Sophia Learning

CS1101: Introduction to Java Programming (ACE

recommends 3 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Java Programming is designed to introduce the basics of computer programming from data
types, to creating classes, to algorithms and testing. Students will learn these concepts while diving deep into
the syntax of Java as the core programming language. The course culminates in the opportunity for students to
design and build a project that answers a need or goal they identify.

COURSE EFFECTIVE DATES: September 2022- Present

PREREQUISITES: Entry level Gen Ed course – no prerequisites

LENGTH OF COURSE: This is a self-paced course. Students may use as much or as little time as needed to
complete the course.

ACE LEARNING EVALUATIONS RECOMMENDATION: In the lower-division baccalaureate category, 3 semester

hours in Introduction to Programming (ACE ID: SOPH-0062).

GRADING: This is a pass/fail course. Students must complete 11 Challenges (formative assessments), 3
Milestones (summative assessments), and 1 Touchstone (project-based or written assessments) with an overall
score of 70% or better.

Challenges Points Possible

Challenge 1.1: Learning to Code 6

Challenge 1.2: Data Types 5

Challenge 1.3: Methods and Conditions 8

Challenge 2.1: Arrays 8

Challenge 2.2: Loops 7

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 Challenge 2.3: Complex Methods 5

Challenge 3.1: Class Basics 7

Challenge 3.2: Inheritance and Composition 6

Challenge 3.3: Libraries and Streams 5

Challenge 4.1: Planning the Algorithm 5

Challenge 4.2: Coding the Algorithm 5

Total 67

Milestones Points Possible

Milestone 1 57

Milestone 2 60

Milestone 3 54

Total 171

Touchstones Points Possible

Touchstone 4: Final Project 105

Total 105

Grand Total 343

Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and
demonstrate application of knowledge. Read further for information on the Touchstones in this course:

Touchstone 4: Final Project (105 points): Students will learn how to effectively plan, design, develop, and
test an original program of their choosing. The program choice and complexity will be determined by the
student. The goal is to start with an idea for a program and then step through most phases of the
development lifecycle to turn the idea into an actual program. This includes planning the algorithm using
pseudocode, coding the program using everything learned from Units 1-3, and finally, testing and
debugging the program to make sure it fulfills the intended purpose. Students will fill out a journal template
which has five sections that correspond to the five steps they will complete for their final project.

For more general information on assessments, please visit the Student Guide located on your course
dashboard.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the use basic data types & library methods in a Java program.

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 2. Use advanced data structures, iteration and complex methods in a Java program.
3. Use Java classes in an object-oriented program.
4. Create a software program using standard coding structures and processes.

COURSE COMPETENCIES AND TOPICS

Unit Competencies Major Topics

1. Programming Identify the steps a programmer goes through to tackle a Learning to Code
Basics new problem. Data Types
Recall the most common data types and how to create Methods and
and use them in a program. Conditions
Insert conditional statements and methods into a
program.

2. Arrays and Create and manipulate arrays, including strings and other Arrays
Loops common types. Loops
Use loops to repeat steps either a fixed number of times Complex Methods
or dynamically based on conditions.
Develop and test complex methods in Java.

3. Classes Demonstrate how to write the code for a basic class. Class Basics
Recall the situations where inheritance and composition Inheritance and
will affect a program’s operations. Composition
Use libraries and streams to add basic functionality and Libraries and Streams
data to a program.

4. Project Plan an algorithm for an original program. Planning the

Code an original program based on a prepared algorithm. Algorithm
Coding the Algorithm

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