ADMIRALTY UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

COURSE COMPACT FOR SEN 405: Introduction to Problem Solving

Course Information
Course Title: Introduction to Problem Solving
Course Code: COS 102
Credit Unit: 3 units
Prerequisites: NONE
Semester and Session:2nd Semester, 2023/2024
Lecture hours: 2
Lecture Venue: Physics lab
Day/Time: Monday 10pm -12pm
Lecturer Information
Instructor Name: Mrs. Kevwe Olukayode
Office location: Faculty of Science (Academic Building)
Phone: +2348167316641
Email: [email protected] :

Course Overview
Concepts and properties of Algorithms, the Role of Algorithms in problem solving process.
Implementation strategies, Pseudo Codes, Development of Flow Charts, Program objects.
Implementation of Algorithms in a programming Language - Visual BASlC /JAVA/C/C++

Course Objectives

1. To enable the students Analyze the efficiency of different approaches to solving a problem in
order to determine which approaches will be reasonably efficient in a given situation.
2. Strategies for testing and debugging algorithms and data structures.
3. Quickly and correctly implement a given specification of an algorithm or data structure.
4. The students will learn how to develop Problem Solving and Creativity Skills that will help them
achieve success in their career.
5. Recognize the importance and function of problem solving and creative thought in their career
and the role of critical thought in creative ideation.
6. Develop a toolkit to be able to identify real problems and goals within ill-defined problems.
7. Use algorithm design techniques such as greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, divide and
conquer, and combinatorial search to construct algorithms to solve given problems.

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 8. Recognize and apply analytical problem solving techniques.
9. Recognize and apply creative problem solving techniques.
10. Identify the use of creativity within and types of problems most common to their area of study.
11. Apply learnt problem solving and creative ideation skills to a real-life context and reflect on
personal learning processes

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Describe General skills & dispositions needed for Problem-Solving
2. Subconscious Thinking and Problem Solving
3. Explain Important Aspects of Problem Solving
4. Algorithm and Representation of Algorithms
5. Unified Modelling Language diagrams

Method of Lecture Delivery

Use of multimedia system, white board and marker.

Teaching Aids
Public Address System, Visual Aids (Use of PowerPoint slides), discussion, assignments and tests
Evaluation.

Course Outline

Week 1

i. Introduction to Problem-Solving Skills

ii. Problem definition, scope.
iii. The skills & dispositions needed for Problem-Solving
iv. Subconscious Thinking and Problem Solving
v. Ethical issues related to Problem-Solving.

Week 2
i. Some Important Aspects of Problem Solving
ii. Representations of a Problem
iii. Representing Problems Using Computers
iv. Problem Posing and Clarification
v. Some Problem-Solving Strategies

Week 3
i. A General Strategy for Problem Solving
ii. Working Toward Increased Expertise

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iii. Formal Problem
iv. Transfer of Learning

Week 4

i. Project-Based Learning
ii. Dealing With Problem Situations
iii. Information and Problem Overload
iv. Problem and Task Team
v. Problem-Based Learning.
Week 5

i. Problem Solving as a Process.

ii. Problem Solving in the Information Age
iii. Problem-Solving Strategies.
iv. Representations of a Problem.
Week 6

i. Non-Mental problem solving Models

ii. Representing & Solving Problems Using Computers.
iii. Computer Models for problem solving.
iv. Data Structures and Control Structures.
Week 7

i. Algorithm
ii. Representation of Algorithms
iii. Verifying Algorithms
iv. Comparison of Algorithm
v. Solving problems with algorithm

Week 8

i. Flow charts
ii. Representing flow charts
iii. Solving problems with flow charts
Week (9-10)

i. Unified Modeling Language diagrams

ii. Representing Unified Modeling Language diagrams
iii. Solving problems with Unified Modeling Language diagrams

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Week (11-12)
i. Using Object Oriented Programming (Visual Basic) to solve problems..

Week 13
Revision

Assessment Structure
Class attendance 10
projects 15
Assignments 15
Continuous assessment (Assignments, Quiz and Tests): 40%
Final examination 60
Total Semester score 100

Grading System

Letter Grade Score (%) Grade Point Interpretation

A 70-100 5 Excellent Performance
B 60-69 4 Very Good Performance
C 50-59 3 Good Performance
D 45-49 2 Fair Performance
E 40-44 1 Poor Performance
F 0-39 0 Fail

Course/Class Policies

1. Active class participation is required to pass this course.

2. Students shall not be allowed in after 5 minutes of commencement of class.
3. 75% attendance is required to be eligible for the final examination.
4. The use of mobile phones during class is not allowed.
5. Late submission of assigned work shall not be accepted. Any work turned in after the stipulated
deadline is a zero, except where prior permission has been obtained, in which case no more than
half the total marks obtainable may be earned.

Relevance

This course would enable the students to analyze the efficiency of different approaches to solving a
problem in order to determine which approaches will be reasonably efficient in a given situation.

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Selected Texts

Bereiter, C., & Scardamalia, M. (1993). Surpassing ourselves: An inquiry into the nature and
implications of expertise. Chicago and La Salle, IL: Open Court.
Frensch, P. & Funke, J., (Eds.). (1995). Complex problem solving: The European perspective. Hillsdale,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Moursund, D.G. (1996). Increasing your expertise as a problem solver: Some roles of computers.
Eugene, OR: ISTE. Some chapters are available online.
Norman, D. (1993). Things that make us smart: Defending human attributes in the age of machines.
Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Perkins, D. (1992). Smart schools: Better thinking and learning for every child. NY: Free Press.
Polya, G. (1957). How to solve it: A new aspect of mathematical method (2nd ed.). Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press.