Basic Course Information
Fall/2012
Instructor: Kay Chen,
professor in Computer Science Area of STEM
Office: F133
Phone: 968‑8295
e-mail: chenk@bucks.edu
The best way to reach me is
through email – either at the above address or within your course in Canvas.
Only expect to reach me by phone during my office hours. You can usually expect
a response within 1 day.
Course Materials:
1. App Inventor:
Create Your Own Android Apps by David
Wolber, Hal Abelson, Ellen Spertue and Liz Looney
2. It is also expected that you have access to a computer
to run the software (which is a free download).
Course Content:
The intent of this course is
to introduce writing applications for mobile devices. Whether you are a novice
or experienced programmer there is something here for you. We will start
writing apps for the Android using App Inventor which has a graphic interface
so you can drag and drop instructions without worrying about syntax issues of
traditional programming languages. There is a simulator so you can test out
your creations without needing access to an Android phone. In order to run some
of the applications such as GPS, phone
etc., you will need access to an Android phone. Although most of the course
will concentrate on Android app development, we will also look at other mobile
devices to discuss the issues involved in the different platforms. For this, we
will have access to Blackberrys and Windows phones in the classroom. The course
syllabus is on file at: department
office, Dean of Academic Affairs office, library and Transfer & Job
Placement Office.
Course Structure:
3 hours/week which will consists of lecture and hands on
experience in a computer lab. There will be tutorials from the text and
assignments branching off from there assigned as homework. Students will then
be demonstrating their work each week. In addition, longer lab assignments will
pull together material from several of these tutorials. One collaborative
project will be assigned as well as a final project which may be collaborative
or not. We will also be using Canvas to supplement lectures.
Grading:
Tutorials, homework and labs
will be assigned in addition to class presentations. The
expectation at Bucks County Community College is that the principles of truth
and honesty will be rigorously followed in all academic endeavors. This assumes that all work will be done by
the person who purports to do the work without unauthorized aids. In addition, when making use of language and
some idea not his or her own, whether quoting them directly or paraphrasing
them into his or her own words, the student must attribute the
source of the material in some standard form, such as naming the source in the
text or offering a footnote. (Source:
BCCC Catalog, College Policy Regarding Cheating and Plagiarism). Please consult the College
Catalog for a full explanation of the policy on cheating and plagiarism. In compliance with the Bucks County
Community College policy and equal access laws, appropriate academic
accommodations can be made for students eligible for such support.
Students are encouraged to register with the Disability Services Office
(215-968-8463) to verify their eligibility for appropriate
accommodations. Please speak to your instructor about any requests for
academic accommodations or other concerns as early in the semester as possible.
Approximate
grading breakdown:
Tutorials: 15%
Homework/Exercises: 20%
Labs: 30%
Final project: 25%
Presentations: 10%
attendance and
class participation may be used for borderline cases
Attendance:
You may be subject to withdrawal for excessive
absences, specifically 3 by midterm but it is still your responsibility to
withdraw yourself if you intend to do so. For any excused prolonged absence,
you should make an effort to notify me to keep up with missed work. There will be no makeups for quizzes or
tests unless you see me to make arrangements for such before the next class day. After the withdrawal deadline, the policy for
absences is an automatic F for 7 total missed classes or 4 consecutive classes.
Withdrawal Information: For student
initiated withdraw, the deadline is: November 6, 2012
Office hours: ‑ Posted on office door and Canvas. Please feel free to come in as often as
necessary for any questions. If these hours are not convenient, please see me
to arrange another time.
Notice of Student Responsibility:
Students are always responsible for retaining copies
of their own work and/or correspondence, including that posted to a web course
space. Student access to a Bucks County
Community College web course space is available only during the stated
semester/session as indicated by the College’s academic calendar. All web course sites, including content, are
routinely removed form the server at the conclusion of each semester/session.
.