Discover Delaware State University's immersive Java course, where freshmen master object-oriented programming and algorithm design under Dr. Marwan Rasamny’s guidance. Students learn to tackle complex problems and write clean, maintainable code—setting the stage for future computing success.
At Delaware State University, the second semester of the freshman year is a pivotal moment for computer science and information technology students. This is when they take on Java, a course designed to solidify their understanding of object-oriented programming, inheritance, and algorithm development.
We spoke with Dr. Marwan Rasamny, Chair of Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science about how this course is set up.
The course focuses on more than just syntax; it challenges students to think critically about problem-solving and software design. The ability to comprehend and understand object-oriented programming and inheritance is key.
Dr. Rasamny highlights that "students need to develop algorithms and then implement them using all the different constructs in Java."
One of the biggest hurdles students face is learning to break down complex problems into manageable solutions. "They have to take a problem, understand it, find a solution, and then convert that solution into Java," Dr. Rasamny explains.
To help students bridge this gap, he requires them to write out algorithms as comments before they start coding—a technique that reinforces structured thinking.
Students also benefit from interactive learning materials with built-in coding exercises. These exercises that encourage reading comprehension and coding practice.
Additionally, mandatory tutoring hours ensure that students get the extra support they need, reinforcing their learning outside the classroom.
A key teaching philosophy in the course is helping students write cleaner, more maintainable code. For example, students learn to avoid common pitfalls, such as unnecessary break statements inside loops, which can lead to unintended bugs. Instead, they are introduced to alternative approaches, like using boolean variables, to improve code readability and reliability.
These lessons stick with them, becoming evident in their coding practices as they progress through the program.
By emphasizing structured problem-solving, continuous coding practice, and strong programming habits, the Java course at Delaware State is setting students up for long-term success in their computing careers.
Read about Marwan's experience with CodeGrade here!
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