The official web page for this course is http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/Fall07/Cosc1315WebPage/COSC1315.htm 

Course Description:  An introduction to computer concepts, logic, and computer programming. Includes designing, coding, debugging, testing, and documenting programs using a high-level programming language.

Pre-requisite:  B - Reading & Math

Approved Course Text:
Learning to Program with Alice
Authors: Wanda P. Dann, Stephen Cooper, Randy Pausch
ISBN-10:  0-13-187289-3
ISBN-13:  9780131872899

Software requirements:  As usual, the necessary Alice software will be installed in the computer labs at NRG whenever this course is being taught there using Alice.  If you would like to install the software on your computer at home, it is available for free, and is relatively easy to install.  You will find instructions for downloading and installing Alice under Windows XP at http://www.dickbaldwin.com/alice/Alice0100.htm#Installing_and_Running_Alice.

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have a lecture and a lab component.  Lecture and lab times and places are published on the ACC course schedule.  If students are unable to finish the lab assignments within the allotted time, they will need to use an ACC open lab to complete the work or complete the assignments at home.

Course Rationale:  This is an entry level programming course designed to teach students the basics of program design, coding and testing.  A high level programming language is used to reinforce the concepts learned during lectures.

Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes:  After the successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate problem solving skills by developing algorithms to solve problems incorporating the concept of data abstraction in a computer program.
2. Implement a simple program by writing the code, performing unit testing and debugging the program.
3. Incorporating the use of sequential, selection and repetition control structures into a program.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the design and implementation of methods and functions and the passing of parameters to simplify the solution of large problems and to promote the concept of code reuse.
5. Understand the basic principles and concepts of object-based terminology.

Grading Policy:  The final grade will be based on the successful completion of two written exams and ten laboratory programming assignments.  Each exam will be worth 15 points toward your final grade.  Each programming assignment will be worth 7 points toward your final grade.

Because of the small amount of lab time allocated to this course, you may find that it will be necessary for you to complete some of the programming assignments as homework either in the Open Lab (NRG room 4232) or at home.

Grading Scale:  Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
90 - 100 points A
80 - 89 points  B
70 - 79 points  C
60 - 69 points  D
 0 - 59 points  F

Depending on the final scores of all the students taking the course, it is possible that a curve may be applied to the final grades before they are submitted for recording.

Exam Policy:  The schedule for exams and a description of each exam is provided in the companion document titled Schedule and Requirements.

Laboratory Assignments:  The schedule for lab assignments along with additional information about the lab assignments is provided in the companion document titled Schedule and Requirements.

Course Schedule:  See companion document titled Schedule and Requirements.

Attendance Policy:  Every student is expected to attend and to participate in every lecture and every lab.  Furthermore, students are expected to avoid tardiness by being in the classroom or in the lab ready to begin work at the official starting time for the lecture or the lab.

A student may receive a temporary grade of "I" (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

To give you an idea of the gravity of the situation, I don't recall ever having given a student a temporary grade of "I" during my entire teaching career at ACC.

Freedom of  Expression Policy:  It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

“Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”. 

Withdrawal Policy:  It is the student's responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class. The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings. The last date to withdraw for this semester is provided in the ACC Academic calendar for the semester in which the student is enrolled. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw students from the class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

A grade of "W" will be automatically assigned if the student initiates a withdrawal through the Admissions and Records office, in accordance with the requirements of that office.  If the student fails to complete the work and also fails to properly withdraw, a grade of A, B, C, D, or F will be assigned in accordance with the work that was completed.

Students with Disabilities Policy:  “Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester. (Refer to the Current ACC Student Handbook)”

Testing Center Policy (Open Campus Sections Only):  Visit the ACC web site at http://www.austincc.edu/. Select Search, and then search for the keywords testing center.

Scans Competencies:  SCANS Coding Legend:

• 1 - Concept
• 2 - Application
• 3 - Advanced

File COSC1315Syl.htm

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