Computer Programming Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ITSE-1302-001 Computer Programming

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite: ITSE 1329 

Course Description

Introduction to computer programming including design, development, testing, implementation, and documentation.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hours; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Starting Out with Python, 6th edition (contains Revel Access Code) by Tony Gaddis Copyright 2023 ISBN 9780137619139 

Although you have outside buying options available, speak with your instructor before buying from a source other than the AC Bookstore. We want to ensure you have the correct product. The book is an online book with homework assignments and is required for this course. 

Supplies

• Mandatory materials

  • Access to PC
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Reliable Access to Internet
  • USB Flash Drive (2GB or larger)
  • Your Amarillo College Student ID (printed since 2015)

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE LEARNING OUTCOMES:  (minimum competencies)

Upon completion of this course, students will exhibit proficiency in the following competencies, assessed by faculty within the department/program:

1. Design simple to moderately complex programs using structured programming techniques.
2. Write programs in programming languages that demonstrate the use of variables, control structures, functions, and classes.
3. Test and debug programs to ensure they function as intended.
4. Document code clearly, including appropriate comments and documentation for user and developer understanding.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

• Course Rules

  • Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work.  Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.  The faculty of the CIS Program reserves the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test by reproducing any specific section or the entire test in question.
  • Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking can result in a grade of "F" in this course and possible further disciplinary action.
  • Cell phones MUST be turned off or set so ringing cannot be heard for the duration of the entire class.  If a cell phone can be heard in class during class time, points may be deducted from the final course grade.  Emergency calls may be left with campus security, who will then contact the designated student.

Grading Criteria

• The final average consists of the following categories:

  In-Class Lab Assignments                                                   25%            

  Revel Assignments                                                              25%

  Exams                                                                                  25%

  Class Project                                                                        25%

• The course letter grade is assigned, after rounding to the nearest tenth decimal place, using the following scale:

  A 89.5 to 100

  B 79.5 to less than 89.5

  C 69.5 to less than 79.5

  D 59.5 to less than 69.5

  F Less than 59.5

In-class lab assignments must be completed in class. There will be no makeups for these assignments.  The lowest score will be dropped to allow for a missed class due to an emergency. 

Revel assignments are due by 10:00 pm on Sunday night of the week the work is assigned. There is a 50 percent penalty for late Revel work.  Do not turn your work in late (but a grade of 50 is still better than a zero).  There will be time given in class to work on these assignments.

Exams must be taken in the classroom under the supervision of the instructor.  If you must miss an exam, you may take a comprehensive makeup exam given at the end of the semester.   An exam may be taken only one time.

You will have a class project that incorporates the concepts covered in the class.  This project will be completed in the last 2-3 weeks of class.  Details will be given later. 

Attendance

• Attendance will be taken for each class period.  The CIS Program Attendance policy is as follows:

  • Census date is 9/10.  In order to be marked as present and not administratively withdrawn, you must:  Complete all assignments in Weeks 1 and 2 AND have an access code to the book (not a temporary access code).   There will be no exceptions. 
  • If you miss a lecture or lab period, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and take appropriate measures. DO NOT assume that the instructor will have materials handed out in your absence with him/her at the next class meeting. It is your responsibility to check with the instructor after class to correct an "absence" to a "late" if you enter the class after role has been taken and you were less than 10 minutes late.
  • Students are expected to attend every class.  
  • Roll will be taken at the beginning of class.
  • You will be required to attend mandatory tutoring if you average falls below a 75. 
  • If you stop attending class and your average drops below a 60 and you do not officially drop the course by the drop deadline, you will receive an F for the course.
  • This course requires work outside of class.The primary teaching approach for this course is that of a "Flipped Classroom": you will be required to read and practice the material before class, and during class, we will work on applying the material.

Calendar

Additional Information

AI Policy:
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing  work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. 

Tutoring Policy:
It is CIS Policy that if you score less than a 75 on an exam or equivalent, or if your class average falls below a 75, you are required to go to mandatory tutoring. 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

August 25    Fall Classes Begin
September 1   Labor Day (Campus Closed)
September 10   Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
October 20 - 24    Fall Break 
October 27    Fall II Begins
November 3  Registration Begins Spring 2026
November 25  Last Day to Withdraw (16-Week Courses)
November 27-30  Thanksgiving Holiday (Campus closed)
December 15-18   Final Exams Week
December 19  Commencement

TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTING ISSUES

• Open Computer Labs: Open labs on campus are in the WARE building on the Washington Street campus. Technical assistance is available in the computer labs.
• Computer Services Center: Located within the AC Bookstore, trained staff will diagnose computer-related issues and repair problems on a fee-for-service basis. Laptop rentals are also available. Visit the Computer Services Center website for additional details: https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/computer-service-center.
• Student & Faculty Help Center: Located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons, the Help Center provides technical support to students and faculty. The Help Center offers assistance in logging into AC Connect, Blackboard, resetting passwords, and general computing and software questions. Visit the Student & Faculty Help Center website at https://www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter.

COURSE ASSISTANCE

• Tutoring: A variety of options are available when you need a little extra help in a course (online, walk-in, one-on-one. Visit the Tutoring website at https://www.actx.edu/tutoring/.
• Writers' Corner: Writers' Corner offers one-on-one tutoring to review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process. Writer’s Corner will not edit you work, but will help you get on the right path. Visit the Writer’s Corner website at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.
• DisAbility Services: DisAbility Services helps students by providing necessary accommodations for course success and to facilitate access to all services and programs at Amarillo College. Visit the DisAbility Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/.
• Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:
  • Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students
    • Topic list: https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student
    • Videos: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm
  • AC Connect Student Resources
    • https://www.actx.edu/ctl/ac-connect-student-resources

PERSONAL ISSUES

• Advocacy & Resource Center: The Advocacy & Resource Center is located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons. A variety of resources are available in the areas of social services, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and adult student programs. Visit the Advocacy & Resource Center website at http://www.actx.edu/arc/advocacy-and-resource-center.
• Counseling Center: At the Counseling Center, student and counselor work together to develop more personal awareness and the skills needed to overcome barriers to success. All services are free and confidential. Visit the Counseling Center website at: https://www.actx.edu/counseling/index.php.
• Legal Clinic: The Legal Clinic is a free, walk-in clinic assisting enrolled AC students on various legal issues including family law, immigration, probate, landlord-tenant issues, and general legal matters. Visit the Legal Clinic website at https://www.actx.edu/legalstudies/legal-student-intership.