CSE1530 Computer Use: Programming - Fall term, 2007

Course Outline

Objectives

  • To build on the achievements of CSE1520.03 - to develop further understanding of computers and more advanced computer skills.
  • To develop elementary programming skills in the Visual Basic programming language.
  • To develop and strengthen general problem solving skills and logical thinking through the writing and understanding of well-structured computer programs

Laboratory Work

You will not learn much in this course by only attending lectures. Effective problem solving using a programming language requires a lot of practice - using Visual Basic either at home on your computer or in the Glade lab. It is unlikely that you will achieve even an average grade without doing the lab work and assignments conscientiously.

Sections, Lecture Times and Instructors

There is one section in the fall term and 2 sections in the winter term, with 3 hours of lectures per week as listed below. Please ensure that you are attending the section in which you are officially registered. Switching sections must be done through the Enrolment system.

Section Lecture Time Location Instructor Office e-mail (@cse.yorku.ca)
Fall Term: A MWF9:30 R S137 P. Cribb CSE2010 peterc
Winter Term: M MWF13:30 CB 121 L. Lowther CSE2008 lew
N TR11:30-13:00 ACE 001 P. Cribb CSE2010 peterc

Course Material

The Visual Basic: Programming for Literacy (VB:PL) web book, which can also be bought in hardcopy from Northview Print & Copy (see below) is the only required reading for this course.

However, one good reason for buying another textbook is to obtain a version of the Visual Basic 2005 software. Do not buy a VB 6.0 book for the software - it will not match what is described in VB:PL.

You may also find it useful to refer to other books when/if you encounter problems or want to explore something further than is covered in VB:PL. The following are books you might want to use to supplement VB:PL ...

Recommended Textbooks: (Except for the first one these have not been ordered through the York Bookstore)

  • Programming in Visual Basic .NET, by J.C. Bradley and A.C. Millspaugh
    (McGraw Hill, 2006) - a few copies should be available at the York Bookstore.
  • Simply Visual Basic 2005, by P.J. Dietel and H.M. Dietel
    (Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2007)
  • An Introduction to Programming using Visual Basic 2005 (6th edition), by David I. Schneider
    (Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006)

In addition books such as these might be helpful ...

  • Computer Science Illuminated (2nd edition), by Nell Dale and John Lewis
    (Jones and Bartlett, 2004) - same as used in CSE1520
  • Any book on Windows XP (particularly if you are a novice user)

Laboratory:

  • Visual Basic: Programming for Literacy, 2007
    available from Northview Print & Copy, Unit #1 - 2700 Steeles Ave. West
    (on the north side of Steeles across from the York campus)
    Store Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm (Tel: 905-738-5353

Laboratory Work

You will be using The Glade, a laboratory of workstation computers located in two rooms (CB160 and CB161) in the Chemistry Building (CB). The lab work is an integral part of the course and you should plan on spending at least 3 hours per week in order to complete it, either using the Glade lab or using a computer at home (or elsewhere).

The Glade lab is available for your use from approximately 8am to 11pm each weekday, and also on weekends. Please visit the lab for the exact scheduling of hours.

There are roughly 50 machines in the lab, which is also used by students in CSE1520, and use is on a first come first served basis. We do not have any method for you to reserve use of a machine. It is your responsibility to make sure that you can complete the course work. The lab will quite likely be very busy during the hours 11am to 3pm. So you may find that you have to come early in the morning or later in the afternoon in order to use the lab. The lab is also likely to be busy just before exercises and assignments need to be handed in. Congestion in the lab is NOT an acceptable excuse for handing in lab work late.

Available Help

If you are having problems there are various ways to obtain help:

  • The TA will hold office hours in the Glade laboratory. They will generally be seated at a desk just inside the door.
  • Your instructor holds office hours. Please take advantage of the opportunity to approach him/her.
  • Your instructor will also respond to e-mail questions at times other than his/her office hours, although the reply will necessarily come after a short delayed. Please make use of e-mail.

Information from the Senate of York University

Important information for students regarding the Ethics Review process, Access/Disability, Academic Honesty/Integrity, Student Conduct, and Religious Observance Days is available on the webpage of the Senate Committee on Curriculum and Academic Standards (see Course Outline Documents under