CTEC 120
Beginning Programming
Course Syllabus
1. Course Information
Title: Beginning Programming
Quarter: Fall 2009
Sections: A & B
Location: SHL 125
Time: 1:00 – 1:50 pm:
M, W for Section A
T, Th for Section B
Credits: CTEC 120 is a 2 (two) credit course
Prerequisites: None
Name: Mark Smith
Office: SHL 127, Campus mailstop SHL 116
Office Hours: 2:00 – 3:15 M - Th
Email: msmith@clark.edu (Pls use email rather than phone messages)
Phone: (360) 992-2951
Required Text:
Learning to Program with Alice, Second Edition; Dann, Cooper, Pausch; Pearson; 2008.
Additional Alice information may be found at www.alice.org.
Materials: You are required to use a Thumb Drive to keep your Alice work on so you may have more flexibility as to where and when you can do your assignments.
Laboratory: You need to have lab time outside of the class. The lab for this class is in SHL 135. You are free to use your personal computer. We will talk about software you may wish to download from the Internet.
4. Course Description
Introduction to the use of an Integrated Development Environmant (IDE) and how to design and write elementary programs in Alice. Class stresses problem solving skills and requires substantial time outside of class working on programming assignments. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 090 or 091.
Instructional methods used in this course include lecture on reading assignments, team problem solving in class, and homework assignments consisting of progressively more complex problems to solve.
Instructional philosophy is centered on a text-based approach to the cycle of presentation, application and assessment. Presentation means the student studies the new material prior to the lecture, which focuses on key concepts and examples. Application means that students, first in teams, and then individually, work on assigned problems to produce working solutions. Assessment means that solutions to assignments are presented and discussed, and used to measure the student’s progress.
The purpose of the course is to give students an introduction to skills needed in the analysis, design and implementation of solutions to progressively more complex programming problem statements.
This course meets the general education requirements for transfer degrees as stated in the Clark College Catalog.
Clark College has identified six college-wide abilities that form the foundation of our educational emphasis. These are communication, critical thinking / problem solving (CT/PS), effective citizenship, information technology (IT) and life-long learning (LLL). This course supports the Clark College abilities of critical thinking / problem solving and information technology. Programs and associated documentation produced in this course also support the Clark College communication ability. This course primarily supports CT/PS and IT abilities, but also promotes LLL.
Clark College has three related areas of instruction learning outcomes for professional / technical programs. They are human relations, computation, and communication. This course emphasizes computation, but the team approach means that communications and human relations are also supported.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
· Analyze simple problems to produce specifications describing the proposed program’s inputs, processing steps, and output. (Computation/Communication)(CT/PS)(IT)
· Design solution algorithms from specifications using data, control and object structures appropriate to the problem. (Computation/Communication)(CT/PS) (IT)
· Apply top-down and spiral design techniques to more complex problems. (Computation/Communication) (CT/PS) (IT)
· Implement solution algorithms using the course target language (Alice). (Computation/Communication) (CT/PS) (IT)
· Test and debug implemented programs to assure working, maintainable end products. (Computation) (CT/PS) (IT)
Learning outcomes are assessed by homework assignments and a hands-on final.
6. Course Policies
Withdrawal Policy:
Students will be allowed to drop a class, without instructor signature, through the seventh week of the quarter. (Note: Classes that meet less than 10 weeks, including summer classes, will have a pro-rated deadline.) Students who drop after the 10th day of the quarter receive a 'W' grade on their transcript, which does not affect their GPA. No drops will be allowed after the seventh week. Students who feel they have extenuating circumstances may appeal this policy by contacting the unit dean before the end of the last scheduled day of the quarter (before finals). The refund policy remains the same.
Attendance Policy:
Student attendance for all classes is mandatory for students who hope to do well in the course. Original information may be provided during lecture and laboratory classes. Also, part of the instructional process is the development of skills and work habits that can only be demonstrated through regular and responsible attendance habits.
Student Code of Conduct:
Professionalism and safety are qualities of behavior that are expected of all computer professionals. Professionalism includes reliable attendance, punctuality, use of safe procedures, care and respect for equipment and supplies, ability to follow instructions, and respect for other workers, supervisors, and customers. Safety requires care and caution with yourself and others.
All Clark College students are expected to follow the CLARK COLLEGE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT which specifies that students may NOT cheat, steal, destroy property, threaten or abuse other people, or behave disruptively or obscenely.
Cheating or plagiarism or aiding cheating or plagiarism is NOT permitted. If a student is observed cheating or assisting someone else to cheat, the student will be given a zero grade for that assignment and the violation will be filed with the Vice President of Student Services. If the student is observed cheating a second time,
they will be given an “F” grade for the course and the violation will be filed with the Vice President of Student Services.
Missed Work:
Late homework is not accepted. Missed examinations cannot be made up. Only in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances will exceptions be allowed to these rules. The lowest homework score will not be counted towards your final grade.
Emergency Information:
In emergencies, students should do the following:
Go to www.clark.edu or call 360-992-2000 as your first means of getting information. The College does send notices to radio and television stations, but the College’s web site and switchboard are the official platforms for the most accurate information.
To receive immediate notice on emergencies, you can register your cell phone number to receive text pages and your email address to receive email messages. To do this, go to www.flashalert.net . Select “Subscribe” on the left, and follow the instructions. Mass communication will also be sent to all college employee phones and computers.
Evacuate the building through closest exit; evacuation maps are located in the hallways. Take personal belongings only if it is safe to do so. Remain at least 50 feet from the building. Notify others of evacuation. Do not re-enter building until instructed to do so.
New parking lot identifiers using colors and numbers have been assigned to all Clark parking lots. To help emergency or security personnel locate you, please refer to these identifying features.
Security Officers are available for escorts please call 360-992-2133.
ADA Accommodations:
If you have emergency medical information which should be shared, or if you require assistance in case the building should be evacuated, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible during the office hours indicated in this syllabus.
Any student with a disability who may require some consideration or assistance in order to fully participate in this class should contact the Disability Support Services office at 992-2580 or 992-2835 (TTY), or stop by Gaiser Hall 141.
The final grade for this course is based on performance in two categories which are weighted as follows:
Hands-on Final 20%
Weekly Quizzes 35%
Homework Assignments 45%
Homework and other assignments are due on the designated date at the start of class. NO credit will be given for work received after the due date.
Letter grades are based on the following points:
A 93.0 - 100.0 %
A- 90.0 - 92.9 %
B+ 87.0 - 89.9 %
B 83.0 - 86.9 %
B- 80.0 - 82.9 %
C+ 77.0 - 79.9 %
C 70.0 - 76.9 %
D 60.0 - 69.9 %
F 0 - 59.9 %
Note: A grade of “C” or better is required to fulfill program requirements toward a degree or certificate.
Computer Lab availability and hours are posted at the lab entrances.
Cannell library help sessions and hours: www.clark.edu
Tutoring/Writing Center: www.clark.edu
Disability Support Services: www.clark.edu