business Application
Introductory description
Programming is a key dimension of digital literacy, a core skill in today’s digital economy. Besides hiring programmers with software engineering and computer science backgrounds, employers across industries increasingly desire a pool of business graduates that have fundamental knowledge of programming for business application. This particularly stems from an ever-growing interest in business data analytics (given the volume of data organisations must process for better and timely managerial decision making) and business service digitalisation (given the extent to which new services are being offered online, via apps and web portals), and consequently the increasing extent to which future managers will need to work with software developers if not assuming both roles concurrently. This module aims to provide business students with such knowledge.
Module aims
Students will learn about the critical role of programming in solving business problems and
explore the diversity of programming solutions and approaches. They will learn key
programming concepts and practice creating scripts (hands on coding) to solve small
business tasks using a programming language (e.g. Python). Further, the module will
provide a brief overview of software development management methods (Agile, Waterfall
etc.) which will enable business students to collaborate effectively with technical teams in
business environments.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction to programming in a business landscape.
- Exploring types of programming solutions/languages/tools available - limitations, strengths and example application areas.
- Fundamental programming concepts - data types, control structures, functions, introduction to object oriented programming (OOP), data import-export etc.
- Understand and use state-of-the-art libraries for data analysis and visualization.
- Building basic programming solution (scripts/code) to solve a small business tasks/problem.
- Software development project issues and project management solutions (e.g., Agile/Scrum, DevOps).
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understanding the role programming plays in a business landscape
- Develop know how about various types of programming solutions/Language/tools available - limitation, strength and example application areas
- Overview of software engineering's principles
- Learning and applying basic programming concepts - data wrangling, data manipulation, control structures, import-export data, data types and structures, functions, introduction to libraries - using Python
- Capability to understand the problem, and design and refine the solutions to the problem.
- Troubleshooting skills.
Indicative reading list
Python For Everyone, 3rd Edition, Horstmann, C. and Necaise, R.
The Essence of Software Engineering, by Volker Gruhn, Rüdiger Striemer
SpringerLink E-book Collection (2018).
Essentials of software engineering, New mathematics books 2014/2015
Tsui, Frank F.
T. Dyba and T. Dingsoyr, "What Do We Know about Agile Software Development?," in IEEE Software, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 6-9,
Sept.-Oct. 2009, doi: 10.1109/MS.2009.145.
Ruparelia, N.B., 2010. Software development lifecycle models. ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes, 35(3), pp.8-13.
Subject specific skills
Develop Python scripts to solve a business problem/task using data.
Learn to use state-of-the-art technical tools used for programming/coding
Logical problem solving
Transferable skills
Develop knowhow about various types of programming applications available for business solutions
Individually design and implement code in Python to automate/ solve small business tasks using
programming.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 72 hours (48%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Independent Learning
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Assignment | 90% | 65 hours | Yes (extension) |
| Participation | 10% | 7 hours | No |
Assessment group R1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Assignment | 100% | Yes (extension) |
Feedback on assessment
In class and on my.wbs
Courses
This module is Optional for:
-
UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 2 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 2 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
- Year 2 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
- Year 2 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
- Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 3 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
- Year 3 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
- Year 3 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
-
UPHA-L1CB Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CG Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CH Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CJ Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
-
UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 2 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy