CS116-001 Course Description, Fall 2009

Course Information

Course Title
Visual Programming
Section
CS116 Section 001
Meetings
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00A.M. in RB356
Credits
3
Prerequisites
Proficiency with high school algebra (MATHS112 or equivalent). No programming or computer science experience is required.
Instructors and Contact Information

Overview

The following is the catalog description for this course.

Introduction for non-computer science majors in structured computer programming using a language such as Visual Basic. Modular programming techniques with emphasis on the creation of graphical user interfaces.

In this section, we will explore programming and software design in the context of "smart phone" application development. Students will engage in studio-based learning, working individually and in teams on projects using Google App Inventor for Android. This will provide a context for exploring fundamentals of computer science, including history, networks, security, languages, human-computer interaction, regulation, and impact on society.

Required Books

Course Website

Links to the course Website and/or other relevant information can be found at Dr. Gestwicki's Website (http://www.cs.bsu.edu/~pvg).

This syllabus can be found at http://www.cs.bsu.edu/~pvg/courses/cs116Fa09.

Lecture

Attendance is required for all class meetings. Some class meetings will involve graded activities, not all of which will be announced ahead of time.

Exams

The final exam will be Wednesday, December 16, at 7:30 A.M.

Grading

A student's grade in this course will be determined according to the scale provided below. The instructors reserve the right to adjust the weights as deemed appropriate.

Late work is worth no credit.

Students should keep copies of all graded materials until the end of the semester. If a student suspects that a grading error has occured, the instructor must be notified within one week of returning the graded submission.

The instructor's grading rubric is available online at http://www.cs.bsu.edu/~pvg/misc/grading.html.

Communication

Office Hours and Appointments

Students who come to office hours are helped on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment or prior contact is required. If a student wishes to make an appointment to meet outside of office hours, he or she should email the instructor the request along with several possible meeting times. Appointments can generally be made within two working days of the request.

Email

All email communication to the instructor should be from a bsu.edu address. This policy ensures that senders can be correctly identified. Email sent from other domains may not be answered.

The instructors may access email through services not affiliated with the University. Please note that such emails necessarily pass through the campus firewall in an unencrypted format, and they may be stored on servers not owned or managed by Ball State University. It is therefore advisable to restrict confidential information to office hours or appointments.

If you are emailing regarding questions in a computer program, it is recommended that you send a copy of the code in question in your email. The preferred method is to copy the code into the body of your message, using plain text and following standard formatting conventions.

Telephone

Although instructor's office telephone numbers may be provided for reference, email communication is the most reliable means of contact.

Academic Integrity

Students and faculty are bound by the Student Academic Ethics Policy of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Notice for Students with Disabilities

If you need adaptations or accomodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment as soon as possible.