Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Course Syllabus

I.  COURSE INFORMATION

Course Title: / Computer Science I / Instructor: / Myron Berg
Course Number: / CSCI 160 / Office: / Klinefelter 322
Phone: / 483 – 2112 / Office Hours: / 9:00, 10:00
Semester: / Fall / Credit Hours: / 4 (MTuWF 12:00)
Year: / 2005
E-mail: /
Website: / www2.dsu.nodak.edu/users/mberg/homepage.html
Textbooks: / Microsoft Visual Basic.NET Reloaded by Diane Zak
Publisher: Course Technology ISBN 0-619-21287-X.
&
Microsoft Visual Basic.NET Reloaded Lab Manual by Diane Zak
Publisher: Course Technology ISBN 0-619-21362-0.

II.  COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to computer science including problem solving, algorithm development and structured programming in a high-level, object-oriented language. Emphasis on a design, coding, testing and documentation of programs using accepted standards of style.

III.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

A.  Institutional Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Critical Thinking Skills

§  Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life long learning.

2. Communication and Technology Skills

§  Students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills in a variety of forms including the effective use of current technologies and other information resources.

4. Aesthetic Experience

§  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the arts and humanities including participation in artistic activities.

5. Discipline Based Knowledge

§  Students will demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge and career skills related to their field/s of study.

B.  Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1.  To analyze a problem, determine if it could feasibly be solved with a computerized solution, design a solution and implement the solution.

2.  To find information needed to solve a computerized problem.

3.  To learn new programming languages with a minimum of assistance.

4.  To adapt to new computer technology with a minimum amount of assistance.

5.  To program in several programming languages.

C.  Course Student Learning Outcomes:

1.  The student will be familiar with basic ideas concerning the history and design of computers (assessment tools: exam and final examination) – relates to Outcome B-4

2.  The student will be able to design a user interface for a software program (assessment tools: exams and projects) – relates to Outcome B-1, B-3, B-5

3.  The student will be able to create software programs using commonly accepted practices for writing software, such as proper documentation, testing, and code writing (assessment tools: exams, final examination and projects) – relates to Outcome B-1, B-3, B-5

4.  The student will be able to modify software written by other programmers (assessment tools: exams, final examination and projects) – relates to Outcome B-1, B-3, B-5

5.  The student will be familiar with the terminology and concepts of computer science (assessment tools: exams, final examination and projects) – relates to Outcome B-1, B-3, B-5

IV.  COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

Introduction to Computer Science

Introduction to Visual Basic.NET

Creating User Interfaces

Variables, Constants, Methods and Calculations

Decision Making

Repeating Program Instructions

String Manipulation

Sub and Function Procedures

Sequential Files and Error Handling

Arrays

Graphics

V.  TEACHING STRATEGIES

Class presentations and discussions

Homework Projects

Individualized help where needed in lab

VI.  ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE

Assessment is an important part of the course and should be taken seriously. Below is an example of how points will be awarded on problem or essay questions. Points assigned to a specific problem will vary. The following is an example of a rubric for a 5-point problem.

LEVEL

/

EXTENDED CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE

5
Excellent / The response indicates application of a reasonable strategy that leads to a correct solution in the context of the problem. The representations are correct. The explanation and/or justification are logically sound, clearly presented, fully developed, supports the solution, and does not contain significant mathematical errors. The response demonstrates a complete understanding and analysis of the problem.
4
Good / The response indicates application of a reasonable strategy that may or may not lead to a correct solution. The representations are essentially correct. The explanation and/or justification are generally well developed, feasible, and supports the solution. The response demonstrates a clear understanding and analysis of the problem.
3
Fair / The response indicates an incomplete application of a reasonable strategy that may or may not lead to a correct solution. The representations are fundamentally correct. The explanation and/or justification support the solution and is plausible, although it may not be well developed or complete. The response demonstrates a conceptual understanding and analysis of the problem.
2
Acceptable / The response indicates little or no application of a reasonable strategy. It may or may not have the correct answer. The representations are partially correct. The explanation and/or justification reveal serious flaws in reasoning. The explanation and/or justification may be incomplete or missing.
1
Unacceptable / The response demonstrates a minimal understanding and analysis of the problem. The response is completely incorrect or irrelevant.
0
Unacceptable / There may be no response or the response may state, “I don’t know”.

Explanation refers to the student using the language of computer science to communicate how the student arrived at the solution.

Justification refers to the student using computer science principles to support the reasoning used to solve the problem. This could include the appropriate definitions, postulates, and theorems.

Essentially correct presentations may contain minor errors.

Fundamentally correct representations have the majority of the information correctly represented.

Primary Trait Scoring Rubric for Computer Programs

Trait / Exceptional / Acceptable / Amateur / Unsatisfactory
Specifications / The program works and meets all of the specifications. / The program works and produces the correct results and displays them correctly. It also meets most of the other specifications. / The program produces correct results but does not display them correctly. / The program is producing incorrect results.
Readability / The code is exceptionally well organized and very easy to follow. / The code is fairly easy to read. / The code is readable only by someone who knows what it is supposed to be doing. / The code is poorly organized and very difficult to read.
Reusability / The code could be reused as a whole or each routine could be reused. / Most of the code could be reused in other programs. / Some parts of the code could be reused in other programs. / The code is not organized for reusability.
Documentation / The documentation is well written and clearly explains what the code is accomplishing and how. / The documentation consists of embedded comment and some simple header documentation that is somewhat useful in understanding the code. / The documentation is simply comments embedded in the code with some simple header comments separating routines. / The documentation is simply comments embedded in the code and does not help the reader understand the code.
Delivery / The program was delivered on time. / The program was delivered within a week of the due date. / The code was within 2 weeks of the due date. / The code was more than 2 weeks overdue.
Efficiency / The code is extremely efficient without sacrificing readability and understanding. / The code is fairly efficient without sacrificing readability and understanding. / The code is brute force and unnecessarily long. / The code is huge and appears to be patched together.

Assessment of the students’ performance will include:

1. Homework projects
2. Quizzes
3. Examinations
4. Final Exam

2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 14. The exam will be comprehensive. It will account for about 30 percent of the final grade.

5. Class Attendance

Class attendance will count as a part of the final grade.

Grading Scale

90 -100 => A

80 - 89 => B

70 – 79 => C

60 – 69 => D

0 – 59 => F

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