Visual Basic (CIS156)

Professor: Priscilla Grocer

Website: www.pgrocer.net
Office: K-112
Phone: 508-678-2811 ext 2403
Email: Priscilla.Grocer@bristolcc.edu Check with me about other email address to use for homework.

Course Description (from catalog): This course will cover procedural and object oriented Visual Basic. The student is taught to analyze a programming problem, design a logical solution, and write and execute the program using Visual Basic. The course will emphasize the strengths of Visual basic and its wide variety of uses as well as covering a wide range of programming applications.

This course will use Visual Basic 2015 (students who are working with 2010/2012 should not encounter problems).

Objectives: Students who successfully complete Visual Basic will be able to:


Text:
We will be working with Visual Basic 2015 and the book consistent with that is:
Starting Out with Visual Basic (7th edition)
Tody Gaddis, Kip Irvine
Pearson/Addison Wesley
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-4400150
ISBN-10: 0-13-4400151

However the 2012 edition is acceptable and considerably cheaper:
Starting Out With Visual Basic 2012 sixth edition
Tody Gaddis, Kip Irvine
Pearson/Addison Wesley
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-312808-6
ISBN-10: 0-13-312808-3

Material to be Covered: Not necessarily in the order listed!

First Topic: Introduction to programming and VB 2012
Second Topic: VB Environment
Third Topic: Creating applications with VB (this includes problem solving, controls and events)
Fourth Topic: Basics of programming (this includes input, variables, exceptions, calculations and data)
Fifth Topic: Decisions and strings (this includes decision structure, logical operators, strings, program design and problem solving and data)
Sixth Topic: Lists, loops, validation etc. (this includes, lists, loops and their structure, debugging, program design and problem solving, validation and data)
Seventh Topic: Sub procedures and functions (this includes sub procedures, passing arguments to procedures, function procedures, debugging, program design and problem solving)
Eighth Topic: Forms, modules and menus (this includes multiple forms, standard modules, menus, program design and problem solving)
Ninth Topic: Arrays (this includes understanding arrays, array processing, using arrays with sub procedures, GUI, debugging, program design and problem solving)
Tenth Topic: Data Files (this includes files, printing, structures, debugging, program design and problem solving)
Eleventh Topic: Databases (this includes understanding databases, databases connected to VB, using databases, SQL, debugging, program design and problem solving)
Twelfth Topic: Other topics as time permits (this includes introduction to web applications, classes, collections)


Requirements:
Requirements and Grading: The student will be expected to complete all assigned work. Homework assignments will be due in a week unless otherwise specified. Quizzes, when given, will count as a homework assignment unless otherwise specified. In addition there will be a final exam. A schedule of assignments, projects, exams, quizzes etc. will be posted on the Web site in a weekly chart. Students should check on a regular basis. During a week, additions and changes to the week of chart should be anticipated.

Grading:

Your commitment: For each hour in class, you should plan to put in 2 to 3 hours outside of class so you need to recognize that commitment and include it in your planning.
Below there is a TENATIVE schedule of homework based on previous semesters that will give you an idea of what you need to accomplish to be successful in the class. You are also required to read the chapters in the book and do outside research as assigned.

Week #1 Introductory program        Week #2 VB program, quiz
Week #3 if exercise, if assignment        Week #4 VB assignment
Week #5 VB assignment, quiz        Week #6 break assignment, function/procedure assignment
Week #7 VB assignment, code and logic for sort        Week #8 VB assignment array
Week #9 VB assignment modules and multiple forms, arrays        Week #10 VB and database, SQL, match tables
Week #11 more ADO, update        Week #12 VB querying
Week #13 VB on the web assignment        Week #14 VB web assignment
Week #15 Prepare for final        Final Final exam and status sheet required

It is very important that you let me know if you are having problems so we can work out a plan. I set up help sessions you can attend every week and I also am available for help via email. Please take advantage of my availability and don't let yourself get behind! I truly want to see you succeed!

Evaluation:

Assignments, programs and exams are graded using either number grades or letter grades based on the following (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below 60). The student's grade for the course will use the same scale and will be based on the percentages explained in the grading section. Plus and minus grades will be given.
Many of the assignments in this class are open ended - the grading will be based on how well the project demonstrates mastery of the material. Students who do a minimum of work will be graded accordingly. Assignments are only accepted if they are credible work and meet the minimum requirements and standards for that assignment. Assignments that are not accepted can be resubmitted. Resubmission is allowed on graded assignments, with permission of the instructor. You cannot earn an A+ on an assignment that is resubmitted. The instructor will only accept, without penalty, resubmissions on credible work. Resubmissions must be done within a week to avoid additional penalties for late assignments.
Note: To achieve an A+, students must have done sufficient extra work in design or implementation that makes the assignment standout. In doing assignments, students must do their own work. Relying too heavily on my examples or working too closely with someone else will be penalized.
Assignments are due the week after they are assigned. Late assignments will be penalized within the class participation points.
For purposes of this class, the week will end at midnight on Thursday. The new week will start on Monday morning.

Attendance: Attendance is based on email communication. Students must report their status once a week. This report can be combined with the submission of an assignment.

Methodology: This course is sometimes offered using Student Option and sometimes as a Hybrid. The material is available in class and on the web: it is a combination of lectures and interactive projects with supplementary information available on the Web site for the course. Lectures are recorded and put online and Smartboard notes are captured and put on line for all inclass sessions. For other classes, lectures and notes are available. All students should read the assigned notes, study the presentations available and avail themselves of other resources at the web site in mastering the course material. In addition, students will be working independently on projects designed to give them additional computer skills and practical experience in Visual Basic. When appropriate, exercises and problem solving techniques are used. This syllabus is not to be construed as a contract in any way, shape, manner or form. This syllabus contains a suggested course outline and will be generally followed, subject to change according to the instructor’s discretion and needs. Academic flexibility is important!

Interaction Plan: This is an asynchronous course with synchronous components if you decide to attend classes. Communication includes email, audio of lectures, Smartboard notes of inclass notes, and on line office hours and help sessions. Other methods of on line communications may also be used. In addition open lab help session are scheduled and students may request in person meetings. Students must communicate with the instructor at least once a week via email and must turn in homework and participate in any on line communication to be successful.