Course Syllabus
COSC 1436 – Programming
Fundamentals I
Revision Date: August 21, 2013
Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to computer programming in the ―C++‖ programming
language. Emphasis is on the fundamentals of structured design, development, testing, implementation,
and documentation. It includes coverage of language syntax, data and file structures, input/output
devices, and disks/files.
Lecture hours = 3, Lab hours = 3
Prerequisites: COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305
Semester Credit Hours: 4
Lecture Hours per Week: 3
Lab Hours per Week: 3
Contact Hours per Semester: 96
State Approval Code: 11.0201.52 07
Core Components and Related College Student Learning Outcomes
This course counts as part of the academic requirements of the Panola College Core Curriculum and an
Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree.
Yes
No: If no, skip to Instructional Goals.
The items below marked with an X reflect the state-mandated outcomes for this course IF this is a CORE
course:
Critical Thinking Skills – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and
syntheses of information
CT1: Generate and communicate ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing
information
CT2: Gather and assess information relevant to a question
CT3: Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
CS1: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written communication
CS2: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through oral communication
CS3: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills – to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
EQS1: Manipulate and analyze numerical data and arrive at an informed conclusion
EQS2: Manipulate and analyze observable facts and arrive at an informed conclusion
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with
others to support a shared purpose or goal
TW1: Integrate different viewpoints as a member of a team
TW2: Work with others to support and accomplish a shared goal
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to
ethical decision-making
PR1: Evaluate choices and actions and relate consequences to decision-making
Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the
ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
SR1: Demonstrate intercultural competence
SR2: Identify civic responsibility
SR3: Engage in regional, national, and global communities
Instructional Goals and Purposes:
The purpose of this course is to develop programs using fundamental concepts of structured
programming using software development methodology in program problem solving. This will be
accomplished by the ability of the student to code programs using data types, control structures, functions
and arrays and by demonstrating the ability to run, test, and debug programs.
Learning Outcomes: [from the ACGM catalog]
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Develop programs using fundamental concepts of structured programming.
Use software development methodology in program problem solving.
Code programs using data types, control structures, functions and arrays.
Demonstrate the ability to run, test, and debug programs.
Course Content:
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
1. Create programs using basic elements of C++ including variables and I/O statements
2. Code arithmetic computations
3. Develop programs with simple and compound conditions,
4. Develop algorithms
5. Plan and design program logic with pseudocode
6. Develop programs using selection structures including if and switch statements
7. Write a simple program using the techniques of top-down design of algorithms and structured
programming.
8. Use repetition structures in programs including do and while loops
9. Create programs using functions.
10. Write modules that perform basic manipulations with one-dimensional arrays
11. Code statements iterating over sequences
12. Understand variable scope and be able to use variables appropriately in programs.
13. Create software using problem solving skills to design, code and test programs.
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14. Demonstrate the use of debugging functions available in software development tools.
15. Run, test and debug programs.
General Description of Each Lecture or Discussion
Students in all sections of ―C++‖ Programming I will be required to do the following:
1. Students will submit computer programs for each learning module of the course. Each program
must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the learning module represented.
2. Students will assemble a portfolio of programming projects to be submitted at the end of the
semester.
3. Students will conduct an interactive presentation of a comprehensive programming project
subject to peer and instructor evaluation.
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:
Students in both the traditional class and in the Internet class will have access to this course via
Canvas. Students in the traditional class will meet regularly for lecture over the material. Students
in the Internet class will only be required to meet with the instructor for testing; however, Internet
students are always welcome to attend the traditional class (especially for exam reviews).
Resources provided through Canvas include
1. A calendar displaying assignments each week (please check often)
2. Online assignments
3. Chapter notes
4. Email (totally contained within Canvas)
All assignments will be submitted through Canvas. After the assignment has been graded, the
student will be able to view his or her grade by returning to the assignment and clicking the View
Scores button or by clicking the My Grades link in the left banner. All exams will be hands-on
application tests and students will not be able to view the answers to the exams online; however,
they will be able to see their grade in My Grades and drop by the office to review their exams. I
generally will have your work graded and posted within two days following the deadline.
Students in both the traditional and Internet classes should use the Email within Canvas to communicate
with the instructor. Using Canvas email gives you access to the instructor and other classmates without
having to remember or type email addresses—you just select a name from the list. If you are not able to
contact me using email in Canvas, you may use my Panola College email address. I attempt to respond
to all email within 24 hours. If you make an appointment with me through email to take an exam, for
example, I will reply to your email—if I do not reply you should send your email to me again or call me.
Please always include a subject line and your name in your email.
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Assessment:
Course Grade:
The grade for this course will be based on…The following items will be assigned during the semester and
used to calculate the student’s final grade:

ASSIGNMENTS
We will work through each of the learning modules which correspond to the chapters in your textbook. At
the end of each learning module, you will complete a programming project demonstrating your knowledge
of the programming concepts presented in the learning module. Program source code will be submitted to
me according to the schedule provided using the online drop box in the Assignments link of Canvas.

PORTFOLIO
The portfolio will be a collection of all program source code developed during the semester including a
comprehensive programming project to be completed in the final weeks of the semester.
Portfolios are due by the scheduled deadline.

EXAMS
There will be two assessments to verify that you have the comprehensive knowledge required to produce
your portfolio. You will demonstrate this knowledge by conducting an interactive presentation of a
comprehensive programming project subject to peer and instructor evaluation.
Course Grade:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:

Assignments – 20%

Portfolio – 50%

Exams – 30%
All grades including a mid-semester and final grade will be posted to My Grades in Canvas.
Texts, Materials, and Supplies:
 Required: An Introduction to Programming With C++, Sixth Edition by Diane Zak, 2007, Course
Technology,
 Access to a computer and the Internet.
 Student data files and Dev-C++ are provided with the textbook.
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