Instructional Methodology:  This course will have 50% lecture and 50% laboratory.   For Distance Learning:  This delivery method uses an online course management system, Blackboard.  Course materials are located on Blackboard, and include but are not limited to PowerPoints, practice tests, schedules, and gradebook. The CIS open labs are available for students for work outside of scheduled lab time.

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F

Orientation: Orientation is required. The Orientation instructions are on the Blackboard site for this class. Students who do not complete orientation during the first week of class will be dropped from the class.

Class progress: In this course, each new concept builds on previous concepts so that regular progress through the material is crucial to success on tests and assignments.  Students should check grades in Blackboard regularly to ensure that they are not getting behind.

Assignments: Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, exercises, and programming assignments will be a part of the grade.  Lab assignments have a grace period of two days after they are due for a penalty of 20%.  

Exams. Exams will be taken during the dates assigned in the course schedule.  Classroom sections will take exams in the classroom.   Online sections will take exams on the student’s home computer.   Exams must be taken by the due date posted in the Course Schedule. 

Grading Percentages: The following represents the breakout of assignments by percentage:

Course/Class Policies:

Technology Support Services

In response to COVID-19-related campus closures, Austin Community College now provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/drive-up-wifi

Students who submit the Student Technology Access Form and indicate they need help accessing their online learning environment to successfully complete their courses are eligible to check out an ACC iPad for use during the semester. You must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course.

Illness

Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self reporting form:

https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?AustinCC&layout_id=124

Posting of Assignment Grades

Assignments (e.g. programs) are typically graded within one week after the assignment due date. Grades are recorded in Blackboard and may be accessed via the My Grades.

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies are unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. For online classes, “Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies are 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 assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.”

Computer Time

Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with a lab project assignment.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The last date to withdraw for this semester is April 22, 2024. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on the last day to withdrawal, the student will receive a performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F) that they have earned.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

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 may 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 toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Incompletes

“An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given due to extenuating circumstances. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.

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:

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”.

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

See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process.

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

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.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Spring 2024 DIS/DLS

NOTE:  Course Schedule subject to change as required.

*Each week students will also have quizzes and practice assignments.

Course Rationale:  This is an entry level programming course designed to teach students the basic concepts of computer programming.  The course will include designing, coding, debugging, testing, and documenting programs using a high level programming language.  The course is intended to prepare students for a programming-oriented academic path.  This course in include in several degree plans including:

• Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Web Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Game and Visualization Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology Application
• Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing
• Associate of Science – Computer Science

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. Demonstrate an understanding of array searching and sorting algorithms by desk-checking and/or modifying algorithm implementations.

13. Design and implement simple classes.

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills): 

The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course: