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CS 160 Exploring Computer Science
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CS 160 Exploring Computer Science

Credit Hours:

4

Course Coordinator:

Michael Wilson

Course Description:

CS 160 is an approachable introduction to programming and computer science, for students with no prior programming experience.

We will learn to use JavaScript and Python to manipulate text and graphics. You do not need a strong math background to succeed in this class.

Computer coding does not have to be hard, and it can let you harness the power of your computer in new and creative ways. Coding can be a useful tool in many fields including healthcare, art, journalism, biology, chemistry, sociology, and more.

Throughout the course, we will also explore the history of computing and some of its impacts on contemporary society: such as artificial intelligence, surveillance, or big data. These topics will be chosen in week 2 based on your interests.

This course is designed to be a pre-CS 161 course for students who would benefit from a more accessible pace, who might not have a strong math or computing background, who want to explore programming and computer science but are unsure about pursuing a major/minor, and/or who are not computer science majors.

Prerequisites:

None.

Goals:

Upon the successful completion of this class, students will be able to:

 

  1. Write simple programs to express yourself creatively and/or answer questions about the world, using foundational programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, and functions.
  2. Explain some of the interactions between computing technology and social life, and offer thoughtful assessments and critiques of computing in workplaces and social life.
  3. Learn new computing concepts and/or programming languages in future coursework or through independent study. Like an introductory writing class will not transform you into a Pulitzer prize winning author immediately, this course will not make you into a rockstar programmer overnight. However, you should leave this course with the confidence and competence to pursue future study formally or informally.

Textbooks:

None.