BCU Department of Computer Science

Professor Dennis Clayton

Mary McLeod Bethune picture locket.

CS 135 Course Outline

Prerequisites

None, except for an above average ability for problem solving and the desire to get into computer programming.

I strongly recommend that you drop this course if you are currently enrolled in MA 112. Get your math up to college level, then take this course.

You do not need this course if you have already passed a programming course at any level, high school or college. This includes courses in Visual BASIC, C, C++, Java, or Pascal. See me immediately if you have already completed any type of beginning programming course. I will probably waive this course and recommend that you enroll in CS 230 instead.

Textbook and required materials

Birnbaum and Vine, MS Excel VBA Programming, 3rd ed., Thompson Course Technology, 2007. ISBN: 9781598633948

You will need a USB drive (thumb drive) to backup your work.

Buy a computer if you don't already own one.

Course description from the BCU Catalog

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to classroom assignments, emphasizing multidisciplinary team projects to introduce a variety of computational tools. Students will participate in projects requiring a scientific approach to problem solving, analytical thinking, data collection and analysis, result write-up, and public presentation. The course is designed for freshman science majors.

Main course goal

The goal of this course is to give beginning students hands-on instruction in the use of the computer equipment and software in our labs and give an introduction to the process of writing computer programs to solve problems. The process involves data analysis, computer programming, graphical representation, and preparing material suitable for homework, term-paper, and oral presentation.

This course meets the university's general education student computer literacy objective for science majors. If you are not a science major then you probably need to take CS 132 Computer Applications.

This course is required for CS and CIS majors who have no background in computing.

Impact

Impact on BCU Mission and Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) - Through the attainment of the course student learning objectives (CSLOs), students will acquire knowledge, skills and competencies outlined in the Institutional Student Learning Outcomes, School Student Learning Outcomes (SSLOs) and Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) . The Course Student Learning Objectives fully support the University Mission and Core Values as stated in the Strategic Plan; as well as, the School Goals.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) addressed in Course Learning Objectives.

• PSLO 1. Students will demonstrate Knowledge of Algorithms
• PSLO 2. Students will demonstrate Knowledge of Application programs
• PSLO 3. Students will demonstrate Knowledge of Computer programming

Course competencies/outcomes

The student will...

• Demonstrate competence using the equipment and software in S130 and S102 by acquiring a personal account, logging on the network, writing an essay, then printing and handing in the resulting paper (PSLO 2).
• Demonstrate competence with the software by using Windows XP navigation and file management, a Web Browser, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint and other programs as necessary to work assigned homework problems. Programs and output will be printed and handed in (PSLO 2).
• Prepare a term paper demonstrating proper page formatting, presentation, and graphics (PSLO 2).
• Demonstrate a beginner's grasp of the problem solving process by solving assigned problems using a computer programming languages/environment not used in CS 230. This semester we will use Excel and Visual Basic (PSLO 1, 3).

Objectives

Student will...

1. Demonstrate proper use of the lab equipment:
   1. Acquire a personal account on each of the S102 and S130 networks.
   2. In each lab, write a short one page paper using any editor, print and hand it in.
   3. Identify and describe all of the visible parts of all of the computing lab equipment.
   4. Identify and describe the main internal components of the typical computer in the lab.
2. Demonstrate the ability to access and use the main software:
   1. Correctly use word processor features: write a term paper and at least two essays using MS Word. These must follow the standard term paper format.
   2. Correctly use spreadsheet features:
      1. Create and print a small Excel spreadsheet.
      2. Use data analysis features
      3. Create charts to display results of data analysis
      4. Enter run and debug Excel macros.
      5. Enter run and debug Visual Basic subroutines and functions.
3. Demonstrate program entry, execution, modification, and debugging:
   1. Enter, debug, modify and run assigned Excel macros
   2. Enter, debug, modify and run assigned Excel VB programs
4. Demonstrate problem solving. Given an elementary word problem, completely solve it using the process described in class.
   1. Find a pencil and paper solution.
   2. Develop an algorithm from the solution (i.e., write pseudocode).
   3. Write a flowchart for the solution.
   4. Design a user-friendly interface for the program.
   5. Create a computer program from the algorithm.
   6. Code the algorithm.
   7. Run and debug the program until it gives the correct solution to original problem.
5. Extra credit: add multi-media to the previous problem solving demonstration.

Matix

Student Learning Outcomes Matrix (SLOM)
Alignment of Course Assessments with SSEM Goals, Program Student Learning Outcomes, Course Learning Objectives, Institutional Student Learning Outcomes and University Strategic Goals

General Requirements

You must attend every class; attendance is mandatory!

Cell phone or pager usage will not be tolerated in class. Turn it off before class.

The subject line of email sent to me must start with: CS135

First Assignment: Send me an email from the email account that you use daily.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. You must do your own work.

Cheating will not be tolerated. You must do your own work.

All work must be typed. Hand written work will not be accepted unless explicitly stated in the assignment. Never write on both sides of the paper.

For emphasis, all programs must be typed and your name must appear in the comment heading.

Late assignments will not be accepted because we will usually work the assigned problems in class on the day they are due.

You must comment your computer code (more on this later).

The Bethune-Cookman University dress code requires that you wear appropriate attire to class. You are not allowed to wear hats, caps, bandanas or do-rags in class. Pants are to be worn over your underwear. You will be asked to leave the class or the lab if your attire is inappropriate for a BCU student in a computer science class.

See me immediately if you are having problems with this course.

Methods of Instruction

We will meet three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These classes will generally consist of problem solving discussions or demonstrations in the lab. You are expected to show up on time and prepared. You are expected to participate in the discussions.

I expect you to spend at least six to eight hours per week on homework. You will have to work to pass this course. This is not an easy course. Study the reading assignments as soon as they are assigned, start on the homework and programming assignments immediately. If you put forth the effort, you will get an 'A' in the class.

You may be dropped from the course at midterm if you have four or more absences from the class. You are required to attend all the lectures. You are marked absent if you are not present when the roll is taken. If you are late, you can tell me at the end of the class period. Two lates equal one absent.

Missing a class is no excuse for not handing in an assignment or for not knowing about an assignment. Assignments will be posted on the assignments web page.

You are an adult. Act like one. Do not try to sleep in class. If you are so tired that you feel that you are going to fall asleep, then stand up. Everyone will laugh at you, but I will not ask you to leave and I will not penalize you for doing it.

Do not walk out of class during the lecture. Show common courtesy. If you walk out often enough, it will affect your grade. I may mark you absent.

Class participation counts 5% of your grade. You cannot participate if you are absent.

Topical outline with activities/assignments

Essays. All essays must be typed and properly formatted:

• Write a beginning of semester paper on what you expect to learn in this class.
• Write a term paper on what you intend to do after graduation (due after midterms).
• Write a short essay on what, if anything, you learned in the class (due the last week of class).

Introduction to the labs, equipment and software:

• Get a personal account in S102 and S130.
• Write some simple Excel programs.
• Use Excel in S130 for some simple calculator problems.
• Write an Excel macro to manipulate a spreadsheet.
• Write a Excel VB program to manipulate a spreadsheet.

Introduction to problem solving:

• Identify a problem (I will give you one, if you cannot find one).
• Solve the problem (in principle) with "pencil and paper".
• Rewrite the solution into an algorithm.
• Represent the algorithm in a flowchart
• Code the algorithm in both Excel
• Run and debug your programs until you reach acceptable results.
• Write a short essay using Word on your conclusions.

There are no extra credit assignments or makeup work. If you are earning an 'A' and you are bored, or looking for a challenge, then see me and I will see if we can work out an interesting project to expand your educational experience. If you are earning less than a 'B', then take the time you are willing to put towards an extra credit assignment and apply it towards the assigned work. If you are earning exactly a 'B', well, maybe...

Technology

The application of technology in this course is obvious.

Assessment/Evaluation/Grading scale

Homework (55%)
We will have homework assignments each week. Assignments will include two short essays and a term paper. We will average one "programming"/problem solving assignment each week. All assignments will count equally with the exception of the term paper which will count as two assignments. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted unless you have made prior arrangements with me to do so.

Midterm Exams (20%)
One-hour exams are called a midterms. There will be two, in-class midterms. These are closed book, closed notes exams.

Final Exam (20%)
There will be a two-hour comprehensive final examination (25%). You must have final exam clearance in order to take the final exams. The final exams will be given on the days and hours scheduled by the Registrar's Office. I will post these as soon as they are announced.

Class participation (5%).
This is partially measured by attendance. You cannot participate if you are absent. You will know if you are participating.

Do not bring a cell phone to an exam. If you do, and it is visible or audible, I will assume you are cheating and you will get a zero on the test.

Grade Scale: This course observes the university grading scale:

An F- (that's an F-minus) grade is reserved for work that was not turned in or was so poor that it should not have been turned in. Note that one F- requires four A's to average out to a passing grade of C:
      Average ( F- + A + A+ A + A ) = C
      Average ( 0 + 95 + 95 + 95 + 95 ) / 5 = 76     (only a C)

Midterm Grades
If you get a 'D' at midterm, you may interpret the grade as a red flag that you are not passing. However, if you put forth more effort, you should be able to pass the course. If you get an 'F' at midterm, you should take this as a warning that, in my opinion, you will not pass the course. You should drop the course while you can. Remember, I cannot drop you after midterms.

Miscellaneous

Join the ACM. You can get a student membership for $42. This includes access to the ACM Digital Library, as well as a lot of other student oriented access. For instance, you get free access to over 450 online tutorials/courses and to over 350 online textbooks. These include courses and books on C, C++, C#, Java, and on and on. You can join online at campus.acm.org. Make sure you check the online Portal package when you sign up.

Bibliography

Here are some of the texts that we have used in the past:

• Free online, Beginning Python Tutorial from GIDNetwork.
• Milbrandt and Stephenson, Careers in Computing, Holt Software Associates. ISBN: 0921598378.
• This course has another online tutorial that we have used in previous semesters, Urn World.

Additional material will be handed out as needed.

Fall Semester, 2008

Last update: Aug 14, 2008

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