COP1000 Introduction to Computer Programming
Syllabus - SPRING 2010

I reserve the right to change this syllabus at any time.

Instructor:	Melinda C White
Phone:	(407) 708-2447
Office:	V-102I
Email:	whitemc@seminolestate.edu
Textbooks:	Visual Basic 2008 for Windows, Mobile, Web , Office, and Database Applications - Comprehensive, by Shelly/Cashman/Hoisington Publisher: Cengage Learning/Course Technology 2009 ISBN 978-4239-2716-7 or bundled with software 0-3248-1396-1 Books can be purchased at the campus bookstore or online http://www.seminolestate.bkstr.com.

SPRING OFFICE HOURS:  

Course Description:

This course covers the basic concepts of object-oriented computer programming. There are no required prerequisites for this course. Students will use a structured approach to program/algorithm design and learn logical techniques such as iteration, initialization, conditional processing, accumulation, and sequencing. Students will gain an understanding of object oriented concepts relating to objects, properties, events, and methods. Also considered are programming style and program efficiency.

Students must have access to a computer with Windows and Visual Basic 2008. Visual Basic software will be available free of charge. Students will be required to download and install Visual Basic if needed on personal computer. Computers are available (with all required software) in library on Lake Mary campus.. Students should be comfortable working in Windows, managing files and folders.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use flowcharts and structured English to design algorithms.
• Create and use variables and constants.
• Differentiate data types for variables.
• Create arithmetic expressions.
• Implement fundamental programming constructs such as iteration and selection.
• Explain the concept of scope and use scope appropriately when coding applications.
• Create and use arrays.
• Use standard debugging logic and tools to test applications.
• Use procedures from the Visual Basic library.
• Understand object-oriented terminology (events, methods, properties, etc.)
• Create and use custom procedures.
• Use the Microsoft Visual Basic development environment to create simple graphical user interface applications.

The online sections will not have any campus meetings....all meetings and work are completed online. However, if you need extra help, feel free to come to my office during my scheduled office hours.

Participation:

You are expected to post messages on the discussion board on a regular basis.  Post a minimum of one message per week. This can be a message where you are asking a question or answering someone else's question. The more conversation we have on the discussion board, the better your class experience will be. I have created several topics folders on the discussion board. If your question or comment matches one of those topics, please post your message in that area of the discussion board. This will make it easier for a classmate to locate information relating to that particular topic. Use a meaningful Subject title on all Discussions to help others have an idea of what is in your message.

Disabilities:

Any student who has a disability and is in need of special services should contact Disability Support Services (room S-002, phone 407-708-2109) by the second week of class. For more information, visit www.seminolestate.edu/dss.

Grading:

Category	Percent of Grade
Projects	60%
Tests/Quizzes	40%
Total	100%

The course consists of approximately 1000 points. There are a few extra points built in. This gives you a buffer just in case you are unable to complete one of our weekly assignments. There will be at least one extra credit assignment. If you earn 900 or more points, you will earn an A.

You must post at least 10 meaningful messages on our discussion boards during this term.

Final letter grade will be assigned based on the percentage of total points the student earns.

Projects (Programming Assignments):

There are lots of programming assignments given in this class because the only way to really learn the material is to practice, practice, practice. It is important for you to complete the programming assignments in a timely manner. Programming assignments vary in point value depending on difficulty. Point values range from 10 to 50 points. Missing even one homework assignment can have a negative impact on your grade. Please do every assignment. If there is something you can't do or don't understand, post a question on the Bulletin Board. DO NOT POST PROGRAM CODE SOLUTIONS ON THE BULLETIN BOARD.

Each chapter project builds upon the work completed in earlier chapters. Projects are usually due by noon on Monday of the week specified on the course calendar. Late assignments are not accepted. However, there are extra points built into the class just in case you do have to miss an assignment. As long as you reach 900 points you will have an A in the class.

Projects must follow all class standards discussed to that point. This includes comments, structured coding standards and naming conventions.

I will be happy to discuss the solution  for an assignment after the due date. The deadlines will be strictly adhered to. After I have finished grading an assignment I will post the solution for that assignment. No assignments will be accepted once the solutions have been posted on the discussion board.

You may not turn in the same project more than once. If a project has multiple parts (for example parts A and B), you must turn in all parts at the same time. You cannot turn in one part one week and the other part another week. 

Graded projects will be returned to you within one week of the due date for that assignment. Your grade for the project will be included in the returned project. Grades are posted to a grade book available to you. You should regularly check this grade book to monitor your progress and class standing. The grade book is accessible from a link on the class home page on Angel. (If you turn in an assignment a week early, I will not grade that assignment until the due date for that assignment. I try to grade all of the assignments at once to ensure consistency in grading.)

There are open computer labs in the Main Campus library and on the Oviedo campus. Check the website: www.seminolestate.edu/computers/labhours/  for hours of operation. The software for this class is installed on the computers in the open labs and you can complete your assignments there if you do not have a computer available at home.  Having software and/or hardware problems is not a valid excuse for not completing your homework by the deadline.

Exams:

There are approximately five tests during the semester. Each test is worth 60 points. Approximate test dates are provided in the course calendar. Grades are posted to a grade book available to you. You should regularly check this grade book to monitor your progress and class standing.

All tests are open book. You will have one attempt to take your test. Once you open the test you must finish the test within one hours.

Practice tests and other reinforcement exercises are available at http://www.scsite.com/vb2008/.

Questions:

Your willingness to ask questions will be one of the biggest factors in your success in this class. Check the class bulletin board to make sure your question has not already been asked and answered. If it has not, post your question to the bulletin board. I monitor the bulletin board throughout the day on Monday through Fridays. Other students may also answer your question. Feel free to email me directly if you have a question and you are uneasy about asking that question on the bulletin board where all your classmates can "see" it. I check email several times a day Monday through Friday. I often check the bulletin board and email on the weekends and holidays. However you should not count on a response during these periods. Plan your work so that questions can be handled Monday through Friday. You may also make an appointment to meet with me in person if necessary. I love meeting my online students!!

Lecture Notes:

     A series of lecture notes are provided for each module.   Check these notes on a regular basis. During the week as we discuss concepts on the bulletin board, I will add to the lecture notes, just as I would do in a classroom environment.

Withdrawals:

Academic Integrity:

It is acceptable to help one another with programming "bugs". Many times it takes two sets of eyes to locate a problem within a program. However, there is a big difference between helping and cheating. You may post parts of your code to the bulletin board, explain what you are trying to do and what error you are receiving. Other students or I may then give you suggestions as to what to try. Do not give a copy of your project or any part of your project to another student. If you do, all people involved will be given a zero on that assignment with no means to make up the grade. Do not share your project design with other students. That also constitutes cheating and the same penalties as above apply. Do not post the solution to a homework assignment on the bulletin board or email.

I expect all your work in class to be your original work. Obtain my approval first if you think you need to "borrow" code from a book, the internet, a coworker, or anyone else. Failure to receive my prior approval will mean you violated the provisions of the paragraph immediately above.

A second instance of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course for all those involved. You should also review the policy on academic integrity in the student handbook.  

Emergency Notification:

In case of emergency conditions, verify the college is open and classes are being held by calling 407-708-2290 or 407-708-4277. The Seminole State website home page features updated announcements (http://www.seminolestate.edu).

Email:

To access your Seminole State student email account, https://mymail.seminolestate.edu. You will receive an email in your Seminole State email account giving you the information about the free software download.

Communicate with your instructor for all course related communication using the email provided in Angel.

Class Schedule:

Please complete the class check in process on Angel prior to 09/02/2009.  Refer to the course schedule for assignment deadlines. You may work at a faster pace than the schedule below describes. After you check in, your user id and password will allow you to access all class materials. I suggest you follow the class schedule in sequence. Do not fall behind. The exact due date for each assignment is listed in the class calendar.

The software for this class will be provided free of charge. You will receive an email  giving you access to a website that allows you to order CD's or download Visual Studio 2008. This email will come to your Seminole State email account. I encourage you to also download the MSDN CD's because this will provide the Help resources for Visual Studio. Downloading Visual Studio 2008 takes a very long time and is probably not the ideal solution for most of you. The cost of ordering the Visual Studio CD's is very small and if you plan on taking more programming classes in the future, I recommend you consider purchasing the CD's for your software library. More information about the software will be posted to the bulletin board during the first week of class.