Description

Introduces some of the ideas in computing that have helped transform other disciplines such as digital media in communications and algorithms for DNA analysis in biology and law. Explores tools for creating software to solve diverse problems.

Audience and Pre-requisites

The target audience is freshmen and sophomores. The pre-requisite is Algebra or placed into MTH 1000 Pre-calculus. Co-requisite: MTH 1000 Pre-calculus.

Textbook

None. Materials will be on the course website.

Tentative topics

• Key ideas in the design of computers
• Key ideas in the design of the Internet
• Representation of data
• Representation of instructions
• Marketing: product recommendation ("netflix/amazon")
• Biology and Forensics: DNA analysis ("CSI")
• Geography: navigation ("GPS navigation")
• Sociology: six degrees of separation ("facebook/google+")
• Health: identifying subtypes of cancer

Evaluation

• Homework assignments (50%): written and short programming assignments
• Test 1 (15%), Test 2 (15%), Final exam (20%)

Policies

• Students are encouraged to help each other on assignments, but plagiarism (copying) is prohibited.
  • first violation: zero on assignment/test
  • second violation: 'F' for the course
• Late assignments are accepted, but 20% is deducted for each day.
• Documentation constitutes 10% of each programming assignment.