Programming for Agritechnology - an Introduction

Module Identifier: BDM2420
Module Title: Programming for Agritechnology - an Introduction
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Semester: Distance Learning
Co-ordinator: Dr Tomos Fearn
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Dr Ifat Shah; Dr David Cutress

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Interactive Task: 1500 Words	30%
Semester Assessment	Programming Task: Students will be given a simple problem to design and build a solution for, they will then implement the solution and describe and justify the decisions that they have made. 2500 Words	70%
Supplementary Assessment	Programming Task: Students will be given a simple problem to design and build a solution for, they will then implement the solution and describe and justify the decisions that they have made. 2500 Words	70%
Supplementary Assessment	Interactive Task: 1500 Words	30%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Explain how technology might help to alleviate some of the current and future challenges to the agrifood sector.
Demonstrate a detailed fundamental and practical knowledge of programming including computational logic and interaction with data.
Evaluate the relative limitations and merits of different programming technologies.
Communicate technological potential and limitations to both agrifood professionals and other stakeholders including policy makers and the public.

Brief description

This module will teach the basics of programming and the fundamental concepts of computational logic, providing the theoretical and practical skills required to work with existing agritech software systems and opensource technologies.

Content

The module will provide a series of units focused on:
• Fundamental programming concepts
• Reusable code: control statements and functions
• Writing and running code
• Understanding the interpreter and error messages
• Storing and interacting with agritech data
The module will deliver the content through a series of recorded lectures and supporting materials. The students will be given a reading list of 'essential' and 'recommended' articles and books and expected to interact through forums with other students. The module will contain assessments which will encourage students to apply computational thinking and programming techniques to real-world scenarios.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Application of Number	Programming applies mathematics to solve problems.
Communication	Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work. This will be assessed through the feedback providing general guidance towards the student’s next assignment.
Information Technology	The module will cover fundamental concepts in programming.
Personal Development and Career planning	Working in the context of solving real-world problems gives students practical skills for their career
Problem solving	Identifying and using programming techniques to solve problems relevant to the real world.
Research skills	Problem analysis, data resource discovery, experimental design, data analysis.
Subject Specific Skills	Fundamental programming concepts will be developed and assessed throughout the module
Team work	Online assessments will require students to debate among themselves to develop a consensus of opinion.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7