Information Technology Tools and Applications - Advanced - Python
INFO 246

Steve Perry
E-mail

Important Dates
INFO 246 - Python- Syllabus

Semester: Spring 2023 (2023-01-30 through 2023-03-24)

NOTE: This is a 2-unit class and all work is covered in less than a full semester.

Attendance Requirements
You must actively use the class Web site at least once per each week to considered in attendance that week. The activities that show attendance are: logging into to this site, clicking on a link to read a lesson/assignment, or submitting an assignment.

Participation Requirements
Participation is required in the class Discussion Area and will count as 10% (10 points) of your grade.

This course is an introduction to using Python to program computer applications. We will be reading from the required text and doing programming exercises. The assignments will be problems that you will solve by coding Python programs that exercise the concepts learned to date. You will learn the fundamentals of Python coding statements, how to define and use functions, how to work with data types and lists, use file I/O, and create and maintain a Python dictionary.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group; contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 246 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Code and test programs using fundamental Python statements.
2. Define and use functions and modules.
3. Work with datatypes and lists.
4. Work with file I/O.
5. Create and maintain a Python dictionary.

Textbooks

No Textbooks For This Course.

Assignment Due Dates
The due dates for all assignments are listed in the Modules area with each assignment and in the Grading area.

There is a 4-day grace period on all assignments! This means you can turn in an assignment up to 4 days past the due date with no penalty. (As long as it is not past the last day of the semester.)

If you contact me before the grace period is passed, I may extend an assignment due date for you, if need be. The important thing is to contact me BEFORE time runs out!

ANOTHER NOTE: It is wise to aim to submit the assignment by the actual posted due date. That way, if you need extra help from me, you have the time to get it.

Assignments

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.