CSA 163 is a first-tier course in the CSA4 "Web and Game Applications" thematic sequence.

Given the prevalence of computing devices, it is important that we understand what computers do and how they do it. The web game applications thematic sequence is designed to provide students with an understanding of how computer software is created and designed and how it functions to make possible popular applications such as computer games and the World Wide Web. Courses in the sequence provide an introduction to fundamental programming concepts.  These concepts are applied to create computer games and web applications.

The CSA4 thematic sequence consists of one of the following introductory computer programming courses...

• CSA 153, Introduction to C/C++ Programming
• CSA 163, Introduction to Computer Concepts and Programming
• CSA 174, Fundamentals of Programming and Problem Solving

Followed by both of the following courses...

• CSA 251, Introduction to Game Programming
• CSA 252, Web Application Programming

CSA 163 is a course in which you learn computer programming concepts that are fundamental in nearly any computer programming language.  These concepts can then be used in other courses to help you create computer applications that can be used to solve real-world problems.

Learning Outcomes

LEP

CSA163.1: To be able to gain an understanding of fundamental concepts in programming
CSA163.1.1.          The student can describe fundamental computer hardware and software concepts
CSA163.1.2.          The student can differentiate among various data elements, and structures, and their associated data types.
CSA163.1.3.          The student can correlate program requirements with event-driven programming constructs, such as classes, objects, methods, and events.

U

CSA163.2: To be able to write programs in Visual Basic
CSA163.2.1.          The student can write programs in Visual Basic employing sequence, selection, and repetition structures
CSA163.2.2.          The student can implement modular design/decomposition in solving complex problems
CSA163.2.3.          The student can develop formulas and algorithms that are well structured, robust, reliable, and amenable to implementation in a Visual Basic computer program.
CSA163.2.4.          The student can demonstrate the use of String processing methods
CSA163.2.5.          The student can write sequential file processing programs
CSA163.2.6.          The student can select appropriate data types and structures to represent the real-world context of a programming problem
CSA163.2.7.          In designing a program, the student can implement design specifications including usability, scalability, speed, and efficiency issues

T,U

CSA163.3: To be able to be able to apply problem solving in programming
CSA163.3.1.          The student can use program design tools in problem solving
CSA163.3.2.          The student can identify and resolve syntax, logic, and run-time errors

T

CSA163.4: To be able to develop user-friendly programs
CSA163.4.1.          The student can write menu-driven programs
CSA163.4.2.          The student can implement multimedia features in a program

CSA163.5: To work cooperatively with other programmers
CSA163.5.1.   The student can work as part of a team to analyze a given problem, propose and compare potential software solutions to the problem, and implement the chosen solution

E

CSA163.6: To use and design computer programs in real-world contexts
CSA163.6.1.  The student can explain ways in which computer software is or may be used to solve a problem related to your major field of study.
CSA163.6.2.  The student can use feedback collected from users of a program to make improvements to that program.
CSA163.6.3.  The student can describe ethical standards associated with software development.
CSA163.6.4.  The student can write documentation that explains to others how to use a program.

U,R