Because it is available in the College computer labs, we will be using the Microsoft Visual Basic Version 6.0® programming language to implement and practice the concepts discussed in class. It is not assumed that you have previous exposure to Visual Basic or any other programming language. However, it is assumed that you are willing to learn Visual Basic.
Last semester, a number of students purchased their own copies of Visual Basic. That should not be necessary as it is available in the computer lab and your textbook comes with a version of Visual Basic 6.0® on a CD ROM that you may install on your personal computer. You should note that the version of Visual Basic 6.0® included with the textbook does not include any VB help files.
Should you wish to obtain a more complete version of Visual Basic 6.0®, the educationally priced version should be available in the bookstore. I strongly recommend that you purchase the Professional as opposed to the Learning edition because the Learning edition does not contain all of the controls that are necessary to complete this course.
Survival is not guaranteed. And, it is your responsibility. The following are some suggestions that will help you.
- Do not ever turn in a homework that contains a computer virus. Doing so will make me very unhappy and will also result in a failing grade for this course. There will be no exceptions to this rule for any reason(s). All the computers in the College of Business Administration Laboratories are equipped with Virus detection and correction software. Use this often on your sown diskettes.
- I try to be very understanding when people have problems and I want to help you should you encounter difficulties with this course (or others, for that matter). However, if you come to me at the end of the semester with a tale of woe about everything that conspired against you during the semester, do not expect me to be sympathetic. I don't want to pry into your personal lives. But, if something such as illness, injury, job crisis, etc. interferes with your ability to keep up with the material, I need to know when the crisis arises not after the fact . That way we can, together, figure ways to adjust to your changed circumstances. Telling me weeks later only exacerbates the problem.
- Turn all assignments in on the due date. If something is late, you will receive no credit for it.
- Regularly check the home page for this course. All announcements of homework availability and quiz dates will be made using this page. Once an item has been posted there for 72 hours, I consider it to be official and will hold you responsible for it.
- Join the Class ListServe ADMS34032@listserv.kent.edu. This will be an unmoderated discussion group specifically for students taking this course. Feel free to post questions, answers, advice, references to relevant sources of information on the list at any time. I will throw in my 2 cents whenever I feel it would be helpful. Be aware that all E-Mail sent to this ListServe is automatically sent to every subscriber. If you want a private communication with someone, use her/his E-Mail address NOT the ListServ.
More information on ListServe can be found at HTTP://ACT.KENT.EDU/LISTREQ or at HTTP://WWW.LSOFT.COM/MANUALS/INDEX.HTML
Participation in the ListServe is totally voluntary. If you chose not to be a member, that's fine. All announcements and important messages related to the course will be distributed through the course home page that is accessible from the WorldWide Web.
Should you later change your mind about (not) joining the ListServe, simply send me a message with your E-Mail address, first and last names and an indication as to whether you wish to be added to or removed from the ListServe.
- Read and follow the Visual Basic Programming Rules. If you follow these, you will find yourself writing better and more understandable programs. If you do not follow these rules, you will be jeopardizing your homework grades.
In accordance with University policy, if you have a disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).
It is expected that all work you submit for a grade will be your own. If this is not the case, a failing grade will be assigned for this course and the instructor reserves the right to pursue additional sanctions as provided by University rules and regulations. If you are not familiar with these rules and regulations, you can find them in the current University Phone Directory.
In particular, each of you must submit your own assignments. Should two or more of you submit identical or substantially identical assignments, then I can only assume that one (or more) of you copied from the other(s). In such a circumstance, every student involved will recieve a failing grade for the course. Additional sanctions may be pursued in accord with University rules and regulations.
Class attendance is not required. However, it is strongly encouraged. And, you are responsible for all material covered in class in addition to that assigned outside of class.
A note on class decorum:
I interpret your coming to class as an expression of your interest in learning as much as you possibly can. Certainly, you should assume that this is your classmates' intention in being here. In fairness to your classmates (and me), I expect you to refrain from talking to others, reading newspapers, sleeping, playing radios or CDs, making telephone calls and other similar, possibly disruptive activities. Don't be surprised if I ask you or someone else to leave because of conduct detrimental to the class. If you simply must study for a test later that day, stay home, go to the Library, find a bench outdoors. Don't plan on doing it in class.
Your final grade in this course will be based on your performance in two areas. These are:
A letter grade of A will be earned if you have a total score of 90% or more. A B will be earned for a total score that is at least 80% and less than 90%. For a C, you must have at least 70% and less than 80%. A D will be assigned with at least 60% and less than 70% for your total score. An F will be assigned to all students receiving a total score that is less than 60%. Note, a total score of 79.8% is less than 80% and will result in a final grade of C.
- Quizzes worth 50% of the final grade. I anticipate having an in class quiz approximately every two weeks throughout the semester -- including during final exam week. You will be given at least one week's advance notice of every quiz.
- Homework Assignments worth 50% of the final grade. There will be 8 to 10 homework assignments. Each of these will be available on the web site for this course. Each has a due date. Late assignments will not be accepted. The course home page will be updated whenever a homework assignment becomes available. You need to check the course home page to get your homework assignments. Please be aware that the homework assignments will not be of equal value. For example, the first is 5 points, while the second is 10 points.
I reserve the right to lower the cutoff points outlined in the above paragraph. (i.e., I may decide to assign a grade of A to everyone earning 88% or more of the possible points.)
As the semester progresses, I will be posting homework and quiz scores on the WEB. You will be able to see them by clicking on the Grades on the course home page. The last four digits of your social security number will be used to identify you.
The last day to withdraw from this course is March 26, 1999. Please keep this date in mind.
The following should serve as a general map for the coverage of text material. However, we are certain to deviate from this proposed schadule. Some topics covered by the text will not be covered in class. Other topics not mentioned in the text will be presented in class.
| Week(s) | Chapter(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 - 5 | Chapters 1 - 8 |
| 6 - 8 | Chapters 9 - 10 |
| 9 - 11 | Chapters 11 - 12 |
| 12 - 13 | Chapters 13 - 15 |
| 14 - 15 | Open |
Background for Course
This is the second in a two course sequence on computer programming. I assume that each of you has had at least one course in computer programming and is familiar with Visual Basic. If this is not the case, then you should consider an alternative to this course. Please read the following and try to assess which statement best describes you.
I have never done any programming. What should I do?
You should take ADMS 24001 instead of ADMS 34032. We have arranged for an additional section of ADMS 24001 Principles of System Development to be offered this semester. Adequate space has been reserved to allow you to transfer to that section. It meets once a week on Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you are a major, ADMS 24001 is a requirement that you should satisfy this semester. Then, you can register for this course later. If you are a minor, who has not had a course in Visual Basic, you should move to 24001. It is a much more appropriate elective. And, you can register for this course next semester. If you are simply interested in learning how to program, you should start with 24001. You can always take this course next semester.I have had a programming course but it was not Visual Basic.
Our advice is the same. It would be preferable for you to register for ADMS 24001 this semester and take ADMS 34032 at a later time.I have had a course on Visual Basic. But, it was a while ago and I may be somewhat rusty.
Then, this is the correct course for you. We will be spending approximately five weeks reviewing the fundamentals of Visual Basic before moving onto what should be totally new material. Some of what we review you will have already used. Some you will learn as we go. If you are willing to spend the required time to master the material, we suggest you stay in this section.I live and breathe Visual BasicThe first five weeks or so may seem easy. Rest assured, we will soon be moving on to material that you will find both useful and challenging.