Course Outline

South Grenville District High School
2006 Computer Science
Course Outline

Course: ICS 3M - Computer and Information Science
Teacher: Mr. Robinson
Location: Rm. 223

Ministry The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12
Guideline: Technological Education 2000

Rationale: Computer and information science is more than running application programs and programming. Rather, it relates to the ways in which computers represent conceptual objects and how computer systems allow those objects and processes. It involves defining problems, analysing and designing solutions, and developing, testing, and maintaining programs.

Computer and information science education is relevant for all students because it incorporates a broad range of transferable problem-solving skills and techniques. It combines logical thinking, creative design, synthesis, and evaluation, and also teaches generically useful skills in such areas as communication, time management, organization, and teamwork.

Computer and information science will prepare students for an increasingly technological world. A foundation in this discipline will introduce students to the excitement and opportunities afforded by this dynamic field and will begin to prepare them for careers in information technology. (The Ontario Curriculum, 2000)

Course Content:

In this course, you will learn how to write computer programs using Visual Basic 4.0. You will learn some basic programming structures as well as some of the fancy features of Visual Basic 4.0. Topics include, but are not limited to:

controls (text boxes, labels, command buttons, etc.)
properties
methods
events
modules
variables
counters
message boxes
input boxes
menus
timers
selection structures (ifs)
repetition structures (loops)
arrays
user-defined subroutines
functions (built-in)
on-line help
debugging
ethical issues related to computers
careers and opportunity

Report Evaluation:

Programming Assignments, Exercises and Projects		+/-
Unit Tests	Knowledge and Understanding	35 %
Daily Work and Homework	Communication	15 %
Major Programming Project	Application	30 %
Final Exam	Thinking	20 %
Independent Study

Topics:

Working In The Computer Environment
Beginning To Program
Problem Solving with Procedures and Functions
Information Storage and Related Issues
Using Data Structures
Putting It All Together (Exam and Final Project)

Major Programming Project:

assigned near the end of the semester
required thought throughout the semester with regular updates on the state of your project (i.e. ideas, structure, plans, etc.)

Homework:

You will be expected to meet deadlines for all the assignments given. If you are unable to complete the work in class, it is expected that you will work on the computers in the mornings, at noon hour, and/or after school to complete your work. EXTRA HELP is available so please ask!! If you own your own copy of VB4.0, you may complete assignments at home. It is illegal for me to give you a copy of the software, so please do not ask me to do so.