Coding Camp I: Fundamentals

About This Course

Over the next 12 weeks, you’ll be fully immersed in the world of coding and software development. The course is structured with 2 Prep weeks, 8 course weeks, and 2 Post-course weeks, allowing you to build a solid foundation, dive into Python programming, and reflect on your learning journey. Whether you are planning to pursue a career in tech or simply want to understand how software development works, this course will provide you with hands-on experience in developing a small project with your peers.

Students will be part of a team, learning how to scope, plan, and develop a project — experiencing firsthand the challenges that come with each phase. The goal is to give students practical knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to the real world.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand different models of software development, including agile and traditional principles.
• Develop and experience working on a team-based coding project.
• Gain insights into the lifecycle of a software development project, from planning to execution and delivery.

Course Structure

• Prep Weeks (2 Weeks): Laying the groundwork, understanding the tools, and setting up teams and projects.
• Course Weeks (8 Weeks): Coding and development, working through project phases, and tackling real-world challenges.
• Post-Course Weeks (2 Weeks): Reflecting on the project, peer reviews, and preparing final reports and presentations.

Study Programs

This course is mandatory for the following study programs:

• MBA Digital Technologies
• MBA Digital Transformation
• M.Sc. Advanced Digital Reality
• M.Sc. Applied AI
• M.Sc. Cybersecurity
• M.Sc. Digital Leadership

This course is offered as an elective for the following study programs.

• The course is mandatory for all programs and can, therefore, not be selected as an elective.

Micro-Degree

• This course is offered as a micro degree.
• German UDS Micro Degrees are compatible with the European MOOC Consortiums Common Micro Credentials Framework.
• Micro Degrees will be rewarded with an equivalent of 5 ECTS.
• Micro Degrees are offered to non-regular students and require a fee of €900.

Requirements

• Review the prerequisite modules Internet Basics and Web Basics
• Basic programming skills, ideally in Python.
• Knowledge and skills as provided in the Prep courses.

Weekly Content:

• Week 1: Introduction to Game Type Basics. Overview of analog and digital games, game elements, game studios, game theory.
• Week 2: Requirements Engineering for a Game Prototype. Design thinking workshop for prototype development. Apply skills trained in workshop on real protype development in teams. (Hands-on).
• Week 3: Mechanics and Rules. Analysis of financial markets, heuristic strategies, guaranteeing algorithms, application to the prototype.
• Week 4: Development of an Analog Financial Game Prototype. Specialize requirements from Week 2, define analog mechanics and rules, simulation of game play, prototype production. (Hands-on).
• Week 5: Development of a Digital Financial Prototype. Specialize requirements from Week 2, define digital mechanics and rules, simulation of game play, prototype production. (Hands-on)
• Week 6: Development of a Digital Financial Prototype. Work on the digital prototype is continued. (Hands-on).
• Week 7: Evaluate Prototypes. The developed prototypes are compared and evaluated. (Hands-on).
• Week 8: Presentation and Discussion of Results. The prototypical implementations are finetuned for presentation, results are summarized in a report and a presentation or product pitch.

General Information

• Teaching Format: Hands-on coding
• Total Workload Master: 125h (40h/85h) / Equivalent to 5 ECTS
• Total Workload MBA: 100h (30h/70h) / Equivalent to 4 ECTS
• Total Workload Micro Degree: 125h (40h/85h) / Equivalent to 5 ECTS
• Module coordinator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Staubitz
• Examinations: Quizzes, presentation(s), essay(s)/paper(s), project report(s), written exam (tbd) - Details will be announced with course start.
• Offered: Even quarters
  

Let’s get coding and bring your ideas to life!