Visual Basic - CIS156

Welcome to the Visual Basic course, CIS156. This course will cover an introduction to Visual Basic including the visual development, commands, databases and object oriented concepts. The course will cover a lot of material and help you to become proficient with Visual Basic as a programming language and as a tool for development in Access etc.

If you are taking this as a Web based course it is extremely important that you either own a computer or have daily access to a computer. For students taking the course over the Web, the computer is your only source for information and the way you will communicate with the instructor. If you do not have a computer available and you are not comfortable working on the Web, you should be taking this course using the classroom option (see below).

The Web site:

The Web site that you are currently visiting will contain all information for this course. It is a resource for students in the classroom and the method of delivery for students taking the course over the Web. The class notes, sample VB programs as well as PowerPoint presentations on the material will all be posted at the site as well as the assignments. The site will also list tutorials and other sites on the Web where information can be obtained. The assigned text book will be covered and the copy of Visual Basic included with the text book allows you to program at home.

I want you to read the assigned chapters in the text, but I also want you to use the text as a reference book. Frequently, I will introduce a concept when it seems appropriate in writing the sample programs so you will need to check the index and read about that feature. Other times, I just feel the authors are waiting too long to cover material and I will introduce it earlier. By looking at the PowerPoint presentations and the examples and by looking up things in parts of the text book not yet assigned, you will be able to understand what is being covered. If there are questions, please send me an email. In addition to the list of assignments, there is also a week by week schedule to help the student keep current. I usually update the site four or five times a week, so be sure to check it on a regular basis. Note: Assignments will not be handed out in class, they are available on the Web.
Classes are recorded and Smartboard notes are captured and posted after each class.

 The way this course works:

Students taking this course have three options:

  1. They may choose to take it as a traditional classroom/lecture course and attend all or at least most classes
  2. They may take the class entirely over the Web meaning that they will get notes and sample code over the Web and they will communicate with me mainly through e-mail.
  3. Students can blend the two approaches described above. If they have questions about the material, if they are confused about a specific topic, or if they just feel like attending class they are welcome to do so. If it is inconvenient to attend class or they feel that they understand the material and don't need the classroom activity, they can work through the Web site.

Requirements:

All students taking the course must have an e-mail address. As soon as you have an e-mail address send me an e-mail so I can put you into my system.

Students taking the course over the Web must communicate with me at least once a week via e-mail just to let me know they are still there!

For everyone in the class: If you miss more than two classes in a row, please send me an e-mail letting me know that you to still exist!

Assignments are due the week after they are posted. The problem is that there is a lot of work and if you get behind you risk completing the course. In addition, 10% of your grade is based on participation, quality of work, getting things in on time etc., so chronic lateness will affect your grade.

Students should send me assignments via email. Programs should be zipped. If there is a problem they should see me. Students should pass in only one assignment per email. The class code (CIS156), your name and the assignment name should be on the subject line. If you have questions or need help, send a separate email with CIS156, your name and either the word question or help in the subject. I respond first to those emails and file the assignments to be corrected when I have accumulated a group. On most assignments, if you get a bad grade you can either resubmit or do a make-up. If I have heavily corrected the assignment and the answers are there, needless to say you cannot resubmit. You should get approval from me if you want to resubmit an assignment as a double check that it is appropriate for a specific assignment. Make-up assignments will be posted upon request, if appropriate. Note that quizzes cannot be resubmitted.

Help:

If you need help, see me or e-mail me and we will figure out the best response. Better to see me as soon as you see signs of a problem! You can send me drafts of assignments with particular questions over e-mail and I will respond (if appropriate) as soon as possible. With rare exception I check my Web site every day and on days when I am not at BCC, I usually check it multiple times (that means Wednesday, Friday and over the weekend). I am willing to set up review sessions or question and answer sessions for in class students, Web students or both.