ICS 140 Computational Thinking with Programming

An introduction to the formulation of problems and developing and implementing solutions for them using a computer. Students analyze user requirements, design algorithms to solve them and translate these designs to computer programs. The course also provides an overview of major areas within the computing field. Topics include algorithm design, performance metrics, programming languages and paradigms, programming structures, number representation, Boolean algebra, computer system organization, data communications and networks, operating systems, compilers and interpreters, cloud computing, data analytics, mobile computing, internet of things, and artificial intelligence) database, internet, security, privacy, ethics, and other societal and legal issues. Lab work and homework assignments involving flow charting tools and programming using a language such as Python form an integral part of the course.

Prerequisites

• MATH 115: College Algebra
• or MATH 120: Precalculus
• or STAT 201: Statistics I

Special information

First day attendance is mandatory.Note: Students must be proficient in using a computer. Required skills include the ability to create directories (folders) and files of different types (plain text files, zip files, etc.) using a graphical user interface as well as a command line interface. Students are responsible to both be aware of and abide by prerequisites for ICS courses for which they enroll, and will be administratively dropped from a course if they have not met prerequisites.