Computer Programming Syllabus for 2026-2027
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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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

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

Hours

(3 sem hours 2 lec 4 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

If you purchased this book last spring in ITSE 1329 (Programming Logic and Design), you MAY not need to repurchase the code to the book.  It is my understanding that your code is good for one year.  We can verify this on the first day of class.  

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, lists 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 receive a 0 on that assignment, be excluded from class with a grade of F, or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College (see Student Rights and Responsibilities).
•  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.
• The use of AI is not allowed on any in class work, such as quizzes, exams or in-class labs unless directly and specifically allowed by the professor. 
• 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                                                  10%  

  in-Class Quizzes                                                                 10%

  Revel assignments                                                              50%

  2 Exams                                                                              30%

  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

This course is a Hybrid course.  That means approximately 1/2 of your work is to be completed outside of class.  This  will translate to your REVEL work.   Make sure your REVEL work is done by the due date so that you can complete the in-class assignments. My teaching approach for this course is that of a "Flipped Classroom" in that during class time, you will apply what you learned through REVEL.  

Students should plan to spend a minimum of 10-15 hours per week outside of class on this course. The actual amount of time required may vary depending on individual experience, weekly assignments, and topic complexity.

Revel assignments are due by 10:00 pm on Sunday night of the week, in some cases the next 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).  

In-class lab assignments and quizzes 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. 

Exams must be taken in the classroom under the supervision of the instructor.  If you must miss an exam, you must let me know BEFORE the exam is administered and a make-up will be scheduled.   An exam may be taken only one time.

Attendance

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

  • Census date is 9/9.  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. 
  • 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.
  • Roll will be taken at the beginning of class.
  • 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.
  • Your instructor, Dr. Carol Buse, may be contacted by email through the Messages feature in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email acbuse@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.
  • 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

August 24:                           Fall Classes Begin
September 7:                       Labor Day Holiday (AC Closed)
September 9:                       Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
October 17 - October 25:     Fall Break (AC offices open regular hours Monday-Friday)
November 24:                      Last Day to Withdraw (16 week courses)
November 26-29:                 Thanksgiving Holiday (College Closed)
December 14-18:                 Final Exams
December 18:                      Grades due to registrar (noon)
December 18:                      Commencement

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/