Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, quizzes, and lab projects will be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F

Each student’s grade for this course consists of 3 exams (60%), 10 Pre-labs (10%), Orientation (5%), and 10 labs (25%).

ALL homework and Lab assignments are due no later than the date listed on the course schedule. I will accept late homework/lab until 24 hours after the original due date with a 20% penalty. No homework/lab assignments will be accepted after the late period. Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the students’ responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment.

Each Exam consists of both a multiple choice part and a lab exam. There are NO makeup exams given in this course.

Approved Text and Teaching Materials:

Starting out with Python, Fourth Edition, Tony Gaddis, Addison Wesley, 2015

ISBN-13: 978-013-511-651-7

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes:

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdffor a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

The information posted on this site addresses the syllabus information required by Texas House Bill 2504. The syllabus handed out in class will contain more information than is noted here. The entire syllabus is posted on the Blackboard site for this course. And, the entire syllabus will be handed out in class. 

Course Description:  Introduces the fundamental concepts of structured programming.  Topics include software development methodology, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging.  This course assumes computer literacy.

Pre-requisite:  This course requires the same math skills necessary for College Algebra.  Students should either have taken or be currently enrolled in College Algebra or a course that requires College Algebra.  TSI complete in reading.

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have 75% lecture and 25% laboratory. If the students are unable to finish the assigned lab work within the lab time, they will need to visit the CIS open labs. 

Course Rationale:  This is an entry level programming course designed to teach students the basic concepts of computer programming.  The course will include designing, coding, debugging, testing, and documenting programs using a high level programming language.  The course is intended to prepare students for a programming-oriented academic path.  This course in include in several degree plans including:

• Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Web Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Game and Visualization Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology Application
• Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing
• Associate of Science – Computer Science

Course/Class Policies:

Academic Integrity

A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity as described in the current Student Policies Handbook.

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current policy.

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

Incomplete

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.
    

Freedom of Expression Policy

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Tutoring

Free tutoring is provided for this course both on line and face-to-face.  For online schedules and details please refer to http:://cit.austincc.edu.

Attendance / Withdrawal

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. 

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is April 26, 2021.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 are charged a higher tuition rate.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regard this policy can be found in the ACC College Catalog.

Student Files – Privacy

The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs may be viewed by their instructor for educational and academic reasons.

Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester.  (Refer to the current ACC Student Policies).

Communication

The ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.eduand the ACCmail accounts will be used as the official communication system during this semester.  Lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades will be posted on Blackboard and all email communication will be via the ACCmail accounts.  All students are expected to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis.  For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.phpand http://www.austincc.edu/google/.

Use of Electronic Devices

The use of cell phones, pagers and personal electronic devices are not allowed at any time in the class or lab. The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor approved activities.

Concealed Handgun Policy

ACC faculty may notify students in their classes or learning environment about the Texas Campus Carry law taking effect at Austin Community College (and other Texas community colleges) on August 1, 2017. The following is recommended syllabus language, approved by legal counsel and the college. For courses including ACC-sponsored field activities, language is still being drafted.

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online.

Facts

• All public Texas colleges and universities must abide by the law.
• Private institutions may opt out of implementing the law.
• The concealed campus carry law does not allow open carry on campus.

• A person must have a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC).
• A person must be at least 21 to obtain a LTC, unless he/she is active duty military or a police officer.
• Faculty and staff do not have authority to ban handguns from classrooms.
• Campus carry laws exist in eight states (Texas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Mississippi, Kansas, Oregon, and Wisconsin).
• Licensed gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed handguns on public campuses (but not in buildings) for 20 years.
• While Texas is currently in a legislative session, there are no indications lawmakers will change the law.