IST256 Syllabus Spring 2020

Course Information

IST256: Applications Programming for information Systems

Audience

This course is for students who are new to programming yet desire to learn how programming applies to our everyday lives.

Catalog Description

Structured program design, development testing, implementation, and documentation of common information system applications using structured programming languages. Lectures and laboratory.

Description

Due to the prevalence of technology in our lives, learning to program has become the critical skill of the 21st century. Students will learn practical applications of computer programming such as how to automate tasks, manipulate data and solve problems applicable to almost any academic discipline.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze complex problems by thinking computationally and systematically.
  2. Solve practical, real-world problems using a modern computer programming language..
  3. Demonstrate the ability to read, write, discuss and code confidently.
  4. Understand how to code in teams, collaborate with others and manage source code.
  5. Acquire new programming knowledge independently.

Large Group and Small Group Sections

Every student in IST256 is assigned to the main section M001, then one of the recitation sections. You are required to attend both sections every week.

Every student in IST256 is assigned to the main section M001, then one of the recitation sections. You are required to attend both sections every week.

Section Class # Type Instructor Email Meeting Day/Time Location
M001 37703 Large Group Michael Fudge [email protected] Mondays 3:45pm - 5:05pm Whitman 007
M002 37890 Small Group Angela Ramnarine-Rieks [email protected] Wednesdays 12:45pm - 2:05pm Hinds Hall 011
M004 37730 Small Group Laurie Ferger [email protected] Thursdays 9:30am - 10:50am Hinds Hall 011
M005 37731 Small Group Wade Stringer [email protected] Thursdays 5:00pm - 6:20pm Hinds Hall 111
M006 37732 Small Group Wade Stringer [email protected] Wednesdays 9:30pm - 10:50pm Hinds Hall 011
M007 37738 Small Group Angela Ramnarine-Rieks [email protected] Wednesdays 3:45pm - 5:05pm Hinds Hall 021
M009 37824 Small Group Laurie Ferger [email protected] Wednesdays 3:45pm - 5:05pm Hinds Hall 018

Office Hours

You are welcome to come to our office hours without an appointment. You may visit any professor’s office hours, but are strongly encouraged to visit your recitation instructor when seeking help. If you require a meeting outside of office hours, please contact us for an appointment. Office hours are for asking questions, clearing up doubts and misunderstandings in the the coursework and getting advice / guidance on labs and homework. Please to not expect to be tutored during office hours, and please do not work on your homework during our office hours.

Instructor Office Hours
Michael Fudge TBD
Laurie Ferger TBD
Angela Ramnarine-Rieks TBD
Wade Stringer TBD

Course Resources

Textbooks

The following texts are required:

  • Programming in Python 3 an Interactive Textbook https://zybooks.zyante.com. Must be purchased online or through the SU bookstore. Student cost is $58. Your use of this book counts towards your grade.
  • Python for Everybody: Exploring Data In Python 3 by Charles Severance. https://www.py4e.com/book. Free.

Here are some additional free textbook recommendations. Consider these supplemental resources:

Activating Your Zybook

  • Go to: https://learn.zybooks.com/
  • Create Your Account. Make sure to sign up with your @syr.edu email address.
  • When prompted for the Zybook code, enter SYRIST256FudgeSpring2020
  • You can purchase the Zybook online with a credit card, or purchase through the bookstore and receive an access code.

YouTube! Video Playlists

IST256.tv: Our Course Videos

These are the official videos for the course. They show you how to setup the course materials, inspire you to learn programming, and walk through our End-To-End examples.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLyRiRUsTyUXjwYRGM8vzusbc50zmUyNEG&v=xfBWk4nw440

Python for Everybody

This videos supplement Charles Severance’s “Python for Everyone” book. There are a lot of helpful videos here including video equivalents of his textbook chapters and in-depth walk-throughs of the code examples from his text book. These videos will help you master Python!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLlRFEj9H3Oj7Bp8-DfGpfAfDBiblRfl5p&v=fvhNadKjE8g

Bring Your Own Device

This course uses the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model.

  • For Large Group you need a device to ask and answer questions. This can be a smartphone or laptop (Mac, Windows, or Chromebook).
  • For Small Group you need a device to write code. This should be a laptop computer (Mac, Windows or Chromebook).

Methods of Evaluation

Requirements

This course uses a well thought out mix of individual, group, in-class and out-of-class instruments to assess your knowledge acquisition. A variety of techniques are used to cater to students of different learning styles and assess the course learning outcomes.

Assessment
Name		 Blackboard
Gradebook		 Learning
Outcomes		 Quantity Points
Each		 Points
Total
Exams E1 - E3 2,3 3 (2 best count) 120 240
Project P1 - P3 1,2,3,4,5 1 (Split in 3 Phases) 120 120
Zybook Participation Z01 - Z10 1,2,3 10 (all 10 count) 6 60
Class Coding Labs L01 - L13 1,2,3,4 13 (12 best count) 5 60
Homework H01 - H13 1,2,3,4,5 13 (12 best count) 10 120
TOTAL 600

Exams

  • Exams evaluate your recall and understanding of the course material, as well as your ability to apply it to new situations.
  • There will be three exams in the course. Your best two exam scores count towards your final grade, offering you an opportunity to achieve mastery over the material.
  • You must attempt all 3 exams to qualify to have one of your exam scores dropped.
  • Due to the nature of the subject matter, examinations are naturally cumulative.
  • Exams dates are posted on the syllabus class schedule.
  • It is your responsibility to be present for each exam on the date posted.
  • There are no re-issues or make-ups, as this is logistically difficult to accomplish fairly.
  • Exams are issued on paper as multiple choice. You may be asked to write a program by hand.
  • Exams are closed-book. You may not use notes, a computer or any aids (calculator, phone, etc…)
  • Exam dates are posted on the course schedule.

Specific Exam Policies:

  • Exam dates posted on the class schedule.
  • Exams are issued at the beginning of class and are 30 to 45 minutes long. If you show up late you will receive less time to complete the exam. If you show up after the exam completes, you’ve missed the exam.
  • In general there are NO MAKE UP EXAMS without a university-approved reason such as illness or family emergencies. These must be documented by the university.
  • You may request to take the exam at another time. The request must be made at least 1 week in advance of the exam date. You must have a legitimate reason for this request AND prof. Fudge must approve it. If your exam is approved you will suffer a 50% penalty for not taking the exam on the scheduled date. This is out of inconvenience of scheduling a proctor for the exam.

Project

  • The goal of the project is to demonstrate your ability to program something novel, useful and innovative in Python.
  • The project is divided into 3 phases; due dates are posted on the course schedule. Late submissions are accepted but will receive a grade of zero.
  • The project is a group assignment, teams of no more than 3 people.
  • Details for the project can be found under the Project heading on the course website.

Zybook Participation

  • The Zybook https://learn.zybooks.com/ interactive textbook is an excellent resource for learning Python. As such, your use of this resource will be graded.
  • For most lessons, relevant Zybook chapters are assigned on the course schedule.
  • For each assigned chapter, you are expected to complete the reading and participation activities by 3PM Monday.
  • Your grade is based on the amount of the chapter you complete before the deadline: 100% == 6 points, 90% == 5 points, 80% == 4 points, 70% == 3 points, 60% == 2 points, 50% == 1 point, under 50% == 0 points.
  • The Zybook website records your interactions so it is trivial to see how much of the chapter you have completed.
  • Only the readings and participation activities are graded. The challenge activities and labs are optional.

Class Coding Labs

  • Each week there will be an lab programming activity.
  • This activity must be completed between the lecture and recitation sections. It will be discussed in the recitation. Complete means you must have the code committed and pushed to GitHub by 11:59pm the day before your scheduled recitation.
  • You may work alone, but are encouraged to work alongside a partner as you complete the lab. If you work with another, you should both complete the lab individually.
  • If you are not in attendance at recitation you will not receive full credit for the class coding lab.
  • You are awarded up to 5 points for the lab.
  • You are given one “Free Pass”, meaning you have one incomplete lab without penalty.

Homework

  • Practice makes perfect. Each week you will be assigned several homework to complete outside of class.
  • These homework assignments will take several hours to complete. This is by design. Practice makes perfect.
  • Homework are individual assignments. You can collaborate on strategy but you must must work alone on the assignment. You must be able to explain the code you write, or it will be considered an academic integrity violation.
  • The homework is due by the end of the week’s lesson. Saturday by 11:59pm.
  • You must commit your code and push it to GitHub before the due date.

  • Homework is evaluated based on the following criteria:

    1. What the problem attempted? Effort made to start the homework assignment.
    2. Was the problem analysis thought out? Identified inputs and outputs, including sources and targets. Outlined a process which explains code flow in pseudo code – not python.
    3. Does the written code execute? Program runs without error.
    4. Does the code solve the problem? In addition does it handle edge cases and bad input when explicitly directed to do so?
    5. Is the code well written? Easy to understand, modular uses functions for code reuse and readability? Are python objects aptly named? No unnecessary code, or code not pertinent to the problem at hand?

  • You must satisfy all 5 criteria to receive a full 10 points for the homework.

  • Late homework or homework edited after the due date receives a 0.
  • You are given one “Free Pass”, meaning your lowest homework score is dropped.

Grading Scale For Your Final Grade

We use the following grading scale for translating your total points earned into a letter grade to be submitted to the University registrar.

Student Achievement Total Points Earned Registrar Grade
Mastery 570 - 600 A
540 - 569 A-
Satisfactory 510 - 539 B+
480 - 509 B
450 - 479 B-
Low Passing 420 - 449 C+
390 - 419 C
360 - 389 C-
Unsatisfactory 300 - 359 D
0 - 299 F

Course Specific Policies

Due Dates

  • Due dates for all assessments are posted in Blackboard https://blackboard.syr.edu. Please consider these dates the official due dates.
  • Due dates are also posted to the IST256 website for reference.
  • In general late work is not accepted. Please get your work in on time so we can get is back to you in a timely manner.

Extra Credit

No extra credit is offered in this course. There are enough opportunities to improve your grade through dropped exams, homework, and labs. Make the most of these opportunities!

Tutoring

We encourage you to attend the free small-group tutoring sessions for IST256 available through the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS). Several tutoring sessions for IST256 will be offered each week. The tutors will be trained undergraduate and graduate students who have access to our course information and can help you study efficiently and effectively. Tutoring sessions will be geared to each week’s lessons. Visit http://class.syr.edu to learn when and where sessions meet and how to reserve a spot. You may also drop in if space is available.

Course Honor Code

The course honor code represents our commitment to Academic Integrity in a programming course. I drafted the class honor code to avoid academic negligence - situations where students are unaware that their actions are actually a form of cheating. Our honor code remedies this problem by clearly stating the expectations of Academic Integrity for this course. It states:

  1. All work is my own. Answers on all student work, assignments (problem sets, projects, papers, homework, etc…) and assessments (quizzes, exams, tests, etc…) are my own individual work (except where collaboration is explicitly permitted). In the case where collaboration is permitted I will only collaborate within my team.
  2. I will not share answers. I will not make answers (either my own or the professor’s) to work, assignments (problem sets, projects, papers, homework, etc…) and assessments (quizzes, exams, tests, etc…) available to anyone else in or out of class. This includes posting them on the web or sharing them in test banks.
  3. I will not misrepresent my ability. I will not engage in any activity which misrepresents or falsifies my knowledge of the subject matter and therefore improves my grade dishonestly. This includes unsanctioned test aids and copying homework.
  4. I will give credit. I will always pay attribution to my sources, and not misrepresent the works of others as my own. If you get code from the web, you must cite it like you would any source in an academic paper.
  5. I accept the honor code and its consequences. I understand and accept that that all work I submit is subject to the honor code, and if I violate this honor code I my instructor is obligated to report me to the University’s office of Academic Integrity.

Sanctions for Violators of Academic Integrity

We take academic integrity very seriously. You should too.

  • All academic integrity violations will be reported to the university office of academic integrity. You don’t want that on your record, so don’t do it.
  • In addition, if you copy a homework assignment or lab, you will receive a grade of zero.
  • In addition, if you cheat on an exam or plagiarize the final project with result in an automatic grade of F in the course.
  • Bottom line: When in doubt, ask.

Effort, Class Participation and Attendance

  • Attendance, class participation and your overall effort may factor into your final grade.
  • While these factors are not actively graded, they are monitored. We notice students who are attending, being helpful to others, putting in effort, actively participating and those who do not.
  • The course instructors have a final say as to whether your final grade will be altered based on your efforts.
  • Students with exemplary effort, attendance or participation may be moved UP one letter grade. For example if you finish with a 565/600 or an A- you might be moved up to an A. Reasons for being moved up are solely at the instructor’s discretion. Examples include but are not limited to: perfect attendance, noticeable improvement in grades throughout the semester, being a good mentor / coach to other students by helping in recitations and answering student questions on gitter.
  • Students with poor effort, attendance or participation may be moved DOWN one letter grade. For example if you finish with a 565/600, or an A-, you might be moved down to a B+. Reasons for being moved down is usually poor attendance (3 or more absences in the semester), but is not limited to only attendance.
  • If your final grade is adjusted UP or DOWN, you will receive a written notification of justification from an instructor.
  • Requests to have your grade adjusted will be ignored. Please let your actions speak for themselves.

Syracuse University Policies

Syracuse University has a variety of other policies designed to guarantee that students live and study in a community respectful of their needs and those of fellow students. Some of the most important of these concerns:

Syracuse University values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. There may be aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion and full participation in this course. I invite any student to meet with me to discuss strategies and/or accommodations (academic adjustments) that may be essential to your success and to collaborate with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) in this process.

If you would like to discuss disability-accommodations or register with ODS, please visit their website at http://disabilityservices.syr.edu Please call (315) 443-4498 or email [email protected] for more detailed information.

ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related academic accommodations and will work with the student to develop an access plan. Since academic accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible to begin this process.

University Attendance Policy

Attendance in classes is expected in all courses at Syracuse University. Students are expected to arrive on campus in time to attend the first meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend classes starting with the first scheduled meeting may be academically withdrawn as not making progress toward degree by failure to attend. Instructors set course-specific policies for absences from scheduled class meetings in their syllabi.

It is a federal requirement that students who do not attend or cease to attend a class to be reported at the time of determination by the faculty. Faculty should use “ESPR” and “MSPR” in Orange Success to alert the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid. A grade of NA is posted to any student for whom the Never Attended flag is raised in Orange SUccess. More information regarding Orange SUccess can be found here, at: http://orangesuccess.syr.edu/getting-started-2/ Students should also review the University’s religious observance policy and make the required arrangements at the beginning of each semester

Academic Integrity Policy

Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy reflects the high value that we, as a university community, place on honesty in academic work. The policy defines our expectations for academic honesty and holds students accountable for the integrity of all work they submit. Students should understand that it is their responsibility to learn about course-specific expectations, as well as about university-wide academic integrity expectations. The policy governs appropriate citation and use of sources, the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments, and the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of participation in class activities. The policy also prohibits students from submitting the same work in more than one class without receiving written authorization in advance from both instructors. Under the policy, students found in violation are subject to grade sanctions determined by the course instructor and non-grade sanctions determined by the School or College where the course is offered as described in the Violation and Sanction Classification Rubric. SU students are required to read an online summary of the University’s academic integrity expectations and provide an electronic signature agreeing to abide by them twice a year during pre-term check-in on MySlice.

Discrimination or Harassment

The University does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender.

Any complaint of discrimination or harassment related to any of these protected bases should be reported to Sheila Johnson-Willis, the University’s Chief Equal Opportunity & Title IX Officer. She is responsible for coordinating compliance efforts under various laws including Titles VI, VII, IX and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. She can be contacted at Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services, 005 Steele Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1120; by email: [email protected]; or by telephone: 315-443-0211.

Course evaluations

There will be an end of course evaluation for you to complete this term. This evaluation will be conducted online and is entirely anonymous. You will receive an official notification in your email account with the evaluation website link and your passcode. Please take the time and fill out this evaluation as your feedback and support of this assessment effort is very much appreciated. The school carefully reviews ratings and comments that you submit, and these factor into decisions about course, program and instructor development.

Use of Blackboard

This course involves the use of Syracuse University’s Blackboard system as an online tool. The environment is composed of a number of elements that will help you be successful in both your current coursework and your lifelong learning opportunities. To access Blackboard, http://blackboard.syr.edu use your Syracuse University NetID & Password. This specific course will appear in your course list.

To search for answers to your Blackboard questions, visit the Answers self-help knowledge https://answers.syr.edu/display/blackboard01/Blackboard. If you have problems logging in or need assistance with Blackboard, contact the ITS Service Center at: [email protected] or 315.443.2677. The Syracuse University Blackboard support team will assist you.

Course Schedule

Dates Topic Details / What’s Due?
1/13 - 1/18 Lesson 00: Course Introduction Lecture: Course Introduction
Recitation: Introductions and Review Programming Walkthrough
1/19 - 1/25 Lesson 01: Introduction to Programming Lecture: No Class - Labor Day
Recitation: Review Programming Walkthrough
1/26 - 2/1 Lesson 02: Introduction to Python
2/2/ - 2/8 Lesson 03: Variables and Types
2/9 - 2/15 Lesson 04: Conditionals
2/16 - 2/22 Lesson 05: Iterations E1: Exam 1
Wed 3/11 - Thu 3/12 (In Small Group)
2/23 - 2/29 Lesson 06: Functions
3/1 - 3/7 Lesson 07: Strings
3/9 - 3/14 Lesson 08: Files E2: Exam 2
Wed 3/11 - Thu 3/12 (In Small Group)
3/15 - 3/21 Spring Break - No Classes
3/22 - 3/28 Lesson 09: Lists
3/29 - 4/4 Lesson 10: Dictionaries
4/5 - 4/11 Lesson 11: Web Services and API’s
4/12 - 4/18 Lesson 12: Data Analysis P1: Project Proposals Due
Fri Nov 22 (In Blackboard)
4/19 - 4/25 Lesson 13: Visualization P2: Project Plans Due
Fri Dec 6 (In Blackboard)
E3: Exam 3
Wed 12/4 - Fri 12/6 (In Recitation)
4/26 - 5/2 E3: Exam 3 (in Large Group 4/27)
5/8 Project Demo Day! (1)
Fri, Dec 13, 8:00am - ­10:00am Hinds Hall		 P3: Project Due
Fri Dec 13 (Demo in Hinds, Submission In Blackboard)

(1) Project Demo Day! Occurs during our scheduled final exam block. If you want full credit on your project, you must attend.

Due Every week:

  • Diagnostic is due the day before large group meeting on Monday
  • Lab is due before your recitation
  • Homework is due Saturday