Syllabus

Visual Basic

Visual Basic is based on contemporary thinking in the computer science - object oriented programming (OOP). Visual Basic is also the basis of the macro development languages of many contemporary computer applications like Word® and Access®. In addition, Visual Basic is the language used in developing ActiveX controls on the World Wide Web.

This course is an introduction to object oriented programming (OOP) focusing on structured programming techniques and proper program design in the language of Visual Basic. Special emphasis is placed on a program's readability rather than on "tricks of the trade" code.

Goals

To expose students to contemporary thinking in computer science education, especially object oriented programming (OOP). Students will investigate polymorphism, inheritance, encapsulation and other OOP concepts.

Additionally, this course is a prerequisite for Intermediate Programming, which is the precursor to Marshall's year long AP Computer Science course.

Textbook

 Brown, Beth (1999). An Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic, Lawrenceville Press. 

Class Topics

Course Objectives

1. To learn about object oriented programming concepts.
2. To define polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation as used in OOP languages.
3. To develop educational applications using Visual Basic.
4. To use forms and properties.
5. To apply the use of controls in a program.
6. To investigate the power of encapsulating data and code into active objects.

Assessment

Each week, several programming assignments will be given to reinforce the programming concepts learned. These programs will be submitted electronically to the instructor.

Two major class projects, a text editor (simple word processor) and a four-function calculator will be developed as the course progresses. 

Attendance

When you miss class, you miss some work, and this will directly affect your grade. If you miss 5 classes in one grading period, you will automatically drop one letter grade. Your grade will drop 15% for each absence after that.

If you are repeatedly late for class, you will repeatedly miss work, and this will directly affect your grade. If you are late 4 times in one grading period, you will receive a warning. If you are late 5 times in one grading period, you will automatically drop one letter grade. Your grade will drop 10% for each late arrival after that.

If you unavoidably miss a class, please make sure you see me to find out what you missed, and be sure to borrow somebody's notes to get caught up. If, after review of the notes, you still do not understand, come in and see me for clarification of notes. If you miss any quizzes or tests, you will be required to make them up immediately when you return.

Additional Resources:

For running course programs not normally available to students, a remote server has been created (buckhome01) to host Remote Desktop Connections (Win 2000, XP, or VISTA required). This is for Computer Science course work only, misuse of any applications or resources will not be tolerated.

To create a new Remote Desktop Connection:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Click Start => All Programs => Accessories => Communications => Remote Desktop Connection
   
3. In Computer, type the computer name or TCP/IP (shown below) address of the host you want to control… remember, only Computer Science course id's will be allowed control.
   
4. Fill in your credentials (ID/Password) and Domain (buckhome01), save the connection as a ‘profile’ so you can quickly go back to it later and use it again.*
   
   
   
   
5. Don’t check the ‘Save my password’ check box because if the 'buckhome' system becomes compromised, your computer (or other systems) have now become exposed to the Hacker.
   
6. Once you have put in your credentials and all other pertinent information, Click Connect.
   
7. Your request will now be sent to the 'buckhome01' system. The Log On to Windows dialog box appears.
   
8. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your user name, password, and domain (buckhome), and then click OK.
   
9. The Remote Desktop window will open and you will see the desktop settings, files, and programs that are the system. Whatever you are doing cannot be seen by anyother Computer Science users.
   
10. Problems do occur, most commonly it’s just that the connection is either refused or it timed out because of latency. If you have a problem, contact Dr. Buck

*Note: for tracking or reconnecting, BUCKHOME's specific settings are: buckhome01 (71-221-30-171.dlth.qwest.net).