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
- 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:
Attendance and In-Class Participation (40 points) | 10% |
12 Assignments (16 points each) | 48% |
Midterm exam (80 points) | 20% |
Comprehensive Final exam (120 minutes, 88 points) | 22% |
Total (400 points) | 100% |
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 |