What you will learn in this course.

• You will learn the language of computer programming, thus enabling you to write computer programs.
• This will be similar to learning a foreign language, so it will take lots of practice to become good at it. You are not going to practice unless you enjoy doing it, so this course is developed in a way to maximize your enjoyment of writing computer programs. It is going to be fun!
• Of all the computer programming languages in existence, the language currently gaining favor as the best for college students learning to program is PYTHON. This course will be based on PYTHON.
• This course requires absolutely zero prior familiarity with computer programming.
• There is absolutely no reason to be intimidated by the concept of learning to program. You WILL learn to program in the course.

Why?

• IT'S FUN TO BUILD STUFF! In this class you build interactive text based programs, as well as 3d graphical computer animations and .
• PYTHON is a real programming language, used in the workforce. There are jobs available for PYTHON programmers. In addition, PYTHON teaches l the fundamental princples employed by other less friendly languages such as Java, C#, C++, Perlscript, Visual Basic, etc.
• Once you learn how, it becomes more fun to write your own simple computer game, then to play a complex commercial one.
• This course provides prerequisite knowlege you need in order to learn Java, C#, C++, and other object oriented languages.
• Even if you do not become a computer professional, knowing how to computer program is an invaluable skill in any techincal or engineering field. Most engineering majors, for example, require an Introductory Programming class in Pyhon, Java or C++. Many college students fail that course because the concepts are too difficult without any background. This course provides all the background you need to pass such an engineering course.
• This course is required before you take advanced programming courses in the Computer Programming diploma/degree.
• If you like multimedia and designing the graphics on web pages, your chances of landing a high paying job will be tremendously advanced if you can also learn PHP and javascript to make your web pages dynamic. This course prepares you to learn those web programming skills.
• This course is a prerequisite for the Web Programming Degree/Diploma option.
• This course provides prerequisite knowlege you need in order to learn scripting languages such as PerlScript, VBscript, Powershell, and Command Line Batch programming. If you do not intend to become a computer programming but wish to be a computer professional focusing on networking, server, or workstation support, you still should know how to write scripts. This skill will greatly enhance your value, and set you apart from your many collegues who lack this abilty to create scripts.
• This course is a prequisite for the CST 1861 batch script programming course, which is required for the Computer Support Technician degree/diploma and the Network Systems Administration Degree/Diploma.
• This course is required for the CST Networking Administrators diploma and degree.
• This course is an optional elective for the CST Computer Support Technician diploma and degree, but it is highly recommended.
• This course is required in the Automation Engineering degree. Automating devices, whether on the factory floor or in the field, is basically a matter of programming them. This course teaches the programming concepts which will make learning the ladder logic languages used by Programmable Logic Controllers much easier.
• This course is worth three credits, and will receive a letter grade. How you determine your grade.

When?

1. At the times listed for this course on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
2. If you cannot make these times, you can alternatively watch the recordings of each class session.
3. Classes are not held on the following holidays:
• Labor Day.
• Veteran's Day.
• MEA (which is the third Thursday and Friday of October).
• Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Thanksgiving.
• Martin Luther King Day.
• Presidents' Day.
• Spring Break (usually the second week of March).

Where?

1. At Hutchinson, in Room 321, unless stated differently on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
2. At Willmar, in Room 34, unless stated differently on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
3. At home or anywhere with a high speed Internet connection.

How students attend this course.

1. Students may attend class online from home or elsewhere.
   

   The online student connects to class at the same time as the students on Campus are meeting with the instructor. Online and Oncampus students see and hear the same experience, and may converse simultaneosuly with the instructor.

   How you attend class online.

1. Open an Internet Browser window.
2. Obtain access to a high speed Internet Connection (DSL, Wireless provider, Cable Modem, etc). If you only have dial up, perhaps the local Library, McDonalds?, or other location will accommodate you.
3. Obtain a headset with Microphone boom or other working speaker/microphone. This is a requirement, even if you will be attending class in person.
4. Using your browser, connect to https://mnscu.webex.com.
5. Select the appropriate class.
6. The password will be posted in D2L.
7. Enter your name and ridgewater email address when prompted.
8. When prompted, select to join the audio conference using a headset.
9. When I am teaching from Hutchinson Room 321 classroom, you can reach me on the classroom phone 320 234 8614 to report audio problems with the WebEx Session.


2. Students may watch the class recordings.
   

   This is not the preferred method, since there is no live participation by the student. It should only be used by students who cannot attend the live class because of work schedules (try to schdule your work to avoid this), medical emergencies, personal crisis, etc. Watching the recordings is also useful for review.

   How you can watch the class recordings.

3. Students may attend class in person.
   

   This is best. Being surrounded by like minded students will stimulate learning and make for an enjoyable college social experience.