Introduction to problem solving, analysis and design of small-scale computational systems and implementation using a procedural programming language. For students wishing to combine studies in computer science with studies in other disciplines.
  • Website has been converted to inactive mode. (some links should no longer be expected to work)
  • More recent offering can be found here.
  • Houses

Lectures

  • Orientation on Friday, June 20th, 2023 @ 6:00pm
  • Lectures begin on Friday, June 30th, 2023
  • Lectures end on Friday, July 28th, 2023 (exam following Monday the 31st)
  • L01 MoWeFr 09:00-12:00 MS 325

Tutorials

  • Tutorials will begin on Tuesday July 4th, 2023
  • T01 TuTh 09:00 - 12:00 MS 119

Office Hours

  • MoWe 12:00-12:50 (after class) ICT 712 or setup via email

Important Dates

  • In Lieu of Canada Day: Monday, July 3rd, 2023. (university closed)
  • Midterm Exam: Friday, July 14th, 2023
  • Final Exam: Monday July 31st, 2023

Top Hat

  • Join Code: XXXXXX
  • Use your UofC Account to access Tophat, not a CPSC account.

Textbook Resources

  • Starting Out with Python 5e
    • Optional: For those who appreciate a self-paced textbook to assist the process of learning to code. No content referenced directly in course. No exercises references either.
    • Digital ebook is only 5e option however, older versions like 4e/3e have hard-copy versions can be found.
    • Earlier version 3e/4e is just as good for our purposes.
    • Digital course preparation for textbook (Not tracked for assessment)
  • The Python Workbook 2e: A Brief Introduction with Exercises and Solutions (Amazon link, since bookstore doesn't currently have link listed - April 26th, 2023.)
    • Optional: For those who want a set of challenges for coding. Written by a UofC Faculty member Dr. Stephenson a professor for introduction to programming via Python courses for 10+ years. Has both challenges and solutions as a reference.

The due dates for the assignments and exercises can be found in the Assignments sections of this page.

Support Materials

  • Course Information Sheet (Outline)
  • Topic 1: Course Organization
  • Topic 2: Introduction to Computer Science
    • Computer Science
    • Areas
  • Topic 3: Programming
    • Programming
    • Variables
    • Writing
    • IPython (optional to understand more about Google Colab)
    • Python API
  • Topic 4: Information and Data
    • Information and Data
  • Topic 5: Decisions
    • Booleans
    • IfElse
  • Topic 6: Repetition
    • Loop Types
    • Loop Usage
  • Midterm Exam: Friday, July 14th, 2023.
  • Topic 7: Functions
    • Create
    • Use
  • Topic 8: Structures
    • Lists Basics
    • Lists Complex
    • Lists Complex
    • Dictionaries
    • Strings
  • Topic 9: System
    • Command Line
    • Files
    • Exceptions
    • Advanced Python (not on exam)
  • Topic 10: Recursion
    • Recursion
  • Final Exam: Monday July 31st, 2023.

Technology

  • Python 3 (labs -> 3.10.6)
    • Python 3.11.3 is most recent and can be found for home use
    • Install with 'customize' 'environment variable' option.
    • Check installed version with python -V and python3 -V commands in shell.
  • IDE: Pycharm an IDE for Python
  • repl.it: exercises and optional online IDE
  • Optional: Google Colab: interactive notebooks for python

Assignments

  • Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, tampering or attempts to tamper with examination scripts, class work, grades and/or class records; failure to abide by directions by an instructor regarding the individuality of work handed in; the acquisition, attempted acquisition, possession, and/or distribution of examination materials or information not authorized by the instructor; the impersonation of another student in an examination or other class assignment; the falsification or fabrication of clinical or laboratory reports; the non-authorized tape recording of lectures. Please refer to Sec. K.3 in the University Calendar for complete information.
    If you are involved in an academic misconduct investigation, you will be contacted by the Department of Computer Science to schedule a meeting to discuss the case. Please do not contact your instructor or teaching assistant.

  • Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism
  • SimpleGraphics
    • The SimpleGraphics library makes it easy to generate graphics output with Python.
    • SimpleGraphics.py - This is the library itself. Save it in the same folder as your exercise or assignment. You can look at the code in the file if you want to, but don't change it!
    • tutorial.pdf - A tutorial that describes how to draw with the SimpleGraphics library.
    • shapes_test.py - A program that demonstrates the shapes available with the SimpleGraphics library.
  • Assignment 1
    • Due Date: Friday, July 7th, 2023 23:59 (11:59 PM)
    • Topics: Variables, External Libraries, Function Usage, Expressions, Input, Output, Casting, Types
  • Assignment 2
    • Due Date: Friday, July 14th, 2023 23:59 (11:59 PM)
    • Topics: Decisions, Repetition
  • Assignment 3
    • Due Date: Friday, July 21st, 2023 23:59 (11:59 PM)
    • Topics: Functions, Lists, Strings
  • Assignment 4
    • Due Date: Friday, July 28th, 2023 23:59 (11:59 PM)
    • Topics: Dictionaries, Lists, File Input/Output, Error Handling, Arguments