Personal Computers and Their Uses

Resources:

Textbook: Deitel & Deitel.Visual C++ 2008: How to Program, Second Edition. Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 0136151574. (primarily a reference for C++)

Selected readings from: Mullet & Sano. Designing Visual Interfaces: Communication Oriented Techniques. Prentice Hall, 1995.

Other readings/articles as assigned.

Software: MS Visual Studio 2008.

Class Web Page: http://www.esu.edu/~mjochen/Teaching/CPSC335/f09/

Prerequisite: CPSC 251 (Non-Linear Data Structures)

Course Overview:

This course introduces the principles of good user interface design. Practical examples/problems will be examined/implemented using MS Visual C++. Throughout the interface design/implementation phases, we will practice good object-oriented design/programming techniques. This course assumes that you have mastered the material in a non-linear data structures class and are familiar with C++.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Use Visual C++.NET to build effective GUIs for application software.

2. Use Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library and the .NET Foundation Class Library (FCL).

3. Use Object Oriented Programming techniques to more efficiently design and build GUIs.

4. Apply Object Oriented techniques to build a GUI for an application program.

Requirements:

The following work will be required of you throughout the semester:

Homework
Individual programming assignments
Group programming projects
Quizzes
Oral presentation/research project
Exams

Tentative Class Schedule:

The class schedule for assignments/readings/etc, will be posted on the class web page.

Grading:

All work is due at the time and day specified when the assignment is given. Submission details for work to be graded will be given at the time the work is assigned.

All exams, homework assignments, and programming assignments count towards your final grade. If you fail to take an exam or submit a homework/programming assignment, you will receive a grade of zero for that work. If you want me to reconsider your grade on a particular assignment, you must make your request within seven days of my handing out the graded work.

Quizzes will be given throughout the semester. If you are absent the day a quiz is given, you will receive a grade of zero for that quiz. I will automatically drop your lowest quiz score (one score only) when calculating your final grade.

The make-up of the total number of points for your final grade breaks down as follows:

5% Class Participation

5% Quizzes

10% Homework

10% Oral Presentation/Research Project

10% Programming assignments

20% Programming Project

20% Mid-Term Exam

20% Final Exam

Grading Policy:

Rather than grading on a competitive, curve-based grading scheme, I use a criterion-based grade scale. Thus, if every student works sufficiently hard, and earns a letter grade of “A”, then all students will receive “A”s. Your grade reflects the amount and quality of work that you, the student, accomplish during the semester. To that end, I do not assign your grade, you earn your grade. Keep in mind, I view letter grades in the following light:

A – Excellent

B – Good

C – Fair

D – Poor

E – Failure

This means, to receive an “A”, you must perform excellent work. Excellent work is that work which is marked with distinction, going above and beyond that of merely meeting the requirements for an assignment. Your final grades will be decided based on the following scale:

A 90.0-100%

B 80.0-89.9%

C 70.0-79.9%

D 60.0-69.9%

E 0-59.9%

Assignment Lateness Policy:

I strongly encourage you to keep up with the pace of the class and all associated work. Getting into the habit of turning in work after the due date will put you at a distinct disadvantage in learning the material. However, I do recognize that unforeseen events happen in life and I will accept late assignments with the following provisions: For each day late (n being the number of days late), you lose 2ⁿ points on your assignment. For example, if you turn in an assignment one day late, you will lose 2¹ or 2 points, two days late will cost 2² or 4 points, three days late will cost 2³ or 8 points. In essence, the number of points deducted for lateness doubles each day. Late assignments will not be accepted after the sixth late day. Weekends and holidays count as late days.

Class Attendance/Participation Policy:

Class attendance is required. As such, attendance will be taken each class. If you are absent for four or more unexcused absences, you will receive a final grade of E (failure) for the class (regardless of what your class average is). I expect you to participate constructively in each class. When you fail to come to class, not only do you miss out on the material for the day, but you disadvantage your fellow students as your unique perspective is absent from class discussion and problem sessions. Please note: to be considered “present”, you must be present for the entire class period. If you arrive late, or leave early, you risk being marked absent for the day (unless prior arrangement has been made with the instructor).

As noted earlier in this syllabus, if you are absent the day an exam or quiz is given, you will receive a grade of zero. If you know you must miss a class, please speak with me ahead of time so that we can try to make a mutually beneficial arrangement. Some examples of situations that may permit a make-up would be: extreme illness, death in the family, imprisonment, etc. Some examples that will not get you a make-up are: sporting events, routine doctor visits, social events, etc…

Academic Honesty Policy:

All work submitted is to be completed individually (unless indicated as a group assignment), and is to be the sole product of your own efforts. Group work is to be the sole product of members of the group. Any perception of anything to the contrary or that violates the spirit of the Student Code of Conduct will be handled accordingly. This policy is very specific on what constitutes Academic Misconduct and provides a range of very unpleasant possible outcomes, should a violation be suspected. I encourage you to become familiar with this policy. Please refer to the relevant sections of the Student Code of Conduct for more information.

Special Needs:

If you need special accommodations or require additional assistance to fully participate and be successful in this class, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I strongly desire each and every one of my students to be able to achieve their goals in this class. I will work with you and the Office of Disability Services to ensure that you have every opportunity to do well.