CS107: Introduction to Computer Science

Mon, Wed: 1:00 - 2:25 in Searles 126

Lab: Tue: 2:30 - 3:55 in Searles 128

This course provides a broad overview of computer science. You will learn about the basic areas of the discipline--algorithms (the foundation of computer science), what goes on inside a computer, how to design an algorithm and write a program to solve a problem on the computer, how your program is translated to a form the computer can "understand," some theory (can a computer solve anything?), social issues, and some applications in networks, artificial intelligence and environmental studies. Weekly labs provide experiments with concepts presented in class. Programming is done in C++.

This course is required for majors, but is a self-contained course designed to appeal to non-majors looking for a general introduction to computer science.

Prerequisites: None! No previous knowledge of computer science is required.

Instructor: Laura Toma
Office: 219 Searles Hall
Email: ltoma@bowdoin.edu

Office hours: M,T,W,Th 4-5pm. Send me an email to set up a different time.

Class Email: csci107@bowdoin.edu

Class webpage: http://www.bowdoin.edu/~ltoma/teaching/cs107/fall03/
Bowdoin class webpage: http://academic.bowdoin.edu/courses/f03/csci107

Main topics:

• Designing algorithms.
• Analyzing the efficiency of algorithms.
• Programming and programming languages.
• How does a computer work? Logic, gates, circuits, designing logic circuits, machine organisation.
• Models of computation and computability.
• Computer networks.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Applications of computer science to Environmental Studies.
• Social issues of computer science.

Course material:

• Schneider and Gersting, An Invitation to Computer Science, 2nd Edition, Brooks/Cole, 1999 (required).
• Handouts and software tools to be distributed in class.

Grading policy

• Lab assignments 30%.
• Student presentations: 10%
• Three exams 20% each.
• Class participation (tiebreaker).

Course Outline