Introduction to Computer Science

CSCI 170-01

Spring 2008 Semester

The course syllabus.

Instructor's Home Page and current schedule.

The reading assignments.

Definitions etc.

Two of the key ideas in this course is the notion of abstraction and the concept of an algorithm.

Other important definitions.

Here is a list of the algorithmic patterns and specific algorithms carefully studied during the semester.

In addition to studying algorithms, we have also focused on computational complexity. Here are some links that help one understand this important concept

• Definitions for a Computer Scientist's "Orders of Magnitude" and a chart indicating the algorithmic limitations for these categories.
• An implementation of some sorting algorithms which illustrate some differences in running time.
• A sample worksheet for practicing running time computations.
• An exercise for the Traveling Salesman problem

Webopedia - An useful encyclopedia of computer (science) terminology.

The Spring 2008 XU Karel Contest: As an extra credit opportunity consider participating in the Spring 2008 XU Karel Programming Contest. The contest deadline is Tuesday April 24, 2008.

Homework Assignments:
A suggested guide to expressing one's algorithms.

• Homework 8: Introduction to Computational Complexity. (Due Tuesday 4/29/08)
  
  
• Homework 7: The Simple Computer (Due 4/17/08)
  If the primary Simple Computer link is unavailable, try this alternative local link.
  Here is a short summary of the Simple Computer Instruction Set, and some example programs.
  
  
• Homework 6: More playing with Algorithms. (Due 4/8/08)
  
  
• Homework 2 (redo): Students can re-submit one of the four problems from Homework 2. Please email code, provide a printout of the code, and also hand in your original submission (hardcopy only). (Due 4/1/08)
  
  
• Homework 5: Playing with Algorithms. (Due 3/27/08)
  
  
• Homework 4: Playing with Circuits. (Due 2/28/08)
      PDF version of Homework 4 in case the table doesn't display correctly.
  
  
• Homework 3: Representations and Boolean Logic. (Due 2/21/08)
  
  
• Homework 2: A Classy Karel (Due 2/12/08)
      Here is a nicer PDF version of the assignment.
      To aid you in this assignment, here is a class-based solution to the bowling problem.
  
  
• Homework 1: Fetch Karel, Fetch (Due 1/31/08)
      Here is a nicer PDF version of the assignment.
      To aid you in this assignment, here is a solution to a similar Karel problem.
  
  
• Homework 0: Working through the Rurple tutorials 1-16. Here's how to install Python on your computer (or how to find rurple on a public lab machine).
  
  

Critical Reading (Journal) Assignments:

The journal assignment grading criteria and graded samples.

• Journal 6: Net Neutrality: Due 5/1/08
• Journal 5: Privacy and the Public Sphere: Due 4/10/08
• Journal 4: Should XU block all access to P2P networks?: Due 3/11/08
• Journal 3: TelCo Immunity?: Due 2/26/08
• Journal 2: The Ethics of Downloading MP3 Files: Due 2/5/08
• Journal 1: xu.tutor and A History of Computing: Due 1/22/08

Examinations:

• The midsemester examination is scheduled for Thursday March 6, 2008.
  • A Study Guide for you to peruse.
  • A Study Game for your studying fun.
     
• The final (cumulative) examination is scheduled for Thursday May 8, 2008 (8:30-10:20).
  • A Study Guide for you to peruse.