FIT9136 Introduction to Python Programming
The Complete Study & Assessment Guide · S2 2026FIT9136 Overview
- Monash Faculty of Information Technology
- Semester 2, 2026
- a postgraduate introductory programming unit
- 6 credit points
FIT9136 develops variables, expressions, control flow, sequences, functions, dictionaries, files, libraries, object-oriented programming, exceptions, testing and recursion in Python. It is taught within Monash Faculty of Information Technology. It is a postgraduate introductory programming unit. It carries 6 credit points.
- Trace before guessing Record variable and object state after each assignment or mutation.
- Functions are contracts Inputs, outputs, side effects and error behaviour belong in the design before code.
- Mutation can travel Two names may refer to one mutable object, so a change can appear far from its source.
- Tests target risk Boundary and failure cases reveal more than repeating the happy path.
How FIT9136 is assessed
| Component | Weight | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 Project | 20% | Solo project due 4 September 2026 at 11:55 pm |
| Assignment 2 Project | 30% | Solo project due 16 October 2026 at 11:55 pm |
| In-class Tests 1-3 | 35% | Three scheduled tests weighted 5%, 15% and 15% |
| Discussions 1-2 | 15% | Two project discussions weighted 5% and 10%; due 11 September and 23 October |
The S2 stream totals 100% through Assignment 1 Project 20%, Assignment 2 Project 30%, three in-class tests worth 5%, 15% and 15%, and two discussions worth 5% and 10%. The current Handbook publishes no course-specific hurdle or final exam for this S2 structure.
Current FIT9136 dates
| Date | Item | Control |
|---|---|---|
| 4 September 2026 at 11:55 pm | Assignment 1 Solo Project | 20%. |
| 16 October 2026 at 11:55 pm | Assignment 2 Solo Project | 30%. |
| 23 October 2026 at 11:55 pm | Assignment 2 Discussion | 10%. |
Current-offering dates captured in the course materials. Confirm changes and exact submission settings in the live LMS.
What FIT9136 covers
Build the course in three arcs: Expressions, Types and Program State establishes the frame, Files, Exceptions and Defensive Input deepens it, and Recursion, Advanced Python and Team Practice tests the complete method.
Expressions, Types and Program State
expression · data type · assignment · evaluate expressions and record how names and types change02Conditionals, Loops and Sequences
Boolean condition · iteration · sequence · choose conditionals and loops that process a sequence without skipping or repeating state03Functions, Scope and Dictionaries
function contract · scope · dictionary · decompose a task into functions with local state and dictionary-based lookup04Mutability, Aliasing and Memory
mutability · alias · copy · predict whether a transformation mutates shared state or creates a new object05Files, Exceptions and Defensive Input
file handle · exception · context manager · read, parse and validate file data while closing resources and reporting errors06Modules, Libraries and Unit Testing
module · library · unit test · reuse a library through a clear interface and verify the surrounding code07Object-Oriented Design
class · instance · encapsulation · place related state and behaviour in classes with valid invariants08Recursion, Advanced Python and Team Practice
recursive case · base case · readability · design a terminating recursive function and compare it with an iterative alternativeIt is positioned as a gateway programming unit used across computing-related study areas.
S2 combines two substantial solo projects with staged tests and discussions, so students must both implement working code and explain their design decisions.
Assessment in fit9136 is distributed as follows: two solo projects worth 20% and 30%, three in-class tests totalling 35%, and two discussions totalling 15%
The operational assessment conditions matter here.
No final examination appears in the S2 assessment structure.
What makes fit9136 demanding is concrete: reasoning about program state across functions, mutable data and objects while still producing code that handles invalid input and can be tested independently
Treat the fit9136 hurdle status as unconfirmed.
Check the current Monash Handbook and learning site for any component-level pass rule before relying on the overall mark.
For enrolment planning, The current Handbook publishes no separate prerequisite in the retrieved record; students should confirm course-map rules.
Build the course in three arcs: Expressions, Types and Program State establishes the frame, Files, Exceptions and Defensive Input deepens it, and Recursion, Advanced Python and Team Practice tests the complete method.
Design and test a small parser
- 1Define accepted input, output type and error condition.
- 1Split and normalise items without mutating unrelated state.
- 1Convert each item with controlled exception handling.
- 1Compute the result only from validated values.
- 1Test empty, mixed, negative and all-invalid inputs.
Key terms
- expression
- A combination of values, names and operators evaluated to produce a value. This chapter uses the concept when students evaluate expressions and record how names and types change.
- data type
- A category determining representation, valid operations and behaviour of a value. It helps explain the reasoning required to evaluate expressions and record how names and types change.
- assignment
- Binding of a name to an object produced by evaluating the right-hand expression. Its limit matters because printed appearance alone may hide type, precision or aliasing differences.
- Boolean condition
- An expression interpreted as true or false to control execution. This chapter uses the concept when students choose conditionals and loops that process a sequence without skipping or repeating state.
- iteration
- Repeated execution over a condition or sequence. It helps explain the reasoning required to choose conditionals and loops that process a sequence without skipping or repeating state.
- sequence
- Ordered collection supporting indexed access and traversal. Its limit matters because a loop that works on one list can fail on empty input, changed length or an unupdated condition.
- function contract
- Statement of accepted inputs, returned result, side effects and exceptional conditions. This chapter uses the concept when students decompose a task into functions with local state and dictionary-based lookup.
- scope
- Region in which a name binding is visible and can be resolved. It helps explain the reasoning required to decompose a task into functions with local state and dictionary-based lookup.
- dictionary
- Mutable mapping from unique hashable keys to values. Its limit matters because a function that depends on undeclared global state is difficult to test and reuse.
- mutability
- Ability of an object to change its contents after creation. This chapter uses the concept when students predict whether a transformation mutates shared state or creates a new object.
- alias
- A second name referring to the same object. It helps explain the reasoning required to predict whether a transformation mutates shared state or creates a new object.
- copy
- A new object reproducing some or all of another object's structure. Its limit matters because a shallow copy does not duplicate nested mutable objects.
- file handle
- Object representing an open connection to a file resource. This chapter uses the concept when students read, parse and validate file data while closing resources and reporting errors.
FIT9136 FAQ
How is fit9136 assessed?
two solo projects worth 20% and 30%, three in-class tests totalling 35%, and two discussions totalling 15%
What is the fit9136 final assessed-task format?
No final examination appears in the S2 assessment structure.
Which offering does this fit9136 guide cover?
It is aligned to Semester 2, 2026; confirm your enrolled class and timetable in the current institutional system.
Does fit9136 have a hurdle or component-level pass rule?
Treat the fit9136 hurdle status as unconfirmed. Check the current Monash Handbook and learning site for any component-level pass rule before relying on the overall mark.
Is this fit9136 resource an official university guide?
No. It is an independent fit9136 study resource; current institutional instructions remain authoritative for assessment operation.
How should expression be used in FIT9136?
A combination of values, names and operators evaluated to produce a value. This chapter uses the concept when students evaluate expressions and record how names and types change. Use it to evaluate expressions and record how names and types change; remember that printed appearance alone may hide type, precision or aliasing differences.
Where do students usually lose marks in fit9136?
reasoning about program state across functions, mutable data and objects while still producing code that handles invalid input and can be tested independently
What prerequisites or restrictions apply to fit9136?
The current Handbook publishes no separate prerequisite in the retrieved record; students should confirm course-map rules.
How to prepare for the assessments
Retrieve the course map, practise the recurring method—specify input, output and function contracts, choose data and control structures, trace program state, decompose into modules and objects, then test boundary and failure paths with readable documented Python—on changed scenarios, and verify every operational assessment detail in the live institutional system.
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