## DASC 5100 Programming Fundamentals (3 Credit Hours)
### Section A
Fall 2025
Dr. Husam Ghazaleh
[email protected]
Lecture Meeting Time: Asynchronous Online
Office Hours: MWF 11:00am–12:30pm, and by Appointment using Microsoft Bookings
Office Location: Birck Hall 132
Telephone Number: 630-829-2171
Department Chair: Dr. Anthony DeLegge – Birck 125,
[email protected]
Course Description: Introduction to foundational programming concepts. The course is specif-
ically designed for students without prior programming experience. Topics include syntax, condi-
tionals, loops, functions, lists, strings and dictionaries. Data structures such as trees and heaps are
also discussed. 3 semester credit hour/s.
**Course Topics:**
[[1. Introduction to Computers and Python|1. Introduction to Computers and Python]]
[[2. Introduction to Python Programming|1. Introduction to Python Programming]]
[[3. Control Statements and Program Development|3. Control Statements and Program Development]]
[[4. Functions|4. Functions]]
[[5. Lists and Tuples|5. Lists and Tuples]]
[[6. Dictionaries and Sets|6. Dictionaries and Sets]]
[[7. Strings|6. Strings]]
TextBook: Deitel, P., & Deitel, H. M. (2020). Revel for Intro to Python for computer science
and data science (brief version), 1st Edition. Pearson.
Course Learning Outcomes
General Education Goals and Outcomes
G1. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
G1.a. Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis
G1.b. Identify, study, and solve problems
G2. Personal Growth
G2.a. Develop intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning
G3. Breadth of Knowledge and Integrative Learning
G3.a. Explore connections between classroom knowledge and real-world ex-
periences
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DASC 5100 — Course-Specific Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this
course, students will be able to:
1. Apply and use fundamental Python programming constructs such as iterations, lists,
and dictionaries (G1.a).
2. Recognize and appreciate the extensive Python standard libraries and thousands of
third-party open source libraries (G2.a).
3. Understand the strength and importance of the Python programming language in the
fields of data science and machine learning(G2.a).
4. Use the Python programming language to solve real-world problems drawn from
statistical context(G3.a, G1.b).
5. Appreciate the open-source nature of Python and the open source community (G2.a).
Grading Policy:
6. Programming Assignments (8 assignments)= 20% of the course grade.
7. Quizzes (10 or more quizzes)= 20% of the course grade.
8. Discussions (8 discussions)= 10% of the course grade.
9. Midterm Exam= 20% of the course grade.
10. Seminars (5 recorded seminars) = 10% of the course grade.
11. Final Exam= 20% of the course grade.
Grading Scale:
>= 90.00 A
80.00-89.99 B
70.00-79.99 C
60.00-69.99 D
0.00-59.99 F
The College of Science & Health is committed to giving regular and timely feedback to students
to aid their progress toward achieving course learning goals. Normally, lab exercises, programming
assignments, and quizzes will be graded within one week, and exams will be graded within two
weeks, following their submission. Per College of Science & Health policy, students may not invoke
an instructor’s failure to meet the above schedule for grading and providing feedback as the basis
for a grade appeal.
Course Schedule (Subject to Change):
2