Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

This puts an anchor at the top of the page to link to within the page.

This is the Navigation section at the top of the page.

 
Please See the Welcome Video Below

About This Course

This course introduces students to the Python programming language from a networking focus. Students will use variables, loops, conditionals, functions, and modules to build scripts. Students will build and demonstrate their knowledge through labs and course projects.

Classes are online with lectures once a week Wednesday from 6-8:30PM

Office hours: Wednesday 5-6 PM or by appointment

And remember have fun with the class!

About your Instructor:

thumbnail_FB_IMG_1599147250746.jpg

Welcome, my name is Justin Ellis and I am your instructor. A bit about me, I work full-time as an IT Systems Analyst at a local trucking company and I love working outside and doing projects around the house. I have been in your shoes and taken classes online, so please reach out if you need anything. I want all of you to succeed!  

Justin Ellis, MBA, BAS CNE Instructor, 

Email: jellis@rtc.edu

Slack: @Justin Ellis

The best way to contact me is by the Canvas mailbox or by email and I will respond within 24 hours.

Materials and Textbooks needed to succeed:

Materials are all online and very low cost. I want you to be able to use these resources after my class.

Table of Contents — How to Think like a Computer Scientist: Interactive Edition (runestone.academy)

Pycharm 

PyCharm Edu (jetbrains.com)

12 Week Schedule:

  • Week 1: Introduction to Python
  • Week 2: Simple Python Data
  • Week 3: Functions
  • Week 4: Selection
  • Week 5: Python Turtle Graphics and Iteration
  • Week 6: Unit Testing
  • Week 7: Strings
  • Week 8: Lists
  • Week 9: Files
  • Week 10:  Dictionaries, Github, Final Project
  • Week 11:  Final Project
  • Week 12: Final Project

Course Outcomes: What you will take away 

  1. Recognize, select and use expressions with the Python Interactive Shell.
  2. Understand flow control and apply operations to create program functions and statements.
  3. Understand list data types, dictionaries and the structuring of data.
  4. Explain and manipulate strings and search of text patterns with expressions.
  5. Explain how programs read and write data to files.
  6. Use copy, move, rename, and delete functions to organize data.
  7. Use various Python debugging tools.

You will meet these outcomes by:

Students will reach these outcomes by completing individual projects and use PyCharm and readings to get an understanding of the language. They will collaborate with their peers and understand the fundamentals of Python by completing course quizzes and individual assignments

Tips for Success

To be successful in this course

  1. Check your calendar and email regularly. I will post tips and if you have any questions please ask them
  2. Engage in all discussions and complete all reading material
  3. Be on top of assignments that are due and do not fall behind
  4. Ask questions if you do not understand. I am here to help you succeed and I want all of you to succeed in this course
  5. Read the syllabus and review it.
  6. And if a link is broken or not working please let me know right away and not at the last minute
  7. Submit something even if not 100 percent done
  8. Check Slack on a regular basis
  9. Attend the weekly Zoom meeting or schedule individual meetings
  10. During these unprecedented times please let me know if you need any accommodations. PLEASE reach out if you need any additional help or need accommodations.

More help for your sucess

Please see the below link for additional resources available to you

https://www.rtc.edu/policies-resources

Course Grading 

Submission Rules:

Assignments are due 1 week after assigned, for example an assignment assigned on Wednesday will be due at midnight the following Tuesday. Change in due dates will be announced and then updated on Canvas.

Please see below website for RTC rules on Plagiarism 

https://www.rtc.edu/plagiarism-and-copyright

RTC Grading Scale

GPA

  Overall Rating

Performance indicators. This student:

4.0

95 - 100%

Excellent Performance
  • demonstrates consistent mastery of learning outcomes for the course;
  • demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes beyond the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills;
  • completes work assignments that consistently exceed requirements;
  • demonstrates consistent leadership in class-participation activities.

3.9

93 - 94%

3.8

92-91%

3.7

90%

3.6

89%

3.5

88%


Above-Average Performance
  • demonstrates a high level of competence in learning outcomes for the course;
  • demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes within the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills;
  • completes work assignments that consistently meet requirements;
  • contributes regularly to class-participation activities

3.4

87%

3.3

86%

3.2

85%

3.1

84%

3.0

83%

2.9

82%

2.8

81%

2.7

80%

2.6

79%

2.5

78%

Average Performance
  • demonstrates an adequate level of competence in learning outcomes for the course;
  • demonstrates competent ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes within the context of the course;
  • completes work assignments that satisfy minimum requirements for the course;
  • satisfies minimum requirements for class-participation activities

2.4

77%

2.3

76%

2.2

75%

2.1

74%

2.0

73%

1.9

72%

Minimum Performance
  • demonstrates minimum competence in some learning outcomes for the course;
  • completes work assignments that usually meet minimum requirements;
  • contributes inconsistently or infrequently to class-participation activities.

1.8

71%

1.7

70%

1.6

69%

1.5

68%

1.4

67%

1.3

66%

1.2

65%

1.1

64%

1.0

63% -61%
below 

61%

Unsatisfactory Performance
  • cannot demonstrate competence in many or fundamental outcomes for the course;
  • submits work assignments that frequently do not meet minimum requirements, or does not complete the assigned work;
  • does not satisfy minimum requirements for attendance or contribution to class activities.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due