Course Syllabus
Overview
This is an introductory class into the fields of computer science, software engineering, computer programming, and software development. It is designed to introduce the student to the world of computers and software, and particularly how we use computers and software to build life changing solutions in areas like mobile and web applications, databases, and artificial intelligence. It is also designed to clarify the curriculum at BYU-Idaho so a student can successfully plan a graduation path and educational experience (one credit).
Requirements
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Required Resources
No required resources.
Structure
Course Outcomes (CO)
- Understand how computing can solve problems and bless lives.
- Understand the basic execution of computer programs on today's hardware.
- Understand how computer programs are developed.
- Understand the differing roles individuals play in the computer software ecosystem.
- Understand what computing related majors are available at BYU-Idaho.
- Plan a graduation path for a degree in a computing related major.
Major Assignments
The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).
| Major Assignment | Task | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Report: Interest Survey | Complete a survey about your computing interests and reflect on its results. | Understand how computing can solve problems and bless lives. (CO#1) |
| Your First Code | Create and deploy a small program using a programming language. |
Understand the basic execution of computer programs on today's hardware. (CO#2) Understand how computer programs are developed. (CO#3) |
| Report: Job Postings | Identify and report on a computing-related job you're interested in. | Understand the differing roles individuals play in the computer software ecosystem. (CO#4) |
| Grad Plan | Create a tentative graduation plan for your computing studies using I-Plan. |
Understand what computing related majors are available at BYU-Idaho. (CO#5) Plan a graduation path for a degree in a computing related major. (CO#6) |
Weekly Patterns
The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions.
| Due Date* | Learning Model | Activity Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midweek | Prepare | Study: [Topic 1] | Study, ask, and answer questions about subfields, processes, and roles in the computer science and information technology field. |
| Midweek | Prove |
Simple App Development Project |
Design, develop, test, and publish a simple app to Google Play. |
| End of Week | Teach One Another, Prove | Peer Review | Give feedback to peers on their app. |
*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.
Learning Model
Most weeks consist of preparing by study, coupled with an open discussion board to ask questions of your instructor and peers. Most weeks also include an end-of-week assignment in which you prove your learning. However, when coding your first program, you will also participate in a peer review of your classmates' code thus far.
Expectations
Workload
Since this is a one-credit class, be prepared to work as much as three hours per week on this course. This course includes required synchronous meetings.
Group Work
The only group work will be the automatically assigned peer reviews mentioned above. No course-long groups will be used in this course.
Late Work
As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, your instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates as appropriate.
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 100% - 93% |
| A- | 92% - 90% |
| B+ | 89% - 87% |
| B | 86% - 83% |
| B- | 82% - 80% |
| C+ | 79% - 77% |
| C | 76% - 73% |
| C- | 72% - 70% |
| D+ | 69% - 67% |
| D | 66% - 63% |
| D- | 62% - 60% |
| F | 59% and lower |
University Policies
Go to the Student Resources module to review the university policies regarding honesty, disability services, online etiquette, communication expectations, etc.
The materials in this course are also intellectual property and taking any materials from the course and posting them outside of this course in any manner (such as posting on Course Hero) will be construed as theft. If you post course materials without authorization, the instructor has the right to impose an appropriate academic sanction (e.g., give you a failing grade for the assignment and/or fail you from the course).
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.
This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|