vcc.ca
CSTP 1230: C++ Programming
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Computer Systems Tech Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
Students learn the computer programming language C++. Students learn the basics of C++ and its features. Topics include classes, object life cycle, memory management and smart pointers, program execution life cycle, the Standard Template Library (STL), exception handling, threads and processes.
Students are familiarized with the landscape of programming with C++ and its modern features and will be able to debug, optimize, and restructure existing code in a general application development context.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain C++ syntax and programming constructs
- Identify and use data types and variables effectively
- Implement control structures such as loops and conditional statements
- Design and implement functions that receive and return values
- Manipulate strings and arrays
- Use dynamic memory allocation techniques
- Use algorithms and containers in the C++ Standard Template Library
- Perform file input and output operations
- Use object-oriented programming techniques such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.
- Employ debugging and testing techniques to identify and fix errors
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies include classroom lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, computer labs and hands-on practical work.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
50 |
One assignment per week, except the 2 weeks of exams |
|
Midterm Exam |
20 |
|
|
Final Exam |
20 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
10 |
|
Course topics
- Overview of the C++ programming language
- Data types, variables and scope
- Loops, conditional statements and program flow
- Functions, parameter passing, return values, and scope
- Arrays, strings, and string manipulation
- Pointers, dynamic memory allocation and deallocation
- Object-oriented programming, classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation
- File input and output, file streams, and error handling
- Standard Template Library, vectors, lists, maps, and algorithms
- Debugging, testing and code quality
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.