William Paterson University of New Jersey

Department of Computer Science

College of Science and Health

Course Outline

1. TITLE OF COURSE AND COURSE NUMBER:  Introduction to Visual BASIC Programming, CS130, (Service Course; Not for CS majors.)

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE:    Introduces the basic principles and applications of computing systems, microcomputers in particular.  Techniques of computer programming are introduced through BASIC.  Not for CS majors.

3. COURSE PREREQUISITES:   None

4. COURSE OBJECTIVES:   

· To introduce students to the basic concepts of computer programming.   No prior programming experience is assumed. 

· On IBM compatible Pentium PC's, to develop hands-on experience designing programs on a very small scale in Visual Basic under Windows NT.

· To introduce students to screen-form design coupled with RAD programming methods. After lectures on the construction phase, students develop their understanding of concepts and principles by on-line programming sessions, creating applications for several disciplines such as business.

· After completing fundamentals, students design programs linking Visual Basic to Access databases, Developing Active-X controls, and other peripheral aspects of microcomputers.. 

5. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  

· Students will develop an introductory understanding programming concepts.

· Students will demonstrate an introductory level of proficiency in how to program in Visual Basic.  This includes the ability to analyze problems, design solution strategies, write program code, use the Visual Basic RAD tools (and auxiliary ones) for object based processing, and then test and debug the final code.  

· Students will become familiar with the basics of objects, ActiveX, program-based communications to databases, and interfaces.

· Optional:  Effectively express themselves in written and oral form.  While the goal of the course is to write programs, writing in natural language (written or oral) is not an intended goal.  Students should be able to critique or present their programs in written or oral form in English but such is not required. 

· Demonstrate ability to think critically.  This includes making decisions on the control objects in form interfaces, determining the mathematical formulas needed for computations in several application areas, programming control constructs, and design decisions for the incorporation of these and other programming technologies.  Measure: exams, surveys, and projects.

· Demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner both in the programming/analysis process and in areas, such as rudimentary business, statistical, scientific, and general applications. Measure: exams, surveys, and projects.

· Locate and use information.  Projects will be assigned requiring information, methodologies, and formulas from the Internet in Visual Basic and application areas.

6. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF THE COURSE CONTENT:  

· Introduction: Definitions and Concepts, Computers & Programs

· Programming Languages, Machine Language, Compiling

· Introduction: Programmers view of CPU, memory, and disk

· Program Development & Life Cycle, HIPO, Flowcharts

· Program Design Constructs: Sequence, IF,

· Loops and Conditionals

· OOP Concepts: Class & Object, ActiveX

· Running VBASIC  and the Windows GUI

· VB Environment, Form Design:  Editing and pragmatics

· Running VB: More form design; controls, labels

· OOP:  objects & the properties they have,

· Writing an event procedure

· Intrinsic vs ActiveX Controls (broadening capability)

· Multiple Forms: Building Larger Structures

· Dialog boxes and IF-THEN-ELSE

· Events & procedures revisited

· Database Concepts and Programmer linkage to it in VB

· Menus & Data Controls

· Common Dialogs & control-arrays

· For-Next Loop Concept linking to control arrays

· Drag & Drop Events

· Select Case Structure

· Database Management and VB links in Form Design

· Database Management: Events, Controls, and Design

· ActiveX Controls: Concepts & Creating ActiveX Controls

· ActiveX Controls Testing & Distributing Applications     vb 7

· Distributing Applications

· Optional Topics (if time permits): Audio

7. GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING METHODS AND STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES:   

· Lectures covering concepts

· Demonstrations followed by supervised/assisted hands-on sessions.  Active on-line participation is mandatory.

8. GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS FOR METHODS OF STUDENT ASSESSMENT (OUTCOMES):       

· Periodic examinations and the final

· Several introductory programming projects.

9. SUGGESTED READINGS, TEXTS, OBJECTS OF STUDY:  

Crews, Thad and Chip Murphy [2004] Programming Right From the Start with Visual Basic.NET, Prentice-Hall

Dietel, H.M., P.J. Dietel, and T.R. Nieto [1999] Visual Basic 6: How to Program,

Prentice-Hall

Dwyer, Catherine and Jeanine Meyer [2001]  Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0: Games Programming,  Course Technology (an ITP company)

Koneman, Philip. [2003]  Visual Basic.Net Programming for Business, Prentice-Hall

Shelly, Gary, Thomas Cashman, and John Repede [1998] "Microsoft Visual Basic 5:

Complete Concepts & Techniques", Course Technology (an ITP company)

Shelly, Gary,  Thomas Cashman, and Jeffrey J. Quasney [2004]  Programming Fundamentals  Using Microsoft Visual Basic .NET, Course Technology (an ITP company)

Vicarel, Donald [2004] Visual Basic .NET Programs to Accompany Programming Logic and Design,  Course Technology (an ITP company)

Vine, Michael [2002]  Visual Basic Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Course Technology (an ITP company)

Zak, Diane [2001]  Programming with Visual Basic 6.0 (Enhanced Edition), Course Technology (an ITP company)  

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SUPPORTIVE TEXTS AND OTHER MATERIALS:  

Dietel, H.M. and Associates [2006] Visual Basic.NET: How to Program, Prentice-Hall

11. PREPARER'S NAME AND DATE: N/A  

12. ORIGINAL DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL DATE:   Fall 1979

13. REVISERS' NAME AND DATE:   John Najarian, 4/1/2000 (& 12/2004)

14. DEPARTMENTAL REVISION APPROVAL DATE:   Spring 2000 & Fall 2004