MIS 4362 Spring 2008

  

Course Title: Special Topics in Visual Basic.Net (Alias: Advanced VB.Net)

 
Instructor Information
Name: Dr. Ronald E. McGaughey                      
Office: BBA 318-E                                                                      
Work E-mail: ronmc@uca.edu                          
Phone: (501) 450-5125

                                           

Class Hours                                                Location     
MIS4362 - Tu/Th 8:00 am - 9:15 pm            BBA 301    
MIS3362 - Tu/Th  10:50 am - 12:05 pm       BBA 301   
MBA6330 - Th  2:30 pm - 5:30 pm              BBA 208   
 

Office Hours

Tu. Th. 9:20 am - 10:50 am and 1:30 pm -2:30 pm

Wed. 7:00 am -11:00 am and 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

 

Textbook:

 

Advanced Programming Using Visual Basic.NET 2005 Edition by Julia C. Bradley and Anita C. Millspaugh, published by Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2007.

 

Course Description:

 

This course  will be taught in a way that assumes completion of an introductory VB.NET course.  The course will provide students the opportunity to go beyond the basics of VB.Net, learning tools and techniques useful in the workplace. It is designed to help meet the needs of those students who hope to become VB.NET programmers.  Course content should help students learn how to access and update data in a relational database, develop applications for Web and possibly mobile devices, create browser-based Help files, create professional looking reports and more.

 

Prerequisites:

 

MIS 3362

Policies and Procedures:

  1. Programming assignments will be recommended for each chapter covered.  Students will work on said assignments as group endeavors.  Assignments must be completed by the due date.  Three or four assignments will be randomly selected for grading (same ones for all groups), thus giving each group three homework grades during the semester.  Peer grades (to be completed the day assignment is returned by instructor--failure to do so will get you 0 points on homework) will be used to adjust the grade earned by the group, thus allowing individual member grades to reflect contributions to the group effort.  Each student will thus have three HW grades that will be averaged to compute the homework grade component (15% of class grade).  Due dates and other information concerning the assignments are available on the Web. Assignments must be submitted as instructed inside a suitable folder to prevent loss or damage (some with printed documentation). Original work is required.  Late assignments will not be evaluated.
  2. Attend all scheduled classes. An attendance sheet is passed each day and it is your responsibility to see that your name is on it. After three days absent you will be penalized 5 points per day for each subsequent absence (off final average). After 5 absences (any kind of absences) you will be dropped from the class with an F.  Absence is not an excuse for an assignment being handed in late--send the assignment electronically, or with someone.  Be on time all the time (2 times late = 1 absence and you will not take quizzes when you arrive late).
  3. Ask questions if you wish, but do not engage in informal conversations that distract the instructor and your classmates.
  4. Turn off your cell phones when you come into my class.  You will not get up and leave class to talk on them unless I am notified in advance of the emergency situation that requires you to do so.  If your phone rings or I observer you using it, you will be counted absent for the day.
  5. Come to class prepared to stay.  It is disruptive when students come and go from class.  I understand the necessity to leave for an emergency.  Please notify me of medical reasons that might warrant unscheduled exit from class.
  6. Always come to class prepared--You are expected to read assigned material before coming to class and to have any assignments ready when you arrive for class. Learning the material is much easier if you come to class prepared on a regular basis.
  7. In the event that you miss class or arrive late, it is your responsibility to get the instructions and assignments of the day and to have assignments completed in a timely fashion.
  8. All make-up exams will be administered on last class day-no exceptions (last day of last week of classes). If you must miss a test, contact the instructor prior to test time, unless there are truly extenuating circumstances. To take a make-up exam, official written documentation (doctor's excuse, court documents, etc.) for your absence on test day must be presented to the instructor on the next scheduled class day. There are NO make-up quizzes!
  9. Academic dishonesty will be treated in accordance with the policy of the University as stated in the most current UCA Student Handbook. Copying homework is cheating as is access to any application not specifically authorized on Tests. Cheating is despicable behavior and will be dealt with as such.
  10. Computers and class time are to be used ONLY for INFO3362 work!  If you use class time or computers toward some other end, you will be marked absent.
  11. This is a college classroom, not a movie theater.  Conduct yourself in a manner that would be fitting in a formal work setting. 
  12. Dress appropriately--inappropriate attire (indecent*/distracting) will not be tolerated.
    * indecent  1.  offensive to good taste: improper. 2.  Morally offensive: immodest. (source:  Webster's II: New Riverside Dictionary, 1984)
  13. Adhere to all posted Lab rules (particularly those pertaining to food and drink in the labs).

 

Grading System:

 

Grades assigned according to the following scale:

 

A  –  >= 89.5

B  –  >= 79.5 and < 89.5%   

C  –  >= 69.5 and < 79.5% 

D  –  >= 59.5 and < 69.5% 

F  –     < 59.5

The various components of the course grade are listed below with weights included.

 

Quizzes (Expect one any day)

  15%

Test 1

  35%

Test 2

  35%
Participation (also reflects adherence to class policies*)   15%

Total

100%

*   Examine the class policies.

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

The assist students in acquiring sufficient knowledge of VB.Net to secure and succeed in an entry level VB.Net programming position.  Students will be expected to develop adequate competence in a variety of areas (see outcomes)

 

Outcomes:

 

A student successfully completing this course will be capable of:

 

1.      Accessing and updating data in a relational database;

2.      Developing VB.Net applications for the Web and possibly for mobile devices;

3.      Creating browser-based Help files;

4.      Creating professional looking reports;

 

In addition, class work will foster development of leadership, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills.

 

Teaching/Learning Paradigm:

 

The course will interactive with some lecture.  The instructor and students will work jointly on programs and projects aimed an developing more advanced VB.Net programming skills and knowledge. The Web will provide a vehicle for sharing programs so that all can benefit.  A publisher website will provide further resources in support of the students’ learning experience.  Group assignments will provide students with opportunities to practice concepts discussed/demonstrated in class and to further develop their programming, leadership, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills.

Assessment:

 

Evaluation of student outcomes will incorporate the following:

1.      Hands-on, timed, programming competence tests (two of them).

2.      Chapter quizzes to encourage daily preparation for class and test students on terminology and concepts.

3.      Participation in and out of class involves cooperation, a helping attitude, and individual responsibility. The participation component of a student's grade reflects these things as well as adherence to class policies.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

The departmental policy is that you alone do the work on your tests and assignments.  Work that shows sufficient similarity to indicate copying will receive no credit, and the people involved may receive course grades of F.  Your responsibility also includes preventing others from copying your work.  Print your name on all submissions.

 

University Computer Password Policy:

 

See and read the policy at:   http://it.uca.edu/cgi-bin/cs.pl?DF=/about/policies/itpolicy1.2.2.html

 

Academic Ethics and Sexual Harassment:

 

Students should familiarize themselves with all pertinent university policies and the current Student Handbook.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act:

 

The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If students need an accommodation under this Act due to a disability, then need only contact the Office of disability Services at 450-3135.

 

Course Outline:

 

1.                  Visual Studio.Net

 

2.                  Building Multi-tier Programs with Classes (OOP)

 

3.                  Windows Database Applications

 

4.                  Windows Database using Related Tables

 

5.                  Windows Database Updates

 

6.                  Web Services

 

7.                  Using Web Forms—ASP.NET

 

8.                  Web Forms Database

 

9.                  Writing DB reports using Crystal Reports

 

10.              Using Collections

 

11.              User Controls

 

12.              Creating Help Files

 

13.              Looking Ahead (coverage of selected topics as time permits)