Department of Computer and Information Science

CSCI N335 Advanced Visual Basic Syllabus
Spring 2000


Section B428 Tues, 4:00-5:15 pm SL 247
Lab B429 Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
SL 247

Instructor:


Lecture: Andy Harris
Office: SL 280 D
Office Phone: 274-8491
Office Hours: TBA or by appointment
Email: aharris@cs.iupui.edu
Lab Kishan Siram Nagendra
email knagendr@cs.iupui.edu
Computer Science Office Hours (SL280): M - R 8:00 - 5:45 p.m.
F 8:00 - 5:00 p.m.


Week Dates Lecture Lab
1 Jan 11 Beyond Beginning VB
2 Jan 18 VBA in Office
3 Jan 25 Objects and Collections
4 Feb 1 Creating Objects
5 Feb 8 Creating Objects Ctd.
6 Feb 15 ActiveX Controls
7 Feb 22 Midterm exam
8 Feb 29 Relational Databases
9 Mar 7 SQL
10 Mar 14 Spring Break No classes!!
11 Mar 21 DAO
12 Mar 28 ADO
13 Apr 4 Reports
14 Apr 11 VB and the Internet
15 Apr 18 ASP and VBScript
16 Apr 25 OLE and API
17 May 3, 3:30 - 5:30 Final Exam Note the start time

Purpose of This Course

This course is intended as an advanced techniques course in Rapid Application development for the Microsoft Windows Environment. In particular, we will be examining Visual Basic versions 5/6, Visual Basic for Applications as it exists in various application software packages, and VBScript, the scripting language built into Internet Explorer. The main focus of the course will be exploring the newer and most exciting features of Visual Basic, including (but not necessarily limited to...): Database design and manipulation using multiple tools, Object oriented design and practice, use of OLE for inter-application communication, using the VBA variant of VB to leverage application software, use of VB on the web via activeX and winsock controls, and using the win32 API.

Expectations

This course is intended for students who have taken the CS 220 Visual Basic course, or have extensive programming experience with Visual Basic. Students should be comfortable discovering new syntax, debugging, and exploring on their own. If you are not sure if this class is right for you, please talk to me EARLY in the semester so we can determine if another course would be more appropriate first. CSCI 220 counts as a Science credit in many programs, but it is NOT open to Computer Science majors for CS credit.

Grading

The midterm, final exam and final project are each worth 20% of your grade. The remainder of the class assignments compose the other 40% of your grade. No make-up quizzes will be given. This structure is subject to modification. Grades will be posted on the class web page ( http:www.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris/avb). It is the student's responsibility to check his/her grades regularly and be sure there are no discrepancies. Final grades will be based on a percentage of the total points accumulated, figured on the standard scale as:
97-100% A+
80-83% B-
less than 65% F
94-96% A
77-79% C+
   
90-93% A-
74-76% C
   
87-89% B+
70-73% C-


84-86% B
65-69% D


Grades

We will post an (unofficial) listing of lab grades for this class. To get to these grades, point your browser at http://klingon.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris/220vb/getGrades.html.

Mailing List

To Subscribe:
  • Send email to majordomo@cs.iupui.edu
  • Leave subject blank
  • In body of text, write subscribe n335
  • Send message
  • Address list messages to n335@cs.iupui.edu

Academic Misconduct

It is the purpose of this class for you to learn new things. The only way you can learn is to do the work. Academic conduct will be dealt with in accordance to the Student code of Conduct and School of Science policies. The normal penalty for serious violations of the conduct code such as plagiarism and stealing exams is a failing grade for the course. Anyone who tries honestly will probably be able to pass.

Important dates

Resources for VB programmers

  • vb-web-directory/ A HUGE repository of VB information (including it seems, links to some obscure VB Teacher in Indianapolis)
  • Microsoft The motherland

Communication

Since this is considered a relatively advanced computer science course, I will presume you are comfortable with basic internet technology such as the web and email. We will be using a class web page at http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris/avb. We will also be using a mailing list. I will demonstrate both of these technologies early on in the class.

Incompletes

A grade of incomplete is not intended to serve as a drop or withdrawal after the time period for submitting a drop has expired. Incompletes will only be permitted under the following conditions:

  1. The student has satisfactorily completed all course requirements up until the time of the incomplete.
  2. The student demonstrates that being required to complete the course within the semester's time constraints would cause extreme personal hardship.
  3. The student and instructor agree to a plan to complete the remaining coursework in a reasonable time period not unduly burdensome upon the student.
  4. All paperwork required to issue the incomplete is completed and turned in to the CSCI office staff before final grades are issued.
  5. At least 75% of course work must be completed before an incomplete can be considered.

My philosophy and teaching style

I like programming, and I LOVE teaching. I am eager for the opportunity to work with you and learn with you. The material we will be studying will be pretty much cutting edge, so we will have to learn some of it together. I plan to work very hard to have a class that is interesting, informative, and enjoyable. I ask that each of you promise to yourself that you will give this endeavor the attention it deserves, and commit to come to each session prepared and eager to have fun, participate, and learn. I'm going to have a ball working with you this semester. -Andy