Hello & Welcome

COP2220C C Programming

Online at SCC

Thank you for enrolling in COP2220C, C Programming. I would like to welcome you to this on-line course. I am looking forward to working with each of you and hope that you will find the course both enjoyable and informative. My name is Dick Grant and I am the instructor for the course. My e-mail address is grantd@scc-fl.edu. Please visit my web site and review the syllabus. This site is not password protected. E-mail me with any questions you have.

Distance Learning Considerations: To succeed in a Web-based course, you should be motivated, self-directed, and willing to work on your own. This type of course is not for everyone. If you like to interact regularly in person with an instructor and classmates, this is probably not the course for you. If you can solve computer problems on your own without asking for much help, this type of instruction is right down your alley. Good time management skills, self-discipline, and motivation are required to complete this course.

Course Description: This is a beginning course in C programming. It is not a beginning programming course. If you have never programmed before, you should take the prerequisite for this course, COP1000 Principles of Programming. (COP1000 is also offered online.) This prerequisite can be waived if you have programming experience. Just contact me via email. (UCF students: You should contact me (grantd@scc-fl.edu) or Melinda White (whitemc@scc-fl.edu) to have this prerequisite removed.)

This course will introduce you to the syntax and use of the C programming language. You will be designing, coding, and testing C applications. It is very much a hands-on course. That is, you will have programming assignments due regularly throughout the term. You may submit these projects before their due date. However, late submissions will be penalized as described in the course syllabus. The course syllabus is available from my home page.

To take this course in the on-line format you must have basic computer skills such as using e-mail, navigating the Web, and using the keyboard and mouse. Tests will be administered online. Assignments will be submitted via email or hand delivered to my office.

To Get Started: I recommend you do the following when the term starts :

Go to the course site and read through the syllabus and other general course information. Most of your questions will be answered there, so be sure to read carefully!
- The URL for the course site is: http://ecampus.scc-fl.edu
- You will need to have your Angel Login ID and Password ready to log in to Angel. You must create your login and password by visiting the MySCC site. Visit the DL Student Support site for more information on login IDs and passwords. Please complete the online problem form if you have any difficulty logging into Angel or call the DL office at (407) 328-2424.
Purchase your textbook and review it so that you can see the depth of the work and assignment material. Reviewing the syllabus, class calendar, and the textbook will give you an idea of what will be expected of you in the course. Be prepared and keep up with your reading and assignments.
Please send me an e-mail at grantd@scc-fl.edu once you are officially registered. Include the following information: Last Name, First Name, Course Name, Course Number, Section Number, and phone number (day time number preferred). I keep this information on file in case I need to contact you and Angel is not available.

Class Attendance: There are no regularly scheduled class meetings either on campus or online. You can communicate with me and other students via the course bulletin board and email. You may also contact me by phone (407-328-2055) or stop by my office (office hours) on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus. You must login to the class at least once during the first 2 weeks of the term. I will withdraw you from the class if you have not logged in within that time period. I will not reinstate in you under any circumstances.

Required Materials: You may purchase the required textbook at the SCC bookstore. The text is C by Dissection by Al Kelley and Ira Pohl (ISBN 0-201-71374-8). You may also visit the SCC Bookstore website to order your text.

Angel: Angel is a course management program where much of the course resides. Student tracking, lecture notes, grades, and testing will take place within the Angel environment. You cannot actually enter the course on the site until the term begins and I place your name and ID into Angel. Hopefully I will have you entered within a day after the term starts. You will need an ID and Password to enter the course. If you have never used Angel you may want to visit this student support site for information on using this tool. This site doesn't require a login ID and password.

The COP2220C course site does require a login ID and password. You must create your login and password by visiting the MySCC site. Visit the DL Student Support site for more information on login IDs and passwords.

Hardware and Software Requirements: You are required to have access to a computer with the following capabilities: ability to access the Internet; ability to send and receive email with attachments; ability to create and edit C source code (see additional information below); ability to compile and execute C source code.

You may use any C compiler or development tool. There are free C compilers available via the WWW. I, nor the the College, make any representations regarding software downloaded from the WWW. UCF students are strongly encouraged to use the emacs text editor (for Windows) and the gcc compiler. Most C++ compilers are backward compatible and will allow you to create and run your C code. I have tested all the assignments and examples using Microsoft Visual C++.net. C++.net is loaded on the PCs in the SCC classrooms and the SCC open labs on campus. The open labs are available seven days a week if you do not have the necessary hardware and software at home or at work. Check the sign outside the lab for hours of operation. SCC is a member of the Microsoft Developer's Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA). As a member we make Microsoft's Visual Studio.net Professional available for download to registered students. This product contains MS C++.net. Information on downloading this software is available once you are registered and enter the course. The course also provides a link to a free C++ compiler for the Unix operating system.

Students occasionally run into hardware or software problems at home or work that impact their ability to complete assignments. These hardware and or software problems are your responsibility. Do not expect extra time to complete assignments. I will work with you as best I can but the solution may be for you to come to the SCC campus and complete your assignments on PCs in the open labs.

You must have everything in place the first day of class. This entire course will be conducted on-line. Good luck and again, I very much look forward to working with you in this course.