Course Objectives

Introduction to programming is just that...a class designed to help you learn how to create programs for Microsoft Windows©. NO PREVIOUS PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED OR EXPECTED. I want you to become familiar with the terminology and the use of Visual Basic® so that you can develop the skills necessary to learn programming as either a hobby or a future career. A good deal of emphasis this semester will be placed upon the creation of Windows programs in order to demonstrate how to solve real-world problems with today’s technology.

This course is designed for people who have never designed a computer program. However, you must be comfortable using a computer. This is a 2 hour/week course which means you will be expected to do a considerable amount of work at home and on your own.

The only way to become a good programmer is to practice...a lot! To help you get some practice, you will complete four (4) homework assignments. The three required projects will be completed in class with me helping you.

Evaluation

Your final grade in my class will be based on the total number of points you earn. You will complete 4 homework projects. We will create 3 other projects in class together. The grade which you earn will be based upon the total amount of points you receive on the in-class activities, homework, projects, and exams.

Look at the schedule below. Your first exam will be on week 4 and a mid-term exam will be given about the 8th or 9th week of the semester. A final exam will be given during the last class of the semester. Grading will be based upon the following criteria:

90%= A
80%= B
70%= C
60%= D

The total possible points in the course will be approximately as follows:

Tests	241	3 Exams	Exam 1: 40 Exam 2: 90 Exam 3: 111	Week 6 Week 12 Week 16
In-class Projects	60	3 @ 20 each
Quizzes	120	4 @ 30 each	Quiz 1: 30 Quiz 2: 30 Quiz 3: 30 Quiz 4: 30	Week 5 Week 11 Week 13 Week 15
Homework	90	4 projects	HW 1: 20 HW 2: 20 HW 3: 20 HW 4: 30	Due Week 6 Due Week 9 Due Week 11 Due Week 15
TOTAL	511

All homework projects have specific due dates. I will not accept any late projects so start early and keep up with the pace of the class. There will NOT be any extra credit projects.

Class Format

I teach this class in an interactive way. I usually introduce a topic and use the first part of class to either lecture or demonstrate stuff to you. I try use the remainder of our time letting you practice what you have learned and give you time to complete that day’s activity.

Class Drops & Attendance

If you miss three (3) classes, you will be dropped. This class is rather technical and if you are not in class on a regular basis, you will not be successful.

If you decide to drop this (or any) course during the semester, you should drop the class yourself.  Do not depend on me to handle this for you. I do my best to keep track of your status, but it is better if you make sure your records are accurate yourself. You must drop a course before the end of the 12th week of school or you wil receive an "F" on your transcript.

Accommodations for Disabilities

Students with verifiable disabilities who want to request academic accommodations are responsible for notifying their instructor and Disabled Students Programs and Service (DSPS) as early as possible in the semester.  To arrange for accommodations, contact DSPS at (714) 628-4860, (714) 639-9742 (TTY) or stop by the DSPS Center

MAKE-UP EXAMS

It is possible to take a make-up exam or quiz during the semester (EXCLUDING THE FINAL) if the exam is missed due to illness or other emergency. Please contact me right away if you cannot attend class when we are having an exam so I can help you with the best solution for your situation.

Student Code of Conduct/Civility/Cell Phones/Internet Use

• Full details may be obtained from the SCC Student Handbook. At a minimum, I expect you to treat each others (and your instructor) politely and with respect. This includes turning off all cell phones (or muting them), participating in class, and arriving in a timely manner. Please remember that personal conversation during lecture time is distracting to your fellow students. Collaboration on a project is an exception, of course.
   

• Please turn off cell phones before entering class. Do not make/receive calls during class time.
   

• I turn the internet off during lectures because it is simply too distracting to others. During lab time or before class I will be glad to turn it on for you.

Plagiarism

You are encouraged to work with other students in the class, but all work that you turn in for grading must be your own. Taking credit for another students work is plagiarism and is a violation of SCC academic policy. You will be reported for academic dishonesty and receive an "F" for the assignment. Don't let this happen to you! Remember, all work that you turn in for grading must be your original work.

I will not accept any projects that appear to contain content that has been copied & pasted from a website! Use the web to gather information and examples but create your own projects. I will also not accept any project that appears to have been copied from my website or from one of my classroom demonstration projects.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to use the basic concepts of computers, programming languages, information processing procedures and their interrelationships.

• Students will be able to properly program and document a spectrum of programming problems.

• Students will be able to use a computer to gather data and solve problems.

 

My Specific Goals and Objectives for you

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to: 

• Learn the Visual Basic .Net language in relation to beginning computer programming.

• Develop Windows desktop applications.

• Gain a firm understanding of the VB syntax, variables, string manipulation, and the process for creating applications for simple business solutions.

• Understand and take advantage of the Visual Studio .NET integrated development environment, and the Microsoft .NET Framework.

• Develop entry-level applications in the Visual Basic .NET language that run on Microsoft Windows computers.

Install and configure the Visual Studio Development Environment.

• Continue the life-long learning process of acquiring new skills and knowledge through formal and self-directed means using information and learning resources.

• Use written, oral and visual communication skills to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences, at levels appropriate for a variety of business settings.