CSCI 110 Visual Basic
Spring 2009 crn 165
This
page serves as our course syllabus
Instructor: Dennis Higgins
Text: Programming using Visual Basic 2008, Kip Irvine and Tony Gaddis
Office: F239
Phone: X3552
Office Hours: MWF11am-12 noon
Class meets: 9 am in the Fitz 306 lab.
About this course:
This is an introductory course in programming using the MS VB 2008 development environment and language. There are no prerequisites. The software needed for the course is installed on machines in campus labs (VB 2008 edition). If you have your own computer, you may be able to download an express edition of the software from Microsoft. Class presentation will demonstrate how to use the environment and we will develop numerous project examples. Students will build about one project per week. All our meetings are in Fitzelle 306. Typically, I will cover material during half of our class meeting time and you will work on your week's project during the remaining time. Although one full class day will typically be devoted to hands-on work, you may still need additional lab time for your project outside of class to get it done by end-of-class on the project due date. Labs are provided to teach additional concepts or help you build your project incrementally. Although they are not graded you may need to complete them to build your project.
Catalog description: A thorough development of programming techniques in (Visual) Basic. Includes fundamental algorithms and specialized facilities in (Visual) Basic.
Grading policy: Your grade will consist of "scores" in 4 categories: class participation (A), projects (P), quizzes (Q) and final (F). It will be computed as 10%A+50%P+20%Q+20%F. Attendance is required as provided in the student handbook. You will be called on in class and your ability to answer questions based on material covered will compose a part of your grade. You will be assigned approximately 15 VB projects to complete. You must show me your properly-running project in the lab ON TIME to get full credit. Your project grade will also depend on how independently you can work. (Your grade will be lower if you need me to help you write most of your project.) There will be several (fewer than 10) short in-class quizzes on material covered. I will drop your lowest quiz grade. There will be a 1 hour final exam during our final exam period (as scheduled). The final will contain questions similar those on the quizzes. Final projects must be submitted at this time as well.
Note on projects: Projects which do not run, receive no credit. Partial credit may be given for projects which fulfill some of the specifications. I am available to help on projects. My office help is contingent on your coming to our regular class meetings and keeping up with all class work, including running example programs and exercises I give you. Additionally, I will not provide assistance on a project after the due date of the project. Late projects receive 1 point deduction for each school day late up to one week (5 days). After that they receive no credit. Just like in English or Biology, copying is NOT ALLOWED: you will be referred immediately to the appropriate disciplinary office as well as receiving NO CREDIT. Note also that I will not generally be able to help you outside of our class lab time or regular office hours.
Class comportment: Excessive absenteeism (25% or more classes missed) will result in a WI if it occurs before the withdrawal date or an E after that date. Incompletes will only occur for passing students in the event of catastrophic illness or calamity. All campus policies regarding class attendance and comportment apply. See your student handbook for more details. You are expected to behave in a courteous fashion. Impolite behavior is disruptive to teaching. Some examples of behavior which would be construed as disruptive:
Finals Week: You may choose to do a special final project of your own design. I will also post some possible final projects. Please clear your specific project with me. In either case, class meets in the lab during our finals period. Part of the period will be used for our final quiz and part for students to show their projects. (You may use this period as lab time but must show me your last project before the end of the period.)
Some links/assignments may be updated for Spring 09.
projects
link (dates will need to be adjusted
for spring 09)
some powerpoints for
the course