Programming Logic and Design Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

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-1329-002 Programming Logic and Design

Prerequisites

Course Description

Problem-solving applying structured techniques and representation of algorithms using design tools. Includes testing, evaluation, 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 hrs; 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

• Access to a PC (personal computer )
• Computers are available in the Underground of the Ware Building at the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College.
• Reliable access to the Internet
• A free drawing program such as: draw.io for Google Docs
• Pencil, pen, paper, eraser

Student Performance

Course Objectives: The course introduces fundamental concepts of computer programming, emphasizing logic, structured problem-solving, and design techniques. Students will focus on structured design using flowcharts, pseudocode and Python. Students will learn to develop and analyze solutions for simple programming problems while evaluating more complex scenarios. Although this is a programming logic course, not a programming language course, the Python programming language will be used to implement logical solutions. Additionally, students will explore how AI tools can be used to deepen their understanding of programming concepts through personalized learning, interactive examples, and immediate feedback. By the end of the course, students will be able to deconstruct large, computer-oriented problems into manageable components, design algorithms for each part, and integrate them into cohesive, structured solutions. Throughout the course, students will practice creative, critical, and analytical thinking skills.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply modular and structured programming techniques to develop correct and well-designed logic for common business applications. They will gain proficiency in using program development tools such as algorithms, flowcharts, pseudocode, and hierarchy charts. Students will also learn key programming concepts, including data types, variable naming conventions, logic structures, counting and accumulating, formatting, and modular programming, all within the context of the Python programming language.

Specific Competencies Related to Content: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Use basic computer programming vocabulary effectively.
• Analyze problems, break them into logical units, and develop solutions using a modular approach.
• Create and explain documentation, including flowcharts, pseudocode, hierarchy charts, and other selected techniques, to describe program logic and its functions.
• Outline and execute the steps of program development: problem definition, analysis, logic planning, code development, testing, debugging, implementation, and documentation.
• Design and implement structured solutions to simple logic problems using flowcharts, pseudocode, hierarchy charts, and beginning Python programming.
• Explain and apply the advantages of structured design and coding concepts.
• Illustrate sequence, selection, and iteration logic structures using flowcharts, pseudocode, and beginning Python programming.
• Interpret, modify, and complete program flowcharts and pseudocode.
• Apply the principles of structured, modular programming logic and design.

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

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 receive a 0 on an assignment; may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College (see Student Rights and Responsibilities).

Students who give another student their files or allow another student to use their work are committing a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Students who engage in this unethical behavior risk being subject to disciplinary action in accordance with College policy.

The Faculty of the CIS Program reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test or assignment by reproducing any specific section or the entire test/assignment 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.

Grading Criteria

Course grades will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

Grades scored between
89.5% and 100% = A
79.5% and less than 89.5% = B
69.5% and less than 79.5% = C
59.5% and less than 69.5% = D
0% and less than 59.5% = F 

Student evaluation is based upon the following assignments and assignment weights:

LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED without approval prior to due date. It is your responsibility to complete each assignment, all homework, and take exams on the scheduled dates. This is NOT an online class, and participation in the programming and group work in class is a requirement for the course.   

For Revel work, a 50% penalty will be applied to all late work with a 2-day maximum. 

No late work or makeup work for Group Work or In-Class Work. The lowest grade in each of these will be dropped, so if you must miss a class period, your grade will not suffer. More than one absence for in-class work and more than one absence for group labs will negatively affect your grade. Any major exam missed (excused absences only) will receive a zero. The zero will be replaced with the Final Exam score once the Final Exam has been taken. 

Mandatory Tutoring Policy for this class: Any time a student's overall course grade falls below 75%, the student is required to attend a tutoring session. The course tutor will review any missed objectives and re-emphasize the concepts missed in the assignments.

Attendance

• All Week 1 and Week 2 assignments must be completed by the end of Week 2 in order to be considered Present in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.
• Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email.
• Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time.  There is a "no late work" policy, except in extreme circumstances.
• Attendance for seated classes will be taken during each class period. Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.
• Students should plan on spending a minimum of 6-8 hours per week OUTSIDE of class on this course. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity.
• Due to the nature of this course and the volume of work required to master this material, students are rarely successful when attempts are made to complete work during one or two days each week. Please schedule your time, so that you can devote the appropriate energy and effort to achieve success in this course.
• Your instructor, Ms Lynne Kenney, may be contacted by email through the Messages feature in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email lkenney@actx.edu. In-person meetings or additional help are available if needed or desired. Please contact by email to set up a convenient day/time.
• Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 19:                         Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (AC Closed)
January 20:                         Spring Classes Begin
January 27:                         Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance
March 3:                              Last Day to Withdraw from Course
March 12:                            Last Day of Course
March 13 - March 18:          Spring Break (AC offices open regular hours Monday-Wednesday)
March 19 - March 22:          Spring Break (all AC offices closed)
March 23:                            Spring-2 Courses Begin

Student Help Resources:

• • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/
  • Legal Clinic Home Page - www.actx.edu/legal_clinic/