CS 160 Introduction Computer Science

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Explores the disciplines and professions of Computer Science and Software Engineering. Surveys computer hardware and software architecture, the study of algorithms, software design and development, data representation and organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics in the digital world, and the history of computing and its influences on society. Explores career options and begins the process of planning a program of study. Exposes students to both low-level and high-level programming languages.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); and placement into MTH 112Z or higher, or MTH 111Z or higher or concurrent enrollment; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

Define the field of computer science and related fields (computer engineering, information technology, information systems, software engineering); describe what practitioners of each of these fields do.
Describe the educational requirements and options available to those wanting to enter any of the professions in computing.
Review the historical and technical evolution of computing and its impact on the field today.
Analyze the societal and ethical issues that arise as a result of the increased use of digital systems.
Describe the limits of computation, current big issues, and likely future directions for computer science and computing professionals.
Describe the commonly used architecture of digital computers, and the function and relationships of the primary components of digital computers.
Follow and write simple programs in assembly and a higher level programming language.
Develop algorithms in a variety of styles to solve computational programs.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Content Outline

Computer Science Education and Careers; Introduction to Science of Computation
Digital Logic and Binary Systems
Data Representations
Computer Architecture and Machine Languages
Operating Systems and Networking Programming Languages
Algorithms and theory of computation
Data Abstraction and Data Structures
Recursion
Operating systems & concurrency 
AI & Higher order functions