CS0004 Introduction to Computer Programming-Basic, Spring 2008
Course Information

 

Basic information

o    Check it regularly for reading assignments and homework assignments.

 

Textbook: An Introduction to Programming using Visual Basic 2005 6th Edition, David I. Schneider, Pearson Prentice Hall.

 

Required Resources

·         University computer account

·         USB drive with at least 128 MB (optional but recommended)

 

Prerequisites: Familiarity with Microsoft Windows and Windows explorer.  Prior programming experience is not required.

 

Goals: To learn general program-development method and to learn to program using Visual Basic 2005

 

Course content:

·         Program-development  cycle

·         Visual Basic controls and events

·         Basic data types

·         Input/Output

·         Branching

·         Repetition

·         Debugging

·         General Procedures

·         Arrays

·         Graphics

·         Files

 

Course format: We will meet twice a week.  Each week, we will spend one meeting on lecture, and one meeting on hands-on lab activities.  Homework and/or programming projects will be assigned weekly.  There will be 2 in-class exams.

 

Grading: The grades will be based on effort and performance on class participation, homework and exams.  The breakdown of the grade is shown below.   The letter grade will is determined by the scale below.   Note that, there is no set number of A’s, B’s, C’s and the students are not in competition with each other for grades.

Labs: Each week we will spend one class meeting to do hands-on activities.  Generally we will do some exercises from the book on the computer.  The labs will allow you to ask questions and get helps in case you get stuck or face any problems.

 

Homework and/or Project: These assignments will allow you to work on your own at your own pace.  They will be assigned weekly.  You will have 1 week to finish each assignment.  All parts of the assignment are due at the beginning of class whether it is written homework or a programming assignment.  Special instruction on how to submit the programming part will be given later.

 

Exams: There will be 2 exams.  The exams will test your proficiency in Visual Basic programming in the real environment.  The exams are in-class exams.  Each exam consists of 2 parts: (1) questions-answers and (2) programming.  The exams are open-book.  You can bring the textbook, your notes, homework, lab results, or any other reference materials to the exam.  You are not allowed to get help from somebody else, however.   To perform well on the exam, you need to understand the material and know how to perform programming tasks.  The reference materials are allowed just in case you can’t recall the specifics of something.  To perform well, you should be able to answer most questions and perform most programming tasks without consulting the reference materials.  If you rely too much on the references, you won’t be able to complete all the questions and finish all the tasks.  Note, the final exam is cumulative.

 

In an extreme circumstance where you are going to miss an exam, you must contact me or the department secretary before the exam or as soon as possible.  My number is 412-624-8416, email: .  The department secretary’s number is 412-624-8490.

 

Academic Integrity: All students must adhere to the University’s guidelines on academic integrity (http://www.pitt.edu/~provost/ai1.html).  Extreme measures will be used for all students involved in a violation of academic integrity.