T-Th 9:05
or
T-Th 11:15
in Olin 155

CS 1110: Introduction to Computing Using Python

Spring 2016

Alternatives to CS 1110

CS 1110 is a 4 credit course designed for freshmen and sophomores. While it offers an introduction to computer programming concepts, it goes a lot deeper than that. It also emphasizes techniques of problem analysis and the development and analysis of algorithms. Depending on your needs, you may find that other classes are a better fit.


CS 1133: The Short Python Course

CS 1110 is not an ideal class for graduate students who need to learn some programming for their research. It involves a significant amount of work both in and out of class; the typical graduate student does not have time for all this work. In our experience, most graduate students drop the course in the first month.

CS 1133 is a 1-credit course that focuses on the basics in programming in Python. It does not include a lot of the computer science material that CS 1110, but it is enough to get you up and running in Python, if you need to use it for another class. This is the course that we recommend for graduate students.

If you look at the Course Catalogue you may see that CS 1133 requires experience in another language. This is no longer the case. We have revamped this course so that it assumes no previous programming experience.


CS 1112 Introduction to Computing Using Matlab

CS 1112 is the primary alternative to CS 1110. Both courses prepare students for CS 2110 or CS 2112 and future computer science courses. CS 1110 has a slight emphasis on software application development. CS 1112, which uses Matlab, has a slight emphasis on scientific computation. While CS 1112 assumes no programming experience, it does require a firm background in mathematics, e.g., co-registration with your first calculus course.

You should refer to http://www.cs.cornell.edu/ugrad/FirstCSCourse/index.htm for more information about entry-level CS courses.


Other Possibilities

Students with some programming language experience who are headed for areas of study that are heavy in statistics and data analysis, might be interested in Statistical Science 4060 (Python Programming and its Applications in Statistics). This is a 2-credit hour Spring semester course.

If you are shopping around for a "first course" to take in programming or computer science, it is worth examining some of the offering by the Information Science department. INFO 1300 is a course on design and programming for the web. This course does not cover as many computer science concepts as either CS 1110. It does an excellent job emphasizing program design, and is one of the best courses available for this.


Course Material Authors: D. Gries, L. Lee, S. Marschner, C. Van Loan & W. White (over the years)