COMS W1004 Introduction to Computer Science May 27, 2009

Teaching staff Instructor: Chris Murphy –Office hours: Wed 3-5pm, 608 CEPSR TA: Swapneel Sheth –Office hours: Mon 11am-1pm, 608 CEPSR TA: Suhas Prakash –Office hours: TBA

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About the course This course is an introduction to computer science for computer science and other science and engineering majors having little or no prior programming experience. The goals of this course are to teach students: –knowledge of the fundamental concepts in computer science –algorithmic program-solving capabilities –fundamental Java programming skills

Course homepage Please check the course homepage frequently for important announcements and changes to the reading assignments

CourseWorks Check the “Discussion” section for questions related to the homeworks Check the “Gradebook” to make sure our records match your own Go to if you have trouble logging in to CourseWorks

Grading Homeworks: 50% Final exam: 35% Research project: 15% These are “guidelines” for the final grade

Homeworks There will be five homework assignments Each homework (generally) has two parts: –Theory –Programming Homeworks will be posted on the course homepage and announced in class

Exams An in-class final exam will be held on the last day of class: Wednesday, July 1 Exam covers material from readings and lectures (so come to class!)

Textbooks Schneider & Gersting Invitation to Computer Science, Java Version, Third Edition Cay Horstmann Big Java, Third Edition Both available at CU Bookstore or online

CUNIX You will need a login account to access Columbia’s computing environment (CUNIX) Columbia students: It is the same one you use to get your Columbia , etc. If you don’t have a UNI or don’t know what yours is, go to

Syllabus The course covers approx. 50% Java programming basics and 50% computer science theory Check the course homepage for assigned readings for each lecture The syllabus is always “tentative” but we’ll generally follow what’s there now

Academic honesty Please familiarize yourself with the Computer Science Department’s policy: It is YOUR responsibility to read and adhere to the policy

Today What is computer science? What is an algorithm? Reading: S&G 1-2, 15 Next lecture: THIS Friday!

What is Computer Science? “The study of algorithms, including: 1.Their formal and mathematical properties 2.Their hardware realizations 3.Their linguistic realizations 4.Their applications” -Schneider & Gersting, p.4 Computer Science is NOT (just) programming!

Research Project You will research a topic of your choosing that relates to either: –how computer science can be used to address real-world problems, or –the social impact of computing You will then present your findings to the class in a very brief presentation later on in the course

CS and Social Problems TECHNOLOGIES Mobile computing (handheld devices, embedded devices, etc.) Bioinformatics Ubiquitous computing (sensors, recording devices, etc.) Social networking Augmented/virtual reality Machine learning Robotics DOMAINS National security Personal security/safety Medicine & disease control Social welfare and equality Environmental issues (climate change, extinction, pollution, etc.) Distribution of wealth/goods/information Energy & natural resources

Computing and Society Digital media and IPR (Napster) Encryption algorithms and national security (PGP) Hackers and network security Online anonymity: good or bad? Medical research and privacy

Proposal As part of your Homework #1 submission, briefly outline 1-2 topics you would be interested in researching For example: –“I am very interested in recycling. I would like to investigate how embedded devices in products can increase the percentage that get recycled in a given household.”

Homework #1 Do the following questions from S&G Third Edition: –Chapter 1: 7, 8, 9 –Chapter 2: 1, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23 Research project proposal Homework is due at the beginning of class on Monday, June 1! –Just a paper copy, not electronic