Introduction to Computers

Course description

Introduction to computer programming together with the consideration of the impact of computers on society. Emphasis on logical problem-solving and algorithms. No credit given to students with credit for CS 151, 213 or MATH 446, 471. 3 Cr.

Logistics

Instructor

Dmitri A. Gusev

Office

Maria Sanford Hall, Room 303-009

Phone

(860) 832-2719

Fax

(860) 832-2712

E-mail

gusevdma@ccsu.edu

Office hours

MW, 4:30-5 p.m. and 8:15-8:45 p.m.

TR, 4-5 p.m. and 8:15-8:45 p.m.

Class meetings

Section 13580: TR, 5:15-6:30 p.m., MS 310

  Section 11069: TR, 6:45-8:00 p.m., MS 210

Textbook

• David I. Schneider, An Introduction to Programming Using  Visual Basic 6.0, Update Edition, 4th Edition, ISBN 0131427075

Course objectives

Upon a successful completion of this course the students should:

• Be familiar with the use of computers as a prime tool of solving common problems within various facets of our society;
• Understand the generic principles of computer programming as they apply directly to common situations;
• Comprehend the procedures, algorithms, functions and processes of Visual Basic 6.0;
• Use the knowledge of algorithmic functions and computer programming in certain application settings;
• Apply these concepts and knowledge to development of programs for diverse problem settings.

Tentative schedule

Reference: S - Schneider, An Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic 6.0

Week 1:

• 09/04 Lecture 1: Introduction, Course Overview and Number Systems
  Reading: S 1
• 09/06 Lecture 2: Data Representation and Problem Solving
  Reading: S 2

Week 2:

• 09/11 Lecture 3: Visual Basic Objects, Events, and Numbers
  Reading: S 3.1-3.3
• 09/13 Assignment 1 due; Lab 1: Numbers in Visual Basic
  

Week 3:

• 09/18 Lecture 4: Strings; Input and Output (I/O)
  Reading: S 3.4, 3.5
• 09/20 Assignment 2 due; Lab 2: Strings, I/O
  

Week 4:

• 09/25 Lecture 5: Built-In Functions
  Reading: S 3.6
• 09/27 Assignment 3 due; Lab 3: Built-In Functions
  

Week 5:

• 10/02 Lecture 6: Sub Procedures I
  Reading: S 4.1
• 10/04 Assignment 4 due; Lab 4: Sub Procedures I
  

Week 6:

• 10/09 Lecture 7: Sub Procedures II
  Reading: S 4.2
• 10/11 Assignment 5 due; Lab 5: Sub Procedures II
  

Week 7:

• 10/16 Lecture 8: Function Procedures, review
  Reading: S 4.3
• 10/18 Assignment 6 due; Lab 6: Function Procedures
  

Week 8:

• 10/23 Midterm exam
• 10/25 Lecture 9: Decisions
  Reading: S 5.1, 5.2

Week 9:

• 10/30 Assignment 7 due; Lab 7: Decisions
• 11/01 Lecture 10: Select Case Blocks
  Reading: S 5.3

Week 10:

• 11/06 Assignment 8 due; Lab 8: Select Case Blocks
• 11/08 Lecture 11: Do Loops
  Reading: S 6.1, 6.2

Week 11:

• 11/13 Assignment 9 due; Lab 9: Do Loops
• 11/15 Lecture 12: For/Next Loops
  Reading: S 6.3

Week 12:

• 11/20 Assignment 10 due; Lab 10: For/Next Loops
  
• 11/22 No class, Thanksgiving recess

Week 13:

• 11/27 Lecture 13: Creating and Using Arrays
  Reading: S 7.1, 7.2
• 11/29 Assignment 11 due; Lab 11: Creating and Using Arrays

Week 14:

• 12/04 Lecture 14: Sorting and Searching
  Reading: S 7.4
• 12/06 Assignment 12 due; Lab 12: Searching

Week 15:

• 12/11 Lecture 15: Control Arrays
  Reading: S 7.3
• 12/13 Assignment 13 due (extra credit); Lecture 16: Computers and Society, review (classes canceled due to a snow storm)

Week 16:

• Final exam

Midterm

The Midterm is designed as an elemental evaluation device and to prompt the student to stay abreast of assigned topics. The test will take 75 minutes.

 Questions on a test may include:

• True/false questions,
• Multiple choice questions,
• Short answer questions,
• Problem questions.

Final exam

Final exam is a cumulative objective test of representative content of the entire semester's course offerings.

Lab assignments

During the lab sessions the students will work on Visual Basic 6.0 programming assignments focusing on the material covered in class lectures and reading assignments. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates. Late assignments are accepted, at 10% penalty per work day (Saturdays and Sundays don’t count), but no later than one week after the due date. For example, if an assignment is turned in one week late, you may get up to 50% credit for it. Blackboard Vista will be used to turn in all assignments, except the first one.

Honesty policy

It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in an honest manner (see the CCSU Student Handbook), and never turn in any work which is not their own. Violating this policy will result in a substantial grade penalty, and could result in expulsion from the University. However, students are allowed to discuss assignments with others and receive debugging help from others.

Attendance

Students are responsible for attending all scheduled classes and labs. Students who are unable to attend class/laboratory or meet deadlines for assignments due to religious beliefs or other valid excuses must contact the instructor ahead of time so that we might work out arrangements. No make-up exam will be given unless the student's absence is approved by the instructor BEFORE the exam is given. All students are responsible for material covered during their absence regardless of the reason.

Students with disabilities

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, Room 241, Copernicus Hall, if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.

Grades and evaluation

The final course grade will be calculated according to the following table:

Course letter grade will be determined as follows:

A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	D-	F
95-100	90-94	87-89	84-86	80-83	77-79	74-76	70-73	67-69	64-66	60-63	0-59