Object-Oriented Programming with Python (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course is given between Jan - Apr 2026.

After passing the course a student:
- knows the basic concepts of object-oriented programming, for example: object, class, attribute, class variable, method, constructor, inheritance, class hierarchy, polymorphism, exceptions
- can apply the previous concepts in practice
- can design and define classes and construct coherent wholes of classes
- recognizes methods that can affect code re-use
- can apply object-oriented paradigm as a part of algorithmic problem solving
- can describe the main phases of the development of software product and the most important methods
- can discuss about the possibilities of parallel programming
- can use exceptions in error handling
- can plan, implement, test and document an application
- uses UML for planning and documentation
- uses style guide and good coding practices

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- explain the different phases and main methods of the development of a software product
- explain the concepts class hierarchy, inheritance, and polymorphism, and utilize these in software development
- discuss the possibilities of parallel programming
- apply exception handling mechanisms
- design, implement and document a simple user interface application

Content

- object-oriented structures
- error handling with exceptions
- threads
- database connection
- software development process and methods
- UML diagrams

Materials

In the workspace of this course.

Teaching methods

Reading the given material, studying and trying in practice.

Coding the programming exercises (weekly) and problem solving in practice.

Coding, documenting and demonstrating the exercise work (set task). Attendance.

Exam schedules

No exam.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Self assessment
Student regularly pays attention to own learning and studying.
Students reflect their own learning, for example, by answering the following questions:
- Topic area: What did I know about the topic beforehand? What did I think about the area?
- While coding: Thoughts about the challenge level and interest of the exercise.
- Afterwards: What did I learn?
Moreover, students learn to assess their own work regarding every assignment using scale: Excellent - Good - Sufficient.

Sustainable development is discussed for example by considering the efficiency of algorithmic solutions (electricity, computing resources), code re-use with the mechanisms of the object-oriented paradigm (work, human resources) and avoiding the unnecessary use of AI (electricity).

Completion alternatives

1) Demonstrate e.g. a real work life project and showing that student masters the contents of this course.
2) mooc.fi contains a programming MOOC, whose contents covers the Introduction to Programming and Advanced Programming courses of the University of Helsinki. Courses are 10 credits together (5+5). MOOC in question contains object oriented material at the end (I.e., parts 8-14).

Student workload

To pass this course requires acceptably finished coding exercises as well as exercise work and return in time.

5 credits: 27 * 5 = 135 hours

Weekly work amount: 135 hours / 14 weeks = 9.6 hours a week.
The course includes 3 hours of guided instruction, 2 hours of demo classes and homework which is done independently.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Exercise rounds: 8 times
Each round (max): 10 points
From exercises total 80 points
A student must get at least 40 points from Exercise rounds to get grade 1.
Exercises must be done and returned before the deadlines (Itslearning).
Attendance in each lecture is 1 point, there are 14 lectures, so this will give the student 14 points in total.


Programming project work (max): 40 points
A student must get at least 20 points from Programming project work to get grade 1.
Work must be done and returned before the deadline (Itslearning).


Total course (max): 134 points
Grading:
Points 63 --> grade 1
Points 82 --> grade 2
Points 95 --> grade 3
Points 108 --> grade 4
Points 120 --> grade 5

Failed (0)

A student do not know the basics of object oriented programming and is not
able to use proper object oriented programming solutions to solve problems
in software development. The course points under 63 or the exercise points under 40 or
the programming project work under 20 points imply grade 0.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

A student knows the most of the basics of object oriented programming and is able to
use some proper object oriented programming solutions to solve small-sized
problems in software development. At least 63 course points. At least 40 points from
exercises and 20 points from programming project work.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

A student knows the basics of object oriented programming and is able to
use proper object oriented programming solutions to solve small-sized
problems in software development. At least 95 course points. At least 40 points from
exercises and 20 points from programming project work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

A student knows all the basics of object oriented programming and
uses proper object oriented programming solutions to solve any
problems in software development. At least 120 course points. At least 40 points from
exercises and 20 points from programming project work.

Qualifications

Introduction to Programming or equivalent programming skills

Further information

Maximum of 3 open university students can take this course.

Also take into account that students shall have passed introduction to programming course or have similar skills.