The aims of this course are to:

• introduce some of the techniques used in modern software engineering and how they can provide benefits on projects of any size
• empower programmers to make more informed decisions about their software and to use web resources to help develop their skills and solve their programming problems more effectively
• cover the software development life cycle in scientific programming and introduce modern programming languages and their supporting tools
• cover version control using CVS/SVN, unit testing and database

This course is NOT a basic programming course, but a skills course for existing programmers. Examples will be presented in Python - don't worry if you haven't programmed in Python before, but it is preferable that you have experience in a similar (imperative) language such as Perl, Java, C/C++, Fortran or Visual Basic. If all your programming experience is in a package such as Matlab, Mathematica or R you may still benefit from the course, but it will be more hard work!

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On successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Understand best practice concepts for computer programming
• Develop a basic understanding of MATLAB fundamentals.
• Transition from mathematical models to computer code.
• Gain an appreciation of computer-based mathematics and analysis.
• Gain an improved understanding of programming mathematical models.
• Gain hands-on experience in problem solving using MATLAB .

No previous knowledge of MATLAB is required. A working familiarity with basic linear algebra is expected. Knowledge of general programming would be an advantage.

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On successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Run a GNU/Linux operating system using the Debian "Live" CD.
• Understand and explore the GNU/Linux file system including directories, paths and file permissions.
• Use the bash shell (command line) for basic file management tasks.
• Use Gimp for basic graphics work.
• Use Open Office programs to create and read documents and spreadsheets (including for MS Office).
• Follow up an appendix of links and references relating to the Open source movement.

Familiarity with basic computing required

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