Object Oriented Programming in Java Specialization Course Syllabus

Overview: This specialization provides a comprehensive introduction to Java programming and object-oriented design, ideal for beginners with no prior experience. The program is divided into four core courses followed by a capstone project, totaling approximately 79 hours of flexible, self-paced learning. You'll gain hands-on experience with Java development environments like BlueJ and Eclipse, learn key OOP concepts, work with data structures, and build interactive applications. By the end, you’ll have developed a portfolio-ready project that demonstrates your proficiency in Java programming and problem-solving.

Module 1: Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software

Estimated time: 18 hours

• Introduction to Java and setting up the development environment
• Designing and implementing basic algorithms
• Working with primitive data types and variables
• Debugging and testing simple Java programs

Module 2: Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data

Estimated time: 19 hours

• Using arrays and ArrayLists to store collections of data
• Processing structured data such as CSV files
• Building programs that analyze and manipulate large datasets
• Applying object-oriented principles to data handling

Module 3: Object Oriented Programming in Java

Estimated time: 20 hours

• Understanding classes, objects, and methods in Java
• Implementing encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism
• Using interfaces and abstract classes
• Creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with Java

Module 4: Data Structures and Performance

Estimated time: 22 hours

• Exploring data structures: linked lists, trees, and hash tables
• Analyzing algorithm efficiency and performance trade-offs
• Optimizing code using appropriate data structures
• Applying data structures to real-world programming challenges

Module 5: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Design and implement a Java application from scratch
• Incorporate object-oriented design and data structures
• Process and analyze real or simulated data
• Include a graphical user interface and demonstrate functionality

Prerequisites

• No prior programming experience required
• Basic computer literacy
• Willingness to learn through hands-on coding exercises

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Write Java programs using sound object-oriented principles
• Design and implement applications that process structured data
• Create interactive programs with graphical user interfaces
• Analyze and improve the performance of Java code using data structures
• Apply Java programming skills to real-world software development problems