COURSE SYLLABUS
PROGRAM AND DESIGN WITH VISUAL BASIC.NET

Instructor: James B. Dressler

Office Location: 3176-G Office Hours: By Appointment

E-Mail: jdressler@sccd.ctc.edu (best method of contacting instructor)

CLASS WEBSITE: http://seattlecentral.org/faculty/jdressler/mic110/index.htm

Course Title/Number: Visual Basic.NET/Mic 110 Quarter/Year: S2003

Credits: Four Lecture hours: Two Lab hours: Two

Meeting Times: 2-2:50 p.m. M-TH Room: MW 3173 (Lab) and TTH 3214 (Lecture)

Prerequisites: Mic 101/Experience w/ Computers

Textbooks: The Visual Basic.NET COACH
Jeff Salvage ISBN 0-321-11350-0

Required Materials: Visual Basic.Net Software and a Zip disk or other removable storage device.

Course Description: Introduces students to Visual Basic.NET programming language and to basic program design

Topics Covered:

Week One: User Interface Design, The Programming Life Cycle, Structured Programming, Object-Oriented Programming and Design, and Flow Charts

Week Two: Write simple programs in Visual Basic, be familiar with fundamental data types, understand computer memory concepts, use arithmetic operators, understand precedence of arithmetic operators, write simple decision-making statements, and Active X controls

Week Three: Understand basic problem-solving techniques, develop algorithms, use if/then and if/then/else selection structures, use while/when, do while/loop and do until/loop repetition structures.

Week Four: Understand counter-controlled repetition and sentinel-controlled repetition, understand concept of nested control structures

Week Five: Use for/next, do/loop while and do/loop until, understand multiple selection using select case, use exit do and exit for statements, use Boolean data type, create and use constant variables, use logical operators, understand control structures combined in a structured program

Week Six: Understand how to construct programs modularly from procedures and functions, be able to create new procedures and functions, understand the mechanisms used to pass information between procedures and functions, understand exit sub and exit function
statements

Week Seven: Introduce simulation using random numbers, understand recursion, understand and be able to use optional arguments and named arguments, use VB math functions, create and use code modules

Week Eight: Introduce array data structure, understand use of arrays to store, sort, and search lists and tables of values, understand how to declare and array, initialize an array, and refer to individual elements of an array, be able to pass arrays to procedures, understand basic sorting techniques

Week Nine: Be able to create and manipulate multidimensional arrays, be able to create and use control arrays, understand how to create, use, and redimension dynamic arrays, be able to use ParamArray and Array

Week Ten: Use string concatenation operators, be able to compare strings and search strings for substrings, able to manipulate characters in a string, convert values from strings and other data types, use date and time functions, be able to format strings, dates and times.

Week Eleven: Review/Final

Course Purpose/Overview/Goals: To have the students acquire the skills necessary to prepare Visual Basic.Net programs.

Program Outcomes: To understand the weekly topics covered. To have students acquire techniques that will allow further independent study on the subject of programming.

Instructor's Educational Philosophy: I as an instructor will do all I can to assist you in learning, but the ultimate responsibility lies with each individual student to do what is needed to acquire knowledge, advance, and achieve one's goals. To benefit most from the concepts and techniques presented in class, the student should practice outside of class until all projects are completed and full understanding of the material is grasped. Please ask questions if you or a classmate does not understand any material discussed in class.

Student Assignments: There is a total of 10 assignments. The maximum points that are available on each assignment are 20 for a total of 200.

Exams: Two Exams and/or Programming Projects a Mid-Term and a Final (100 points each) for 200 points.

10 Assignments x 20 = 200
2 Projects/Exams x 100 = 200
Total Possible = 400 points

The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Total material covered depends on the class's efforts & progress there may be additional assignments.

Calendar/Schedule: Mid-Term Project/Exam 1 May 19, 2003.
Final Exam Due Thursday, June 19th 1:00-3:00 p.m.
(as scheduled on page 14 of the Spring 2003 Course Schedule)

Late Work: If student makes no prior arrangement with instructor, late work may be penalized up to Twenty-five percent of the score. If a student is struggling with a program or concept, notify the instructor immediately so as to receive appropriate assistance or make late arrangements. Turning an assignment in late and working is far better than turning the assignment in on time and not working! If a student must reschedule an exam, it must be arranged with the Instructor.

Learning Resources: Use tutors and libraries to acquire more information from school, Seattle and King County. Computer Lab Assistants are available to answer questions. Also, use the Internet.

Feedback to Student and Course Policies: The SCCC numerical grading system will be implemented. Ten percent of score is deducted from each assignment that is turned in after due date/time.

Numerical Grade Percent
4.0 95+
3.0 80
2.0 70
1.0 60
0.0 50 or less

Special Needs: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Instructor Evaluation: Students will be asked to provide feedback and ideas on course presentation and content. Please be thinking of ways to improve this class.

Thank You.

James B. Dressler