COT 1016
Visual Basic.NET Programming

Course Information

Course Description:
This course is an introduction into the world of programming using a visually oriented method of writing instructions. It is designed to assist everyone in their understanding of how computers perform the tasks given to them. With the aid of the tutorial exercises, the text reading, and the questions provided, the student will learn the basic technology of instruction writing.

Course Objectives:

When you complete this course you should be able to:

 

Create a Windows-Based Application in Visual Basic.NET

Work with Controls

Plan an Object Oriented Application

Build the User Interface

Coding, Testing, Debugging, and Documenting the Application

Create Variables and Name Constants

If...Then...Else  Statement

Nested, If...ElseIf...Else, and Case Selection Structures

The Repetition Structure (Looping)

Nested Repetition Structures

Create Sub and Function Procedures

Use a List Box Control

Add an Existing Form to a Solution
Prerequisites and Corequisites:
The prerequisite for Visual Basic.NET Programming is a well rounded knowledge of basic windows operating systems.
Course Topics:
Module 1 - Chapter 1 - An Introduction to Visual Basic.Net (19 clock hours)
  • Start and customize Visual Studio.NET
  • Create a Visual Studio.NET solution
  • Add a Visual Basic.NET project to a solution
  • Set the properties of an object
  • Restore a property to its default setting
  • Save a solution, project, and form
  • Add a control to a form
  • Set the properties of a label, picture box, and button control
  • Select multiple controls
  • Center controls on the form
  • Set the properties of a project
  • Start and end an application
  • Enter code in the Code Editor window
  • Terminate an application using the Me.Close method
  • Set the properties of a timer control
  • Delete a control from the form
  • Delete code from the Code Editor window
  • Code the timer control's Tick event
  • Remove and/or disable the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons
  • Prevent the user from sizing a form
  • Print the project's code
Module 2 - Chapter 2 - Designing Applications (18 clock hours)
  • Plan an OO application in Visual Basic.NET
  • Complete a TOD (Task, Object, Event) chart
  • Follow the Windows standards reguarding the layout and labeling of controls
  • Build the user interface using your TOE chart and sketch
  • Follow the Windows standards reguarding the use of graphics, color, and fonts
  • Set the BorderStyle property
  • Add a text box to a form
  • Lock the controls on the form
  • Assign access keys to controls
  • Use the Tabindex property
  • Use the TOE chart to code the application
  • Use pseudocode to plan an object's code
  • Write an assignment statment
  • Use the Focus method
  • Include internal documentation in the code
  • Write arithmetic expressions
  • Use the Val and Format functions
Module 3 - Chapter 3 - Using Variables and Constants (17 clock hours)
  • Create a procedure-level and module-level variable
  • Select an appropriate data type for a variable
  • Select an appropriate name for a variable
  • Assign data to an existing variable
  • Explain the scope and lifetime of a variable
  • Create a named constant
  • Include a procedure-level and module-level variable in an application
  • Concatenate strings
  • Get user input using the InputBox function
  • Include the ControlChars.NewLine constant in code
  • Designate the default button for a form
  • Include a static variable in code
  • Code the Text Changed event procedure
  • Create a procedure that handles more than one event
Module 4 - Chapter 4 - The Selection Structure (16 clock hours)
  • Write pseudocode for the selection structure
  • Create a flowchart to help you plan an application's code
  • Write an If...Then...Else statement
  • Write code that uses comparison operators and logical operators
  • Format numbers using the ToString method
  • Change the case of a string
  • Group objects using a GroupBox control
  • Calculate a periodic payment using the Financial.Pmt method
  • Create a message box using the MessageBox.Show method
  • Determine the value returned by a message box
  • Specify the keys that a text box will accept
  • Align the text in a label control
  • Handle exceptions using a Try/Catch block
Module 5 - Chapter 5 - More on the Selection Structure (15 hours)
  • Include a nested selection structure in pseudocode and in a flowchart
  • Code a nested selection structure
  • Desk-check an algorithm
  • Recognize common logic errors in selection structures
  • Code an If/ElseIf/Else selection structure
  • Include a Case selection structure in pseudocode and in a flowchart
  • Write code that uses the is, TypeOf...Is, and Like comparison operators
  • Include a group of radio buttons in an interface
  • Designate a default radio button
  • Include a check box in an interface
  • Create a user-defined Sub procedure
  • Generate random numbers using the Random object and the Random.Next method
  • Call a user-defined Sub procedure
  • Invoke a radio button control's Click event procedure from code
  • Process code when a form is first loaded into he computer's memory
  • Select the existing text in a text box control
  • Code a check box control's Click event procedure
  • Display and hide a control
Module 6 - Chapter 6 - The Repetition Structure (11 hours)
  • Code the repetition structure using the For...Next and Do...Loop statements
  • Write pseudocode for the repetition structure
  • Create a flowchart for the repetition structure
  • Initialize and update counters and accumulators
  • Nest repetition structures
  • Select the existing text in a text box
  • Prevent a from from closing
Module 7 - Chapter 7 - Sub and Function Procedures (12 hours)
  • Explain the difference between a Sub procedure and a Function procedure
  • Create a procedure that receives information passed to it
  • Explain the difference between passing data by value and by reference
  • Create a Function procedure
  • Add a list box to a form
  • Add items to a list box
  • Sort the contents of a list box
  • Select a list box item from code
  • Determine the selected item in a list box
  • Round a number
  • Code a list box's SelectedValueChanged event
  • Add an existing form to a solution
  • Add a new module to a solution
  • Code the Sub Main procedure
  • Create an instance of a form
  • Display a form object using the ShowDialog method
Specific Course Requirements:
Knowledge of Word processing and Powerpoint tools, such as would be used in editing, copy, paste, alignment of text and other tools associated with processing of documents and/or graphics.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
None required.
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

Quizzes:

There will be seven quizzes, each covering a different module of the course.  All seven quizzes will be similar in format and difficulty.  They will be multiple-choice and consisting of 25 questions each.  There will be a 50 minute time limit per quiz.  If you do not complete the quiz in the 50 minute time frame, your quiz will not be accepted for grading.   Quizzes must be taken at the allotted time unless other arrangements have been approved by the instructor. 

Assignments:

Students will have assignments at the end of each module to complete.  These assignments must be submitted by the due date unless other arrangements have been approved by the instructor.  If you are unable to meet an assignment deadline, please notify the instructor.  The instructor reserves the right to deduct points from late assignments.  To avoid having points deducted, please communicate with your instructor.

Class Discussions:

Students are required to participate actively in 7 discussions. Periodically during the semester, the instructor will post questions concerning a specific topic. Students will have the opportunity to respond to these topics and to other students' responses. Students may also begin their own discussion.

  
Grading Procedure:
Grading will be based on a straightforward point system. Course grades will depend on students' total scores on the seven exams, twenty-eight assignments and seven discussions. Note the scheduled dates for exams and assignments and plan now to complete them. Below is a listing of points assigned per task:
Assignments - Points vary per module.
Quizzes - Seven quizzes - 25 points each.
Discussions - Seven discussions - 10 points each.
 
Grading Scale:
The following scale will be used to calculate final grades.
Total Points (%) Final Grade
572 - 614 93-100 A
522 - 571 85-92 B
471 - 521 77-84 C
429 - 470 70-76 D
0 - 428 0-69 F
 
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
A listing of exams arranged by module according to due dates is available on the Calendar.
Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students can communicate with other students in the chat room; students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource; students must check the course discussion board where the instructor will post topics for students comments. To begin with students will reply/post an introduction to the class on the discussion board.

Students will email the instructor at the beginning of the course using the WebCT email to notify the instructor that they are in the system and have mastered this communication medium. After that, students will be expected to contact (check-in with) the instructor a minimum of once weekly via email.
Punctuality:
Students are permitted to work ahead of the timeline in this course. There are specific module completion dates posted on the Calendar and noted in the modules. Exams and assignments are required to be done by these dates in order not to incur participation penalties. However, please note that all tests and assignments are accepted up until the last day of class.
Course Ground Rules

The following are recommendations for students taking this class:

  • Learn how to navigate in WebCT.
  • Keep abreast of course announcements by viewing the course Calendar for exams and assignment deadlines.
  • Check the Discussion Board several times a week for course announcements, course information, and discussion topics.
  • Manage your time wisely. Give yourself enough time to complete assignments and properly prepare for exams.
  • Keep in contact with the instructor on a regular basis by weekly emails and discussion board.
  • Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal email address for everything course related.
  • Address technical problems immediately.
  • Students must respect the rights of others at all times when communicating in chat, email, or discussions. Observe course netiquette at all times. 
  • Participation is key to doing well in this course. Be sure all discussion assignments are completed by the due date as posted on the course Calendar.
  • If you have a technical issue, address it at once to avoid falling behind in the class.
  • If you have questions, the discussion board is a great place to ask it. Remember that the only bad question is one not asked. So, if you are unsure of something, ask. If you prefer, you may also email the instructor.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion.
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling :

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://help.rodp.org