CSC 171 - Introduction to Computer Science
Hands-on introduction to computer science using the Python programming language. Teaches fundamentals of programming, data structures, algorithmic techniques and more advanced topics. Emphasizes algorithmic thinking and computational problem solving and provides an introduction to the concepts and methods used in Computer Science. Required for all CSC majors.
Credit Hours: This is a four credit class. This class follows the university credit hour policy and is expected to to require a typical time commitment of 8-12 hours per week.
Meeting Time and Location: MW 1025 AM - 1140 AM, Hoyt Hall
Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites (see Note 1)
Lab sessions: CS Open Lab Support is provided by the computer science department for our introductory courses (CSC 161, CSC 171 and CSC 172) with six CS Open Lab Support options each week (Monday - Friday). Students do not enroll in CS Open Lab Support and are able to attend any CS Open Lab Support session. Students may also attend multiple CS Open Lab Support sessions each week. Two Open Lab TAs will be present during each CS Open Lab Support session. Attendance will be collected for each CS Open Lab Support session for department informational purposes.
Workshops: Workshops are small-group peer study sessions facilitated by students who receive training from the Learning Center. Workshop participation is required and graded based on your active participation in assigned problem solving exercises.
Note 1: This is the first required course for all CSC majors. There will be substantial programming assignments. Non-majors, or those looking for a gentler introduction to programming, may wish to consider taking CSC 161 instead of (or prior to) taking this course.Note 2: Almost all lectures in this course are cumulative, and early topics provide important foundations. Requests to enroll in this course after 09.02 will not be approved.
The course covers the following topics:
Students taking the course will: