MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 2206 COURSE SYLLABUS

revised 8/28/2004

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 2206
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Fall, August 30 - December 14, 2003
Course title: Business Programming I
College website: www.mansfield.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 203 A
Instructor office hours: online at http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jphillip/
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

An introduction to analyzing and designing solutions to business-related problems using a business programming language. This semester we will focus on the Java programming language. In addition, we will take a comparative look at other popular business programming languages and software development strategies.

Prerequisites: CIS 1104

Textbooks

Java Software Solutions, 4th edition, Lewis & Loftus, 2004, Addison Wesley, ISBN: 0321245830.

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. You should keep at least 2 backup copies of all work you do on diskettes.

Course Websites

http://faculty.mansfield.edu/jphillip/ for this syllabus, office hours, and other course information

http://www.mnsfld.edu/blackboard.cfm for the Blackboard class discussion board

Course Outline

1. What is business programming?
2. Different programming languages
3. Different programming environments and platforms
4. Different software development methodologies
5. Java data types and expressions
6. Java classes and objects
7. Object-oriented design
8. Inheritance and polymorphism
9. Graphics and GUIs
10. Collections and Data Structures

Class schedule

TuTh 11:00 - 12:15

Grading scale and policy

In general the following policy will be used on subjectively graded work such as essays and projects. Work that meets the stated requirements and is of average quality will 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+ or A- 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.

Homework assignments will be posted on Blackboard and/or announced in class. You may work together with other students on the assignments as long as each student is doing their own work and just getting help from each other on problem areas. Copying another students' work is not allowed and would be considered plagiarism. If you get help from a person other than the instructor you must include the details of this help in writing on the assignment.

A final project will be required. It will be a team-based project and will include a written report and a presentation to the class.

Tests 1 and 2 will be closed book and open handwritten notes. Test 2 will be a comprehensive final exam. Unexcused make-up tests will have a one letter grade late penalty applied.

Attendance and participation will help me decide borderline cases when I assign final grades. For example, a student with an 88% or 89% final grade would probably be assigned a B+ grade. However, if the student had nearly perfect attendance and steady active well-prepared participation throughout the course then I would consider bumping the grade up to an A-.

Instructor's expectations

This course places an emphasis on out-of-class experimentation, research, and reading. 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 course topics in a hands-on environment, either on your own computer or in the computer lab. Please allocate plenty of time in your schedule for this course.

Methods of instruction

The is a lecture course that has a large homework component. You will need to do considerable reading and studying from the textbook as well as from course notes and Internet sources. It can be very helpful to read ahead and mark any sections that you do not understand or have questions about so that you can ask for clarification during the lectures. Many assignments will require the use of Java software that will be made available to you for download. Or if you prefer, you can do the assignments in the Elliott 207 computer lab. Feel free to ask questions during lectures, during office hours, or on the class discussion board about any material you need clarified.

Unique requirements of the course

This course requires previous programming experience. In addition, I assume you have knowledge of algebra, essay writing, and general computer skills. Considerable time will be required to do the reading and complete the assignments. Please do not take this course if you do not have the time it will take to keep up with the work.

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You may 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 or borrow an idea and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss a quiz or exam you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. You may get help on homework from other students if you get stuck, but you must carefully document the help you receive. In general, 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 and course timeline as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE

Each reading assignment from Java Software Solutions (JSS) should be completed at the beginning of the week before each Tuesday lecture so that you will be prepared to ask questions over any material that you do not understand.