Course Syllabus

Overview

This is CSE 310: Applied Programming. The course is a three-credit course.

The successful student who completes the course will have all the tools necessary, including a Personal Software Portfolio, to assist in finding an internship or career employment.

Requirements

Prerequisites

The pre-requisite is CSE 210: Programming With Classes.

Required Resources

This course has no textbook.

Structure

Course Outcomes (CO)

  1. Independently research and create computing solutions in a variety of languages and domains.
  2. Contribute and interact with peers to successfully develop software.

Major Assignments

The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).

Major Assignment Description CO#
Modules  Students will learn a new technology or programming language during a 2-week sprint and then develop software to demonstrate what they have learned.  They will repeat this for 6 sprints. CO #1
Soft Skill Learning Students will learn many soft skills including continuous improvement, practicing, teamwork, dealing with failure, understanding procrastination, and grit.  After watching a video each sprint, students will be given two questions to ponder and respond to.  They will repeat this for 6 sprints. CO #2

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical activities, due dates, and activity descriptions for each 2 week sprint.  The first week of the course will be an introduction.  The first sprint starts on week 2.  There will be 6 sprints.

Due Date* Learning Model Activity Title Description
Wednesday of First Week of the Sprint Prove Module Plan Students select a module to learn and submit a plan to their instructor.  A template is provided.
Saturday of the Second Week of each Sprint Prove Module Submit Students submit a report that includes a link to their GitHub repository and reports on their module project. A template is provided.
Saturday of the Second Week of each Sprint Prove Soft Skills Students will watch a video and complete an assignment.  A template is provided

*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

Learning Model

This course seeks to help you achieve your goals while implementing the learning model of prepare, teach one another, and prove. These simple skills are the same you will employ in the workforce and in other aspects of your life. Learning to internalize these skills and build them in your own life will provide you with an exceptional foundation to succeed.

Expectations

Weekly Feedback

Students can expect feedback on their assignments from their instructor or graders. Students should contact their instructor for further information.  You should not wait for feedback on your module plan before starting work on your Sprint.  If you have a specific question, please reach out to the instructor directly.  The best feedback on the software you write each Sprint will come from asking questions during the Sprint.

Workload

This class is a 3-credit hour class, so be prepared to put in an average of 9 hours every week.  You are required to work a minimum of 12 hours on the module projects each 2-week Sprint.  The course is built to help pace you through these activities, but the pacing can be fast if you don't allow yourself time and a focused learning setting to help stay on task.

Group Work

There is no formal group work in the class.  You are welcomed and encourage to collaborate with class members on your individual module projects each Sprint.  However, the software that you write must be your own.

Late Work

As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, your instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates as appropriate.

Retries

Due to the fast pace of this course, retries are not an option for students.

Using Artificial Intelligence

You are expected to utilize all available resources to foster creativity, learning, and understanding, including classroom attendance, books, office hours, websites, and AI tools.   It is acceptable to use an AI tool to get started on a software module.  However, you should not ask the AI to create the entire software for you.  The AI can help generate project ideas, understand complex code, and troubleshoot code and tool problems.  You should understand everything that is in your code.  For language modules, do not neglect the learning of the language syntax by using exclusively AI-generated code.  You must discipline yourself to use the AI to refine and advance your learning instead of trending us to be "slothful and shallow" in both our spiritual and technical development (see Elder David A. Bednar, 2024Links to an external site.).  Please take advantage of your college experience to become a software developer.  Investing the necessary effort now will enable AI to boost your productivity in the future.

"My dear brothers and sisters, as sophisticated as modern technology has become, it simply cannot simulate the wonder, awe, and amazement found in the kind of reverence born from the influence of the Holy Ghost" - (Elder Ulisses Soares, 2025Links to an external site.)

Extra Credit

Extra credit can be achieved if a student completes a Stretch Goal for one of the modules each sprint.  Instructions on completing a Stretch Goal are included in each module's instructions. 

Grading Scale

Letter Grade Percent
A 100% – 93%
A- 92% – 90%
B+ 89% – 87%
B 86% – 83%
B- 82% – 80%
C+ 79% – 77%
C 76% – 73%
C- 72% – 70%
D+ 69% – 67%
D 66% – 63%
D- 62% – 60%
F 59% and lower

University Policies

Personal Challenges

As a faculty member, I am committed to creating a learning environment that supports the well-being and development of all students. If you are experiencing stressors or situations that impact your academic experience or personal wellness, seeking professional help may be an important step for you to take. The following resources are available to support you and your well-being at the university: 

  1. Dean of Students Office: a central place for students to seek support in navigating personal challenges. 290 Kimball Building, 208-496-9200
  2. Counseling Center: licensed counselors who assist students in identifying and resolving emotional, mental, and interpersonal problems. Student Health Center 200, 208-496-9370
  3. 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Available 24/7 by call or text message, the 988 hotline connects you to a trained crisis counselor who provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connects them to resources.

If you experience a crisis, I encourage you to reach out to me so we can discuss ways for you to be successful in my course.

Educational Challenges

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. The Accessibility Services Office coordinates services with the students and instructors. More information is available at www.byui.edu/accessibility-services/Links to an external site..

Preventing Sexual Harassment

BYU-Idaho prohibits sex discrimination by its employees and students in all its education programs or activities. This includes all forms of sexual harassment, such as sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of unwelcome sexual conduct.

As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for my students. University policy requires deans and department chairs, and encourages all faculty, to report every incident of sexual harassment that comes to their attention. If you experience sexual harassment or are concerned for the safety of others, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@byui.edu or 208-496-9209. More information is available at www.byui.edu/titleixLinks to an external site..

Additional Policies

Please review the following important University Policies that apply to this course:

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due