Course detail

Introduction to Programming and Algorithmization

FSI-1PA Acad. year: 2027/2028 Winter semester

The course introduces programming in MATLAB and algorithmic problem solving for engineering applications. Students learn to create and run scripts, work with variables, vectors and matrices, use conditions, loops and built-in mathematical functions, and plot data. The course also introduces data types and functions, image processing, object-oriented programming, simple graphical user interfaces, and version control. Students complete a team project to build a robot controlled from MATLAB.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Supervisor

doc. Ing. Robert Grepl, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics

Entry knowledge

Vectors and matrices, matrix operations, propositional logic, and basic computer literacy.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course is completed with a graded credit. Students can earn up to 100 points: 10 for Test 1, 30 for Test 2, 40 for Test 3, and 20 for the semester project. Test 3 is an individual one-to-one assessment with the instructor. The final result is based on the total points earned on the tests and project. Tutorial attendance is compulsory and monitored. Lecture attendance is optional but recommended.

Aims

The course teaches students to use MATLAB for common engineering and mathematical problems while developing their algorithmic thinking. Students learn to work with scripts, variables, matrices, conditions, loops, plots, and built-in MATLAB functions. They are also introduced to simple functions and graphical user interfaces, vectorization, object-oriented programming, version control, and image processing.

By the end of the course, students can create and modify MATLAB scripts, solve basic problems involving matrices and program flow, plot data, and find information in the MATLAB documentation. These skills provide a foundation for learning other programming languages.

Study aids

[1] Algorithms. Online. Wikibooks. Last modified 2024-04-05. Available from: https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Algorithms&oldid=4386319. [cited 2026-11-11]. (in English)

[2] KNUTH, Donald E. The Art of Computer Programming. Volume 1: Fundamental Algorithms. 3rd ed. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1997. ISBN 0-201-89683-4. (in English)

[3] ATTAWAY, Stormy. MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving. 5th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2019. ISBN 978-0-12-815479-3. (in English)

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-MET-P: Mechatronics, Bachelor's, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  • Introduction to the course and the MATLAB environment

  • MATLAB I: variables, matrices, scripts, conditions, and loops

  • MATLAB II: vectorization, graph plotting, functions, and data types

  • MATLAB III: text, random numbers, implicit expansion, and recursion

  • MATLAB IV: practice and review

  • Applications of MATLAB and Simulink

  • Assignment of the team project: a robot controlled from MATLAB

  • Fundamentals of image processing

  • Object-oriented programming

  • Version control and code quality

  • Graphical user interfaces

  • Design patterns and programming techniques

  • Overview of other programming languages

Computer-assisted exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  • Introduction to the course, the MATLAB environment, and variables

  • Matrices, scripts, conditions, and loops

  • Test 1 (10 points) and function practice

  • Vectorization, plots, data types, text, and file handling

  • Practice with functions, vectorization, and plotting

  • Review and preparation for Test 2

  • Test 2 (30 points)

  • Fundamentals of image processing

  • Object-oriented programming and hardware exercises

  • Version control with Git

  • Graphical user interface development

  • Practice and preparation for the individual test

  • Test 3 (40 points), individual one-to-one assessment with the instructor