CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

COMSATS University Islamabad

COURSE DESCRIPTION FILE

CSC103 Programming Fundamentals

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

COMSATS University Islamabad Page 1

CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

COMSATS University Islamabad

COURSE DESCRIPTION FILE

CSC103 Programming Fundamentals

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Prepared By: Checked By: Approved By:

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

Programming Fundamentals
Course code:
CSC103 (3+1)

Prerequisites:
None

Co requisites:
None

Course Catalog Description:

This course provides an overview of computer hardware and software; Programming in C with emphasis
on modular and structured programming technique; Problem solving and algorithm development; Simple
engineering and scientific problems

Textbooks:
1. Stephan G. Kochan, Programming in C, 4th edition, Pearson Hall
2. Yashvanth Kanetkar, Let us C, 4th edition, BPB Publications

Reference Books:
1. Grey Perry, C programming for absolute beginners Guide, 3rd Edition, Pearson Hall, 2013
2. Andrew Hilton, Anne Bracy, All of Programming.

Course Learning Objectives:

This course aims to familiarize the students with the basic concepts of high level programming using C
programming language. The students will learn the basics of structured programming approach and
familiarize with C language syntax. The students will be able to apply their programming skills for problem
solving of simple to medium level complexity.

Course Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing the course, the students will be able to:
1. Describe the components of a computer and basic structure of a computer program (C2-PLO1)

2. Analyze a program to determine its correctness and functionality. (C4-PLO2)

3. Produce programming solutions to solve problems of various complexities. (C3-PLO2)

4. Display good coding skills through modular programming in C language. (P3-PLO5)

5. Present and analyze data with effective report writing skills. (A2-PLO10)

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

Course Schedule:
3 credit hours/week
One laboratory session/week (3 hours/session)

Topics Covered:
1. Understanding program logic and developing algorithms and representing them using flow charts,
pseudo-code etc.
2. Introduction to C programming language, Data types, variables, arithmetic Expression
3. Decision making: if- statement, if-else statement, nested if statements, switch statement, conditional
operators
4. Loops: for-loop, while loop, do-while loop, break and continue statement,
5. Arrays, Multidimensional arrays, Structure, Arrays of structure. User define Function: Function
prototype, function call and function return type, recursive functions
6. String (character array) string functions, Null string, Pointers: Pointer and structures, Pointer and
functions, Pointer to functions Pointer and array, Pointer arithmetic, Function call by
address/pointer, Dynamic memory allocation
7. The preprocessor, Bit wise operators
8. File I/O (reading, writing, appending, modifying file content)

Assessment Plan:
Theory Quizzes (4) 15%
Homework assignments 10%
Mid-term exam (in class, 60-80 minutes) 25%
Terminal exam (3 hours) 50%
Total (theory) 100%
Lab work Lab reports (12) 25%
Lab Mid-term exam 25%
Lab project and terminal exam 50%
Total (lab) 100%
Final marks Theory marks * 0.75 + Lab marks * 0.25

Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan (Tentative):

Sr. # Course Learning Outcomes Assessment
1. Quiz 1
2. Quiz 2
3. Quiz 3

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

4. Quiz 4
5. Assignment 1
6. Assignment 2
7. Assignment 3
8. Assignment 4
9. Mid-term Exam
10. Terminal Exam
Table 1: Assessment Plan for Course Learning Outcomes

Laboratory Experiences:
There is a Laboratory component in all 3+1 credit courses taught at the department. Lab work consists of
a minimum of 12 Lab Programming assignments, which constitute 25% of the overall course-grade. The
laboratory experiments include implementation Simple to complex problem through C programming
Language.

Laboratory Resources:
The relevant laboratory is equipped with computers and software’s to facilitate the programming
assignments outlined in the lab handbook(s) that are periodically updated. A current list of the 12 lab
assignments performed in this course is provided as Annexure-II. The list of software and equipment
available is also posted in all labs and is managed by staff dedicated for this purpose.

Computer Resources:
For the purposes of this course, The Integrated Development software’s like Dev C, Visual C, and TC are
available on all the computers of the Lab. All the Lab assignments are individual assignments and PCs are
available for each student.

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) to Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO 1 Engineering Knowledge: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science,
engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex
engineering problems.
PLO 2 Problem Analysis: An ability to identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze
complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles
of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences.
PLO 3 Design/Development of Solutions: An ability to design solutions for complex
engineering problems and design systems, components or processes that meet
specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural,
societal, and environmental considerations.
PLO 4 Investigation: An ability to investigate complex engineering problems in a methodical
way including literature survey, design and conduct of experiments, analysis and

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

interpretation of experimental data, and synthesis of information to derive valid

conclusions.
PLO 5 Modern Tool Usage: An ability to create, select and apply appropriate techniques,
resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modeling, to
complex engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.
PLO 6 The Engineer and Society: An ability to apply reasoning informed by contextual
knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the
consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practice and solution
to complex engineering problems.
PLO 7 Environment and Sustainability: An ability to understand the impact of professional
engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts and demonstrate
knowledge of and need for sustainable development.
PLO 8 Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities
and norms of engineering practice.
PLO 9 Individual and Team Work: An ability to work effectively, as an individual or in a team,
on multifaceted and /or multidisciplinary settings.
PLO 10 Communication: An ability to communicate effectively, orally as well as in writing, on
complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at
large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design
documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
PLO 11 Project Management: An ability to demonstrate management skills and apply
engineering principles to one’s own work, as a member and/or leader in a team, to
manage projects in a multidisciplinary environment.
PLO 12 Lifelong Learning: An ability to recognize importance of, and pursue lifelong learning in
the broader context of innovation and technological developments.

PLOs
PLO10

PLO11

PL012
PLO 9
PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

PLO6

PLO7

PLO8

CLOs
CLO1 C2

CLO2 C4

CLO3 C3

CLO4 P3

CLO5 A2

Table 2: Mapping CLOs to PLOs

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

ANNEXURE-I
Tentative Lecture Breakdown (30 Lectures):

Topics No of Lectures

Introduction to Computer: hardware and software,

4
Understanding of Program logic using flow charts
Introduction to C programming language, Data types,
2
variables, arithmetic Expression
Decision making: if- statement, if-else statement, nested
4
if statements, switch statement, conditional operators
Loops: for-loop, while loop, do-while loop, break and
4
continue statement,
Arrays, Multidimensional arrays, Structure, Arrays of
structure. User define Function: Function prototype,
6
function call and function return type, recursive
functions
String (character array) string functions, Null string,
Pointers: Pointer and structures, Pointer and functions,
Pointer to functions Pointer and array, Pointer 4
arithmetic, Function call by address/pointer, Dynamic
memory allocation
The preprocessor, Bit wise operators 2
File I/O (reading, writing, appending, modifying file
4
content)

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CSC103 Programming Fundamentals Spring 2025

ANNEXURE-II
List of Experiments:

Lab 1 – Introduction to Computers, Windows OS and its Basic usage

Lab 2 - Flow Charts

Lab 3 - Getting Started with C

Lab 4 – The if-Statement

Lab 5 – If-else, Switch, and goto statements

Lab 6 – For and nested-for loops

Lab 7 – While and do-while loops, continue, and break

Lab 8 – Functions

Lab 9 – Recursive functions and pointers

Lab 10 – Arrays

Lab 11 – Character arrays

Lab 12 – Structures

Lab13 – Files

Version Applicable From

Version 1 Fall 2016

Version 2 Spring 2017

Version 3 Fall 2017

Version 4 Spring 2019

Version 5 Fall 2022

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