MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 206 COURSE SYLLABUS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 206
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Fall, August 26 - December 6, 2002
Course title: Business Programming Concepts I
College website: www.mansfield.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 205 A
Instructor office hours: to be announced
Instructor office telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu
Instructor website: www.programbetter.com

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

An introduction to analyzing and designing solutions to business-related problems using a business programming language. Topics covered include Unix, HTML, Perl, CGI, JavaScript, and SQL.

Prerequisite: CIS 104

Textbook

Sams Teach Yourself Perl in 21 Days, Laura Lemay, 1999, Sams Publishing, ISBN: 0-672-31305-7.
or
Sams Teach Yourself Perl in 21 Days (2nd Edition), Laura Lemay, 2002, Sams Publishing, ISBN: 0672320355.

Course Websites

www.programbetter.com for the syllabus and course information

www.coursenotebook.com for the class discussion board

Course Outline

1. The UNIX / Linux work environment
2. The Perl programming language
3. The HyperText Markup Language
4. The Common Gateway Interface (CGI server-side scripting)
5. JavaScript (client-side scripting)
6. The Structured Query Language (SQL database commands)
7. Building Internet-based business solutions using HTML, CGI, Perl, JavaScript, and SQL

Class schedule

TuTh 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
or
TuTh 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Equipment and supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. Presentation materials and other supplies may need to be purchased for your project. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes.

Grading scale and policy

Work that meets the stated requirements will in general earn a C grade. Work that goes beyond the basic requirements will in general earn anywhere from a C+ to a B- grade. Work that is very good and exceeds the instructor's expectations will in general earn a B grade. Only the most outstanding work will earn an A grade.

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Quizzes are closed book and timed. You will be allowed a one-page (8.5 x 11 inch) handwritten and non-photocopied original note sheet that you yourself have created, i.e. it may not be copied from another student in any way. Neither early quizzes nor makeup quizzes will be given, however, your 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped to allow for any unavoidable or excused absences.

Homework assignments will be displayed on-line at http://coursenotebook.com. Follow the directions found at that location. Homework must be posted within the specified time frame or no credit will be given. Homework must be the student's own work.

The programming project is a substantial part of the student grade. Therefore, a very high quality product will be required. Grading will be based on the program design and implementation, level of difficulty, written documentation, oral presentation, organization, and overall level of quality.

The final exam will be comprehensive, closed book, and timed. You will be allowed a one-page (8.5 x 11 inch) handwritten and non-photocopied original note sheet that you yourself have created, i.e. it may not be copied from another student in any way.

Late assignment policy

Work that is late will lose one letter grade for each day late. No excuses. Computer, server, ftp, and Internet problems will happen, therefore, make it a point to complete all assignments at least one day before the deadline.

Instructor's expectations

This course places an emphasis on out-of-class experimentation, research, and programming. You will need to go beyond the textbook and draw from the extensive resources available on the Internet. You will need to spend a large amount of time exploring the lecture topics covered in a hands-on environment, either on your own computer or in the computer lab.

Methods of instruction

Material will be presented in lecture format. You are expected to read each assigned chapter prior to the lecture. Feel free to ask questions on any material you need clarified during the lecture.

Unique requirements of the course

This course requires previous programming experience. We will cover the basics of the Perl programming language very quickly. Considerable outside of class time will be required to complete the assignments.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all courses and course activities for which they are registered. Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in the course.

Bad Weather Policy

On days that we have icy or snowy weather, the instructor may choose to hold class on-line. This will be announced on coursenotebook.com.

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You will be posting some of your work for all to view. Feel free to browse other students' posted work, on-line web sites, and other books for ideas. However, if you copy that work and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss an exam you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. Working together on graded homework in this class is also considered cheating. You may get help on homework if you get stuck, but you must carefully document the help you receive. You may not do anything that gives you or another student an unfair advantage. If you are in doubt then discuss the situation with your instructor.

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is published in the Academic Calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE