CISC 121/3.0: Introduction to Computer Science I

This course is available to both Queen’s and non-Queen’s students. Non-Queen’s students (including interest students, visiting students, and new online degree students) must first apply for admission. The following is presented for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Instructor

Wendy Powley Learn more about the instructor...
E-mail:  wendy@cs.queensu.ca

Course Description

Introduction to design and analysis of algorithms. Recursion, backtracking, and exits. Sequences, linked lists and references. Binary search trees. Elementary searching and sorting. Assertions and loop invariants. Order-of-magnitude complexity. Numerical computation. Documentation, testing and debugging.

Course Objectives/Topics Covered

This course is an introduction to programming using Python.  It is assumed that students have some prior experience in programming and understand the basics of a programming language such as variables, functions, iteration and loops. We will cover these concepts briefly in Python.  In addition, we will cover topics such as recursion, searching and sorting techniques, data structures such as linked lists and binary search trees and computational complexity. Throughout the course you will learn good programming style, how to document your code and testing/debugging techniques.

Course Topics

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More information:

• Computer Requirements and Internet Access
• Moodle, Our Online Learning Environment 
• Academic Integrity
• Evaluation
• Suggested Time Commitment
• Required Material