Course Description: 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.

Pre-requisite:  B Course Type: T.

Instructional Methodology This course will have both lecture and lab each week. All graded assignments, quizzes and exams will take place in class only. Course materials are located on Blackboard, and include but are not limited to PowerPoints, practice tests, in-class assignments, quizzes and exams. The CIS open labs are available for students for work outside of scheduled class time.

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.  This course is intended to prepare students for a programming-oriented academic path.  The course is included 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:

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

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

Approved Text and Teaching Materials:

Starting out with Python – Fifth Edition, Tony Gaddis.  ISBN-13: 978-013671919-9

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

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, quizzes, homework and lab projects will be a part of the grade.  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

Each student’s grade for this course consists of exams, homework assignments, lab assignments, quizzes and extra credit on exams. Absolutely under no circumstances will assignments be accepted via email; all assignments will be submitted via either Blackboard or the Revel tool. All assignments including exams for this course are completed online.

ALL homework assignments are due on or before the date and time outlined on Blackboard and or the REVEL tool. Assignments will not be accepted after the date and time outlined on Blackboard and or the Revel Tool.  Late assignments that are accepted are graded with a 20% deduction in points from the grade received. Scheduling of computer time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers and or technical issues is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment. There will be no exceptions.

Absolutely under no circumstances are assignments accepted via email.

The instructor may receive over 200 homework assignments per class. To keep these organized; the instructor has adopted a file naming convention that can be found within the instructions for each assignment. If a file name has not been designated; logically name the file and include your last name in the file name.

Failure to follow the naming convention may result in your file being misplaced, not graded and/or reduced points. It is the student‘s responsibility to submit files with the correct file name.

There are no make-up exams for this course, if you miss an exam a grade of zero will be recorded.

Students can expect to have feedback a minimum of a week after the submission of an assignment. This does not include resubmitted or late assignments. Grades are recorded in Blackboard and may be accessed via the Grades link.

Under normal operating conditions, ACC students can expect the instructor to view and respond to email messages within 24 hours, Monday through Thursday. In addition, students can expect the instructor to respond to voice mail messages within the same timeframe, within 24 hours, Monday through Thursday. Keep in mind from time to time, that normal operating conditions may be affected by weather, technology-related interruptions or some other unforeseen circumstance. Do not wait until the last minute to ask questions or complete your assignments. Failure to plan on your part does not and will not constitute an emergency on my part. Please note that emails received during the weekend and outside of the above mentioned timeframe will be answered or responded to on the following Monday.

Course/Class Policies:

The instructor may receive over 200 homework assignments per class. To keep these organized; the instructor has adopted a file naming convention that can be found within the instructions for each assignment

Failure to follow this naming convention may result in your file being misplaced, not graded or reduced points. It is the student‘s responsibility to submit files with the correct file name.

Students are responsible for comprehension of the schedule and syllabus content. Please check the syllabus and Blackboard before emailing questions to ensure the topic has not already been addressed. Questions already addressed by the course material are considered rhetorical and the student will likely be referred back to those resources to answer those questions. Instructors have multiple courses consisting of multiple students therefore it is important that you carefully utilize the course material to your advantage.

Students can expect to have feedback a minimum of one week after the due date of an assignment. This does not include resubmitted or late assignments. Grades are recorded in Blackboard and may be accessed via the Grades link.

Under normal operating conditions, ACC students can expect the instructor to view and respond to email messages within 24-48 hours, Monday through Thursday. In addition, students can expect the instructor to respond to voice mail messages within the same timeframe, within 24-48 hours (when face to face courses resume), Monday through Thursday.  Please be reminded that email is the most expedient method of contact. Keep in mind from time to time, that normal operating conditions may be affected by weather, technology-related interruptions or some other unforeseen circumstance. Do not wait until the last minute to ask questions or complete your assignments. Failure to plan on your part does not and will not constitute an emergency on my part. Please note that emails received during the weekend and outside of the above-mentioned timeframe will be addressed the following week.

Reading Assignments: All assigned chapters will be used as a basis for class and discussions. Students are expected to study the assigned readings before each class meeting and may be called upon at random to participate in discussions.

Class Participation: Attendance is required for all days the campus is open. Unless otherwise communicated.

Plagiarism: All labs, projects, and reports may go through a plagiarism checking system. Any assignment with 25% or high rating may incur an automatic 50% deduction on the final score; this also applies to any students assignments found to be similar when compared.

Academic Integrity:
A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity as described in the current Student Policies Handbook. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and will be punished by failure on an exam, paper or project, and/or failure in the course.

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy.  See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.php for more information. For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ in the course.

Incomplete:

“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”.

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.  For schedules and details please refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit

Attendance / Withdrawal:

Students are expected to attend classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactorily progression towards completion of the course.

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings or if the student fails to attempt 4 graded assignments by the last date to receive credit.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is Monday April 22, 2024. 

If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on the last day of 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. After reading this, email me a picture of a rattler. Subject line four letter course identifier and synonym; with the word rattler in the body of the email.

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

Attendance/ Late Arrivals: The final course grade may be reduced for students who are repeatedly late or not present to class. It is disrespectful to self, other students, the professor, and the institution to disregard class start times.

Student Files – Privacy:
The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs may be viewed, but not changed by his/her instructor for educational and academic reasons. Instructors have read-only access to the students’ files.

Students Accessibility Service & Assistive Technology:

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.  (Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook).

Communication:

Instructors will only use the ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.edu  or equivalent and the ACC mail accounts as the official communication system during this semester. 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.  Instructors can post lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades on Blackboard and can send all email communication via the ACCmail accounts. Instructors will expect all students to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis. Instructors/Lab Technicians will conduct a brief lab orientation during the first lab visit.
For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php and http://www.austincc.edu/accmail.

Use of Electronic Devices:
The use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (including recording, Google glasses etc.) are not allowed at any time in the class or lab. The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor approved activities. Please turn off ALL phones upon entry into the class, failure to do so will result in a deduction of points from your overall grade. If you are found to be on your phone during the lecture or lab you will receive a warning after the second time you will asked to leave the classroom.

Classroom Discipline:

Students who listen to the lectures (if in class) tend to score highest on the exams.  Therefore, all students are asked to respect the right of others to listen to the lecture.  Also, please model business professional conduct in speech and behavior. Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook under “Student Discipline Policy, Section A” for student responsibilities.

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.

Campus Carry - Concealed Handgun Policy: The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.                                                

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

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 concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of 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

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements:

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus: (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options: Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu.

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Recording Policy:

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section. Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through Blackboard Collaborate or another platform. Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity. Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Use of ACC email:

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 students 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.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support:

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.

Student Accessibility Services:

Students with documented disabilities who need classroom, academic, or other accommodations must request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   SAS offices are located at each major campus.  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 document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively.  Arrangements by the instructor for academic accommodations can only be made after he or she receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Academic Support:

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include face-to-face and online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. Tutoring schedules can be found at:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/tutoring/tutoring-schedules

Library Services:

ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians, computers, course reserves, laptops, tablet check-out study spaces, and copying, printing, and scanning services.  In addition, ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website and students can use their ACC eID logins to access all online materials, including eBooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos.   ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat.  Faculty librarians are also available via email, phone, and in-person seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Ask a Librarian: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu

In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

Student Organizations:

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities. They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support:

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food pantries are located in all campus Student Life offices: https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/.   
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
• Drop-in child care is available at Highland Campus: http://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care/child-watch-drop-in-center

Clinical Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .

If an emergency occurs during operational hours, please come to the Student Services Office and let the front intake staff know that you are experiencing a crisis. They will alert appropriate personnel. You may also contact the ACC District Police at 222 (on campus) or 223-7999 (off campus or cell phone).

After Hours:

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Tentative 16 Week Schedule:

NOTE:  The instructor has the prerogative to change the course schedule as required.   Students are expected to read and study the assigned material BEFORE class.
 

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