OMSCS Seminar: Computing in Python

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Requirements & Materials
Overview

OMSCS Seminar: Computing in Python

Course Description

This seminar is combined with Executive Director of Online Education & OMSCS David Joyner's online undergraduate CS1301 class and serves as a primer on computing in Python. It is an introductory course that presupposes no prior computer science (CS) knowledge; however, it specifically serves as a good, low-stakes primer for OMSCS students without prior Python experience.

Course Content
  • Module 1: Computing. In this unit, we'll cover the basics of computing: what it means to write computer code, how to read computer code, and what it means to run and debug code.
  • Module 2: Procedural Programming. In this unit, we'll cover the basic paradigm of programming, procedural programming. In procedural programming, series of commands are executed in order. Here, we'll discuss variables, logical operators, and mathematical operators.
  • Module 3: Control Structures. In this unit, we'll cover control structures, which are lines of code that control when other lines of code run. We'll cover conditionals, loops, functions, and error handling.
  • Module 4: Data Structures. In this unit, we'll cover how data is structured to be operated upon by a computer. Specifically, we'll focus on structures that bring together multiple different pieces of data, like strings, lists, dictionaries, and file input and output.
  • Module 5: Advanced Topics. In this unit, we'll preview the next topics in computing: object-oriented programming and computer algorithms. 
Requirements & Materials

Prerequisites

This class has no prerequisites in terms of prior knowledge. To succeed, no math beyond arithmetic is necessary, and all course materials are presented in English. 

Materials

PROVIDED (Student will receive):

Generally speaking, you will navigate the course through the "Modules" tab in Canvas. This will direct you to everything you need to do week to week. The modules will direct you to different kinds of content at different times: edX, Vocareum directly, and occasionally other tools. Much of your time will be spent in edX, watching course videos, completing course exercises, and perusing supplementary materials. Canvas will also direct you to complete course surveys, complete problem sets, take quizzes and tests, and check your grades.

Session Details

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for OMSCS students and alumni who are interested in learning about the fundamentals of computing and Python.

Computer science students coding on computers

What You Will Learn

  • Foundations of computing
  • Fundamental idea of computer programs
  • Basics of variables and operators
  • Control structures for directing program flow
  • Data structures for advanced computing
Female professional in computer science lab looking at tablet

How You Will Benefit

  • Describe and apply the fundamental thought processes and theories of computing.
  • Write command-line computer programs using fundamental principles of programming.
  • Apply those abilities to a real target domain. 
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