IMPORTANT: All students who fail to complete orientation Test00 on or before the date shown in the Blackboard/Tools/My Grades page will be administratively dropped from the course.

This syllabus applies to all sections of COSC 1336 taught by Prof. Baldwin.

Official description

As of August 2023, the catalog description for this course reads as follows:

Introduces the fundamental concepts of structured programming. Topics include software development methodology, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. This course assumes computer literacy. This course requires the same math skills necessary for College Algebra. Students should either have taken or be currently enrolled in College Algebra or a course that requires College Algebra.

-end Description-

Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes

1.  Demonstrate problem solving skills by developing and implementing algorithms to solve problems.
2. Derive problem specifications from problem statements.
3. Develop algorithms using modular design principles to meet stated specifications.
4. Create code to provide a solution to problem statements ranging from simple to complex.
5. Test and debug programs and program modules to meet specifications and standards.
6. Create programs that contain clear and concise program documentation.
7. Implement programs that use data types and demonstrate an understanding of numbering systems.
8. Incorporate both basic and advanced control structures appropriately into algorithms.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of structure design by implementing programs with functions, including parameter passing and value returning.
10. Implement programs using classes, including strings and files.
11. Implement algorithms using one-dimensional and indexed data structures. 
12. Design and implement simple classes.

-end of Outcomes-

Approved Text and Teaching Materials:

Starting out with Python – Fifth Edition, Tony Gaddis. ISBN-13:978-0134592903-2

FIRST DAY Access – The textbook will be provided online in Blackboard. The cost is covered by the student’s tuition.

-end of Readings-

Assignment and Exam Schedules

During the Fall and Spring semesters, this course is offered during the 16-week, 12-week, and 8-week sessions. In the summer, the course is offered in the 9-week session. The information in this section of the syllabus is intended to apply to all four sessions.

You must complete the following items:

• One online orientation test (not included in your final grade).
• Ten quizzes  (not included in your final grade).
• Eleven take-home programming assignments.
• Three Blackboard exams -- one for each of the course level objectives.

You may submit each assignment up to two times. Your highest score between the two scores for each assignment will be used to compute your final grade.

You may take each exam once.   

The submission deadlines for these items vary depending on the session in which you are enrolled. You can find the submission deadline for each item by opening your course in Blackboard and selecting Tools/My Grades in the Bb course menu.

You may take quizzes any time during the semester.

It will not be possible for you to take and submit an exam after 11:59:00 PM on the last day of the semester.

Assignments submitted after 11:59:00 PM on the corresponding date shown on the Tools/My Grades page are subject to a 50% late penalty.

Note that submission deadlines may fall on holidays or on other days that the campus is closed. If so, you need to anticipate that circumstance and make appropriate arrangements in advance to avoid missing a deadline.

You are permitted and encouraged to submit your assignments and to take your exams early.

Code of conduct and copyright protection regarding assignments

To receive credit for an assignment, you will be required to attest to a short-form certification statement similar to the following when you submit each assignment:

"I certify that this program is my own work and is not the work of others. I agree not to share my solution with others."

Note however that you are allowed to consult ChatGPT or other AI Assistants for help with assignments. If you use them, you are requested to add the following to your certification with a brief description of the type of help that you received:

"I received the following help from (name of AI tool): ..."

Please use these AI tools responsibly if you use them. You are here to learn. Don't allow the use of AI tools to interfere with your learning of the required material. Try to use them in a way that enhances your learning. Finally, I would like to hear your thoughts regarding these tools via ACC email.

The above certification is referred to as a short-form certification because it is intended to remind you that by enrolling in and pursuing this course of study, you agree to the following terms:

• To the best of your knowledge (unless you explain otherwise), the solution that you submit for each assignment meets the requirements of the assignment.
• The solution that you submit is your own work and is not the work of others.
• You agree not to share the solution with anyone other than your professor now or in the future without the express written permission of your professor.
• You agree not to distribute or publish the solution now or in the future without the express written permission of your professor.
• You understand that failure to comply with these requirements could be a violation of ACC's Student Standards of Conduct, could be a violation of federal copyright laws, and could therefore be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Grade Policy

Your grade will be based both on concepts and practical application.

Grading Scale

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

90% - 100% A 
80% - 89%  B 
70% - 79%  C 
60% - 69%  D 
 0% - 59%  F 

Each of the assignments and exams listed earlier (with the exclusion of the orientation test and the quizzes) will be weighted equally when computing your final grade. 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.

-end of Requirements-

College Policies & Student Support Services

See College Policies & Student Support Services in the Blackboard course menu.

Transfers

Although it is technically possible for a student to transfer from one section to another section of the same course, this process has caused many problems in the past, and is not allowed unless the reasons for the transfer are compelling. Students desiring to transfer between CIS/CSC courses must first obtain permission from an Assistant Dean for CIS/CSC who will initiate the paperwork.

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and timely class participation in discussions and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignment or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Course Schedule

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be reflected in the schedule in Blackboard and will be accompanied by an email to all students.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their name is removed from the roll should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor reserves the right to drop a student should he feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, they should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date can be found each semester in the academic calendar on the main ACC web site. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw students from the course even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under various circumstances. For example, the instructor may elect to withdraw students from the course if he notices at some point that any one or more of the following is true:

• The student has failed to complete and submit three or more tests.
• The student has accumulated four or more missing assignments - meaning that neither an on-time nor a late submission was made for each of the missing assignments.
• There is insufficient work remaining for the student to earn a final grade of at least 70-percent in the course.
• The student has given the instructor reason to believe that the student is not actively engaged in the course.

A grade of "W" will be automatically assigned if the student initiates a withdrawal or if the student is withdrawn from the course by the instructor.  If the student fails to complete the work and also fails to properly withdraw (and is not withdrawn by the instructor), a grade of A, B, C, D, or F will be assigned in accordance with the work that was completed.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university many not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count towards this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Missed Exam Policies

There are no makeup exams given in this course. However, the exams are available from early in the course. Students may take each exam at their convenience provided that each exam is completed before the deadline for the respective exam.

Late Assignment Policies

Late assignments are subject to a 50% late penalty.

Incompletes

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

• The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
• The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
• The request for the grade must be made and necessary documents must  be completed in person at the instructor’s office unless the course is a Distance Learning course. In that case, the student may communicate with the instructor via ACC Email to make the request and complete the necessary documents.

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”.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process. Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources. Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Academic freedom is a foundation and hallmark of higher education. In the context of college-level courses, it specifically refers to the rights of free expression and respect for others with differing opinions. Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. Just as you are expected to exercise these rights with respect for state and federal law in the larger world, you are expected to exercise these rights as a student with respect for the college’s standards of conduct. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Students and faculty alike should enable a climate of mutual respect and civility while fostering the freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas. Enrollment in the college indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in the student standards of conduct policy, which is administered through the office of the campus dean of student services. Due process, through an investigation and appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved. Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability. Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student. Individual student grades are posted in Blackboard.

Students Accessibility Services

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester. All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Freedom of Expression Policy

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

Tutoring

Free tutoring is provided for this course both on line and face-to-face. For online schedules and details please refer to https://sites.austincc.edu/cs/student-resources/csit-tutoring-schedule/

Campus Carry

Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

Student Files – Privacy

The student's instructor may view the information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs for educational and academic reasons.

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Faculty at the College are required to report concern regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms o sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance. Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students. Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Use of ACC E-mail

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACC mail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACC mail account when communicating with instructors and staff.

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to demonstrate proper classroom behavior. The professor has the prerogative to request any student that demonstrates improper and disruptive classroom behavior to leave the classroom. Improper and disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to: profanity, verbal outbursts, unwarranted physical activity, and lack of respect for fellow students and/or the professor.

-end Policies- 

This course covers the following subjects:

• Intro to Computers and Programming
• Input, Processing, and Output
• Decision Structures and Boolean Logic
• Repetition Structures
• Functions
• Files
• Exceptions
• Lists
• Strings
• Dictionaries
• Classes
• Objects

-end of Subjects-