The learning system you will use in this course is one intended to be one of hands-on exposure and practice or "learning by doing." The text is designed to be used with a computer for maximum benefit.

The text includes a Working Model of Visual Basic 4.0 on a CD-ROM. The Working Model allows you to complete most of the assigned tutorials and the three required EXERCISES, but in certain cases the author points out the limitations of the Working Model and highlights the fact that you may only read certain pages and not practice that material.

In addition, there are student program and data files available through the World Wide Web at http://coursetools.com which are referenced in the text for use with the computer and which will further enhance the learning experience. Once you access the Web Site, locate the appropriate file, download it, unzip it and follow the instructions in the README file. If you are unfamiliar with any of these terms, contact your Instructor for assistance. The student files are not needed for the three required EXERCISES.

The following study sequence is suggested:

Examinations: The two exams will each count 35% of the final course grade. The problems will all be multiple choice and will be similar in nature to the QUESTIONS at the end of each section. Please note that there are short-answer QUESTIONS in the textbook which may be represented on the exam as multiple-choice questions. It is also important to note that the exam content is drawn from the assigned reading, and that this content tends to be adequately captured in the SUMMARY and QUESTIONS at the end of each assigned section.

EXERCISES: The three EXERCISES will each count 10% of the final course grade. Use the computer to complete the work and follow the instructions given. For two of the EXERCISES, there are some slight changes and helps attached to this course outline to clarify the problems and to specify what must be submitted. To receive full credit your program must solve the stated problems correctly. Partial credit will be given for programs that do not work correctly, but which show reasonable effort and thought.

WEEK 1

Tutorial 1: An Introduction to Visual Basic

Readings: pp. 12-29, 38-48, 55-63, 72-75

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 29-35, 48-51, 77-80*

* You may skip over references to the Multimedia control

WEEK 2

Tutorial 2: Designing Applications (Lessons A and B)

Readings: pp. 85-101, 106-121

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 102-104, 121-123

WEEK 3

Tutorial 2: Designing Applications (Lesson C)

Readings: pp. 126-145

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 145-147

Assignment 1 EXERCISE 3, p. 148

** PLEASE SEE THE SEPARATE ASSIGNMENT SHEET FOR ASSIGNMENT 1 **

WEEK 4

Tutorial 3: Using Variables and Constants

Readings: pp. 155-179, 184-206, 212-224

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 180-181, 206-208, 224-227

WEEK 5

Tutorial 4: The Selection Structure (Lessons A and B)

Readings: pp. 235-268, 278-302

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 268-272, 303-306

** Take Exam 1 (Covers Assigned Readings to Date, Excluding Lesson C of Tutorial 4) **

WEEK 6

Tutorial 4: The Selection Structure (EXERCISE and Lesson C)

Assignment 2 EXERCISE 1, p. 306-307
{Submit printouts from steps i and j, and code from the last step l}

** THERE IS NO SEPARATE ASSIGNMENT SHEET FOR ASSIGNMENT 2 **

Readings: pp. 308-324

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 324-326 (optional, not tested)

WEEK 7

Tutorial 5: The Repetition Structure (Lessons A and B)

Readings: pp. 333-358, 368-390

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 359-362, 391-393

WEEK 8

Tutorial 6: Sequential Access Files and Menus (Lessons A and B)

Readings: pp. 423-447, 459-477

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 447-451, 477-482

WEEK 9

Tutorial 6: Sequential Access Files and Menus (EXERCISE and Lesson C)

Assignment 3 EXERCISE 2, p. 482-3

** PLEASE SEE THE SEPARATE ASSIGNMENT SHEET FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 **

Readings: pp. 486-499

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 500-502

WEEK 10

Tutorial 9: Variable Arrays (Lessons A and B)

Readings: pp. 641-667, 679-700

SUMMARY and QUESTIONS: pp. 668-673, 700-705

** Take Exam 2 (Covers Tutorials 5, 6 and 9) **