Computer Science I:
Problem-Solving and Abstraction

CMPU-101 §52
Vassar College, Spring 2024

Welcome to our course web page. It will be updated throughout the semester with important course information, so check here regularly.

Contact Information

Course Coordinates (when and where)

Weekly Schedule

1 Jan 15 - Jan 21

Mon: No class
Wed: Problem-solving and abstraction
       Course Survey
Fri: Lab 1: Getting started

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2 Jan 22 - Jan 28

Mon: Expressions, values, and names
Wed: Evaluating functions and conditionals
Fri: Lab 2: Stormy weather

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3 Jan 29 - Feb 4

Mon: Tables
Wed: Designing programs for tables
Fri: Lab 3: Candy analysis

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4 Feb 5 - Feb 11

Mon: Quiz 1
Wed: Tables and lists
Fri: Lab 4: Squirrels!

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5 Feb 12 - Feb 18

Mon: Data definitions
Wed: Trees
Fri: Lab 5: Call the plumber

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6 Feb 19 - Feb 25

Recursive programs

Mon: Review session PDF
Wed: Generative recursion
Fri: Exam 1

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7 Feb 26 - Mar 3

Mon: Reactive programs
Wed: Graphs and simulations
Fri: Lab 6: 99 red balloons

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Mar 4 - Mar 9

Spring Break

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Mar 11 - Mar 17

Spring Break

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8 Mar 18 - Mar 24

Mon: Python and notebooks
Wed: Lists and strings
Fri: Lab 7: Python practice

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9 Mar 25 - Mar 31

Mon: Tables and arrays in Python (updated)
Wed: Data sanitizing
Fri: Lab 8: Cleaning table data

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10 Apr 1 - Apr 7

Mon: Visualization: PDF / Notebook
Wed: Tables and prediction
Fri: Project work

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11 Apr 8 - Apr 14

Mon: Iteration and mutation
Wed: Data classes and mutation
Fri: Lab 9: Abstraction

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12 Apr 15 - Apr 21

Mon: Quiz 2
Wed: Memory
Fri: Lab 10: Vote for Python

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13 Apr 22 - Apr 28

Mon: Dictionaries
Wed: JSON and Web APIs
Fri: Lab 11: The art of gathering data

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14 Apr 29 - May 5

Mon: Computer Science I
Wed: Study Period
Thu: Study Period
Fri: Study Period

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15 May 6 - May 12

Final exams

Mon: Study Period
Tue: Study Period
Fri: Final Exam: May 10, 5-7pm, New England 105

Acknowledgments

This course includes extensive material developed by Kathi Fisler and colleagues at Brown University.