Discipline: Computer Information Systems
Originator: Mark Lehr

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Computer Information Systems 835
CIS-835 : Foundational Approach: Word Problems to Work Flow
College:
Lecture Hours: 9.000
Outside-of-Class Hours: 18.000
Total Student Learning Hours: 27.000
Grading Methods: Pass/No Pass
Course Description
Prerequisite: None
Course Credit Recommendation: Non-Credit

There are systematic techniques to solve basic procedural problems. Mapping the known inputs to the desired outcome is a method used by all software engineers. These procedures can be applied to simple as well as complex problems. 9 hours lecture.
Short Description for Class Schedule
How to quantify inputs in preparation for procedural solutions.
Entrance Skills:
Before entering the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following activities:
  1. Develop approaches and methodologies for solving word problems.
  2. Identify key conditions for thoroughly testing algorithmic solutions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
  1. Determine the the proper inputs to a problem and formulate a procedural solution
  2. Determine test cases to confirm the procedural implementation.
Course Content:
  1. Variable Declarations:
    1. Primitive data types
    2. Significant digits
    3. Scaling
    4. Base
    5. Operational Composition:
    6. Formulation
    7. Operator Precedence
    8. Conversion
  2. Procedural Solutions:
    1. Basic manipulation of equalities
    2. Unknown in terms of the known
    3. Simultaneous solutions
    4. Under, Exact and Over-specification
Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
  • Presentation of class lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to clarify the solution techniques.
  • Web-based/web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks/activities to reinforce understanding of concepts related to the variable, operational and procedural techniques.
  • Online and Laboratory activities and application assignments.
  • Projects in order to facilitate and demonstrate approaches to solutions.
  • Collaborative projects/cooperative learning tasks in order to encourage students to develop and apply team work skills.
  • Pair and small group activities/discussion to enhance student understanding of solution concepts.
  • Class exercises to solve problems associated with key concepts.
  • Handouts to assist student learning and to capture critical ideas.
  • Individual conferences.
  • Guest lecturers to emphasize certain critical topics plus expose students to how programmers approach problem solving.
Methods of Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of student learning outcomes using methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
  • Quizzes/examinations designed to measure students’ problem solving skills.
  • Collaborative projects designed to demonstrate team work skills.
Sample Assignments:
Outside-of-Class Reading Assignments
  • The primary assignments for this course involve researching problem solving techniques.
    • Read about the methodologies in solving word problems.
    • Read about the importance of solving work flow problems in business.
Outside-of-Class Writing Assignments
  • Assignments for the course involve practicing problem solving techniques.
    • Some simple conversion problems.
    • Solve formulaic problems.
    • Transform relationships from the known to the unknown parameters.
    • Solve a set of linear relationships.
    • Chart relationships for functional and empirical data.
Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
Course Materials:
All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include the following:
  • https://sciencing.com/5-steps-word-problem-solving-8781959.html
  • http://www.pnmsoft.com/resources/bpm-tutorial/workflow-tutorial/
Codes/Dates:
Board of Trustees Approval Date: 01/15/2019
COR Rev Date: 01/15/2019