Basic Information

This course is the computer science department’s introductory course. The two primary goals are to introduce the general field of computer science and to introduce the concept of programming.

This website is subject to change as more content is added. Check it often!

Readings before class - ZyBook "participation" activities and readings are due before the class they are assigned.  Each section usually takes on average 10 minutes complete (although some might take a little more time and some might take a little less time).  "Challenge" activities are optional and may be used as examples in class. Chapter sections marked as optional will not be graded, but they will better help you understand Python.

Topics/Notes - Any class notes will be linked here. If you miss a class, screencasts are provided through eLearning. (Note - screencasts are only meant as note suppliments. You may miss things written on the board or in-class activities/bonus points.)

Assignments - Assignments should be submitted on the program submission system before they are due. The system will automatically run your program and report any errors. If you do not understand what the system means if it returns an error, it is your responsibility to ask. Assignments can be turned in up to two days late with a 10% penalty deducted per day.



Date Readings before class Topics/Notes Assignments
1/25
Get the online textbook:
Instructions here
Class Notes - Course Introductions No programming assignment this first week.
1/27 zyBook 1.1 - 1.2 Class Notes - Understanding the history and basics of computers  
1/28   Lab #1 in WRT 110 and 112 (check your assigned lab times)  
1/29 zyBook 1.3 Class Notes - Numerical representation  
2/1 zyBook 1.4 - 1.5 Class Notes - Finish numerical representation  
2/3 zyBook 1.6 - 1.7 Lab Programming Preparation (notes from zyBook)  
2/4   Lab #2 in WRT 110 and 112  
2/5
zyBook 1.8 - 1.10 Starting to write programs
(Notes and examples from zyBook)
HW #1 (due 2/10)
2/8 zyBook 1.11 - 1.13 Notes - More with data and types
(Notes and examples from zyBook)
 
2/10 zyBook 2.1 - 2.2 Notes - Introducing Branching in Python
(Notes and examples from zyBook)
 
2/11   Lab #3 in WRT 112  
2/12 zyBook 2.3 - 2.4 Notes - Boolean and Relational Operators
(Notes and examples from zyBook)
HW #2 (now due 2/18)
2/15 zyBook 2.5 Notes - More if/else
(Notes and examples from zyBook)
 
2/17 zyBook 3.1 - 3.3
Class Notes - Introducing For and While Loops  
2/18   Lab #4 in WRT 112  
2/19
zyBook 3.4 - 3.5 Class Notes - Lab Debrief and More Practice HW #3 (due 2/24)
2/22 zyBook 3.6 - 3.7 Class Notes - Advanced Looping  
2/24 zyBook 3.8 - 3.9 Class Notes - Nested looping  
2/25   Lab #5 in WRT 112  
2/26 Class Notes- Lab Debrief HW #4 (due 3/3)
3/1 Powerpoint notes Class Notes- Algorithms and Program Development  
3/3 zyBook 4.1 - 4.2 Class Notes - Introduction to Strings  
3/4   Lab #6 in WRT 112  
3/5
  Class Notes - Working with Strings HW #5 (due 3/10 at 11:59pm)
3/8 zyBook 4.3 - 4.4 Class Notes - More with Strings - Methods  
3/10 zyBook 4.5 Class Notes - More with Strings - Penny Math  
3/11   Lab #7 in WRT 112  
3/12   Class Notes - Lab Debrief  
3/15   Class Notes- Exam prep, various examples, and wrap up  
3/17 Note: Online Test Concepts Exam #1 During Class  
3/18 Note: Test in 112 Wright Hall In-lab Exam #1  
3/19 zyBook 5.1-5.2 Class Notes - Files  
3/22 No class, please watch class video Continuing last lecture
3/24 zyBook 6.1-6.3 Defining your own functions (zyBook used in class)
3/25
  Lab #8 in WRT 112  
3/26 zyBook 6.4 Class Notes - Lab 8 Debrief, more on functions HW #6 (due 3/31 at 11:59pm)
3/29   Class Notes - Function wrapup, code comments  
3/31 zyBook 7.1-7.3 Class Notes - Introducing Lists
4/1   Lab #9 in WRT 112  
4/2 zyBook 7.4-7.5 Class Notes - More Lists HW #7 (due 4/7 at 11:59pm)
4/5 zyBook 7.7-7.8
Class Notes - Lists - Indexing and Sorting  
4/7 Class Notes - Using Files and Lists to Parse Text
4/8   Lab #11 in WRT 112  
4/9 zyBook 8.1 and 8.2 Class Notes - Introduction to Dictionaries HW #9 (due 4/14 at 11:59pm)
How do I make the points list?
4/12 zyBook 8.3 and 8.4 Class Notes - Word Frequency Analysis  
4/14 zyBook 10.1-10.4 Class Notes- Namespaces and Memory
4/15   Lab #12 in WRT 112  
4/16
zyBook 6.5-6.6, 6.9
No class today
Review of Lab Twelve
No class today, watch lab explanation video in link above
HW #10 (due 4/21 at 11:59pm)
Introduction to HW #10
4/19 zyBook 9.1 Class Notes - Sets  
4/21 zyBook 11.1-11.3 Class Notes - Intro to Searching
4/22   Lab #13 in WRT 112  
4/23   Debrief of Lab 13
Class Notes - Review Searching and Big O Analysis
HW #11 (due 4/30 at 11:59pm)
No late days

In-Lab Exam 2 Study Guide
4/26 zyBook 11.5-11.8
Class Notes - Intro to Sorting  
4/28   Class Notes - In-class review session  
4/29 Note: Test in 112 Wright Hall In-Lab Exam #2  
4/30   Class Notes - Final Review  
5/5 Final Exam
10:00am-11:50am
Timed 60 minute Blackboard test. You must take the test during this period.
Log onto this Blackboard class and click on the exam link to start the test.