IT Logic | COP1002c
Syllabus

Location:

This course meets either in completely online format or as a hybrid class. If you are in a hybrid section, you are required to come to class for half the time (usually one 75-minute class period per week) and complete the rest of your classtime online. Hybrid students may not be required to meet every week. Unless otherwise posted on WebCT, you should assume that your class will meet on campus at the regularly scheduled day and time. The online sections do not have any on-campus requirement. All exams for all sections will be completed through WebCT.

Please read this document all the way to the end. At the end there is something you must do to continue in this course!

Course Objectives

Description:

This course is intended to introduce students to the concepts of computer logic and programming. Problem solving skills using logic are emphasized. Topics include but are not limited to: computer components and operations, programming structure, decision-making, arrays, and data structures. Both sequential and object-oriented designs are covered. The student is expected to use some math skills.

Instructor

Course Policies

All sections of this course will use WebCT. This is where you will go to get assignments, check due dates, take your exams, upload most work, communicate with your instructor and classmates, and participate in discussions. In an online or "hybrid" course, your attendance is required in class as well as via your participation in WebCT Discussions You must log on to WebCT at least twice a week and check the homepage for any new information and/or updates.

Each week you need to check the homepage of WebCT for notices from your instructor and to get your assignments. Almost all of the work for this class will be submitted either as a printed or handwritten paper, uploaded to WebCT, sent via WebCT email message, or uploaded to the IST server. Since you may be uploading some work via the Internet, it is important not to wait until the last minute. Computers crash, you may have ISP problems, etc. These issues will not be accepted as excuses for late work. It is your responsibility to make sure your work is uploaded on time. Late work may, at the instructor's discretion, be accepted with a penalty. Please note: There will be homework assigned in this course that will not be collected or graded. Some of this work will be done in class during lab time but you will also do some at home. The purpose of this work is to ensure that you learn the material so you will be prepared for the exams and also ready to do the graded homework. You will be expected to take responsibility for learning the material. You can do all of these ungraded assignments, you can do some of it, or you can do none of it. The choice is yours. But you are expected to learn the material and demonstrate that knowledge by your performance on exams and graded assignments.

There will be 3 in-class exams and a Final Exam in this class. All exams will be announced in advance. One of the 3 in-class exam grades will be dropped. There are no makeup exams for any reason. The Final Exam will count as two in-class exams.

Assignments must be organized and submitted following the course guidelines and in the specified format. This might include any or all of the following: submitting a printout, uploading to WebCT, or sending an attachment via e-mail. Methods other than those specified are not acceptable. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.

Do not tamper in any way with the setup of our lab computers unless you are specifically instructed to do so. This can be quite disruptive to the conduct of our classes. “Unauthorized modification of the system setup of Santa Fe’s computer teaching labs” is a violation of the Student Conduct Code, Article III, Proscribed Conduct.

College regulations specify that “food and drink cannot be used in classrooms.” This includes our computer labs. Adhere to this policy at all times.

Learning should be fun and we want you to enjoy class but in an atmosphere that is suitable for a college course. Maintain a courteous and professional demeanor toward your classmates and instructor. Arrive on time and inform your instructor if you need to leave early. Communicate in an appropriate manner in classroom and on-line discussions. Courtesy also includes avoiding the use of cellular phones or other noisy electronic devices during class. Please do not read e-mail, play games, sleep, or chat during lectures and presentations.

Academic Integrity

The highest level of academic integrity is expected in this course. Make sure that the work you submit is original and of your own creation. Copying or imitating someone else’s work and presenting it as your own is a serious violation of academic integrity. The consequences for academic dishonesty can be severe, including but not limited to, a failing grade in the course or expulsion from the Florida College and University System. For further information, refer to the Student Conduct Code, Article IV, Academic Dishonesty at the SFCC Human Resources Policies website: http://admin.sfcc.edu/~humresourc/policies/.

Course Materials

Texts:
Required:
Foundations of Programming: Structured Logic, Data Manipulation, Algorithms, and Programming Design by Elizabeth Drake. This Manual is available from the SFCC Bookstore only.
Learning to Program with Alice by Dann, Cooper, and Pausch, Prentice Hall Publishers, 2006, ISBN: 0-13-187289-3
All other materials, like tutorials and links to supplementary readings, will be available on WebCT. You can print any assignment, activity or reference if you wish.

Grading

Grading Standards

Grading will be based on objective standards as well as such subjective criteria as overall impression, thoroughness, attention to detail, and extra effort. If you complete the minimum requirements for an assignment, you are not guaranteed an A. Excellent grades are reserved for outstanding work. If you fall behind in the course, you should strongly consider withdrawing. However, you should discuss this option with the instructor prior to making a decision. Check the Important Dates section for the last day to withdraw and receive a W as a grade.

An Incomplete grade will be given only in situations where a student has successfully completed nearly all of the semester coursework and has experienced an emergency situation at the end of the term. The circumstances must be documented and the student must contact the instructor prior to the end of final exam week in order to agree on incomplete terms, deadlines, etc.

Course Outline - Tentative! - Note that Modules do not correspond to weeks. Some modules may take one week, some may take longer.

Important Dates

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

If you are a student with a disability: In compliance with Santa Fe Community College policy and equal access laws, your instructor is available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Request for academic accommodations need to be made during the first week of the semester (except for unusual circumstances) so arrangements can be made. You must be registered with Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) in S-229 for disability verification and determination of reasonable academic accommodations.

Discrimination/Harassment Policy

SFCC prohibits any form of discrimination or sexual harassment among students, faculty and staff. For further information, refer to the SFCC Human Resources Policies website at http://admin.sfcc.edu/~humresourc/policies/.

Agreement to Syllabus

This syllabus is a contract between you and your instructor. Both of you will be expected to abide by its policies. It is your right as a student to challenge any future circumstances in this course that you believe to be a violation of this contract. To confirm this, send a message to your instructor. In this message state that “I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus.” Failing to do so will abrogate this right. Send your message to your instructor via WebCT ClassMail. The message should say syllabus in the subject line. Be sure to sign your message so you can get credit for it.