Course Name & Number

COSC1436

Online, Hybrid

And In Class

Semester & Year

Fall 2017

Instructor’s Name

Dr. Terry Province

   Office Phone #

498-6215

Instructor’s Office #

COR 205

Office Fax #

none

E-mail Address

tprovince@nctc.edu

Office Hours

By appointment

Grading Policy & Procedures

Refer to the last page for more detail:

Grades will be based upon the following standards:

Course Grade = Exam average * .25 + Projects * .25 + Quizzes * .25 + Chapter Review questions * .25

Catalog Description

Prerequisites: High School Algebra, Geometry, or Business Math.

32 Lecture hours plus 32 Laboratory hours provides 4 credit hours.

This course covers computer programming using the C++ programming language with a strong focus on programming semantics.  If sufficient progress is made objects in C++ may be added.  Students will learn to program by examining code, writing code, designing and testing programs, and studying the textbook and other materials provided for the course.

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Textbooks & Materials

Required / Recommended

The textbook for the course is “C++ From Control Structures through Objects” by Tony Gaddis ISBN13:978-0-13-4037325

The instructor will also provide some additional material during the semester.

It is highly recommended that you bring your own laptop computer to class.  PCs are preferred.  It may not be possible to load the IDE onto MACs.

Learning

Outcomes

This is a first class in computer programming, and as such a foundation class for further work in computer science. Much as a competency with English grammar is required for writing, an understanding of programming is required to for nearly all intermediate and advanced work in computer science. C++ is a modern, elegant, high level programming language that has been used to create the majority of present day software.

The following topics will be covered:

• Basic Data Structures and Variables.
• Control Structures.
• Abstraction, Encapsulation, Polymorphism
• Regular Expressions and Text Handling.
• Vectors, arrays, and Data Structures.
• Modules, Classes and Objects (depending on class progress).
• File handling and other OS interaction.
• Various standard libraries, as time permits.

Assessment of these competences is through a combination of demonstrations, written exams and/or hands-on laboratory exams and individual projects.  Examinations, unless otherwise indicated, are weighted 80% to “objective” (multiple choice) questions and 20% to “subjective” (written response) questions. 

This course is the prerequisite for COSC1437 which focuses on the syntax of programming in C++

General

The essential difference between Hybrid students and Online students in this course is that Hybrid students will attend one two hour class meeting per week during which they are encouraged to ask questions.  Online students will have to be much more self-sufficient in that respect. 

In all cases students must be self-motivated in order to succeed in this course since it flows in a lock-step fashion.  Once drop boxes close they will not be re-opened.  Keep up with the weekly assignments; don’t miss exams, take quizzes over several times until you are familiar with the questions and the correct answers.

College education is intended to broaden the student’s knowledge base.  Any and all material read, discussed, heard, or observed is subject to being referenced on an examination.  Do not expect the body of knowledge to be narrowed by “reviews” from which test questions will be selected. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory

Regular and punctual participation in the course material is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  There will be no late or make-up exams.  If the student is compelled to not complete all course work, the student must request an incomplete "I" in writing prior to the final exam stating why the student was unable to complete the work.  Being awarded an “I” in the course will be dictated by the laws and statutes governing such as proscribed by the state of Texas.

There are no make-up exams, make-up projects, or make-up participation points or exercises of any kind for any reason.

Tentative Calendar

(Changes needed will be announced ASAP, it is your responsibility to adjust to changes)

Exam dates listed here are subject to change.

Projected Schedule

Refer to Canvas for a complete and detailed listing of the course schedule.

Class meets in COR __251____: as enrolled.

Calendar begins August 28, 2017 

Week 1 through 3 to cover chapters 1-3 in the book:  Introduction to the course and the basic concepts of programming.  Discussion of procedural programming and how to get started as a programmer.  What you can do with programming and how to examine code and determine the corresponding output.  Begin to develop class and or individual project ideas. 

Week 4 will include a thorough review of the material, any additional or developing trends or events in programming, and Exam #1.  The week may also include time for work on research for projects and case studies

Weeks 5 through 7 to cover chapters 4-6 in the book:  To include more exercise walking code, discussion of technical points covered in the book, discussion of problems and ideas regarding projects, etc.  

Week 8 will include a thorough review of the material, any additional or developing trends or events in programming, and Exam #2.  The week will also include time for work on research for projects and case studies.   

Weeks 9 through 11 to cover chapters 7-9.  ()

Week 12 will include a thorough review of the material, any additional or developing trends or events in programming, and Exam #3.   

Weeks 13 through 14 will include a thorough review of the material, any additional or developing trends or events in business, and Exam #4.  

The final exam will be a comprehensive exam that gives the student an opportunity to demonstrate their level of overall understanding of the course material.

Week 16:

The Week of Final Exams; No classes are met except for the purpose of taking the final examination.  Consult the yet to be published Final Exam Schedule

Other Pertinent Information

Thanksgiving off will start on November 22 and will end on November 26.    The holiday will not take time out of the semester schedule for this course.

Other dates:

 It is expected that students will continue to work on course material during breaks and holidays and then return prepared to continue on uninterrupted.

If a student's personal circumstances dictate that he/she needs to reduce his/her academic load, that student will confer with a counselor for assistance in adjusting the number of courses being taken. A grade of "W" will be given to students who officially withdraw from a course, or "drop", at least by Friday of the 12^th week of a long term, or a proportional number of weeks prior to the end of a summer session. Any drops after this time will be made with the approval of the instructor and the Department Chair.

It is the student's responsibility to intitiate the action necessary to drop courses under the conditions outlined above. This requires the completion of a form available in the Reqistrar's Office.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, falsely identifying yourself or another person, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities:  Student Conduct [FLB-(LOCAL)]” #18.

ADA Statement

 Tutoring is not available for most technical classes.  Your instructor is not a tutor.

 

Disability Accommodations Statement:

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

 

Early Alert and NCTC CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Web Page

Visit the North Central Texas College web page for information on registration, financial aid, counseling/advising, and cost of tuition and fees.  You will also find information on the catalog and semester schedules as well as courses of study.  You can keep up with what is happening on campus by checking the calendar of events and the sports news.  The web has information on the library as well as links to other areas of interest.  Check out our web page at http://www.nctc.edu .

Additional content for this course may be found in your Angel account.  Please check there for updates and news.