IT102 – Introduction to Programming
Winter 2010 Syllabus
Name:
Office:
Office Hrs:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Betsy Campbell
IB2317B
M-F; 11:00-11:50am
(206) 528-4524
bcampbel@sccd.ctc.edu
http://facweb.northseattle.edu/bcampbel/IT102
Class Times & Location:
M, W, F
T, TH
10:00-10:50am
10:00-10:50am
IB3327
IB3406
Credits: 5
Course Description:
Do you want to know how to program a computer? Can you debug a control
structure that is using an array? If you like working puzzles and solving problems,
you’ll like programming. This class is designed to give you a basic understanding
of the programming field. You will learn how to solve problems through
programming logic and design and how to use efficient troubleshooting techniques
to find and correct errors.
Prerequisites:
There are no required prerequisites for this class. However, experience using a
computer is strongly recommended. You’ll also need the equivalent of high school
level math. (Add, subtract, multiple, divide, percentages, etc.)
Course Goal:
The goal of this course is to learn general programming principles. This course
will not make you an expert VB.NET programmer! However, you will develop
broad foundational programming skills and gain some knowledge of Visual
Basic.NET along the way!
Course Objectives/Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use design tools such as structured flowcharts and translate these to a
programming language to solve problems.
Demonstrate an understanding of programming principles by writing
programs using a visual interface.
Write and execute simple programs on the computer.
Demonstrate an understanding of programming principles by writing
programs using If-Then-Else structures, loops and subroutines.
Demonstrate an understanding of troubleshooting strategies and debugging
techniques.
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NSCC General Education Learning Outcomes:
Outcome 2. Use quantitative reasoning processes to understand, analyze,
interpret, and solve quantitative problems.
Outcome 5. Apply computer competency appropriate to general education and
occupational goals.
Materials:


An Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic 2008
7th edition, by Schneider ISBN: 0-13-606076-5
(Prentice Hall, 2007; available in the campus bookstore.
o Web site that accompanies text (contains the sample programs in textbook)
A flash disk (or can save to I: drive)
Method of Evaluation:
:
1) 2 Tests (40 points each) ............................. 80
2) 8 Programs (5 points each ) ....................... 40
3) 8 Assignments (5 points each) ................... . 40
Total
160 points
To keep track of your performance in class, determine the percentage of the points
you’ve accrued relative to the points that have been made available, and then lookup
that value in the following table. Ex: 145 pts / 160 = 90.63%. Rounding that up to
91%, the grade awarded would be 3.3
Grading Scale:
Grade
Percent
Grade
Percent
Grade
Percent
Grade
Percent
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.1
98-100
97
96
95
94
93
92
91
90
89
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
87-88
86
85
84
83
82
81
80
79
78
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
76-77
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
66
65
64
63
No incompletes will be given.
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Programming Assignment Due Dates:
o
All program assignments will be linked to our class schedule.
Programming assignments have target due dates. Please make every
effort to submit your programs by that date.
o
Each programming assignment also has a "FIRM" or "Last Chance" due
date. Programming assignments submitted by 11:59pm (the end of the
day) on this date are considered "on time" and are worth full credit.
o
No late programming assignments!! -- No credit is awarded for
assignments submitted in after a firm due date. Start each assignment
early so you will have extra time available in case you get stuck!
Lab Activities:
There will be weekly lab activities assigned throughout the quarter that I'd like you to
do. You’ll find them linked to our class schedule. Some will be follow-up or re-enforcing
activities based on the topics covered during the lecture sessions. Others will be guided
activities that we’ll perform together in class. Our lab time is to be used for the lab
activities provided. It is not to be used for surfing the web, doing homework for other
classes. Due dates for the lab activities are shown on the schedule. They are due at
the end of class (i.e. 10:50 am) on their due dates. (LATE LAB ACTIVITIES WILL BE
PENALIZED 1/2 PT PER DAY AND WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED UP TO 1 WEEK
LATE SO PLEASE MANAGE YOUR TIME ACCORDINGLY. 1 DAY LATE = END OF
CLASS ON DUE DATE TO END OF CLASS ON NEXT DAY.)
Be sure to do all of the lab activities. It’s critical to your success in this class that you
practice and apply the concepts, create algorithms and write programs on a frequent
and regular basis. This will help you master the concepts and will also prepare you for
taking the tests.
Tests:
Students are expected to take the tests as scheduled. Please contact me in advance if
you anticipate missing an exam. Make-up tests will only be given if pre-arranged
with me prior to the absence. If on the day of an exam, you have an emergency
which will cause you to miss class, please contact me by phone (528-4524 - leave a
message if I'm not there) prior to the time of the test so that we can make alternate
plans.
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Strategies for Success:
 Be here for as many class sessions as you can and try to arrive on time. This
will make a difference in your learning experience. If you miss class, it will be
your responsibility to contact another student to borrow notes and discuss what
went on during the sessions that you missed.
 Come to class prepared. Do the reading in advance and be ready with a list of
questions re: you have about what you've read.
 Download and play with the example programs shown in the text. Often working
with the concepts by playing and experimenting with them will help you
understand the concepts more fully. Be an “active” reader of the text. To help
you do so, you'll find all of these programs and any necessary data files at the
publisher's website. When you get there, just click on "Programs for Chapters 211" to download them.
 Discuss issues and ask questions whenever you have them. Often, if you have a
question, someone else in the class is probably wondering the same thing too!
Remember: The goal here is to increase your understanding. Help encourage
your classmates to do this same! By doing so, we all then become co-learners in
this process.
 Share your discoveries! Whenever you come upon something new and
interesting, share it with us.
 Lab activities and assignments are avenues to help you learn and apply the
concepts we're learning. Experiment and play with them! Accept the challenge
and have fun. Go beyond the assigned tasks and let your natural curiosity re:
how things work take over. Write some extra programs just for fun! There are
programming exercises at the end of each chapter. Or try creating on your own a
program that's of particular interest to you.
 The tests are given to validate your learning and assess your level of mastery. I
hope the tests themselves as well and the time you spend studying for them will
enhance your learning. Because you know.....in the end.... that's what it's all
about.
Academic Honesty Policy: All of your submissions for both exams and assignments
in this course are to represent your own original, independent thinking. Discussing
concepts, and asking questions of other students regarding those concepts is fine. But
when it comes time to actually do the lab activities and program assignments, and take
the tests, the work you turn in should be totally your own. You are not to copy another
student’s work or to allow them to copy your work (i.e. Don’t give other students your
solutions either in printed or electronic form). In the event this should happen, all
parties involved will receive a grade of 0 for that specific exam, assignment or quiz. For
more information on the college’s Academic Honest Policy, read the WAC 132F-121120: Instructor sanctions for course work dishonesty or classroom misconduct
code at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=132F-121-120
Classroom Diversity Statement: Respect for diversity is a core value of NSCC. Our
college community fosters an optimal learning climate and an environment of mutual
respect. We, the college community, recognize individual differences. Therefore, we
are responsible for the content and tone of our statements and are empathetic speakers
and listeners.
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Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities who believe that they may
need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Services as
soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely
fashion. You may make an appointment with Disability Services by calling 527-3697 or
stopping by the DS office on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center.
Fragrance Policy: North Seattle Community College is a fragrance free college.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to refrain from wearing heavily scented
products during class sessions, since some individuals may experience chemical
sensitivities to fragrances that interfere with their learning.
Please note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
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