CS2013-final-report

Course textbooks and materials
Free Online Texts:
Scratch for Budding Computer Scientists, David J. Malan.
Learning with Python: Interactive Edition, Brad Miller and David Ranum (based on material by Jeffrey
Elkner, Allen B. Downey, and Chris Meyers).
Optional Text:
Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (2nd ed.), John Zelle.
Why do you teach the course this way
This course was revised in 2011 to use Python. Previously, it was taught in Java using an object-oriented
approach. It was felt that the overhead of the language was too much for beginners, and the object-orientated
approach was not ideal for the range of students taking this course (which include business, graphic design, and
journalism majors). A scripting language, such as Python, allowed for a stronger problem-solving focus and
prepared non-majors to take high-demand courses such as Web Programming and Mobile Development.
Body of Knowledge coverage
KA Knowledge Unit Topics Covered Hours
SDF Algorithms and
Design
SDF Fundamental
Programming
Concepts
SDF Fundamental Data
Structures
SDF Development
Methods
concept & properties of algorithms; role of algorithms in problem
solving; problem solving strategies (iteration, divide & conquer);
implementation of algorithms; design concepts & principles (abstraction,
decomposition)
syntax & semantics; variables & primitives, expressions & assignments;
simple I/O; conditionals & iteration; functions & parameters
arrays; records; strings; strategies for choosing the appropriate data
structure
program correctness (specification, defensive programming, testing
fundamentals, pre/postconditions); modern environments; debugging
strategies; documentation & program style
8
8
8
6
PL
PL
PL
AL
Object-Oriented
Programming
Basic Type
Systems
Language
Translation
Fundamental Data
Structures and
Algorithms
object-oriented design; classes & objects; fields & methods 3
primitive types; type safety & errors 1
interpretation; translation pipeline 1
simple numerical algorithms; sequential search; simple string processing 4
SP History history of computer hardware; pioneers of computing; history of Internet 1
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